Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman News

Simmons Perrine Among Fortune Top Ranked Law Firms

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:35:00 GMT

Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC has been distinguished as one of the Top Ranked Law Firms by Fortune Magazine using a Martindale-Hubbell ratings methodology. This first-time list of Top Ranked Law Firms features US law firms with 21 or more attorneys in which at least 1 in 3 of their lawyers earned the AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating, the highest possible rating. An AV Preeminent certification is a significant accomplishment - a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.

Nick Abou-Assaly speaks at international trade conference

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:26:00 GMT

On March 29, 2012, Nicolas Abou-Assaly spoke at the Opening Global Opportunities Conference in Dubuque, Iowa, which was attended by Iowa companies engaged in exporting. The topic was legal considerations and compliance in international trade. The conference was sponsored by Prosperity Eastern Iowa, a four-county economic development region including Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson, and Jones Counties and the cities of DeWitt and Marion.

Darrel Morf and Paul Morf to Speak at Mercy Foundation Estate Planning Seminar

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:09:00 GMT

On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, Darrel Morf and Paul Morf will present an estate planning seminar hosted by the Mercy Medical Center Foundation. Topics include potential estate tax changes, living trusts v. wills, charitable legacies v. family bequests, and maintaining family harmony. There is limited seating, so those wishing to attend should contact the Mercy Foundation office at (319) 398-6206.

New Book: Bankruptcy in Iowa by Eric Lam and Abbe Stensland

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:09:00 GMT

Eric Lam and Abbe Stensland have authored Bankruptcy in Iowa (2d Ed.), a book published by the University of Iowa College of Law. Eric authored the first edition in 1992. This second edition covers developments in the case law as well as the 2005 major overhaul of Chapter 7 practice, when Congress enacted the Bankruptcy Amendment and Consumer Protection Act.

Erroneous Penalty Notices Sent to Tax-Exempt Organizations

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:31:00 GMT

From Susan Willey: The IRS has sent penalty notices to some tax-exempt organizations for late filing, despite the agency’s earlier published notice permitting an automatic extension of time to file. The IRS suspended electronic filing of Form 990 for January and February 2012 due dates to allow the agency time to update its computer system. Notice 2012-4 authorized tax-exempt organizations with tax returns due in January or February to file a paper copy of the return or to file an electronic copy by March 30. The IRS recently announced that a tax-exempt organization that received an erroneous notice should call 1.877.829.5500 and request that the penalty be abated.

Paul Morf serves on panel on the legal impact of dementia

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:47:00 GMT

On Thursday, March 1, 2012, Paul Morf served on a panel of a session of the University of Iowa College of Law Elder Law Colloquium on: The Aging Population, Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias: Law and Public Policy. It addressed the legal impact of dementia on the ability of individuals to manage their everyday financial affairs.

SPMB Named 2012 Go-To Law Firm for Top 500 Companies in Intellectual Property Law

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:50:00 GMT

Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman will be recognized in the Spring 2012 edition of Intellectual Property as a "Go-To" law firm for The Top 500 Companies. Intellectual Property is a stand alone supplement distributed with the April editions of Corporate Counsel and The American Lawyer magazines.

Paul Morf Named to ACTEC's Fiduciary Litigation Committee

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:12:00 GMT

Paul Morf has been named to the Fiduciary Litigation Committee of ACTEC for the 2012-13 College year. See more about ACTEC here.

13 Firm Attorneys in 2012 Edition of Best Lawyers

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:44:00 GMT

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

Philip Brooks - Insurance Law

Larry Gutz - Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law

Lynn W. Hartman - Banking and Finance Law, and Financial Services Regulation Law

Stephen Holtman - Commercial Litigation

David Kubicek - Real Estate Law

Eric Lam - Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law

Darrel Morf - Trusts and Estates

Paul Morf - Trusts and Estates

Iris Muchmore - Labor and Employment Law

Mark Ogden - Trusts and Estates

Lorie Reins-Schweer - Trusts and Estates

James Shipman - Medical Malpractice Law

Nick Abou-Assaly Elected to Board of Cedar Rapids chapter of International Traders of Iowa

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:58:00 GMT

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.

Iowa Supreme Court adopts Chapter 11 Study Group Recommendations

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:07:00 GMT

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.

Paul Morf Chairs and Travis Schroeder Speaks at University of Iowa Probate Seminar

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:58:00 GMT

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.

Nick Abou-Assaly speaks at Marion Builders and Developers forum

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:58:00 GMT

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.

Four Firm Attorneys Receive New Best Lawyers Recognition

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 12:55:00 GMT

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.

Firm Attorneys Named to 2011 Great Plains Super Lawyers

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 12:08:00 GMT

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

Matt Brandes speaks at Family and Juvenile Law seminar

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:44:00 GMT

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.

Firm Welcomes Laura Seaton and Chad Brakhahn as Associates

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:07:00 GMT

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.

Matt Adam Recipient of "Forty Under 40" Award

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:50:00 GMT

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.

Jeff McGinness elected to Iowa City School Board

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:47:00 GMT

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.

Gazette Profiles Law Firm Technology

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:59:00 GMT

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.