A growing trend among prospective homeowners is to purchase a home, especially rental homes, in the name of a limited liability company, or “LLC.” Business owners favor LLCs for the liability protection they provide in the event of a lawsuit. For example, if someone is injured at John Smith’s pumpkin patch, John Smith’s personal assets […]
By Warren Kozak I pride myself on keeping meticulous financial records. But since my wife died on Jan. 1, I discovered I had made some real rookie mistakes that led to hours of extra work and substantial fees. The transfer of assets between spouses can be fairly simple—if you learn from my mistakes. Dr. Lisa […]
Jonathan De Reus is an associate attorney in the firm’s business division. His practice areas include business law, estate planning and probate, real estate and landlord-tenant law, and tax law. Jonathan divides his time between the Pella and Des Moines office. Having been born and raised in the city of Pella, Iowa, Jonathan is well […]
Andy Hall and Ben Erickson successfully defended a landlord against allegations that his tenants’ dog attacked an individual on his rental property, resulting in injury. Plaintiff sought damages based on theories of strict liability and premises liability. After conducting a thorough investigation, Hall and Erickson filed for summary judgment. In support of their motion, they […]
Attorney Michael Kuehner recently obtained a defense verdict on behalf of two local clients. The case stemmed from an automobile-bicycle accident with disputed liability. Damages were in excess of $500,000. At trial, the defense presented evidence that the defendant driver was not at fault, and that the plaintiff’s own actions caused the accident. A Polk […]
Plaintiff, Hunter Landing, LLC, appealed from a district court decision denying its motion for a new trial, contending the jury instruction on inverse condemnation was a misstatement of law. When a governmental entity takes all or part of a landowner owner’s private property without a formal condemnation proceeding, the property owner can bring an action […]
In 1997, Plaintiff purchased an automobile insurance policy from Andy Hall and Ben Erickson’s client, a national insurance company. At that time, plaintiff made the decision not to purchase underinsurance coverage. Subsequent to purchasing the policy, plaintiff was involved in an auto accident. After settling with the tortfeasor, plaintiff sought underinsured benefits from Hall and […]
Mark Thomas and Henry Harmon successfully defended PGI Corporation in a hotly contested two week products liability claim which arose out of the death of a North Central Iowa farmer from anhydrous ammonia exposure. The jury found in favor of PGI regarding the claims of design defect and inadequate warning. After ten days of trial […]
In State v. Wadsworth, No. 16-1775 (Iowa Ct. App. May 16, 2018), the defendant, Norman Wadsworth, appealed his second degree murder conviction, arguing that the evidence at trial was insufficient to support the jury verdict and that he was not competent to stand trial. Wadsworth could not get along with the manager at his apartment […]
Adam Zenor’s article reviewing the Iowa legislature’s recent amendments to Iowa’s Dramshop Act was featured in the Iowa Lawyer, a publication by the Iowa Bar Association. These recent amendments went into effect July 1, 2018. Should you have interest in the amendments or their potential impact, please feel free to link to the feature article […]
