Announcements

Whether new to federal practice or an experienced attorney, brush up on the basics and more at the 2020 Federal Practice Seminar. Attendees will hear from Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Devil in the Grove” as well as from members of Iowa’s federal judiciary during the various judges’ panels scheduled.

REGISTER TODAY

SCHEDULE
8:10 – 8:15 - Welcome - Speaker: Leslie Behaunek, Federal Practice Chair
8:15 – 9:15 - Article III Judges Panel - Moderator: Prof. Laurie Doré, Drake University Law School
9:15 – 9:20 - Break
9:20 – 10:20 - U.S. Magistrate Judges Panel - Moderator: Prof. Emily Hughes, University of Iowa Law School
10:20 – 10:30 - Break
10:30 – 12:00 - Equal Justice Under Law: Legal Heroes and Judicial Courage at the Dawn of a New America – Speaker: Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Devil in the Grove"
Moderator: Megan Flynn, Coppola, McConville, Carroll, Hockenberg & Flynn, P.C.
12:00 – 1:00 - Break
1:00 – 2:00 - Eighth Circuit Judges Panel
2:00 – 2:10 - Break
2:10 – 3:40 - Diversity and Ethics - Moderator: Tim Hill, Bradley & Riley PC; Panel: Hon. Ignacio Torteya III, United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Texas; Alfredo Parrish, Parrish Kruidenier; Leslie Behaunek, Nyemaster Goode PC; Andrea Jaeger, Keegan, Tindal & Jaeger; and Kimberly Cullen, University of Iowa Law Student
3:40 – 3:50 - Break
3:50 – 5:00 - COVID-19 in the Courtroom - Moderator: Andrea Jaeger, Keegan, Tindal & Jaeger; Panel: Ed Crowley, Crowley & Prill; Andrew Dunn, Parrish Kruidenier; Jack Dusthimer, Dusthimer Law Office; Diane Helphrey, Federal Public Defender’s Office, Southern District of Iowa; and Nate Nieman, Nieman Law

CLE CREDIT (pending)
7 state hours which includes 1.5 ethics hours

REGISTRATION FEES
ISBA Members - $140
YLD Members (Years 1-3) - $110
YLD Members (Years 4-5) - $120
Non-ISBA Members - $275
Law Students and Federal Law Clerks - Free

Sponsored by The Iowa State Bar Association Federal Practice Committee

QUESTIONS
Please contact the ISBA CLE Department at cle@iowabar.org or 515-697-7874.

Fastcase has announced the launch of COVID-19 Case Alerts, a free email alert service to keep subscribers aware of new civil opinions, selected pleadings, breaking news and analyses of legal issues related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Each business day, Fastcase will deliver a snapshot of the day’s legal developments on COVID-19, consolidated into a single email organized by topic. This service is available free to ISBA members through the Fastcase 7 App. Click the Apps & Tools grid to sign up for the daily email. For more information, please click here.

Safe Harbors and Calm Seas: Navigating Risk in Law Practice
Nov. 19
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

REGISTER ONLINE

SPEAKERS
Theresa Garthwaite, Risk Control Specialist, Lawyers Professional Liability, CNA Global Specialty Lines
Matthew Fitterer, Risk Control Attorney, CNA Insurance

SPECIAL OFFER
ISBA members who attend this CLE and are CNA policy holders are eligible to receive up to a 7.5% credit on their policy premium for two policy years. The discount is per lawyer and will be applied at the next insurance renewal.

If you are insured by CNA please remember to include your CNA policy number when you are registering for this webinar. You can find your policy number at the top of your declaration page of your policy.

CLE CREDIT (approved)
2 state hours which includes 2 ethics hours

REGISTRATION FEES
ISBA Members  - $65
ISBA YLD Members (Years 1-3) - $35
Non-ISBA Members - $80
Law Students - Free

Sponsored by Lockton Affinity, CNA and The Iowa State Bar Association

The ISBA has a long-standing policy which generally provides that it is impermissible to upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available on the association’s listserves or social media outlets any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising/ promotional materials – including non-ISBA sponsored CLE programs – or any other form of solicitation. The policy applies to attachments as well.

The ISBA routinely receives requests from law-related nonprofit organizations looking for assistance in promoting their CLE and other education events. While the ISBA supports the valuable work of these organizations, it must limit its resources to promotion of non-ISBA events unless it is a designated partner of a particular event. Requests for promotion of nonprofit CLE events will be handled initially in the same manner as a commercial CLE event; the ISBA Communications Department and/or the executive director will discuss the various options for purchasing access to ISBA members such as advertising in The Iowa Lawyer magazine or the Iowa Lawyer Weekly electronic newsletter.

