Justice Marsha Ternus Named Iowa’s First Woman Chief Justice
Justice Marsha Ternus has been named Iowa’s First Woman Chief Justice. She takes over for the departing Louis Lavorato. Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad appointed Ternus to the Court in 1993. She earned her law degree, with honors, from Drake University Law School in 1977.
New Iowa Supreme Court Rule Requires Lawyers to Protect Clients’ Personal Information
A new Iowa Supreme Court rule requires lawyers to protect clients’ personal information in an effort to combat identity theft. Rule 1.422(1)(a)(2) of the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure states it is the responsibility of counsel and the parties to ensure that protected
Employers Must Protect Employees’ Social Security Numbers
In a recent newsletter update from the Krupin O’Brien employment law firm, attorney Natalie Cantor Gros wrote an informative article regarding the importance of employers protecting the Social Security numbers of employees.
The article points out that a Michigan employer paid $275,000 settlement to group of 911 operators
John Wellman Remembered: The Consummate Lawyer
Upon my return from vacation I was saddened to learn John Wellman passed away last Friday. Wellman, a long-time public defender, was blinded in a hunting accident at the age of 17. He overcame his adversity to earn a law degree from Drake University and a Masters in Law
Employers Face Overtime Lawsuits
According to Business Law Today and the Washington Post lawyers for big businesses around the country are working overtime to protect corporate giants facing lawsuits for failing to pay overtime to rank-and-file employees.
As discussed in an article by Stephen Franklin of the Chicago Tribune, cases against State Farm Mutual
Did you know that several cities including Des Moines,Iowa now have laws or ordinances prohibiting workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation? Even though no federal prohibition exists, there is a trend toward enacting legislation in this area.
Under these laws, it is generally unlawful to use sexual orientation to:
Refuse to hire a job applicant.
According to an annual survey released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Iowa’s legal system ranks No. 4 in the nation. Iowa has ranked in the top five each of the last three years.
The five top states for overall legal fairness according to the survey are Delaware, Nebraska, Virginia, Iowa and Connecticut.
The survey
If you are in the process of starting your own business or interested in starting one I suggest reading the following Entrepreneur article entitled Small-Business Myths Busted.
Man Who Looks Like Mike Wants $832 million
Mike Downey of the Chicago Tribune reports that a man has filed a lawsuit seeking $832 million against Michael Jordan, Nike and Nike chairman Phil Knight because the man looks too much like Michael Jordan. The 51-year-old man stands 6 foot tall (Jordan is 43 and 6’6")
One of the best business books I have read recently is Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni of The Table Group. In an easy-to-read format he diagnoses symptoms of teams in trouble:
1. Absence of Trust
2. Fear of Conflict
3. Lack of Commitment
4. Avoidance of Accountability
5. Inattention to Results
My
