Mr. Mayer was a fine lawyer and an intelligent, kind man.  God Bless
him and his family.

When Michael Mayer became my federal lawyer he became my friend. I came to his office and saw a purse strap hanging out of a box. I knew immediately it was a coach purse. He told me his beloved deceased  wife had given him a coach briefcase many years before. I said if u can trust me with it for 24hours i will make it look brand new. I brought it back to him and handed it to him and he cried. He was shocked. What a dear man and lawyer he has been to me. Rest in paradise Mayer. Love lori andreano

Condolences from the Federal Court family. Mike contributed to the delivery of justice in his reliable service on the CJA Panel for defendants. He was always ready to appear on short notice, and helped many clients understand what was happening. Mike and I had kids at Uncle Sam's daycare at the same time, so we'd see each other there, too, and compare notes on toddlers!  Our thoughts are with his family.
Judge Celeste F. Bremer 

Michael was one of my favorite friends at Lincoln. He was always fun to be around and such a great guy.

Dear Mayer Family,

I write to convey the condolences of all of the attorneys and staff in the Federal Public Defender's Office.    Mike was a beloved member of the federal criminal defense community, and will be greatly missed. 
Since the FD office opened in the mid-90s, Mike served as a Criminal Justice Act "panel attorney," defending indigent persons accused of federal crimes on a court-appointed basis.   In this role, Mike defended hundreds of clients, who were fortunate to have an experienced, devoted, and formidable advocate to help them navigate the complicated federal legal system.   Those of us who had the privilege to work with Mike were equally as fortunate to have him as a trusted and valued colleague.                 
We will miss Mike at the FD office's continuing legal education events, which he very rarely missed.   Mike could always be counted on to have great questions, useful input, and a big smile on his face.   He often arrived early and stayed late to visit with our attorneys and staff, asking after their health and families, or sharing stories about his own family and court experiences.    Mike will be fondly remembered by all of us as a truly wonderful attorney, colleague, and friend.    The world would be a better place if there were more people like Mike in it.   

Nova D. Janssen
          

I knew Mike as a fellow criminal defense lawyer in federal court. Always prepared, and a gentleman. The good spirit lives, as does Mikes!


To the Mayer Family:
It was a great pleasure to know and practice criminal defense law with Mike in the State and federal courts.  Mike was a very fine lawyer.  Most of all he was a fabulous human being.  Always kind and considerate, never complained, ragged nobody.  Giant of a human in my book.  I was fortunate to call him my friend.  FMBrown

Mike was a great guy, an amazing human being, and a dear friend going back to junior high school. He will be greatly missed, but I will always remember and cherish the positive influence he had on me and countless others. Thank you, Michael!

'Til we meet again -- your friend,

Mike

I had the absolute pleasure of being Mike's roommate throughout college and graduate/law school. He was and always will be my best friend. As a gentleman, scholar, attorney, friend, and family member, he was a positive influence on all who knew him; the world is a better place because of him. He will be profoundly missed... My condolences to his wonderful family...

I was a legal assistant for 38 years, about 20 years in an office with Mike. He was one of my five best, favorite bosses. He was there when I came in and still working when I left. He loved history and used historical dates as pass words. He was mostly doing court appointed juvenile law and was dedicated to every one of his clients. We watched each others kids grow up, He had a pride in the kids accomplishments and loved the kids. He was so excited when the first grandchild was born and posted pictures of him with his grandkids. He never complained about walking, even when he had to climb over the snowdrifts to get into the courthouse. He was dedicated to the practice of law and his clients . He had respect of Judges and other attorneys. He will be missed. As my own grandkids would tell his family, heaven has received another angel and the sky a new bright star. Look for the brightest star in the sky and you'll know Mike is watching over all of you.

Mike was one of the nicest people I have known.  He always had a smile and a kind word.  He never let any disability get in his way    He will be missed 

Such a good, kind, compassionate man.  Such a quality lawyer.  He always had a positive outlook that brightened the day.  He will be missed.  Condolences to his family. 

Michael, my heart is aching from the loss of someone so special and so like family. When I ran the Grand Jury you would quickly run in for coffee and see if there were goodies.  Michael I think of when you would come to our booth at the Fair and I would get you a ride so you would be on time for your childrens’ recitals and shows and we would be laughing so hard.  I used to say quit it I will have to run to the bathroom.  MICHAEL I KNOW YOU WENT THROUGH SO MUCH but you did not care you just loved your family so much.  I know you helped me be a better person and  as my son said when he left me, “I love you and I always will. “. Love you Michael go and enjoy all those things your little legs would not let you, have fun, you have earned it and you have many loving you and caring. Goodbye for now my Friend.   Hugs and love. 