Nonprofit organizations may submit news items to the ISBA for consideration in one of the ISBA’s publications. The decision to publish remains within the discretion of the ISBA. In addition, the ISBA may use discretion in offering advertising space discounts to nonprofit organizations.

The ISBA does not sell or distribute its members’ email addresses to any non-ISBA groups, agencies, institutions, associations, or vendors for any commercial, political or informational purposes.

The Iowa Middle School Mock Trial Tournament begins in November, and this year it is easier than ever for attorneys to serve as judges.

Preliminary rounds will be held virtually (via Zoom) Nov. 9-21, with the state tournament scheduled for Dec. 1-4. Unlike previous requests to judge, you will not have to leave the comfort of your home or office in order to participate. You only need time, interest and a good internet connection. Please check your schedule and click here to view available slots and register.

Mock trial is designed to introduce students to Iowa's legal system by providing a challenging academic competition with opportunities for personal growth and achievement, emphasizing the importance of research, presentation and teamwork. Last year, more than 2,000 students from across Iowa participated in the Iowa mock trial program, and more than 600 members of the Iowa bar assisted as judges and coaches in tournaments held throughout the state. Without the assistance of volunteer judges, these competitions would not be possible.

For more information, contact ISBA Center for Law & Civic Education Director John Wheeler at 515-697-7882 or jwheeler@iowabar.org.

Whether new to federal practice or an experienced attorney, brush up on the basics and more at the 2020 Federal Practice Seminar. Attendees will hear from Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Devil in the Grove” as well as from members of Iowa’s federal judiciary during the various judges’ panels scheduled.

SCHEDULE
8:10 – 8:15 - Welcome - Speaker: Leslie Behaunek, Federal Practice Chair
8:15 – 9:15 - Article III Judges Panel - Moderator: Prof. Laurie Doré, Drake University Law School
9:15 – 9:20 - Break
9:20 – 10:20 - U.S. Magistrate Judges Panel - Moderator: Prof. Emily Hughes, University of Iowa Law School
10:20 – 10:30 - Break
10:30 – 12:00 - Equal Justice Under Law: Legal Heroes and Judicial Courage at the Dawn of a New America – Speaker: Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Devil in the Grove"
Moderator: Megan Flynn, Coppola, McConville, Carroll, Hockenberg & Flynn, P.C.
12:00 – 1:00 - Break
1:00 – 2:00 - Eighth Circuit Judges Panel
2:00 – 2:10 - Break
2:10 – 3:40 - Diversity and Ethics - Moderator: Tim Hill, Bradley & Riley PC; Panel: Hon. Ignacio Torteya III, United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Texas; Alfredo Parrish, Parrish Kruidenier; Leslie Behaunek, Nyemaster Goode PC; Andrea Jaeger, Keegan, Tindal & Jaeger; and Kimberly Cullen, University of Iowa Law Student
3:40 – 3:50 - Break
3:50 – 5:00 - COVID-19 in the Courtroom

CLE CREDIT (pending)
7 state hours which includes 1.5 ethics hours

REGISTRATION FEES
ISBA Members - $140
YLD Members (Years 1-3) - $110
YLD Members (Years 4-5) - $120
Non-ISBA Members - $275
Law Students and Federal Law Clerks - Free

Sponsored by The Iowa State Bar Association Federal Practice Committee

The inaugural Mark S. Cady Day of Public Service will be held this Friday, Oct. 23. Attorneys throughout the state are encouraged to participate in some form of public service or pro bono work on this day to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of former Chief Justice Cady.

To celebrate, The Iowa State Bar Association is co-sponsoring a virtual community event called "Your Vote. Your Voice. Our Democracy." The presentation is designed to highlight the history of voting rights and educate voters so they have the information they need to exercise their rights in the 2020 election. This free event will take place between noon and 1 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 23. To register, click here.

More Cady Day info:
• Are you still looking for ideas on how to participate? Click here for a list of projects.
• Want to register your project? You can do so here.
• Have questions? Contact Drake Law School's Theresa Howard at theresa.howard@drake.edu.
• Willing to share your project with the ISBA for possible publication? Take pictures and send them to communications@iowabar.org

The Iowa State Bar Association is preparing for a major change coming later this year to its IowaDocs® platform. XpressDox will become the new software provider that drives the creation of forms.

IowaDocs® is now over 20 years old and has always run under the HotDocs software, but with changes in HotDocs ownership, technology changes and the move to cloud computing, ISBA leadership believed it was in the best interest of IowaDocs® users to switch to a different engine.

"IowaDocs® is vitally important to our membership as a service to create forms in a timely, easy manner. After weighing all options, we felt this switch was the best way to continue delivering this service for our attorneys and their staffs," says Harry Shipley, ISBA Assistant Executive Director.

