The developer of a wind energy project planned in Worth County did not have a “vested right” to continue with the project after the Worth County Board of Supervisors enacted an ordinance the developer claimed doomed the project, a divided
On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog
On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog, published by Nyemaster Goode, provides updates and analysis on appellate court decisions and legal issues in Iowa. The blog covers topics such as state constitutional law, municipal liability, landlord-tenant disputes, administrative law, and procedural questions in appellate litigation. It discusses cases involving government immunity, statutory interpretation, property rights, and consumer protection. The blog also highlights Iowa Supreme Court oral arguments and rulings, focusing on their implications for state law and public policy. It serves as a resource for legal professionals interested in Iowa appellate practice and significant judicial developments within the state.
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February 2026 Opinion Roundup
The Iowa Supreme Court issued opinions in eleven cases in February 2026. At the links immediately below, you can read On Brief’s analysis of the following opinions:
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Attorney-client privilege curbs State Auditor’s subpoena power, Iowa Supreme Court holds
The State Auditor has broad access under Iowa law to state and local records in conducting audits, including otherwise confidential information, but the Auditor’s access does not extend to records shielded by attorney-client privilege, the Iowa Supreme Court held in…
Iowa Supreme Court holds a general contractor is not liable for injuries to a subcontractor’s employee
The Iowa Supreme Court reversed a $20.5 million Polk County jury verdict against homebuilder D.R. Horton for negligence arising from a subcontractor’s employee being briefly buried under several feet of dirt while working in a trench. The Court held that…
February 2026 Iowa Court of Appeals Published Opinion Roundup
The Iowa Court of Appeals selects certain opinions for publication in the Northwestern Reporter. In February, the Court of Appeals selected six opinions for publication. Following are summaries of those opinions.
Courtney Cortez Chestnut v. Iowa Department of Public Safety…
Defendant should not have had to ‘bet the house’ to avoid prison, Iowa Supreme Court holds
Christopher Hidlebaugh accepted a financial challenge in a plea deal with the State: purchase a home to avoid going to prison on a charge of failing to register as a sex offender. The deal fell apart, however, when Hidlebaugh was…
Iowa Supreme Court affirms woman’s conviction for making terrorism threats
A Guthrie County woman made statements to her son that he interpreted as serious threats of violence against a Department of Health and Human Services child protective worker and a judge six days ahead of a hearing regarding the Department’s…
January 2026 Opinion Roundup
The Iowa Supreme Court entered opinions in ten cases in January 2026. At the links immediately below, you can read On Brief’s analysis of the following opinions:
- Betz v. Mathiesen et al., No. 23-1794, concerning when a party is
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December 2025 Opinion Roundup
The Iowa Supreme Court entered opinions in eight cases in December 2025. At the links immediately below, you can read On Brief’s analysis of the following opinions:
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Enhanced penalty counts for sales of alcohol to two minors five minutes apart, Iowa Supreme Court holds
The penalty for violating Iowa’s law that bars the sale of alcohol to a person under the age of 21 is $500. The penalty for a second violation is $1,500 and a 30-day license suspension if it occurs within two…