Rhianna E. Lightle joined Lane and Waterman in 2024. Her practice focuses on litigation and transactional law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Missouri where she studied Geography and Political Science. Rhianna was an active member in her sorority, Kappa Delta, and was a member of the 2019 Homecoming Steering Committee. Subsequently, Rhianna pursued her Juris Doctorate from The University of Iowa College of Law. During her time at Iowa, she developed a passion for health law, employment and labor law, as well as an interest in litigation. While at Iowa, Rhianna worked as a research assistant for Associate Dean Emily Hughes, and as a student ambassador for the law school. She also contributed as a student writer on the Journal of Gender Race and Justice; was a member of the 2nd place writing team in the 2023 College Athletics Infractions Competition Hearing; served as the Graduate and Professional Student Government Representative for the Iowa Student Bar Association; and competed in the Van Oosterhout-Bakersville Moot Court Competition.

Rhianna is an Arkansas native but has loved living in Iowa and is excited to become a Quad Cities transplant. Outside of her career, Rhianna enjoys live concerts, cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets.

Can you tell us a little about your background and what led you to pursue a career in law?
I grew up in a household with an attorney, my dad. He is an inhouse attorney with Walmart and primarily deals in mergers and acquisitions. He was my first exposure to the legal profession, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to follow in the exact same path as him. When I was in college, I was studying Geography and Political Science and realized that a lot of my passions and skillsets in those areas could be translated into a legal career that was more people focused which I loved.  After the long process that is law school applications, I landed on Iowa and fell in love with the state and the legal professionals here.

What was your favorite class in law school?
My cheat answer was my Art in the Law class on my London Study Abroad trip, but in law school my health law class with Prof. Prince had to be my favorite.

What drew you to Lane & Waterman and why did you decide to join the firm?
There were a lot of reasons, but I think the biggest draw was the ability to work on diverse projects, grow skills and have exposure to areas of law I had never had an opportunity to explore before. Plus, the people in this firm are amazing. They make you feel so welcomed and valued from day one and are always available to help answer questions and give advice.

What aspects of your work are you most excited about in the coming months?
I am excited to continue to grow my legal writing skills. In law school you will spend a whole semester working on one appellate brief and now I am learning how to accomplish the same product in a matter of weeks or days. I have loved working with the partners and senior associates who are great at giving guidance in that area.

What is something that we would not guess about you?
In 2020 (right before Covid) I was a contestant on The Price is Right. I went to a filming with my mom for her birthday and was the last person to be called down in that episode. I had to guess the price of whatever the latest iPhone was, but was outguessed by Kevin… I will never forget. I did not get to go up on stage, but I got to meet Drew Carey and received a check for being a contestant!

Welcome Rhianna!