The ISBA is asking IowaDocs® power users (attorneys and/or support staff) to assist in testing the new system in XpressDox before its official launch Dec. 1. If you are interested in doing so, or have questions in the meantime, please contact support@iowadocs.net.

The Iowa State Bar Association has released the results of its performance evaluation of the 95 judges standing for retention in this year’s November general election. The ISBA biennially conducts a survey of its attorney members and compiles the results to give voters information on which to base their decisions about keeping a judge on the bench.

Full results of the 2020 Judicial Performance Review are now available on the ISBA website: iowabar.org, or judicialfacts.org.

Attorneys evaluated the 87 district court judges, four court of appeals judges and four supreme court justices on the ballot based on a number of performance characteristics, including knowledge and application of the law and demeanor. Nearly 1,500 attorneys responded, and the Fair and Impartial Courts Committee would like to thank all ISBA members who participated.

Click here to view a video message from Fair and Impartial Courts Committee Chairman Guy Cook about the 2020 evaluation results and Iowa's upcoming retention election.

The ISBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is committed to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. In partnership with its Diversity Committee, the YLD will participate in United Way of Central Iowa's 21-Day Equity Challenge from Oct. 5 to Nov. 2. Participants receive an email each weekday with links to relevant articles, podcasts and videos. The challenge, which is completely free, is aimed to teach participants about racism and inequity in Iowa's communities and will include topics like privilege, housing and redlining, justice system inequities and allyship.

"I’ve come to understand that the most important job I have is to be a good listener and to be willing to learn, even when the content of the conversations are tough and uncomfortable," said Gabe Walsh, chair of the YLD Diversity Committee. "The 21-Day Equity Challenge will allow our members to listen and learn from these conversations, and hopefully take something that will help make our legal community more open, inclusive and understanding of issues involving race, and how they impact the important work we do.”

To participate in the challenge, please visit the United Way's website and sign up with 'Iowa State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division' as your designated organization.

2020 Fundamentals of Federal Practice Seminar
Oct. 6
8 AM - 12 PM
Live Webinar

This live webinar is designed for attorneys new to federal practice as well as experienced attorneys looking to refine their skills.

Click here to register

SCHEDULE
8:00 - 8:30 - Discovery and Settlement Conferences – Speaker: Magistrate Judge Stephen Jackson, U.S. District Court for the for the Southern District of Iowa
8:30 - 9:15 - Back to Basics: General Overview of Criminal Sentencing – Speaker: Brad Hansen, Federal Public Defender
9:15 - 9:45 - Experts and Professional Witnesses: How to Get Them, How to Use Them and How to Cross Them – Speaker: Judge CJ Williams, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
9:45 - 10:00 - Break
10:00 - 10:30 - Pleadings and Motions – Speaker: Chief Magistrate Judge Kelly Mahoney, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
10:30 - 11:00 - Trends in the Federal Courts: Procedures, How to Navigate and Best Practices for Lawyers – Speaker: Frank Severino, Chief Deputy Clerk of Court, Southern District of Iowa
11:00 - 12:00 - Federal Practice with Panel of Attorneys with Less than 10 Years’ Practice – Speakers: Josh Weir, Dornan Lustgarten & Troia, PC, LLO; Ryan Fisher, Bradley & Riley PC; Alex Barnett, Lane & Waterman LLP; Gina Christensen Messamer, Parrish Law Firm; and Andrea Jaeger, Keegan, Tindal & Jaeger

REGISTRATION FEES
ISBA Members - $90
ISBA YLD Members (Years 1-3) - $50
Non-ISBA Members - $150
Law Students - Free

CLE CREDIT (approved)
3.75 state hours 

Sponsored by The Iowa State Bar Association Federal Practice Committee

ISBA People's Law School (COVID-19 Series): Employment, Small Business and Housing
Sept. 10
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Live Webinar

The Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Legal Aid and the Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, are co-hosting a free public information session on COVID-19 related legal issues on Thursday, Sept. 10. This session will focus on developments in employment, small business and housing related laws.

Please help make this event a success by sharing event information with your clients and community.

SPEAKERS
Alex Kornya, Iowa Legal Aid Litigation Director & General Counsel
Samantha Wagner, Iowa Legal Aid Community Economic Development Project Staff Attorney.

This free event is for the public

A toll-free disaster legal advice hotline is now available to residents in Linn County impacted by the Aug. 10 derecho storm. This hotline is a partnership between Iowa Legal Aid, The Iowa State Bar Association, the ISBA Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Linn County Bar Association and the Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project.

