Monthly Archives: January 2021

Iowa Court of Appeals Affirms Dismissal of Civil Rights Claim against County Attorney

January 4, 2021

In June 2018, Plaintiff Jeffrey Simmermaker filed an action pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1983, against Jeffrey Renander individually and in his official capacity as the Cedar County Attorney, asserting malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, defamation of character, and violations of Simmermaker’s constitutional rights. In short, Plaintiff claimed that Renander had violated his constitutional rights “by […]


Iowa Supreme Court upholds District Court’s Grant of Motion to Dismiss in Breach of Contract

Plaintiff, Benskin, Inc. entered into a written loan agreement with West Bank to borrow money.  On May 18, 2018, Benskin sued West Bank in a three-count petition alleging breach of (I) the 2007 contracts, (II) the 2006 promissory note, and (III) the implied duties of good faith and fair dealing. West Bank filed a motion […]


Hall and Clarke Obtain Pre-Answer Dismissal of Vicarious Liability Claim

Andrew Hall and Tansha Clarke obtained a Pre-Answer dismissal for their client, a rental car company sued for vicarious liability. The case arose from a tragic motor vehicle accident involving a rental vehicle that hit the plaintiffs’ vehicle from behind. The driver of the rental vehicle died as a result of the accident. Plaintiffs filed […]


Iowa Supreme Court Postpones Jury Trials

In a November 10, 2020 order, the Iowa Supreme Court postponed all jury trials until February 1, 2021. In rescheduling jury trials, the court will use the case priorities in a supervisory order issued on July 9, 2020. According to that supervisory order, the following matters will be given priority: emergency matters, criminal cases, Chapter […]


Mitchell Victorious at Iowa Court of Appeals

In a jury trial, Clark Mitchell obtained a defense verdict on behalf of his client Defendant Huckleberry Entertainment, LLC.  The Des Moines County jury found in favor of Huckleberry Entertainment by denying the Plaintiff Kimberly Ransdell from recovering for injuries she sustained while operating a go-kart.  Ransdell moved for a new trial arguing irregularity in […]