Our Attorneys

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

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

After graduating first in his class at the University of Iowa College of Law, Leonard Strand decided to stay in Iowa to practice law and raise a family. He joined the firm in July 1990 and established a civil trial and appellate practice that is focused on the areas of commercial law, employment law and products liability. Mr. Strand has tried many cases to juries and judges in the State and Federal Courts of Iowa, both as counsel for the plaintiff and as counsel for the defendant. He has been named to the Super Lawyers list for both the State of Iowa and the Great Plains Region. In addition to his practice, Mr. Strand serves on the firm’s management committee.

In January 2009, Mr. Strand was one of only 176 attorneys in the United States, and the only one in Iowa, to be named to the 2009 BTI Client Service All-Star Team for Law Firms. The BTI Client Service All-Star Team honors individual attorneys whom corporate counsel identify as providing outstanding client service to Fortune 1000 clients. Attorneys are nominated for being highly responsive to the client's individual goals; providing strategic legal advice in the context of client-specific issues; going above and beyond the call of duty to deliver results; and having an exceptional understanding of the client's business.

Commercial Law. Mr. Strand represents clients in a wide variety of commercial disputes, prosecuting or defending claims such as breach of contract, breach of warranty, misappropriation of trade secrets, antitrust, interference with business advantage, insurance bad faith, fraud, false advertising, copyright and unfair competition.

Employment Law. Mr. Strand represents clients at both the administrative and judicial stages in claims arising under the State and Federal civil rights laws, including claims of race, gender, age and disability discrimination brought under Title VII, the Iowa Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. He also advises clients concerning the Family and Medical Leave Act and represents them in connection with disputes that arise under the FMLA. Mr. Strand has been retained by employers to conduct and/or assist with investigations of complaints made by employees. He also represents clients in connection with disputes arising under employee-benefit plans, including ERISA claims, and with regard to claims arising under non-compete and non-disclosure agreements. Mr. Strand is a regular speaker at various seminars on employment law topics and developments.

Product Liability. Mr. Strand represents clients in the defense of product liability claims, including claims arising from alleged asbestos exposure and other “mass tort” claims.

Appellate Practice. Mr. Strand represents clients in all aspects of appeals brought before the State and Federal appellate courts in a wide variety of cases.

Arbitration. Mr. Strand has recently expanded his practice to include service as an arbitration neutral. He has been appointed to the American Arbitration Association’s Roster of Neutrals and has completed the training required to serve as an arbitrator in cases filed with AAA.

Mr. Strand graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1990 with Highest Distinction and Order of the Coif honors. At the College of Law, Mr. Strand was a Member of the Journal of Corporation Law and the author of "Noerr Immunity in the Private Standard-Setting Context: Allied Tube & Conduit Corp. v. Indian Head, Inc.," 14 Journal of Corporation Law 1033 (1989). Mr. Strand received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1987 from the University of Iowa, graduating with High Distinction and Phi Beta Kappa honors.

Mr. Strand is a member of the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association and the Linn County Bar Association, along with various national and international professional organizations.

Current Board and Volunteer Positions

YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area
• Member, Board of Directors
• Member, Finance Committee

Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra
• Member, Board of Directors
• Member, Development Committee

Cedar Rapids Downtown Rotary Club
• Member

The Historical Society of the United States Courts in the Eighth Circuit, Northern District of Iowa Branch
• President

Place of Birth
Sioux City, Iowa

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Firm Attorneys Named to 2011 Great Plains Super Lawyers

A number of Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman attorneys have been named to the 2011 Great Plains Super Lawyers, published by Super Lawyers. They are: J. Scott Bogguss, James A. Gerk, Stephen J. Holtman, David W. Kubicek, Eric W. Lam, Michael McDonough, Darrel A. Morf, Iris E. Muchmore, Mark A. Roberts, James E. Shipman, Leonard T. Strand, William Vernon, Kevin J. Visser, Thomas D. Wolle

Monday, June 14, 2010

Firm Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA 2010

Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLCSeveral Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman attorneys have been ranked in Chambers USA 2010. They include:

Corporate/M&A:
Randal J Scholer

Labor & Employment:
Iris Muchmore
Kevin Visser
Leonard T. Strand

Litigation: General Commercial
James E Shipman
Stephen Holtman

Real Estate:
David W Kubicek

Monday, March 01, 2010

Federal Court Dismisses All Claims Against Firm's Manufacturing Client

In a ruling entered February 17, 2010, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa granted summary judgment in favor of one of the firm's manufacturing clients on all claims asserted in a lawsuit that had been filed in late 2008. The plaintiff claimed damages in excess of $10 million based on allegations of breach of contract, breach of warranty, and violations of the Lanham Act. In granting the defendant's summary judgment motion, the Court held that the evidence did not support the plaintiff's allegations. Len Strand represented the defendant on behalf of the firm.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Iris Muchmore and Len Strand Obtain Dismissal of Employment Lawsuit

On Friday, December 4, 2009, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa issued a ruling that granted summary judgment in favor of the firm’s client, which was the defendant in an employment law case. The plaintiff, a former employee of the defendant, asserted claims of discrimination, retaliation and sexual harassment. In its ruling, the Court found that the evidence failed to support the plaintiff’s claims and dismissed the lawsuit. Iris Muchmore and Len Strand handled the case. The case is Docket No. 08-cv-2043.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Len Strand and Kerry Finley Obtain Favorable Iowa Supreme Court Ruling for Client

On Friday, November 13, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld a summary judgment ruling in favor of the firm's client and another defendant, concluding that owners of property did not owe a duty to warn the spouse of an independent contractor of the health hazards posed by asbestos. Len Strand and Kerry Finley defended the case and presented the arguments on appeal. The case is Van Fossen v. MidAmerican Energy Co. and Interstate Power and Light Co., No. 06–1691 (Iowa Nov. 13, 2009).

Monday, June 15, 2009

Len Strand Elected to YMCA Board

Len Strand has been elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area. The organization operates the three YMCA branches in the Cedar Rapids area, along with Camp Wapsie, near Coggon, and is an affiliate of the YMCA of the USA.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Len Strand Named to 2009 BTI Client Service All-Star Team

Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC is pleased to announce that Len Strand, a member in the firm's litigation department, has been named to the 2009 BTI Client Service All-Star Team for Law Firms.

The BTI Client Service All-Star Team honors individual attorneys whom corporate counsel identify as providing outstanding client service to Fortune 1000 clients. Attorneys are nominated for being highly responsive to the client's individual goals; providing strategic legal advice in the context of client-specific issues; going above and beyond the call of duty to deliver results; and having an exceptional understanding of the client's business.

To compile the list, the BTI Consulting Group surveyed more than 270 individual corporate counsel at large and Fortune 1000 companies on the quality of service they receive from their lawyers. The 2009 BTI Client Service All-Star Team for Law Firms lists 176 attorneys identified by corporate counsel as providing the best service. Mr. Strand is the only attorney in Iowa who was selected for the 2009 BTI Client Service All-Star Team.

Mr. Strand, who joined the firm in 1990, has a trial and litigation practice that includes the areas of commercial law, employment law and product liability. He also serves on the firm’s management committee and is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Iowa Defense Counsel Association and the Dean Mason Ladd American Inn of Court.

The BTI Consulting Group (Wellesley, Mass.) is the leading provider of strategic market research to law firms and professional services firms. BTI conducts the only continuous benchmarking market study in the legal services industry based on more than 1,000 independent interviews with general counsel and key decision makers that hire law firms.