After the City of Cedar Rapids (the City) granted a land use amendment allowing an industrial use to be built in a residential neighborhood, various property owners (Landowners) challenged the City’s decision by filing writs of certiorari with the district court. “Without a hearing, the district court annulled the writs of certiorari” concluding that the […]
A police officer was killed during a motor vehicle collision after an intoxicated driver, who was driving on the wrong side of the road, struck the police officer’s vehicle. The administrators of the police officer’s estate (Plaintiffs) filed suit against various governmental parties including the State of Iowa, City of Waukee, and City of West […]
Plaintiff filed a medical malpractice action against Defendants (a doctor and medical facility that employed the doctor) after the doctor performed a vasectomy instead of a circumcision on the Plaintiff. Plaintiff advanced two theories of medical negligence: (1) failure to obtain Plaintiff’s informed consent and (2) negligent communication. At trial and over the Defendants’ objection, […]
It is with our appreciation and best wishes that we announce that Craig Shannon is retiring at the end of 2021, after practicing law at Grefe & Sidney for more than 43 years. Since 1978, Craig has served the Iowa bar and clients with his sage advice, knowledge, and expertise, building long-term relationships with many […]
Earlier this year, President Biden announced the American Families Plan – a series of proposed changes to the tax code that could significantly alter the way many individuals approach their estate planning. One proposal included in the American Families Plan that has garnered much attention, especially in farming communities, is the proposal to eliminate the […]
A motorcyclist was struck by a semi while crossing traffic at an intersection and died from his injuries. The administrators of his estate filed suit against the State of Iowa alleging claims of negligence and gross negligence. In particular, the administrators alleged the State was grossly negligent because it had knowledge of the intersection’s defective […]
Plaintiff was a patient at a medical facility when she sustained injuries from a slip and fall. She initiated suit against the medical facility alleging various claims of negligence including professional negligence, negligent hiring and retention, lack of supervision by non-professional staff, and ordinary negligence. The medical facility moved to dismiss Plaintiff’s claims for failure […]
Following a bench trial in Palo Alto County, Mark Thomas and Ryleigh Keeney obtained a dismissal on behalf of their client, State Farm Fire and Casualty Company. Plaintiffs’ breach of contract claim followed a 2018 hailstorm that damaged Plaintiffs’ real property. Plaintiffs’ policy contained a one-year contractual limitations period—requiring Plaintiffs to file suit against State […]
Mark Thomas and Aaron Lindebak represented two transportation brokers, AIT Worldwide Logistics, Inc. (“AIT”) and Total Quality Logistics, LLC (“TQL”) in a wrongful death case in the Southern District of Iowa. TQL was hired by AIT to obtain motor carriers to carry freight. TQL then hired IEX Xpress Inc. to carry the freight. IEX Xpress […]
We are pleased to announce that Sam McMichael and Rachel Morgan have joined Grefe & Sidney, P.L.C. Sam McMichael earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Wartburg College before graduating with highest honors from Drake University Law School in May of 2021. While in law school, Sam practiced as a student attorney in the […]