Very sorry to hear about this. Mike was a trusted colleague, an exceptional attorney, and a better person. I never saw him without a smile and he was an uplifting moment to whatever else that day had brought.
Sincere condolences to his family.

Over the last 29 years I had the pleasure of having Mike appear before me in Court.  He was always positive, smiling and despite his physical challenges I never hear him complain.  When a Defendant was lucky enough to have Mike as his court appointed attorney, Mike would always go the extra mile to get them into drug treatment or to find housing in a halfway house or a job referral.  My daughter Lauren and his daughter Brooke  as elementary students took dance lessons together although Brooke took dance to the professional level.  Whenever I would see him at the Courthouse we would share the latest updates on our daughters' lives.  He was so proud of all of their accomplishment.  His life was a good one governed by service without judgment.  My deepest sympathy to the family.
  Judge Paulsen

Mike had a big smile and a big heart.  He was generous with his time and knowledge; and, as a solo practitioner, I was a recipient of both.   He had a huge capacity for work of all types; and I used to bump into him on his hand-pedaled bike at street events and on my own rare evening walks.  

Mike and I practiced law together in the same firm when we first got out of law school.  Mike knew the law well, had great skills, and was very ethical. He treated everyone with respect and kindness.  His smile radiated friendliness.  When we first met he told me stories of duck hunting. Some were hilarious. He once walked in knee deep water, before the sun came up, for almost an hour in order to be in place for the beginning of the hunt. When the sun came up he discovered he had walked in a circle. He thought it was hilarious. Every fall he promised to take me duck hunting. Every winter he would apologize for not doing so and laughingly promise to take me next fall. He teased me about his 40 year record of not taking me duck hunting .  Whenever I saw him it perked up my day. 
A few years after he began practicing law, he was under consideration to become the executive director of the Iowa State Bar Association.  When asked if he would submit his name for consideration, he turned down the opportunity because he preferred working with clients, always hoping to make their lives better.  He made me a better person and a better lawyer. 
Mike bragged about his family every time we talked.  My condolences to all of you for the hole his death has created.

The world is a better place because Michael was in it.  We met in law school at the University of Iowa in Negotiations, Mediation, and Arbitration class.  For the class, we were given problems and assigned roles to negotiate with other class members. Mike and I were on opposite sides of a negotiation. We had not met before, but I was so impressed with his kindness, wit, determination, and knowledge that we became friends.  When we both landed in Des Moines, we kept up with each other, and always laughed. I remember the joy when he married Rene, and his happiness and pride in becoming a dad. 
As an attorney, Mike was always prepared and professional and could cut through to the issues.  He never took anything personally, remained focused,  and ALWAYS  found something positive to say about his client, even when most would only see the negative. 
I was happy to get to know some of the kids and enjoyed when they participated in Peer Court. His pride in his family framed his life.
Mike overcame incredible obstacles and pain. He was a role model for many, and he was liked and admired.
Rest In Peace, my friend.
Artis Reis


I was so saddened to see that Mike had passed away.  He was a good friend through junior high and high school.  He was a kind and thoughtful person and always smiling!  It sounds like he had a happy and fulfilled life and a very loving family.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I was sorry to read of Mike's passing. We knew each other through the practice of law. Mike was a kind, decent and honorable man, and I was lucky to call him my friend. RIP Mike.

So sorry to hear this sad news!  Many great memories of Michael.  He was a true gentleman.  Rest in peace, Michael.  Our condolences to Jack, Connie and Johnny and Michael's children and grandchildren.
Ron and Becky (Stanley) Bizzell


When goodness leaves, it is as if a light has gone out. And then we think of the memories, and there is a light in the darkness. Because of Mike's life there are many who will never be without light.

Mr. Mayer worked at a law firm with my ex-husband for several years. Mr. Mayer was such a good coworker and friend and he showed myself, my children and my ex-husband a lot of kindness and compassion many times. Mr. Mayer touched our lives with his kindness and understanding he will be missed.

So sorry for your loss. I know Mike loved his children and grandchildren. Sorry we cannot be there 

OBITUARY

James Michael Mayer

April 19, 1951 – October 14, 2020

McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary & Resthaven Cemetery

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