Areas of Practice

Agricultural Law

We grew up, live and work in an agricultural area of the Midwest. We have numerous farmer clients in Osceola, Lyon, Sioux, O’Brien and Dickinson Counties, many of whom have farm corporations, partnerships, or limited liability companies.

Business and Commercial Law

We assist in selecting and creating the type of organizational entity under which to operate (e.g. corporation, limited liability company, partnership); negotiating and preparing business agreements; preparing legal documents for the sale and purchase of a business; obtaining financing and funding for business operations; dissolution of legal entities; and business succession planning.

Construction Law

Our firm represents owners, contractors, developers, and suppliers in all aspects of the construction process, including bidding and document preparation, contract negotiation and formation, contract performance, financing and warranty issues, mechanics liens, and dispute resolution. We have extensive experience regarding mechanic's liens and mechanic's lien foreclosures.

Contract Law

We draft, negotiate, and review all types of contracts, whether commercial or private, including sales contracts, business agreements, leases, real estate contracts, and employment contracts.

Criminal Law

Two members of our firm are former county attorneys. In 1998 we gave up prosecution and began representing defendants. We handle all types of criminal cases, from minor infractions and misdemeanors, such as traffic violations, to serious felony indictments.

Debtor/Creditor Law

We have extensive experience representing creditors in collecting debts, filing mortgage foreclosures, and pursuing other secured creditor cases for lenders.

Elder Law

As we get older, many of us are faced with difficult and important decisions regarding our healthcare and our financial well-being. We can help you plan for both the present and the future through the use of wills , trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, and health care directives.

Employment Law

We represent several large employers who often need legal advice about their employment practices. We have significant experience representing advising both employers and employees in such matters as employment discrimination, affirmative action, sexual harassment, employee benefits, wrongful discharge, employment contracts, the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act.

Estate Administration

We assist in all aspects of settling estates, whether that is being done through probate of a will or settlement of a trust. We have a paralegal devoted exclusively to the assistance of our estate administration clients. We have several attorneys with decades of experience in preparing the necessary legal documents and tax  returns to settle an estate.

Estate Planning

We help clients plan for the distribution of property at death, using wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other legal documents.

Family Law

Our firm handles a full range of family law matters including adoption, divorce, spousal support, separation, premarital agreements, paternity, child custody, visitation, and child support.

Insurance Defense

We represent insurance companies in negligence cases, such as automobile crashes and property liability (slip and fall). We also represent dram shop carriers whose customers are sued in Iowa.

We also defend product liability cases-some of them involving seven figures of damages--both inside and outside of Iowa for manufacturing companies and their insurers. We are proud of our defense record and would be happy to discuss it with you.

Litigation and Appeals

Our firm represents and advises clients in lawsuits and appeals in such areas as creditor bankruptcy, probate, personal injury, employment claims, contract disputes, family law, and business or commercial matters.

Municipal Law

We assist cities and other government entities with their legal issues, including sale of property; passage of ordinances; bidding and construction issues; employment law issues; prosecution of misdemeanors; and other matters.

Personal Injury Law

Our firm has a strong track record of representing individuals who have been injured. Cases we have handled to successful conclusions include motor vehicle injuries, farm injuries, defective product injuries, wrongful death cases, diving cases, quadriplegia cases, brain injury cases, and work-related injuries.

Real Estate Law

Our firm represents clients in all proceedings and transactions that deal with residential and commercial real property - land and the structures attached to it - including purchase and sale, construction, mortgages and foreclosures, leases, land use & zoning, title examinations, quiet title actions, closings, landlord/tenant disputes, and management.

Wills & Trusts

We help individuals protect their loved ones and plan for the distribution of their property and assets at their death through the drafting and updating of wills and trusts.