The Derecho Legal Hotline is currently focused on storm victims with legal issues related to securing FEMA and other government benefits, insurance claims, home repair contracts, replacement of important legal documents destroyed in the disaster, consumer protection matters, landlord-tenant problems, business issues and more. The hotline phone number is 1-877-469-2259. Additional counties may be served by the hotline based on eligibility for FEMA individual assistance.

Volunteer lawyers from a broad range of practice areas are needed to provide limited scope pro bono legal services. If you are interested in volunteering for this project, please contact ISBA Director of Innovation and Outreach Virginia Sipes at vsipes@iowabar.org, and indicate your practice areas in the email.

Chief Justice Susan Christensen signed two orders on Aug. 28 adopting amendments to Chapters 31, 32 and 41 of the Iowa Court Rules -- mostly related to the regulation of the legal profession.

The amendments to Chapter 32, Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, deal with such topics as unauthorized practice of law, advertising and solicitation of clients, and disciplinary authority. Read the full order here. Changes are effective Jan. 1, 2021.

The amendments to Chapter 31 deal with registration of house counsel, and the amendments to Chapter 41 strike the cap on unmoderated CLE credit. The order summarizing their adoption, which is effective immediately, can be found here.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

Voting Rights, Hard Won, Not Done: Honoring the Legacy of the 15th and 19th Amendments
Sept. 14
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Live Webinar

This special CLE program will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, granting African American men the right to vote, and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.

The noon-hour program will review the history of voting rights, honor the men and women who fought for voting rights and review recent action by Iowa leaders relating to voting rights in Iowa.

SPEAKERS
Henry Hamilton III, Administrative Law Judge
Emily Chafa, Attorney at Law

CLE CREDIT (approved)
1 state hour

REGISTRATION FEES
ISBA Members - $30
ISBA YLD Members (Years 1-5) - $20
Law Students  - Free

Sponsored by The Iowa State Bar Association Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee and Administrative Law Section

The Iowa State Bar Association has partnered with Drake University Law School to organize the first-ever Cady Day of Public Service on Friday, Oct. 23. The annual day of service, organized in collaboration with Iowa Legal Aid and the Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, is dedicated to the late Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady, who passed away unexpectedly in 2019. His career as a public servant spanned nearly four decades and was marked by his devotion to the pursuit of justice for all Iowans.

Members of The Iowa State Bar Association are asked to volunteer alongside Drake Law students, faculty and staff to carry on Cady's legacy. Click here to find out ways you can get involved in projects already underway. If you or your firm want to come up with your own project, please register your project so your participation in the inaugural Cady Day of Public Service is recognized. The ISBA will be announcing information about ISBA-sponsored events in the coming weeks.

The 2020 Bridge the Gap Seminar, sponsored by the ISBA Young Lawyers Division, is scheduled to take place virtually Sept. 10-11. This annual event provides a new generation of Iowa lawyers an in-depth look at various aspects of the profession from some of the most experienced attorneys in the state.

The two-day live webinar event also gives legal professionals, no matter the years of experience, an opportunity to earn substantial CLE credit (15 state; 3 ethics; 1 juvenile).

Presentations include:
• Using Demonstrative Evidence at Trial - Tim Semelroth, RSH Legal
• Mechanic’s Lien Law - Jared Adam, Shuttleworth & Ingersoll
• Title Opinion Basics - Timothy Gartin, Hastings Gartin & Boettger LLP

Visit the official event page for complete details and to register.

The updated Iowa Code books and 2020 Iowa Court Rules are now available for order through the Legislative Services Agency online store or through the printed order form .

The Iowa Code set is seven hardbound volumes which include all codified statutes (updated through the 2018 session), U.S. and Iowa Constitutions, multiple tables, notes and indexes. The cost is $50 and comes with the 2020 Iowa Law InfoBase download.

The 2020 Iowa Court Rules book is one softbound volume of rules of practice, judicial administration and professional regulation at a cost of $25. Also available for purchase is the 2019 Iowa Acts book, a hardbound volume of statutes and joint resolutions, for $25; and the 2019-2020 Iowa Official Register, a hardbound volume of records and descriptions of Iowa's governmental institutions and officials, history, profiles, election law and educational institutions for $15.

You can also download the Iowa Law InfoBase for $15, which includes searchable digital copies of the Iowa Constitution, Iowa Code, Iowa Acts, Iowa Administrative Code, Iowa Court Rules and other archived legal publications.

The Iowa State Bar Association has placed presentations from the 2020 ISBA Annual Meeting in its on-demand CLE catalog. These videos are currently available in special bundle packages (ag law, real estate, ethics, probate and case law) which can be purchased at discounted prices for ISBA members and YLD members (years 1-5).

