Carrying on the legacy created during our more than a century history, our Litigation Practice Group has the breadth and depth of experience that ensures we have the level of skill and confidence needed to achieve winning results at acceptable costs, while conducting ourselves with courtesy and professionalism. Our practice includes jury and bench trials, arbitrations, mediations and administrative proceedings. Several of our attorneys are fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers. They have been recognized by Chambers, Best Lawyers in America, Great Plains Super Lawyers, and Benchmark Litigation. 

Whether in the courtroom, resolving disputes outside of the courtroom, or assisting with emergency response investigations, our commitment to excellence and reputation for quality work enhances the interests of our clients. Our firm represents national and international clients, as well as our Iowa clients. We focus on helping our clients identify and meet their objectives through all phases of the dispute resolution process.

We assign each matter to an attorney with relevant expertise in the type of litigation involved and the appropriate level of experience required. Our litigation lawyers have extensive trial experience and can draw on broad subject matter experience throughout the firm. We partner with each client to develop a litigation strategy to meet the needs of the client. We pride ourselves in being cost-effective, results-oriented, client-focused, responsive, reasonably staffed, smart, communicative, honest, credible and experienced.

In the Courtroom

Highly regarded by the bench and bar as talented trial lawyers, we have distinguished ourselves in trial and appellate practice at both the federal and state level. We have the proven ability to handle and manage large complex cases through trial and appeal. Seasoned within the court system, many of our trial attorneys are former judicial law clerks for the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, United States District Court and the Iowa Supreme Court.

Outside of the Courtroom

Several of our attorneys have extensive experience in successful alternative dispute resolution outside of the courtroom, and several of our members are trained and have extensive experience as mediators and/or arbitrators.

Discovery

We have substantial experience in managing and limiting discovery and resolving issues involving electronic discovery under both the Federal and Iowa Rules of Procedure. We are firm believers that discovery should not be a weapon or the tail that wags the litigation dog. We regularly assist clients in meeting their preservation obligations and responding to electronic discovery requests. Our attorneys have authored e-discovery articles and made seminar presentations on electronic discovery.

Litigation Services

Backed by our depth of experience, our litigation attorneys regularly represent clients in a broad array of complex matters.

  • Administrative Law
  • Antitrust & Trade Regulation
  • Business & Commercial Litigation
  • Class Action Litigation
  • Construction Litigation
  • Directors & Officers Liability
  • Education Litigation
  • Environmental/Toxic Torts Litigation
  • Insurance Defense & Coverage
  • Intellectual Property Litigation
  • Labor and Employment Litigation
  • Municipal Litigation
  • Personal Injury and Property Damage
  • Premises Liability
  • Product Liability
  • Professional Liability/Legal Malpractice
  • Securities Litigation
  • Workers’ Compensation

The Harmonie Group

Our Firm is a member of The Harmonie Group, whose members comprise an affiliation of independent law firms practicing in all 50 states which provide a broad spectrum of legal services to corporations, insurance companies and claims administrators. Membership allows Harmonie firms across the nation to share information and resources to provide legal services and support to clients of the highest caliber.

Representative Projects

Private Law Practice Area
  • Defended Iowa bank in class action lawsuit seeking millions of dollars in damages related to nonsufficient funds fees.  Obtained an important reversal from the Iowa Supreme Court which significantly reduced the bank’s potential liability.  Legg v. West Bank, 873 N.W.2d 763 (Iowa 2016).
     
  • Successfully represented a national client in setting aside a $5,000,000 default judgment and resisting the plaintiff’s application for interlocutory appeal.
     
  • Defended a claim of defective construction arising out of a multi-million dollar renovation and addition to a hotel/casino.Obtained an arbitration award completely clearing the client of any liability.
     
  • Successfully obtained a reversal on appeal of a district court ruling which had refused to grant the firm’s client a discharge for $137,000 the client had paid to the IRS pursuant to an IRS levy. Including interest and attorney fees, the ruling on the appeal saved the client approximately $225,000.
Education Law Practice Area
  • Obtained defense verdict after trial on behalf of an Iowa university against a professor who alleged the university had wrongfully denied him tenure.  Successfully defended the judgment on appeal.  Kuba v. William Penn University, 853 N.W.2d 302 (Table), 2014 WL 2885029 (Iowa Ct. App. 2014).
     
  • Obtained significant arbitration award in favor of a school district against architect and contractor for defective construction work in a school building.  Successfully defended the award before the district court and Iowa Court of Appeals.  DLR Group, Inc. v. Oskaloosa Community School District, 881 N.W.2d 470 (Table), 2016 WL 531824 (Iowa Ct. App. Feb. 10, 2016).
     
  • Successfully defended school district and area education agency in claims involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.Sneitzer v. Iowa Dep’t of Educ. et al., 796 F.3d 942 (8th Cir. 2015). On November 2, 2016, the Iowa District Court entered summary judgment in favor of the District and dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety under the doctrine of issue preclusion.
     
  • Successfully defended school district and area education agency in claims concerning the adequacy of services provided to a student with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The administrative law judge ruled in favour of the public agencies on all issues raised in the 136-paragraph complaint and denied all relief requested by the plaintiff. On appeal, the District Court affirmed the administrative law judge’s ruling, finding that the public agencies had provided not merely some, but substantial educational benefits to the student who was the subject of the complaint.