Rox Laird, Author at Nyemaster Goode On Brief

State Auditor may use in-house counsel in appeal on access to Davenport city records

The Iowa State Auditor is a constitutional officer elected by the voters of Iowa to conduct audits of State and local government agencies. The Iowa Attorney General is a constitutional officer elected by the voters of Iowa to provide legal representation to State officers, including the Auditor. What happens when these two independently elected constitutional officers disagree on a legal question?

Lawsuit by victims of Davenport apartment collapse not barred by Iowa qualified immunity statute, Iowa Supreme Court holds

by Rox Laird | 11.17

Iowa’s statute that provides qualified immunity for municipal employees does not apply to common law negligence claims against the City of Davenport and city employees by families of residents who died in the 2023 collapse of an apartment building and other residents who were injured…

Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments in 10 cases Nov. 12 and 13

by Rox Laird | 11.07

The Iowa Supreme Court will hear arguments in 10 cases Nov. 12 and 13. One other case will be submitted to the Court without oral argument. Following are brief summaries of those cases.

Iowa Supreme Court to hear oral argument in Jefferson Nov. 4 on landlord-tenant dispute

by Rox Laird | 11.03

Although renters may not want landlords entering their homes without good reason, landlords are allowed by law to reasonably enter rental properties for such things as making repairs and showing apartments to prospective renters. The question is when do reasonable entries become unreasonable? For Alex…

Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments on whether a suit against TikTok can be heard in Iowa

by Rox Laird | 10.21

Does the Polk District Court have jurisdiction to hear the State’s lawsuit against the TikTok social media platform claiming the company violates Iowa’s Consumer Fraud Act by misrepresenting the nature of content accessible to underage users? That is the question in State of Iowa v….

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Iowa Supreme Court Limits Human Trafficking Liability Under 2024 Statute, Requiring an Actual Victim

The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed dismissal of a human trafficking charge and clarified that, under the 2024 statute, a defendant cannot commit human trafficking by attempting to buy sex from a victim who does not exist.

Iowa Supreme Court affirms child endangerment convictions and extends emotional harm theory to siblings

In a 5–2 decision filed on June 12, 2026, the Iowa Supreme Court in State v. Gibbs upheld a mother’s three child endangerment convictions under Iowa Code section 726.6(1)(a). Chief Justice Christensen wrote the majority opinion, joined by Justices McDonald, Oxley, McDermott, and May. Justice Mansfield filed a partial dissent, joined by Justice Waterman, concurring as to two convictions but dissenting as to the third.

Iowa Supreme Court upholds harassment conviction and clarifies that a defendant need not initiate contact to commit harassment

In a unanimous decision filed on May 22, 2026, the Iowa Supreme Court in State v. Hall held that a defendant need not be the person who initiated an encounter to commit harassment.

Search of visitor’s backpack not in physical possession falls within premises warrant, Iowa Supreme Court holds

In a divided 5–2 decision issued on March 27, 2026, the Iowa Supreme Court held that the search of a visitor’s backpack found on the premises during the execution of a search warrant did not violate the visitor’s rights under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution or article I, section 8 of the Iowa Constitution.

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State Auditor may use in-house counsel in appeal on access to Davenport city records

Lawsuit by victims of Davenport apartment collapse not barred by Iowa qualified immunity statute, Iowa Supreme Court holds

Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments in 10 cases Nov. 12 and 13

Iowa Supreme Court to hear oral argument in Jefferson Nov. 4 on landlord-tenant dispute

Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments on whether a suit against TikTok can be heard in Iowa

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Iowa Supreme Court Limits Human Trafficking Liability Under 2024 Statute, Requiring an Actual Victim

Iowa Supreme Court affirms child endangerment convictions and extends emotional harm theory to siblings

Iowa Supreme Court upholds harassment conviction and clarifies that a defendant need not initiate contact to commit harassment

Search of visitor’s backpack not in physical possession falls within premises warrant, Iowa Supreme Court holds

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