Annual meeting topics include:
• Ethics During COVID-19
• Hemp Farming in Iowa
• Iowa Trust Code
• Medicaid Issues
• The State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession

To access these packages, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page. Members are required to sign-in to the catalog before making any purchases (sign-in information is the same as the iowabar.org site).

The ISBA On-Demand CLE Catalog allows viewers the opportunity to watch the available recorded programming whenever they choose and can be credited toward their required CLE credit hours. In addition to the annual meeting videos, the catalog includes a collection of nearly 30 CLE presentations which can be viewed here.

For questions, contact ISBA CLE Director Christy Cronin at cle@iowabar.org or 515-697-7874.

During the ISBA Annual Meeting of the Corporation, held virtually on June 24, the gavel was passed from outgoing President Bill Boyd to incoming 2020-2021 President Jerry Schnurr III. Thirteen new Board of Governors members were also seated. You can read a recap of the reports and actions taken at the meeting here. You can learn more about Schnurr in this article from The Iowa Lawyer magazine.

The Young Lawyers Division also welcomed its new president during its summer meeting on June 26. Torey Cuellar, an assistant county attorney in Story County, outlines her priorities for the upcoming year of the YLD here.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

ISBA People's Law School: COVID-19 Related Legal Information (Part II)
July 21
5:30 - 7:00 PM
Live Webinar

On Tuesday, July 21, The Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Legal Aid and the Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, are co-hosting this free public information session focused on COVID-19 related legal issues including evictions, foreclosures, debt collection and stimulus payments.

SPEAKER
Alex Kornya, Iowa Legal Aid Litigation Director & General Counsel

Help us make this event a success by spreading the word to your clients and other interested parties.

Each year during the ISBA's Annual Meeting convention in June, all ISBA members are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Corporation, which occurs as part of the Board of Governors' June quarterly meeting. Because the in-person annual meeting was cancelled this year due to the pandemic (and the CLE portion was held virtually in May), members are invited to instead attend the business meeting of members on Wednesday, June 24, online.

This meeting, expected to last less than an hour, will be held via GoToMeetings beginning at 10 a.m. Please click this link to register. The agenda includes remarks from Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen, the deans of the two Iowa law schools, the ISBA Executive Director, and a report on the election of new officers which will include the passing of the gavel to new president Jerry Schnurr III.

The Board of Governors quarterly meeting begins at 9 a.m. and members are welcome to sign in early on June 24 to attend virtually in advance of the 10 a.m. annual business meeting of the members.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

On Tuesday, June 16, The Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Legal Aid and the Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, are co-hosting a free public information session focused on COVID-19 related legal issues including employment and housing.

REGISTER HERE

The live webinar takes place from 5:30-7:00 p.m. and will feature Alex Kornya, Iowa Legal Aid Litigation Director & General Counsel.

For more information about the ISBA People’s Law School, visit here.

On Wednesday, June 3, at 1 p.m., Trustifi is holding a free webinar to help members learn more about how to use email encryption to safeguard their data. You can register by clicking here.

As an attorney, you are obligated to protect the confidentiality of your clients’ private information. One way that some firms fall short is by not encrypting emails on a regular basis, if at all.

To help members working remotely take a proactive approach to email security, the ISBA has authorized a free three-month trial period of the popular Trustifi email security program. The cost beyond the trial period is only $25 per year per email address.

Learn more about Trustifi on this FAQ page.

The ISBA Public Relations Committee is coordinating a monetary donation on behalf of the ISBA for the Food Bank of Iowa, with nearly $1,700 raised from members to-date. Iowa food banks are reporting an overwhelming surge of need due to the economic hardships faced by Iowans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The P.R. Committee has created an ISBA team donation page through the Food Bank of Iowa, which serves 55 Iowa counties through 625 partner agencies. You are also encouraged to learn about other food banks in your area.

A message from Executive Director Dwight Dinkla

Together, we are facing a truly unprecedented situation. The global coronavirus pandemic is affecting all of us. We know that you are dealing with a lot, and the ISBA is here to help. Keeping our commitment to serving you during this unfolding situation is our focus.

The ISBA is working harder than ever to find solutions to your challenges, connect you with other lawyers statewide and provide a pathway to be heard through advocacy. Here are some steps we have taken in recent weeks:

REMOTE CLEs: The ISBA switched to all remote CLEs and meetings, so you can stay up to date on the latest developments in your practice area from the safety of your home. The 2020 Annual Meeting will be virtual the week of May 18, offering more than 25 hours of CLE credit.

FREE INFORMATIONAL WEBINARS: In March and April, 5,300 attorneys obtained more than 8,000 hours of FREE CLE via the 13 COVID-19 webinars provided by the ISBA. If you did not get a chance to participate in these events, you can view the recordings here.

