Practice Area: Trial, Litigation, & ADR

Samuel Langholz Appointed to Iowa Court of Appeals

September 22, 2023

Samuel Langholz has been appointed as a judge to the Iowa Court of Appeals. On August 9, 2023, Governor Kim Reynolds selected Langholz from a list of five nominees sent to her by the Judicial Nominating Commission. Langholz served as the Chief Deputy Attorney General in the Iowa Attorney General’s Office under Brenna Bird. He […]


Stella Maris Strohman Achieves Dismissal in Successful Defense of Lawsuit for Damage to Gas Main

Stella Maris Strohman obtained a pre-answer dismissal for her client, an excavation company, sued for alleged damage to a gas main. Plaintiff filed suit on August 29, 2022, alleging Defendant struck and damaged a gas main on October 17, 2017. Plaintiff’s petition alleged that Defendant violated Iowa Code Chapter 480.4 by failing to give its […]


Iowa Supreme Court Reinforces Need for Control in Landlord Liability Action

June 5, 2023

A company called CDM Rentals, LLC, purchased a condominium in Brook Run Park in Des Moines. Shelley and Cameron Barnes began leasing the condo on September 17, 2015. The Barnes’ unit had a garage that let out onto a shared driveway. A rain gutter ran along the roof above the shared driveway. The rain gutter […]


Iowa Supreme Court Examines Claims against Municipality

Jim and Angela Sutton’s house sits near an intersection in Council Bluffs where an underground water main broke in November 2020, sending water to the Sutton’s property. The flowing water eventually became standing water and the Suttons alleged the water caused their house to settle, resulting in damage to its foundation, interior walls, garage floors, […]


Iowa Supreme Court Adopts Modified Summary Judgment Test on Discrimination Claims

April 3, 2023

On a motion for summary judgment in an age discrimination claim, the Iowa Supreme Court modified the burden-shifting framework for summary judgment on discrimination claims under the Iowa Civil Rights Act (ICRA) to align with the causation standard at trial. The Court adopted the good-faith “honest belief rule” to affirm the employer’s decision to terminate […]


Erickson Obtains Defense Verdict in Underinsured Motorist Jury Trial

On March 14, 2023, Ben Erickson obtained a complete defense verdict in a jury trial involving an underinsured motorist claim. The case arose out of allegations that Plaintiff was injured when her vehicle was struck by the underlying defendant. Specifically, Plaintiff alleged the accident caused neck, back, and wrist injuries, including the need for surgical […]


Hall and Lindebak obtain Summary Judgment in Federal Products Liability Case

March 6, 2023

Andrew Hall and Aaron Lindebak represented Lippert Components, Inc. and LCI Industries in a products liability case. Lippert Components, Inc. and LCI Industries manufacture electric steps for use on Recreational Vehicles. Plaintiffs allege that a rivet in a step manufactured by Lippert Components and LCI Industries failed, resulting in the death of David Burke. Plaintiffs […]


Clark Mitchell Wins Summary Judgment

February 1, 2023

The Plaintiff sued Crow Valley Golf Club seeking recovery under Iowa Code section 808B. The Plaintiff alleged Crow Valley Golf Club operated a surreptitious video and audio mechanism in its bar/restaurant and had recorded his conversations with business associates. Iowa Code section 808B.8(1)(a) permits an individual whose communication is intercepted, disclosed, or used in violation […]


Iowa Supreme Court Provides Certificate of Merit Clarification

In September 2020, Jahn and Sara Kirlin filed suit against two doctors and Methodist Physicians Clinic alleging negligence following medical treatment received by Jahn. The Kirlins timely filed a certificate of merit affidavit signed by Dr. David Segal, a board-certified neurosurgeon. Iowa Code section 147.140 requires plaintiffs in medical malpractice suits to serve a certificate […]


Iowa Supreme Court Declines to Extend Fair Cross Section Requirement to Civil Jury Trials

January 6, 2023

Michael Savala sued the State of Iowa, the Iowa Department of Corrections, and the director of the Iowa Department of Corrections for employment discrimination. He alleged the defendants discriminated against him on the basis of his age, race, color, and national origin in violation of the Iowa Civil Rights Act. At his trial, Savala raised […]