PRACTICE AREAS
We believe that our clients are best served when we can assist them in anticipating legal problems.
To that end, we practice preventive law by gaining a knowledge of our clients' needs, and by educating
and counseling our clients on current developments in the law which may affect them. To that end, our
attorneys practice in the following areas:
TAX LAW:
- Business, Personal, and Estate Tax Planning
- Business, Personal, and Estate Tax preparation
- Federal and State Tax Audits
- Tax Litigation
- Innocent spouse cases
- Resolving IRS disputes
REAL ESTATE:
- Deeds/Land contracts
- Leases
- Property purchase agreements
- Condominiums
- Easements
- Real estate development
- Environmental regulation cases
- Real estate zoning
- Like kind exchanges
MUNICIPAL LAW:
- Zoning
- Annexations
- Subdivisions
- Development
- Landfill regulation/operation
ESTATE PLANNING:
Estate planning attorneys do not "sell" trusts and wills. We believe that estate planning is a process that involves working with our clients to develop plans that fit the particular wealth transfer needs of each client. While we have the expertise to develop plans that can substantially reduce, if not eliminate, estate taxes even in multi-million dollar estates, we believe that the human needs and family goals of each individual client must always be addressed. Because estate and wealth transfer planning is an ongoing process, we encourage our clients to participate in an annual review process to ensure that their plans are always up to date.
- Wills
- Death tax planning
- Trusts
- Power of attorney
- Probate-large and small estates
- Health care power of attorney
- Will contests and trust litigation
- Living wills
- Estate Planning
- Gift planning
- Law for the elderly
- Family business transition planning
BUSINESS:
As in the estate planning area, our business and transaction attorneys do not "sell" contracts and business documents. We work with our clients to develop business transactions that fit the particular needs of each client. If a business is to be formed, we counsel our clients on the alternatives available. If a transaction is being negotiated, we make sure that the documents give the client the needed legal protection while truly reflecting the client's goals.
BUSINESS RELATIONS:
- Business organization
- Debtor/Creditor relations
- Lien Laws
- Business transfers
- Reorganizations
- Mergers
- Workers compensation
- Collection of receivables
- Workout agreements
- Business dissolution
- Business disputes
- Construction contracts
- Formation and maintenance of corporations
- Employment issues
- Formation and maintenance of limited liability companies / partnerships
- Formation and maintenance of general partnerships
BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS:
- Contracts
- Commercial transactions
- Secured transactions
- Business sales
- Business purchases
- Tax deferred exchanges
- Eminent domain/Condemnation
- Construction Lien Law
- Landlord/Tenant law
- Municipal law
- Business lawsuits
- Bank documentation
- Farm transactions
- Banking law
- Mortgage foreclosure
- Contract litigation
LITIGATION:
We will not undertake either commencing or defending a lawsuit without thoroughly discussing the merits of the case with the client and informing the client of the potential costs of litigating the matter. If a matter can not be settled, and dispute is inevitable, our goal is to avoid costly litigation where possible. Thus, we encourage the use of mediation, arbitration and other out-of-court methods of resolving disputes. However, when necessary, we will aggressively represent our clients in the courtroom, using our skills, experience and resources.
- Automobile accidents
- Sports injuries
- Motorcycle accidents
- Farm accidents
- Snowmobile accidents
- Workplace injuries
- Boating accidents
- Dog/Animal bites
- Defective products
- Construction injuries
- Household accidents
- Insurance policy disputes
- Wrongful death
FAMILY & PERSONAL LAW:
- Dissolution of marriage
- Adoption
- Post-dissolution matters
- Child custody and visitation disputes
- Premarital agreements
- Parental rights
EMPLOYMENT LAW:
- Employment contracts
- Non-competition agreements
- Confidentiality agreements
- Independent contractors
- Wrongful discharge
- Unemployment compensation
- Employment discrimination
- Employer defense
The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of
a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based
solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise.
Memberships and offices in legal fraternities and legal societies, technical and professional licenses, and memberships in scientific, technical and professional associations and societies of law or field of practice does not mean that a lawyer is a specialist or expert in a field of law, nor does it mean that such lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer.
A description or indication of limitation of practice does not mean that an agency or board has certified such lawyer as a specialist or expert in an indicated field of practice, nor does it mean that such lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer.
All potential clients are urged to make sure their own independent investigation and evaluation of any lawyer being considered. This notice is required by rule of the Supreme Court of Iowa.