TEXT GUIDES AND RESOURCES: 100+ guides and articles are posted to the website iowabar.org/COVIDResources, with more being added daily. We have also been sending out regular email updates to keep you informed during this rapidly changing situation.

CYBERSECURITY SUPPORT: The ISBA has authorized a three-month free trial of Trustifi email encryption while you work from home, to help you and your firm better prevent phishing attacks. (Contact hhanson@iowabar.org to learn more).

ADVOCACY: ISBA leadership has been in direct contact with the Governor’s office, Secretary of State and other officials to be the voice for Iowa lawyers as they navigate changes to the practice of law during this pandemic.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT: The ISBA’s Lawyers Assistance Program is at the ready to assist you during this time of crisis.

PRO BONO ASSISTANCE: The ISBA has partnered with Iowa Legal Aid and the Polk County VLP to provide a public hotline and recruit volunteer attorneys to assist pro bono with legal matters related to COVID-19.

As a member of the ISBA, you are now able to renew your dues online for 2020-2021. We will be sending hard copy renewals on May 8. We hope that now, more than ever, you see the value of your ISBA membership. We hope your ISBA membership and the programs and services that come with it make you feel less alone in dealing with this crisis.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me about other ways the bar can support you.

Dwight Dinkla, Executive Director
ddinkla@iowabar.org

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

Due to the ongoing health and safety concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's ISBA Annual Meeting is changing into an all-virtual CLE experience for Iowa attorneys.

Each day, from May 18-22, CLE presentations focusing on different practice areas will take place via a live webinar format. Attend one, two or all five days of the meeting and hear from some of Iowa's most distinguished legal minds – all while earning CLE credit from the comfort of your home or office. Many of the topics will focus on how COVID-19 has changed the practice of law.

The full week of CLE opportunities will begin with a civil and criminal case law update hosted by Iowa Court of Appeals Judge Paul Ahlers, and will proceed with tracks in agriculture, business, real estate and family law, as well as probate, litigation, elder and juvenile law. For the first time ever during the ISBA Annual Meeting, there will be a Young Lawyers Division track. There will also be several ethics presentations, including one focused on attorney well-being in the world of COVID-19.

The Iowa State Bar Association has decided to extend the closure of the ISBA Building in Des Moines until May 4. The ISBA will reassess this closure before May 4 and determine if an extension is needed. All inquiries should be directed to isba@iowabar.org or 515-243-3179.

In response to the developing situation surrounding COVID-19, the ISBA has decided to close the ISBA Building in Des Moines until April 6. All inquiries should be directed to isba@iowabar.org or 515-243-3179. The ISBA will reassess this closure before April 6 and determine if an extension is needed.

In response to the developing situation surrounding COVID-19 and with the health and safety of ISBA members, guests, staff and our communities being our top priority, The Iowa State Bar Association has decided to adjust its upcoming planned programming.

What this means:

• All ISBA meetings and CLEs will be offered as live webinars only through at least April 13.
• The March Board of Governors meeting will be held as a remote webinar.
• The 2020 Juvenile Law Seminar scheduled for April 2 will be held as a live webinar only.
• The 2020 Criminal Law Seminar scheduled for April 3 will be held as a live webinar only.
• The 2020 Bench-Bar Conference to be held in Sioux City in May will be postponed to a yet-to-be-determined date.

We will continue to evaluate the situation and determine the status of future events in the coming weeks. Staff members are available by phone at (515) 243-3179, or email at isba@iowabar.org, to answer questions on future events.

We apologize for any disruption in plans that these changes may cause. We greatly appreciate the dedication of our volunteers who organize these programs and our members who support them.

There is still a great need for ISBA member attorneys to serve as judges for the 2020 Iowa High School Mock Trial Tournament. The regional rounds are underway all over the state, and there is a shortage of judges for the rounds in Davenport on March 9, and in Des Moines on March 10 and 11. Judges are also needed for the state tournament scheduled for March 30-April 1 in Des Moines.

Please visit this site and click on "Register" to see the list of specific dates and locations that need judges. If you have questions, contact ISBA Center for Law & Civic Education Director John Wheeler at 515-697-7882 or jwheeler@iowabar.org.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

On Tuesday, March 10, The Iowa State Bar Association will host a free public event focused on employment law basics and practical strategies as part of the “ISBA People’s Law School” series. Topics to be discussed include:

• An overview of the employment relationship
• Essential paperwork for employees and employers
• FAQs about employee policies and handbooks
• Discrimination, workers' compensation and unemployment claims
• Multi-generational workforces
• Information about free resources for employees and employers

SPEAKER
Kay Oskvig, Whitfield & Eddy Law Firm (view bio)

This event will be held at the ISBA Headquarters at 625 E. Court Ave. in Des Moines from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. and live-streamed to local communities throughout the state.

