Monthly Archives: February 2020

Derogatory Language and Policy Violation Not Sufficient to Insulate Employer from Wrongful Discharge Claim

February 6, 2020

Richard Christie appealed a grant of summary judgment following dismissal of his cause of action for violations of the Iowa Civil Rights Act and wrongful discharge against his employer.  In reversing the grant of summary judgment, the Court of Appeals held that Christie had generated fact questions on both claims. Christie was employed by Crawford […]


Abject Fraud does not Negate Forum Selection Clause

Roy Karon is an Iowa resident and the sole member of Peddler, LLC, a company that leases aircraft so personnel can travel the United States and Canada to provide training to financial institutions.  Elliot Aviation, the Elliot Defendants, were engaged in aircraft sales with Karon and Peddler LLC. Following contractual dispute and allegations of fraud, […]


Court Deems Dram Notice Need Not Name Liquor License Holder

Hollingshead claims he was injured during an incident at Misfits, a bar in Des Moines.  Following this alleged injury, Hollingshead’s counsel sent notice pursuant to § 123.93 to Founders Insurance Company.  The Notice named the holder of the liquor license as “Leonard LLC D/B/A Misfits.”  The liquor license holder was DC Misfits, LLC, not Leonard […]


Thomas secures Defense Verdict in Products Liability Claim

The Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the jury’s dismissal of a lawsuit filed against Grefe & Sidney’s client, PGI International, and others in the Boone County District Court, Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company, as Subrogee of Farmers Cooperative Company v. Parker Hannifin Corporation, Squibb-Taylor Inc., Dalton Ag Products, Inc. and CNH Corp., a/k/a CNH America, LLC […]


Cook and Zenor Secure Summary Judgment on Insurance Bad Faith Claim

On November 24, 2013, Plaintiffs suffered a fire loss at a large storage facility.  Following an in-depth review of Plaintiffs’ claim, State Farm Fire and Casualty Company denied the claim based on Plaintiffs’ failures to comply with the Policy.  Following this denial, Plaintiffs filed suit, alleging State Farm had no reasonable basis to deny this […]