Our Attorneys

Position: Member
E-Mail jkoller@simmonsperrine.com
115 3rd Street SE, Suite 1200
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1266

Phone 319-366-7641
Fax 319-366-1917
vCard

Blog: http://www.iowafamilylawforum.com/
Twitter: @iowafamilylaw

Mr. Koller is a member of Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC. He practices primarily in the area of family law, which includes representing individuals in all aspects of domestic relations, including dissolution of marriage, child custody and visitation, child support, premarital agreements, and related matters. In addition, Mr. Koller’s practice includes representing individuals in other circumstances affecting the family unit, such as adoption, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Mr. Koller’s family law practice includes the following:

Mediation

Mediation, which is a form of alternative dispute resolution, has become an important component in resolving family law cases. Mr. Koller is a trained lawyer mediator, having completed a 40 hour training in 2009. As a mediator, he acts as a neutral to aid parties and their attorneys in settling their disputes without the need for court intervention.

Appellate Advocacy

In some cases, the decision of the trial judge is challenged on appeal. Mr. Koller has experience handling the prosecution and defense of appeals, both in cases for which the firm was trial counsel and in cases brought to him that have been tried by lawyers outside of our firm.

Litigation

Mr. Koller believes the best result in any family law matter is a negotiated settlement. When this is not possible, however, it becomes necessary to have a trial before a judge. Mr. Koller is experienced in the preparation and prosecution to trial of complex financial – including high net worth marital estates, large farm and livestock operations, and business interests – and custody matters. He is a 2008 graduate of the American Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute, which is an advanced trial training program for attorneys specializing in the practice of family law.

Collaborative Law

Mr. Koller is trained in the practice of collaborative law and a founding member of the Collaborative Lawyers of Eastern Iowa. Collaborative law is a non-adversarial process that views the issues arising from a divorce as a series of battles to be solved rather than fought. The end goal is to meet the legitimate needs of everyone involved in a restructured family. Both parties have independent lawyers present during negotiation to provide legal advice in an educational context, thereby empowering the clients to make informed decisions about their lives and their children’s lives. Mr. Koller is also a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

Hometown

Washington, Iowa

Friday, April 19, 2013

Jacob Koller presented on the ethical considerations related to the new mediation rules at the 23rd Annual Iowa Association of Justice Family Law Seminar on April 5, 2013.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Jacob Koller co-authored an article in the March 2013 edition of The Iowa Lawyer titled "Rising farm incomes warrant close examination when determining proper child support levels." The article discusses the need to analyze "economic income" of self-employed persons - and farmers, in particular - when calculating child support. "Economic income," which "is defined generally as the amount that a person can spend during the year and be as well-off financially at the end of the year as at the beginning of the year," may be substantially different than "taxable wage income." The article also discusses farmer friendly tax laws.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Jacob Koller presented on the topic of collaborative law at the Linn County Bar Association meeting on February 21, 2013.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Jacob Koller presented on the topic of collaborative law at the Iowa Women's Foundation seminar in November, 2012. He has also presented on the collaborative approach at the Iowa Association for Justice Family Law Seminar in April, 2012; the Linn County Family Law Committee seminar in February, 2011; and the Family Law: Current Issues and Your Practice seminar in October, 2010.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Press-Citizen Quotes Jacob Koller on Collaborative Divorce

The November 30, 2010 edition of the Iowa City Press-Citizen quoted Jacob Koller in a front page article on collaborative divorce, a less adversarial process to marriage dissolution. Jacob is part of a group of lawyers -- Collaborative Lawyers of Eastern Iowa -- trained in the practice of collaborative law.

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Gazette quotes Jacob Koller on collaborative family law

The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette recently reported on the development of collaborative family law in Eastern Iowa, quoting Jacob Koller in the articles:

Court approves first collaborative divorce in Eastern Iowa (June 30, 2010)

Collaborative divorce can help reduce cost, time and animosity (April 8, 2010)

Collaborative law is a non-adversarial process that views the issues arising from a divorce as a series of battles to be solved rather than fought. Several Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman attorneys have been involved with implementation of the collaborative method in family law cases, including Jacob Koller, Allison Heffern, Brian Fagan, Matthew Brandes, and Larry Gutz, all of whom are founding members of the Collaborative Lawyers of Eastern Iowa.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Firm Hosts Collaborative Family Law Seminar

Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC hosted a seminar on collaborative family law on March 11-12, 2010. The seminar presenters were Stuart Webb and Ronald Ousky. Mr. Webb founded collaborative law in 1990 and the two have authored a book entitled THE COLLABORATIVE WAY TO DIVORCE: The Revolutionary Method that Results in Less Stress, Lower Cost, and Happier Kids – Without Going to Court. Collaborative law is a non-adversarial process that views the issues arising from a divorce (or other family law dispute) as a series of battles to be solved rather than fought. Jake Koller, Allison Heffern, Larry Gutz, Brian Fagan, and Matthew Brandes participated in the seminar.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Firm Welcomes New Members

Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC is pleased to announce that Matt Adam, Bob Hatala, Amanda D'Amico, Jake Koller, Jeff McGinness have become Members of the firm.