Please help us spread the word concerning this event to your clients and communities.

QUESTIONS?
peopleslawschool@iowabar.org
515-243-3179

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, The Iowa State Bar Association will host its next free public event as part of the "ISBA People's Law School" series. This event will focus on elder abuse, including prevention resources. The speakers are Andrew Cederdahl and Chantelle Smith, both assistant attorneys general with the Office of the Iowa Attorney General.

The public seminar will be held at the ISBA Headquarters at 625 E. Court Ave. in Des Moines from 5:30-7 p.m. and live-streamed to local communities throughout the state. Details on future People's Law School events can be found here. You may contact peopleslawschool@iowabar.org for more information.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

CALL TO ACTION: Contact your lawmakers to oppose "Caps on Damages" bills »The Iowa State Bar Association opposes arbitrary caps on damages that can be awarded to an injured citizen, and as such opposes recently introduced bills SSB 3085 and HSB 596.

This legislation creates a cap of $250,000 on “non-economic damages” against a healthcare provider that is both arbitrary and punitive. A young child who is the victim of medical malpractice with an 80-year life expectancy will be limited to a $250,000 recovery. An 80-year-old with a five-or-six-year life expectancy would potentially be receiving the same amount in damages.

The ISBA has opposed caps on recovery consistently since 1975, because of the belief that every Iowa citizen should have an opportunity to have his or her case decided on its own merits. If damages are to be awarded, a jury of the parties’ peers should determine an appropriate award, based upon the actual facts of the case.

Here is a link to the current data on civil filings in Iowa, and here is data related to medical malpractice premiums. Please share this information when you contact your legislators to oppose these bills.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

On Tuesday, February 18, The Iowa State Bar Association will host a free public event focused on elder abuse as part of the “ISBA People’s Law School” series. Topics to be discussed include:

• Types and signs of elder abuse
• Preventing and stopping elder abuse
• Resources for additional help

This event will be held at the ISBA Headquarters at 625 E. Court Ave. in Des Moines from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. and live-streamed to local communities throughout the state.

Please help us spread the word concerning this event to your clients and communities.

QUESTIONS?
peopleslawschool@iowabar.org
515-243-3179

The ISBA Ethics and Practice Guidelines Committee recently released two new ethics opinions: 19-01 and 19-02, addressing issues that were the subject of Iowa Supreme Court Board of Professional Ethics and Conduct Opinions 88-14 (Jan. 12, 1989) and 79-70 (Sept. 14, 1979).

Ethics opinion 19-02 relates to lawyers serving as sole executors or trustees, and 19-01 relates to in-house insurance counsel representing insureds. You can read both opinions, as well as an introductory letter from the committee, by clicking here.

It is important to note that advisory opinions and practice guidelines issued by the ISBA do not have the force of law and are not binding, as Iowa law places sole responsibility for the regulation of the practice of law with the Iowa Supreme Court.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

Are you making the most of your ISBA membership? Is your firm best utilizing the tools that an ISBA membership provides? Find out with a personalized visit from an ISBA staff member.

The ISBA's Assistant Executive Director Harry Shipley and Membership Engagement Coordinator Hank Hanson have made it a priority in 2020 to visit as many members as possible in order to provide an individualized assessment of which ISBA services or programs can benefit or improve their practices.

“We are not just your association, we are an extension of your office," said Hanson. "Let us help you succeed."

Some examples of underutilized ISBA services include: Discounted conference call rates, LawPay credit card processing, professional liability and health insurance packages, Career Center job listings, IowaDocs legal document library, website development discounts, Caselaw updates, CLE index, Engage section listservs, Fastcase free legal research, practice manuals, Trustifi email encryption and much more.

Please contact Membership Engagement Coordinator Hank Hanson at hhanson@iowabar.org or 515 697-7865 to schedule your ISBA member visit.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

Safe Harbors and Calm Seas: Navigating Risk in Law Practice (Live Webinar)
Feb. 6
12 - 2 PM

VIEW EVENT FLYER

SPEAKERS
Theresa Garthwaite, Risk Control Specialist, Lawyers Professional Liability, CNA Global Specialty Lines
Matthew Fitterer, Risk Control Attorney, CNA Insurance

CLE CREDIT (pending)
2 state hours which includes 2 ethics hours

SPECIAL OFFER
ISBA members who attend this CLE and are CNA policy holders are eligible to receive up to a 7.5% credit on their policy premium for two policy years. The discount is per lawyer and will be applied at the next insurance renewal.

If you are insured by CNA please remember to include your CNA policy number when you are registering for this webinar. You can find your policy number at the top of your declaration page of your policy.

