News - Page 3

John Gray was recently reappointed to the Iowa Appellate State Judicial Nominating Commission. Learn more about the Commission here.

Pat Sealey successfully received a defense verdict on January 10, 2018 in Polk County.  Pat defended Tracy and Mike Backus.  Tracy accidently rear-ended a car driven by Jane Boyce at a red light. Boyce claimed that the accident caused an injury to her shoulder and the need for rotator cuff surgery. The jury ultimately found that the Tracy was not the cause of the alleged damages and awarded Jane Boyce nothing.

A Clay County District Court jury delivered a verdict in favor of defendant physician in a medical malpractice case in October. The plaintiff claimed our physician failed to diagnose a complication of surgery that resulted in permanent injuries. The jury found that was not the case. The physician was defended...

"To Civic's credit and to their attorney's credit, they've managed to get a deal done that's acceptable to the city," said Jeff Wright, a private Sioux City attorney representing the city. "While nobody wins in a deal like this, the result for the city is going to be acceptable."

Follow Up

By the time you read this, the tax bill should be signed: 1. The average taxes on corporations around the world is 23%. When adding average state taxes to the new corporate tax rate of 21%, corporations in the U.S. will be taxed at 26%. 2. When capital investments are...

The bill has not been passed but the Congressional Conference Committee has struck a deal on tax reform. From an estate planning standpoint, they are doubling the federal estate tax exemption to what will be $11.2 million in 2018. This is a per person exemption from federal estate tax and...

John Gray defended a wrongful death claim and obtained a favorable defense verdict in Woodbury County. John defended the owner of a steer that killed a man when the man got in a trailer with the steer. The jury found the defendant not liable. The case was tried before Judge...

Ellen Tolsma has been selected as Secretary to the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys (I.O.W.A.). Ellen said, “It is a great way of connecting women attorneys across Iowa, keeping people aware of opportunities to further women in law. I would never have met some of these people if not for...

Congress is actually moving quickly through passage of a tax act and a potential compromise through a conference committee. Keep your eye out for their final bill as it may make sense to consider the following: · It looks like we will not be able to deduct the state income...

John Gray obtained a favorable defense verdict on October 25, 2017 in Madison County, Nebraska. A defense verdict was received in a medical malpractice case on behalf of a neurologist regarding failure to diagnose. The case was tried before Judge Mark A. Johnson.