Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC is proud to announce that 13 of its attorneys have been named to the 2012 edition of Best Lawyers. The attorneys are:
Scott Bogguss - Employee Benefits Law; Tax Law; and Trusts and Estates
Nick Abou-Assaly Elected to Board of Cedar Rapids chapter of International Traders of Iowa
Nicolas Abou-Assaly has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Cedar Rapids chapter of the International Traders of Iowa. International Traders is a body of individuals that gather to network with each other to help develop International business skills.
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Iowa Supreme Court adopts Chapter 11 Study Group Recommendations
On November 10, 2011, the Iowa Supreme Court ordered the replacement of chapter 11 of the Iowa Court Rules. Chapter 11 addresses standards of conduct for mediators. The previously appointed Chapter 11 Study Group recommended the changes. Matt Brandes served as reporter for the group.
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Paul Morf Chairs and Travis Schroeder Speaks at University of Iowa Probate Seminar
On Friday, November 11, Paul Morf chaired the University of Iowa College of Law's Iowa Probate Law seminar. At the seminar, Travis Schroeder spoke on "Practical Strategies for Assisting Farmers and Business Owners with Their Estate Plans in 2011 and Beyond." Paul will chair the event again next year. It will be held on September 28, 2012, in conjunction with Iowa homecoming.
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Thursday, November 03, 2011
Nick Abou-Assaly speaks at Marion Builders and Developers forum
On November 2, 2011, Nicolas Abou-Assaly spoke at the Marion, Iowa, Builders and Developers forum. His topic was an update on recent case law and legislation affecting real estate owners, builders, and developers.
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Saturday, October 29, 2011
Four Firm Attorneys Receive New Best Lawyers Recognition
Four Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman lawyers have received recognition from Best Lawyers in a new category of recognition: its "Lawyer of the Year" for Cedar Rapids in select practice areas. Scott Bogguss received the recognition for Trusts and Estates; David Kubicek for Real Estate Law; Eric Lam for Bankruptcy; and Roger Stone for Construction Litigation.
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Firm Attorneys Named to 2011 Great Plains Super Lawyers
Matt Brandes speaks at Family and Juvenile Law seminar
On October 27, 2011, Matt Brandes spoke at the Iowa State Bar Association's Family and Juvenile Law continuing education program. He was part of a panel that presented on Family Law documents. His topic and
materials related to suggested language for real estate transfers and suggested clauses for division of ERISA qualified retirement plans in divorce settlement agreements.
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Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Firm Welcomes Laura Seaton and Chad Brakhahn as Associates
We are pleased to announce that Laura Seaton and Chad Brakhahn have become associated with the firm.
Laura earned her A.B. in Government in 2003 from Harvard University and her J.D. in 2008 from Harvard Law School. Laura is a member of the Iowa and Kansas Bar Associations.
Chad was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He earned his B.S. in Business Management and Political Science, magna cum laude, in 2007 from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, and his J.D. in 2011 from Harvard Law School. Chad is a member of the Iowa Bar Association.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Matt Adam Recipient of "Forty Under 40" Award
Matthew J. Adam has been selected as a 2011 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. 24 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, David Zylstra, and Tom DeBoom.
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Jeff McGinness elected to Iowa City School Board
On September 13, 2011, Jeffrey K. McGinness was elected to a four-year seat on the Iowa City Community School Board. The Iowa City Press-Citizen's article on the election is available here.
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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Gazette Profiles Law Firm Technology
The May 15, 2011 edition of The Gazette contained an article discussing technology in the legal profession. The firm's Jeff McGinness was extensively quoted in the article. He discussed Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman's use of the iPhone, trial presentation and voice recognition software, and implementation of a document management system.
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Brian Fagan Mentioned in New York Times Article on Czech Village
The March 20 edition of the New York Times included a photograph of and caption mentioning Brian Fagan in his role as President of the Czech Village Main Street Board. The article (A. G. Sulzberger, "Czech Village in Cedar Rapids Struggles for a Comeback") discussed the difficult flood recovery efforts in the Czech Village neighborhood in Cedar Rapids.
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Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman welcomes Charlie Krogmeier
Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC announces Charles (Charlie) Krogmeier has joined the firm. Charlie begins practicing with Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC after leaving his position as Director of the Iowa Department of Human Services. He previously has served the State of Iowa as Deputy Attorney General, Deputy Secretary of State, Director of the Department of Management, and Chief of Staff to the Governor. He has also been in private practice in Polk and Lee Counties.
Charlie will engage in a general practice of law, including administrative law, alternate dispute resolution, government, government contracts, and municipal law. He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and previously served as chair of the Administrative Law Section.
Charlie served two terms as a County Supervisor in Lee County from 1979-1986. He currently serves as Director of Policy Initiatives for Four Oaks, a Cedar Rapids based non-profit social service agency.
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Sunday, February 13, 2011
Matt Hektoen Obtains Appeal Victory in Real Estate Contract Case
On February 9, the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the firm's clients, holding that rights of first refusal in a real estate contract are presumed personal unless express language confirms an intent to the contrary. Matt Hektoen argued the case on appeal. It is Malone v. Flattery.
This was a case of first impression in Iowa. The Court summarized the holding as follows: “In this appeal we are asked to determine what is the default rule in Iowa: Is a right of first refusal in a real estate contract freely assignable, or is it personal to the party who contracts for it unless stated otherwise? Because we conclude a right of first refusal is generally personal to the party who contracted for it absent language to the contrary, and there is nothing in the record to overcome that presumption here, we affirm the district court’s grant of summary judgment.”
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Monday, January 10, 2011
Press-Citizen List Matt Adam as "One of Ten to Watch in 2011"
Matt Adam was featured in the January 1, 2011 issue of the Iowa City Press-Citizen as one of its "10 to watch in 2011." The article notes that, "[i]n addition to his work with local law firm Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman, Adam is active with the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Iowa City Golf Association. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the UI Tippie School of Business." The Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce itself recently recognized Matt for his contributions to its Total Resource Campaign. Matt and his team sold more than $95,000 in chamber sponsorships and memberships.
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Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Matt Brandes serves on study group for ethical guidelines for lawyer mediators in family disputes
On December 7, 2010, the Iowa Supreme Court solicited public comment on whether to replace Iowa's current rules governing standards of practice for lawyer mediators in family disputes with the 2005 Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators. The change was recommended by what is known as the Chapter 11 Study Group, composed of representatives from relevant sections of the Iowa State Bar Association and others. Matt Brandes served as reporter for the group.
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Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Steve Holtman and Jason Steffens obtain appeal victory
On November 24, 2010, the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the firm's client, Qwest, affirming the district court's dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to enforce an alleged settlement agreement. The court granted the dismissal on grounds of claim preclusion and issue preclusion. Steve Holtman and Jason Steffens briefed the issues before the trial and appellate courts and Steve Holtman presented the oral argument on appeal. The case is Lawchek, Ltd. et al v. Qwest Communications Federal Services, Inc., No. 0-648 / 10-0519.
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Press-Citizen Quotes Jacob Koller on Collaborative Divorce
