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.
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Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Phil Burian Receives Westfield's Golden Gavel Award
On December 8, 2009, Westfield Insurance presented Phil Burian with its "Golden Gavel" award for outstanding legal representation, following a successful trial result.
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Corridor Business Journal Names Brian Fagan Among Most Influential in Corridor
The Corridor Business Journal named Brian Fagan to its list of most influential persons in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City corridor, based on the polling of its readers. The Journal announced the list in its December 7, 2009 issue.
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Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thomas Wolle Speaks at Two Seminars
Thomas Wolle spoke at two recent seminars. On October 15, 2009, he spoke at the Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers' 31st annual seminar in Des Moines. His topic was apportionment. On November 13, 2009, he spoke at the Iowa State Bar Association's Labor & Employment Law seminar in Des Moines. His topic was Americans with Disabilities Act Regulatory and Case law update.
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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).
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Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Lou Ebinger Authors Article on FTC's Red Flags Rule
The Edge Business Magazine published an article in its November 2009 issue by Lou Ebinger titled "The FTC’s red flags rule: Are you in compliance?" The rule, which was to have gone into effect November 1, 2009, requires certain businesses and organizations to develop a written program to spot the warning signs of identity theft and respond appropriately. Subsequent to the article, the FTC announced a delay in the enforcement of the rule until June 1, 2010.
Kyle Wilcox and Susan Willey to Speak at Nuts & Bolts CLE
Kyle Wilcox and Susan Willey are scheduled to speak at the "Nuts & Bolts CLE" on Monday, October 19, 2009. Their topic will be: "Estate Planning Basics."
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Jim Gerk Elected Vice President of ABOTA Iowa
On October 15, 2009, Jim Gerk was elected Vice President of the Iowa Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). ABOTA is an organization that includes both plaintiff and defense attorneys as members. Attorneys must be nominated and have extensive trial experience to be selected for membership in ABOTA.
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Jim Gerk to Speak at Medical Malpractice Symposium
Jim Gerk is scheduled to speak on October 22, 2009 at the 2009 Iowa Group Practice Symposium sponsored by Midwest Medical Insurance Company. Jim’s topic will be: “How the Med Mal Battle Looks From the Trenches—Through the Eyes of a Defense Lawyer.” This symposium will take place in West Des Moines, Iowa.
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Allison Heffern and Lynn Hartman Present at Iowa Hospital Association's Annual Meeting
Allison Heffern and Lynn Hartman presented at the Legal and Regulatory track of the Iowa Hospital Association's Annual Meeting on October 8, 2009. Allison presented on the new HIPAA / HITECH regulations and also provided materials on provider-based regulations. Lynn summarized regulations regarding red flag rules and identify theft. The Iowa Hospital Association is available to Iowa hospitals to support them in achieving their missions and goals.
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Saturday, October 10, 2009
Paul Morf and Kyle Wilcox Speak at Probate and Trust Seminar
On October 2, 2009, Paul Morf and Kyle Wilcox spoke at a Probate and Trust continuing legal education seminar sponsored by the University of Iowa College of Law. The titles of their presentations were:
1) New Developments in End-Of-Life Decision-Making: What Estate Planners Need to Know about IPOST, the Iowa Health Care Reform Act, and Implications for Elderly Clients in Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Other Care Facilities; 2) Impact of the Principal and Income Act on Estate Administration; and 3) Federal Estate Tax Legislation Update.
Paul also spoke at a "Planning for the Best" continuing legal education seminar on October 9. The title of his presentation at that seminar was: Recent Iowa Legislation of Interest to Non-Profit Organizations and Philanthropists and Their Donors.
Paul is also speaking on Post-Marital Agreements, on October 29, 2009, at a Family Law Section of the Iowa State Bar Association CLE in Des Moines.
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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Travis Schroeder Joins Firm
We are pleased to announce that Travis Schroeder has become associated with the firm. Travis grew up in Odebolt, Iowa. He earned his B.A. in accounting, with highest distinction, in 2006 from the University of Iowa and his J.D., with distinction, in 2009 from the University of Iowa. Travis is a member of the Iowa Bar Association.
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Iris Muchmore Elected Board President of The Arc of East Central Iowa
Iris Muchmore was elected President of the Board of Directors of The Arc of East Central Iowa at its annual meeting on September 28. The Arc of East Central Iowa is an organization that provides advocacy and services to people with developmental disabilities and their families.
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Lynn Hartman Participates in "Workplace Teamwork Across the Generations" Panel
Lynn Hartman served as a panelist at a "Lawyers & Leaders" panel at the University of Iowa College of Law on September 24, 2009. The topic of the discussion was "Teamwork in the Workplace: What Legal Employers are Doing to Maximize Different Generations of Lawyers’ Workstyles." More information about the panel is available at the Citizens Lawyer Program web site.
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Eric Lam Chairs and Kathleen Kleiman and Lynn Hartman Present at Bankruptcy Seminar
On September 18, 2009, Eric Lam, Kathleen Kleiman, and Lynn Hartman were among several presenters at a continuing legal education seminar on bankruptcy in Iowa City. The University of Iowa College of Law sponsored the seminar. Eric Lam chaired the program. Kathleen Kleiman presented on limited liability company interests in bankruptcy. Lynn Hartman presented on bankruptcy fraud issues.
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Friday, September 18, 2009
Tom DeBoom Recipient of "Forty Under 40" Award
Thomas N. DeBoom has been selected as a 2009 recipient of the Corridor Business Journal's Forty Under 40 award. Each year, the Corridor Business Journal
spotlights 40 of the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor's outstanding leaders who have made a
significant impact in their business or community early in their
careers. This year's recipients will be profiled in the Oct. 27 issue
and at an Oct. 27 awards dinner. Other Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman attorneys who
have previously received the award are: Nicolas Abou-Assaly, Christine Conover, Paul Morf, and David Zylstra.
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Steve Holtman and Jason Steffens Obtain Trial Victory in a Dispute Over a Shareholders' Agreement
On July 29, 2009, the Linn County District Court entered a ruling and judgment in favor of the firm's client in an action to enforce a stock purchase agreement among the shareholders of a closely-held corporation. Steve Holtman and Jason Steffens had tried the case on behalf of the shareholder seeking to purchase the stock following the death of another shareholder. Steve and Jason successfully argued that the purchase price of the stock was approximately $1.1 million. The selling shareholder's Estate made a number of arguments to increase the price to approximately $3.5 million. The court ruled in favor of the firm's client on each of the arguments designed to increase the purchase price.
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Firm Attorneys to be Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2010
The following Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman attorneys have received notifications that they will be listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2010 publication. Their names are followed by the practice area in which they are listed and the year in which they were first listed.
J. Scott Bogguss (1987) Employee Benefits Law Tax Law Trusts and Estates