REGISTRATION FEES
ISBA Members  - $65
ISBA YLD Members (Years 1-3) - $35
Non-ISBA Members - $80
Law Students - Free

Sponsored by Lockton Affinity, CNA and The Iowa State Bar Association

The voting period for the election of district judicial nominating commissioners is open until Jan. 17. You should have received an email from State Court Administrator Todd Nuccio, who administers the voting process, which describes the steps to vote electronically.

To cast your vote, follow these steps:
1. Go to the website for the Office of Professional Regulation (www.iacourtcommissions.org) and log into your lawyer account by entering your username and password in the upper left corner.
2. Locate the menu category entitled “Judicial Nominating Elections.”
3. Click on the option for “Vote in Current Election."
4. On the ballot submission screen, click on the election date drop-down box and then select “January 17, 2020.”
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to cast your vote.

According to ISBA Chief Legislative Counsel Jim Carney, it is extremely important you exercise your right to vote in nominating commission elections. During the 2019 legislative session, lawmakers proposed a bill that would strip from attorneys the ability to vote in these district elections, instead giving that power to political leadership. "Use it or lose it," said Carney, warning of potential future efforts to change Iowa's judicial nominating process beyond what happened during the 2019 session.

Should you have any questions about the voting procedure, you may contact State Court Administration at dist.nominating.commis@iowacourts.gov or call 515-348-4880.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

The Iowa State Bar Association has expanded its reach on social media with the introduction of a new Instagram account. Instagram-using ISBA members are invited to follow the ISBA's new page here.

The ISBA is already active on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, using these platforms to push out news of interest and highlight important ISBA services or events.

If you have additional ideas for how the ISBA Communications team can connect and better share information with members, please send an email to communications@iowabar.org.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

The Iowa Supreme Court is requesting public comment on proposed amendments to Chapter 23 of the Iowa Court Rules regarding time standards for case processing.

Currently, Iowa's case processing time standards are stated in terms of the length of time from filing to "commencement of trial." Since the vast majority of cases don't go to trial, the proposed amended language tracks the percentage of cases disposed from filing to "disposition." According to Acting Chief Justice David Wiggins, this approach should provide clearer guidance for judges and case managers and provide a more accurate measure of court performance.

To learn how to submit a comment on this proposed change, click here. To read the proposed amendment, click here.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

The Iowa Supreme Court issued two new orders on Monday, Dec. 16, linked below:

• In the Matter of Nonsubstantive Amendments to Chapters 34, 36, and 47 of the Iowa Court Rules, plus attachments.
• In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Rule of Electronic Procedure 16.412 Concerning Submission of Hearing and Trial Exhibits, plus attachments.

To read more recent Iowa Supreme Court orders, click here.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

Want to skip the standard CLE seminars and travel the world instead? The ISBA is sponsoring several CLE Abroad trips in 2020 to Cuba, Portugal, London and Scotland.

These immersive and culturally rich programs provide a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience designed for lawyers and companions. You will engage with local scholars, attorneys and artists offering expert commentary on the country's legal and political systems, international relations, art history, architecture and religion.

• Cuba, March 14-18, 2020
• Portugal, March 26-31, 2020
• London, June 8-13, 2020
• Scotland, June 15-19, 2020

Registration deadlines for March programs (Cuba and Portugal) have been extended to Dec. 31. Early-bird discounted registration deadlines for summer programs (London and Scotland) are also Dec. 31. The ISBA is partnering with several other state bar associations to offer these trips.

For questions concerning registration, contact Laura Adams (laura@cle-abroad.com). For questions concerning program itineraries and special requests, contact Dani Perez (daniel@cle-abroad.com) or 858-336-5749.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly

By Jerry Schnurr, ISBA President-elect
Do you wish to be a leader who makes a difference in the legal profession? To make new connections and further your career? The Iowa State Bar Association is currently accepting applications to serve on section councils and committees for 2020-2021.

These small but incredibly influential groups are the lifeblood of our association. It is through them that we are able to provide the services that are important to our members. You may help put together CLE programs, propose legislation, create manuals and practice guides, or help the ISBA serve its members in countless other ways and shape the future of the organization.

As president-elect, I will make the appointments for the coming fiscal year. Please go to iowabar.org/SectionSignUp to submit an online application for up to three section councils or committees. Applications are due by Feb. 1. Click here to learn more about ISBA sections (you must be a member of the section to apply for the section council) and here for committees.

Each application will be evaluated, and we will announce appointments in the spring, which will become effective at the annual meeting in June 2020 when section and committees have their organizational meetings. An orientation will take place before the annual meeting.

From the Iowa Lawyer Weekly