Nyemaster Goode

Founded in 1918, Nyemaster Goode is Iowa’s largest law firm with offices in Des Moines, Ames, and Cedar Rapids. Our broadly diverse practice enables us to offer solutions to the most challenging legal issues in virtually every area of the law to companies that range in size from emerging start-ups to Fortune 500s, as well as to individuals. Perhaps this is why we were listed as a Go-To Law Firm® in a recent survey of the top 500 U.S. companies by Corporate Counsel magazine.

U.S. Supreme Court won’t hear Iowa Insurance Commissioner’s appeal of Iowa Supreme Court decision

By Rox Laird

March 2, 2021

The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear the Iowa Insurance Commissioner’s appeal of a 2020 Iowa Supreme Court decision that the Federal Arbitration Act preempts Iowa’s statute governing liquidation of a failed insurance company. The U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of certiorari in the appeal of Ommen v. Milliman came in an order released March 1. The case stems from the failure of CoOportunity Health Inc., an Iowa-based insurance company established under the Affordable Care Act…

On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog

Opinions in two cases expected from Iowa Supreme Court Friday

By Rox Laird

February 25, 2021

The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to release opinions in two cases Friday, February 26, 2021. Below are On Brief’s previously published summaries of the cases. Go to On Brief’s Cases in the Pipeline page to read briefs filed with the Court in the appeals. Clark v. State (previous On Brief summary here) Submitted to the Court Dec. 16, 2020, without oral argument. Question: Does a finding of ineffective assistance of counsel apply…

On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog

Traffic stop is justified if ‘common sense’ suggests driver violated cell phone law, Iowa Supreme Court rules

By Rox Laird

February 25, 2021

A law-enforcement officer’s “common sense” observation that a person might be illegally using a cell phone while driving is reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle for further investigation, the Iowa Supreme Court said in a decision handed down Feb. 19. The Court’s divided 4-3 decision in State v. Struve affirmed the Clinton County District Court’s denial of Steven Struve’s motion to suppress evidence obtained during a traffic stop initiated on the basis of two officers’…

On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog

Opinions in five cases to be handed down by Iowa Supreme Court Friday

By Rox Laird

February 18, 2021

The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to release opinions in five cases Friday, February 19, 2021. Below are On Brief’s previously published summaries of four of these cases. Go to On Brief’s Cases in the Pipeline page to read briefs filed with the Court in the appeals. State v. Buman (previous On Brief summary here) Argued Nov. 17 Issue: May the nursing standard of care in Iowa Administrative Rules be applied in a criminal…

On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog

Iowa Supreme Court set to hear arguments in nine cases Tuesday and Wednesday

By Rox Laird

February 12, 2021

The Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in nine cases Feb. 16 and 17, and five additional cases will be submitted to the Court. Following are brief summaries of the February cases. Go to On Brief’s Cases in the Pipeline page to read briefs in these cases. Lewis v. Allen Investments Scheduled for oral argument Feb. 16, 9 a.m. Issue: Is the contract seller of a rental property liable for a renter’s damages in…

On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog

Legislative act barring pro se briefs does not cross constitutional line, Iowa Supreme Court rules

By Rox Laird

February 11, 2021

Legislation enacted by the Iowa General Assembly that prohibits defendants who are represented by legal counsel from filing appellate briefs on their own behalf does not violate the Iowa Constitution’s separation of legislative and judicial powers, the Iowa Supreme Court has narrowly held. In a 4-3 decision handed down Feb. 5, the Court said the Iowa Constitution in Article V, Section 14, vests the Legislature with the power “to provide for a general system of…

On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog

Decisions expected from Iowa Supreme Court in two cases Friday

By Rox Laird

February 4, 2021

The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to release opinions in two cases Friday, February 5, 2021. Below are On Brief’s previously published summaries of these cases. Go to On Brief’s Cases in the Pipeline page to read briefs filed with the Court in these appeals. State v. Thompson (previously summarized here) Submitted to the Court Sept. 17, 2020, without oral argument Question: Did the Legislature breach constitutional separation of powers by barring pro se…

On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog

Eighth Circuit wades into dispute over when public officials may “block” their constituents on Twitter

By Matt McGuire

January 29, 2021

This week, the Eighth Circuit held that a constituent who was “blocked” on Twitter by the account of a Missouri state legislator could not maintain a claim against that public official for violation of his First Amendment rights. In Campbell v. Representative Cheri Reisch, the Eighth Circuit’s holding diverged from the conclusions drawn by two other federal courts of appeals in similar lawsuits, including a prior case out of the Second Circuit involving President…

On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog

Man deserves day in court to avoid losing his home over $220 delinquent tax bill, Iowa Supreme Court rules

By Rox Laird

January 27, 2021

A Jan. 22 ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court means a Waterloo man may not lose his home for failure to pay a $220 property tax bill. Cornell Hoosman’s home was sold at tax sale for failure to pay $220 in property taxes to Black Hawk County, and he was served with a removal order after a district judge entered a default judgment against him. The Supreme Court reversed that order and remanded the case…

On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog

With Wagner, the Iowa Supreme Court continues building an “Iowa Courts” jurisprudence

By Matt McGuire

January 26, 2021

Few law school courses inspire more fear and frustration from students than Federal Courts. A standard elective at most law schools, the course’s prosaic name belies a devilishly complex body of law regarding who can sue whom in federal court, and for what. One Federal Courts professor asked rhetorically in a 2001 law review article: “Is it possible the [Supreme] Court’s treatment of the Eleventh Amendment and Section 1983 [42 U.S.C. § 1983] can…

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U.S. Supreme Court won’t hear Iowa Insurance Commissioner’s appeal of Iowa Supreme Court decision

Opinions in two cases expected from Iowa Supreme Court Friday

Traffic stop is justified if ‘common sense’ suggests driver violated cell phone law, Iowa Supreme Court rules

Opinions in five cases to be handed down by Iowa Supreme Court Friday

Iowa Supreme Court set to hear arguments in nine cases Tuesday and Wednesday

Legislative act barring pro se briefs does not cross constitutional line, Iowa Supreme Court rules

Decisions expected from Iowa Supreme Court in two cases Friday

Eighth Circuit wades into dispute over when public officials may “block” their constituents on Twitter

Man deserves day in court to avoid losing his home over $220 delinquent tax bill, Iowa Supreme Court rules

With Wagner, the Iowa Supreme Court continues building an “Iowa Courts” jurisprudence

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