Jodie has a general practice that includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:
In her litigation practice, Jodie has successfully tried numerous bench and jury trials, both individually and with colleagues, in several practice areas. Her trial and litigation successes include:
In her litigation work, Jodie has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies, including national insurance companies, an automobile manufacturer, pharmaceutical company, national banks and financial institutions, an agricultural company and an information technology company. Jodie has also represented many other local, regional, and/or national construction companies, medical facilities, real estate-related companies, agricultural companies, financial institutions, and other companies, as well as individuals across the county.
Construction Law and Litigation
In the area of construction law and litigation, Jodie has represented numerous companies and individuals within the commercial and residential construction industries, including general contractors, architectural and design firms, subcontractors/ suppliers, as well as homeowners and other property owners.
Jodie's work within the area of construction law and litigation has involved the following:
- Mechanic's lien law and litigation;
- Claims under Chapter 573 (public improvement claims);
- Drafting and reviewing commercial and residential construction contracts;
- Handing pre-litigation disputes; and
- Litigating various types of construction cases, both for plaintiffs and defendants, including those involving allegations of negligent work and/or defective products, mechanic's liens, Chapter 573 claims, breach of contract claims, warranty claims, water intrusion and mold claims, bond claims, and collection matters.
Throughout 2012, Jodie will regularly speak on Iowa's new Mechanic's Lien Law and otherwise educate her clients on this new law, which will take effect on January 1, 2013. Among the law's major changes, (1) the state will implement a new centralized online registry, administered by the Iowa Secretary of State, for the filing of all mechanic's liens for residential and commercial projects, as well as pre-lien notices for residential projects; and (2) there will be new pre-lien notice requirements for many residential general contractors, remodelers, and subcontractors/suppliers, including a "Notice of Commencement" that must be filed by many residential general contractors/remodelers within ten (10) days of the commencement of a residential project, as well as "preliminary notices" that must be filed by many residential subcontractors and suppliers.
JODIE’S CONSTRUCTION LAW RESOURCES AND MATERIALS:
Below are various written materials and resources provided by Jodie on the new mechanic’s lien law and other-lien related materials:
- Owner Notice Requirement. The following document describes the current Owner Notice requirement under Iowa law for residential general contractors: Required Owner Notice Language.
- Sample Owner Notice Form. Click here for a sample Owner Notice, for those residential general contractors who do not include the Owner Notice language within their contracts.
- Information on the Secretary of State Notices. The following document provides a brief explanation regarding the notices that will be sent to homeowners by the Secretary of State's office whenever a commencement of work notice or preliminary notice is posted on the new online Mechanics' Notice and Lien Registry: Secretary of State Notices.
- Top Takeaways Regarding the New Mechanic’s Lien Law (4/2013). Jodie has published the following article setting forth the "Five Things You Need to Know About Iowa’s New Mechanic’s Lien Law".
- Summary of the New Law (As of 11/2012). Jodie has also published the following article in the HBA's November Blueprint publication, summarizing the law as of November 2012: Iowa's Mechanic's Lien Law.
- New Language to Add to Final Lien Waivers. Some construction companies are adding language to their Final Lien Waiver forms regarding any commencement of work notices or preliminary notices posted on the Mechanics' Notice and Lien Registry. The following document contains a discussion on this topic: Discussion on Final Lien Waiver Form.
Jodie is an active member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines. She regularly attends HBA meetings, has spoken to HBA members on various legal issues, and has published multiple articles in the HBA’s Blueprint publication.
Real Estate Litigation
In the area of real estate law, Jodie has tried multiple cases, representing both plaintiffs and defendants; has successfully settled a countless number of other cases; and has provided counsel to various real estate buyers, sellers, and developers.
Jodie's work in the area of real estate litigation and disputes has included the following:
- Breach of purchase agreement disputes;
- Obligations of realtors and other realtor issues;
- Mandatory seller disclosure claims and claims of pre-existing water and/or mold problems;
- Nuisance actions involving municipalities;
- Enforcement of installment contracts;
- Infringement of property ownership rights by an adjacent land-owner; and
- Homeowners' association issues.
Landlord/Tenant Law and Litigation
Jodie regularly works with commercial and residential landlords on various legal matters, including in drafting leases, implementing rules and regulations, and resolving the various tenant issues that arise. Jodie has also represented residential and commercial tenants in regards to their tenancy issues.
Jodie has handled numerous landlord/tenant litigation and dispute matters, generally representing the landlord or property owner/manager. Her litigation work in this area has included cases involving breach of lease agreement, breach of the implied warranty/covenant of quiet enjoyment, private nuisance actions, defense of HUD and housing discrimination complaints, guaranty disputes, and indemnification disputes.
Employment Litigation
In the area of employment law and litigation, Jodie has:
- Obtained summary judgment on multiple instances in defending an employer against a discrimination, retaliation, or wrongful termination claim;
- Handled unemployment hearings;
- Handled various other disputes and litigation matters, including those involving the enforcement of an employer's rights under employee handbooks, as well as non-competition and non-solicitation agreements; and
- Successfully settled various other employment-related claims.
PUBLICATIONS, SPEECHES AND SEMINARS
Jodie is a regular presenter at the firm's Employment and Labor Law Seminar. She has presented on various topics, including unemployment claims, wrongful termination, document retention, interviewing and hiring of employees, sexual harassment issues, and best practices for employers. Jodie has also spoken at the firm's Fiduciary Litigation Seminar.
In addition, Jodie has presented to other organizations and groups on topics, including real estate issues, mechanic's liens and other construction law issues, collection actions, and issues relating to the attorney-client privilege and work product doctrine. Finally, Jodie is a contributing author of the online publication, Lien Law Online, which provides users with mechanic's lien law across the nation.
ACADEMICS AND COMMUNITY
Jodie graduated from Ankeny High School and was the class valedictorian. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science from Iowa State University in 2001, graduating in the top 2% of her class. In May 2004, Jodie graduated cum laude from the University of Arizona College of Law.
Jodie is an active member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines and is a member of their affiliated groups, the HBA of Iowa and the National Association of Home Builders.
Jodie has also served on the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa and has served on several committees within the organization.
Additionally, Jodie has participated in Drake University Law School's mock interviews on multiple occasions and has otherwise engaged in informal mentoring of law students. Jodie has also been involved with the Project SOAR Mentor Program. Through her involvement in this program, she mentored at-risk children five to 10 hours a week for three years. Jodie has also volunteered at certain times for the Leukemia Society of America, Make a Wish Foundation and Ruth Harbor.
Memberships
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Iowa Defense Counsel Association
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Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys
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Iowa State Bar Association
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Polk County Bar Association
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Polk County Women Attorneys
Alma Maters
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Iowa State University, 2001
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University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law, 2004
Bar Admissions
Articles