Opinion Summary In Bradshaw v. Cedar Rapids Airport Comm’n, No. 16-1639, Plaintiff Bradshaw sued his former employer, the Cedar Rapid Airport Commission, arguing the Commission owed him severance pay pursuant to his employment contract. The contract provided for twelve months’ severance if the Commission involuntarily terminated Bradshaw. Conversely, Bradshaw would receive no severance if […]
In Myers v. R.R. Donnelly & Sons Co., No. 17-0306, the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled that an employee failed to file his claim for worker’s compensation within the statutory two year period, and as a result dismissed his claim. Under Iowa’s Worker’s Compensation laws, injured employees must file a claim within two years […]
As trial lawyers, this is one question we confront frequently. The question is understandable. People often worry about missing work, arranging care for their children, or are uncomfortable serving on a jury. However, serving on a jury is a public service, and can also be a rewarding and interesting experience. The right to a […]
Per a recent Iowa Court of Appeals decision, a convicted sex offender is afforded opportunity for a new trial because the prosecutor used inappropriate vouching testimony, and his defense counsel failed to object to the same. In State v. Gillson, No. 15-2045 (Iowa Ct. App. May 17, 2017), Chad Gillson was convicted of third […]
The Iowa State Bar Association honored Guy Cook with its Award of Merit. The Award of Merit is the Bar Association’s highest honor. The award recognizes a career of accomplishment and service. The award was presented at the ISBA annual meeting dinner gala following the annual meeting on June 21, 2017. In presenting the award […]
In our Winter 2016 newsletter, we featured an article about Iowa ABLE Accounts (now called IAble accounts). These are tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities to pay for certain qualified expenses related to disability without losing eligibility for assistance programs like SSI and Medicaid. The program went into effect earlier this year. IAble (ABLE […]
Estate Planning for snowbirds can be a bit different than planning for the non-snowbirds. Because snowbirds reside in two (or more!) states during the year, it is important to check whether your estate planning documents fit the rules of both states. Your Will and other legal documents should be valid no matter how you divide […]
The Iowa Court of Appeals posts opinions regularly, and we are always on the lookout for cases of relevance to our practice and clients. Here are summaries of two recent cases that caught our attention. Adverse Possession – Rodamaker v. Biermann, No. 16-1102 In March, the Court of Appeals issued a decision involving a claim […]
If you have worked with Craig for any length of time, chances are you have talked, corresponded or met with his legal secretary, Janice Lyon. Janice is retiring on June 2 after almost 30 years at Grefe & Sidney. Janice has been in the legal profession since she was 17 years old, getting her start […]
A major First Amendment case is pending before the United States Supreme Court, Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer, No. 15-577. A daycare operated by and in Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbia, Missouri, applied for a grant from the state Department of Natural Resources to help resurface the daycare’s playground. The grant was […]
