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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
On May 6, 2020, following postponements of all jury and non-jury trials as a result of the pandemic, the Iowa Supreme Court created the Jumpstart Jury Trials Task Force. The Task Force was composed of judges, attorneys, and court personnel from across Iowa and in consultation with public health experts, county officials, and law enforcement […]
Andrew Hall and Aaron Lindebak obtained a summary judgment dismissal for a factory supervisor sued for gross negligence. The case arose from a catastrophic industrial accident that occurred as a result of a malfunctioning machine. In Iowa, the sole remedy for employees injured in work related accidents is to bring a worker’s compensation claim against […]
The Iowa Supreme Court, in a May 22, 2020 supervisory order, ordered that all jury trials shall be continued to a date no earlier than September 14, 2020. The Court outlined the priority of cases in its May 22, 2020 supervisory order: emergency matters, criminal cases, and family law matters are given priority. Proceedings not […]
Mark Thomas and Aaron W. Lindebak represented an e-cigarette company in a products liability case. A homeowner discovered the kitchen of his home to be on fire after returning from dinner on Valentine’s Day 2015. His insurance company sought subrogation for $398,773.78 in damage to the home and homeowner’s personal property. Plaintiff sued Black Dragon […]
Adam Zenor and Laura Martino successfully represented a Des Moines massage therapist against his former client’s allegation of unethical conduct. On June 6, 2017, the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy found probable case to file a Notice of Hearing and Statement of Charges against the licensed professional, specifically charging him with “unethical conduct” by “engaging in […]
On January 25, 2019, Clark Mitchell obtained a defense verdict for his client. Mitchell represented the defendant (a go-kart track) in the lawsuit. The plaintiff was a patron of the go-kart track and was injured while driving her go-kart. At trial, the plaintiff requested damages totaling $657,930. The trial involved the legal issues of negligence, […]
