EDITORIAL TEAM
Our attorneys and contributors have in-depth experience with appellate litigation.
Spencer Cady
scady@nyemaster.com
(515) 283-3118
Leslie Behaunek
lcbehaunek@nyemaster.com
(515) 283-8187
As a litigator, Leslie Behaunek addresses diverse business disputes every day. Using skills honed as a judicial clerk, Leslie models the quality written and oral advocacy she saw in the courts. Leslie has experience litigating ERISA life, health, and disability benefits cases; ERISA and breach of fiduciary class actions; finance lease enforcement matters; bankruptcy matters; and healthcare and labor and employment claims. She provides representation before the Iowa appellate courts and the Eighth Circuit. A strong involvement with outside activities expands Leslie’s view of law and keeps her connected to the broader Iowa community.
Matt McGuire
mmcguire@nyemaster.com
(515) 283-8014
A successful litigant tells a compelling story. Matt McGuire draws on his background in journalism to ensure his clients’ stories resonate with the court. Applying his experience handling litigation and antitrust matters at a large law firm in Washington, D.C., Matt acts as an effective advocate in all aspects of his clients’ business. His current commercial and business litigation practice also builds on his judicial clerkship, which provided valuable perspective on the litigation experience—perspective he now applies to his clients’ cases.
Rox Laird
Although he is not a lawyer, Rox Laird has written about the courts, legal issues, and constitutional law for more than three decades. An editorial writer at The Des Moines Register and a reporter at the Des Moines Tribune, he specialized in writing about the First Amendment and public access to government information. He was recognized by the Iowa Supreme Court in 2015 for his “strong voice in support of justice.” He has been recognized by the Iowa Association for Justice and Iowa Legal Aid for his writing. Laird has contributed to On Brief: Iowa’s Appellate Blog since 2016.
FEATURED POSTS
Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments in eight cases March 26 and 27
The Iowa Supreme Court will hear arguments in eight cases March 26 and 27. Two cases will be submitted to the Court without oral arguments. Following are summaries of the March arguments. Go to OnBrief’s Cases in the Pipeline page to read briefs filed in these cases.
Statute penalizing assisted-reproduction fraud does not apply retroactively, Iowa Supreme Court holds
A state statute enacted in 2022 that created civil and criminal penalties for fertility doctors who fraudulently use their own sperm to help infertile couples conceive children through artificial insemination does not apply retroactively, the Iowa Supreme Court held in three decisions handed down March 14.
All three case …
Iowa Supreme Court issues split rulings on firearms rights
The Iowa Supreme Court handed down two rulings Feb. 21 addressing firearms rights under state and federal law.
Iowa Supreme Court holds it had authority to extend statute of limitations during the COVID-19 pandemic
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Iowa Supreme Court issued an order temporarily extending the two-year statute of limitations in civil cases by 76 days.
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EDITORIAL TEAM
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On Brief: Iowa’s Appellate Blog is devoted to appellate litigation with a focus on the Iowa Supreme Court, the Iowa Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.