For Your Business

Business Formation and Planning

While technology has made it simple for everyone to file the right documents to start their own business, going out on your own can be as frightening as ever. A lawyer can be a great help in answering critical questions about choosing an entity, tax treatment, proper entity governance, and any specialty issues that arise in your industry. Consider involving a lawyer early in the planning process to avoid expensive litigation and liability issues years down the road.

business compliance

Ensuring your customers’ satisfaction and the smooth day-to-day operation of your enterprise are the most important parts of your job as the boss. In an ever-changing legal environment, keeping up-to-date with all of the latest laws and regulation that affects your business is probably the last thing on your mind. A lawyer who remains aware of these changes and helps implement a concise and practical course of action can help make sure your company is always above-board, leaving you free to focus on the real reasons you are in business.

intellectual property

The ideas of its owner and employees are one of the most frequently overlooked assets a business owns, and fall under a complex area of law that is constantly changing to keep up with technology. Intellectual property ranges from your company’s name and logo all the way to any processes that give you an edge over your competition. Hiring a lawyer can help make sure your ideas are protected (and that protection is enforced), and keep your business from becoming a defendant in an infringement lawsuit (and defend you if you have been accused of infringement).

Contract advice and drafting

As a successful business owner, you understand the importance of keeping promises. As a human being, you probably do not have the time (or desire) to read and fully understand the terms and conditions of every contract you enter into, let alone draft them for your own contracts. Hire an attorney with the right training and experience to help you understand what all of the fine print and boilerplate means for you, and draft effective agreements to protect you and your business from costly contract disputes in the future.

For You

Personal injury

There are few things in life worse than dealing with pain caused by someone else’s carelessness. To add insult to injury, insurance companies may try to convince you to accept a settlement within weeks or even days of your injury - when you do not even know how much care your doctor will recommend, or if that care will even help. If you have been hurt because of another driver, or because you slipped/tripped over a hazard that should not have been there, you do not have to face the insurance company alone. Involving an experienced attorney can help combat aggressive insurance tactics and guide you through the risks of personal injury litigation to the compensation the law says you deserve.

Employment Law & Human Resources

For better or for worse, there are times when it is in your company’s best interest to part ways with an employee. However, nearly every employer is caught by surprise when a former employee claims they were fired for everything but the fact they were not good at their job, or a problem in the office. In addition to defending accused employers, a lawyer can help review and craft HR procedures from on-boarding, training, and of course, termination, to leave you worry-free to recruit the best talent for your organization.

Workers Compensation

While workplace injuries are similar to personal injuries, a different set of rules and benefits apply. An injury that happens at work and prevents you from being able to do your job creates a lot of stress for you and your family. Luckily, an attorney can help make sure you get what you deserve under Iowa’s workers compensation laws. These include weekly benefits, disability benefits (in the case of severe injuries) and, in most cases, providing for healthcare. The workers compensation system can be difficult to navigate. Be sure to hire a lawyer who can help secure the benefits you and your family need, leaving you to focus on your health.

Business litigation

Whether your business needs help enforcing its rights or defending its reputation, the counsel of an experienced litigator is a must if your business finds itself on the verge of going to court. From the first letter all the way through trial, it is important to involve an experienced attorney to make sure your business keeps its hard-earned money, and enforces its rights. Whether it involves an internal dispute, a broken contract, your intellectual property, or a former employee, The Law Office of John Podmeyer is here for you.

Criminal defense

It goes without saying that being arrested and having to face the criminal justice system is one of the most difficult times in anyone’s life. To be blunt, it is a terrible idea to represent yourself in court. If you’ve been accused of committing a crime, it is imperative that you hire a criminal defense attorney. If you even suspect that you will be arrested and charged with a crime in the near future, hiring an attorney before the police knock provides you with a major advantage.