Study suggests Iowa has right approach on judges
Des Moines Register - JUN 15, 2013

It didn't get much attention in Iowa last week, but a new study on the effect of campaign donations in judicial elections merits a mention.

The study from the American Constitution Society compared campaign contributions to rulings by state supreme court justices. It found that the more campaign contributions justices received from business interests, the more likely they were to rule in favor of business interests who appear before them in court... read more.

You can read the full report from the American Constitution Society here.

Tort "reform" a non-starter in Iowa
IAJ - MAY 29, 2013

Legislative Wrap-up: Once again tort "reform" is a non-starter with Iowa's elected representatives. A number of bills would have limited accountability for wrongdoers and blocked access to justice, but they failed to gain support in the 2013 legislative session... read more.

IAJ Members can read the full 2013 Legislative Session Wrap-up here.

Victimized again
QC Times - MAY 15, 2013

Blame Henry's Turkey Service for systemic abuse and enslavement of disabled men denigrated as "Henry's boys," house in filth and forced to work for pennies an hour while their employers siphoned away wages and disability benefits. But blame Congress for further persecuting these men. They're the ones who approved caps on court awards... read more.

Medical malpractice injected into Medicaid debate
IAJ - APR 30, 2013

The Iowa House Appropriations Committee advanced Governor Branstad's Healthy Iowa Plan for expanding health insurance in Iowa. House Republicans amended the bill to include language that limits a patient's legal protections if they are injured or killed by preventable medical errors. Attached is a statement about the proposal from IAJ, and some information about the effects of the proposal... read more.

Claims about medical malpractice lawsuits rejected
Des Moines Register - FEB 7, 2013

Iowa should not blame its doctor shortage on the cost of medical malpractice lawsuits, a national expert says. 

Gov. Terry Branstad is pushing for limits on such lawsuits, saying they're a major reason the state has trouble recruiting enough doctors. But Mike Matray, editor of the trade journal Medical Liability Monitor, said the governor's contention "doesn't stack up with the reality of the situtation."  read more.

IAJ 2012 Annual Convention a success
IAJ - NOV, 2012

The 2012 IAJ Annual Convention was a success. Hundreds of attorneys from every corner of the state attended to get their year's CLE, network and catch up with friends and colleagues, and see IAJ's new president step into leadership. IAJ installed several new executive officers and members of the board of governors during convention (November 8-9) at the Des Moines Downtown Marriott. IAJ's newly installed leaders will serve the 2012-13 term. IAJ also honored its 2012 award winners... read more.

IAJ Justice In Deed donation
Waterloo Courier - NOV 18, 2012

The Iowa Association for Justice recently made a donation to the Cedar Valley SportsPlex Endowment Fund to provide scholarships to underprivileged children and provide access to athletics and organized sports in the facility.

The donation is the result of a fundraiser in September, the 2012 Tom Staack Memorial Golf Tournament. The Iowa Association for Justice raised slightly more than $13,750 for the SportsPlex... read more.

Iowa City workers' comp case will be prosecuted
Des Moines Register - APR 23, 2012

The Iowa attorney general's office has been asked to make an Iowa City trash hauler the poster child in Iowa for what can happen when an employer fails to carry workers' compensation insurance.

A deputy workers' compensation commissioner referred the case to state prosecutors this month, after two Des Moines Register Reader's Watchdog columns focused on the lack of prosecution in such cases... read more