- Divorce
- Adoption
- GuardianshipStaci was born and raised in Urbandale, Iowa and has been with the MSD team since 1984. As the Probate Legal Assistant, Staci assists the entire firm with handling of Probate matters, including Estates, Guardianships, and Conservatorships.Â
- Spousal SupportAs a part of its Litigation practice, Meardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. is involved in a full range of family law matters from adoption through dissolutions of marriage (Divorce). Our team of family law attorneys are collaborative and solutions oriented and are familiar with all aspects of divorce, including issues of legal custody and primary physical care of children and various custodial arrangements, including shared custody. In addition, the lawyers at Meardon, Sueppel & Downer have had substantial experience in other divorce issues including spousal support (alimony) and division of assets and liabilities. Their experience in other types of legal matters also assists clients as they navigate the complex family law system. This includes advice for tax issues, valuation of assets and liabilities and real estate transfers.Â
- Criminal Defense
- Wrongful Death
- MisdemeanorsMeardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. represents individuals charged with crimes under local and state law including misdemeanors, serious misdemeanors, aggravated misdemeanors and felonies. The firm also deals with issues related to criminal prosecution and administrative procedures such as the loss of driving privileges in connection with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and other traffic offenses.
- Corporate LawListed in the Best Lawyers of America® — Business Organizations, including LLCs and Partnerships, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, and Corporate Law
- Business DisputesMeardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. represents both small and large business entities as well as closely held corporations throughout Eastern Iowa in connection with a wide range of legal issues throughout the lifecycle of the business, from formation to liquidation or sale. Services include the initial choice of entity, formation of the entity, succession planning, transactional matters and legal advice concerning operations, employees, risk management, acquisitions, mergers and sales of businesses or assets.
- Workers CompensationMeardon, Sueppel & Downer has historically placed an emphasis on the practice of municipal law, having represented numerous cities, counties, and other municipal entities since the Firm was founded. The Firm played an integral role in the creation and establishment of the Iowa League of Cities and the Iowa Municipalities Workers' Compensation Association, including services as general counsel for the Iowa League of Cities for over 40 years. The Firm continues to represent IMWCA.Â
- Employment ContractMeardon, Sueppel & Downer represents businesses, both large and small, cities, counties, and charitable organizations in a host of labor and employment issues. Representation includes drafting and revising employee handbooks, advice on FMLA and ADA issues, wage issues, drafting employment agreements, hiring and layoff issues, overtime issues, and employee disciplinary matters. The firm is experienced in client representation on labor and employment matters at the Administrative Agency, State, and Federal Court levels.Â
- Employment Litigation
- Real Estate LitigationMeardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. is involved in a full range of real estate matters from assisting individuals and businesses in purchasing or selling real estate, assisting with the financing of real estate, rendering title opinions, assisting developers with legal matters and representing clients in zoning, variance and related matters.
- Premises Liability
- Construction LitigationMeardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. attorneys regularly represent clients with a variety of legal issues relating to the construction process -- from land acquisition and project financing to post-construction claims settlement. The firm has experience in matters with building contracts, bonds and sureties, construction and builders’ liens, tendering, and construction claims. Clients include lender financial institutions, architects, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, builders, owners, planners, designers, developers and engineers.
- Real Estate TransactionsMeardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. is pleased to announce that Stephanie A. Worrell is now a Member of the firm, effective January 1, 2022. Stephanie joined the firm as an Associate in 2017. Her practice is primarily focused on real estate transactions. Stephanie also holds a significant leadership role within Security Abstract Company.
- Eminent DomainAttorneys in our firm have tried condemnation cases since the firm’s founding.  A part of our practice is devoted to representing municipalities, special districts and state entities in acquiring land for the public.  A much larger part of our condemnation and eminent domain practice is devoted to representing property owners in such matters, as well as in land use, zoning and related issues.
- Land Use and ZoningOur team of experienced attorneys represent clients ranging from family-owned farms of modest size to major agribusiness. Meardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. has the knowledge and expertise in the varied areas of law affecting agricultural businesses to provide a broad range of services related to agribusiness legal issues including: agricultural infrastructure; farming rights; land tenure and tenancy; the purchase and leasing of farmland; planning, zoning and land use; agribusiness formation and transactions; agricultural contracts; employment matters; unique estate planning and succession planning; quiet title actions and deed concerns; and litigation related to breach of contract and agricultural liens.
- Property DamageMeardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. has a distinguished reputation in the area of trial practice. The firm represents both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court. Our litigation attorneys also practice before administrative and regulatory agencies, as well as participating in arbitration and mediation proceedings. The firm has attorneys who are members of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association. Two of the attorneys are also listed as fellows in the Iowa Trial Lawyers Academy, and a number of the lawyers are represented in The Best Lawyers in America® in numerous practice areas. The firm represents clients in a broad array of litigation matters, including business and contractual disputes, criminal law, eminent domain (condemnation), employment law, family law, franchise law, municipal law, personal injury and property damage law, probate litigation, products liability law, real estate and property law, administrative law and tax assessment appeals. Meardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C.'s experience and expertise in many different practice areas help it to provide the best quality of service for its clients.
- Personal InjuryMeardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. represents individuals involved in a full range of personal injury litigation, including vehicular collisions and dram shop cases, wrongful death, product liability, negligence, premises liability and other intentional misconduct. Our firm can assist you with any personal injury case, including: accidents occurring from a slip and fall on others' property; car accidents; truck or other large vehicle accidents; motorcycle accidents; and other wrongful conduct.
- Auto Accidents
- Estate PlanningThe lawyers in the firm have been active in a wide variety of professional and civic activities. Four members of the firm have served as chairs of committees on sections of the Iowa State Bar Association. Other professional organizations in which firm members have been actively involved include the International Municipal Attorneys Association; American College of Trust and Estate Counsel; Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers; American, Iowa State, and Johnson County Bar Associations; Dean Mason Ladd American Inn of Court; Iowa Law School Foundation; the American and Iowa State Bar Foundations; and various commissions and task forces of the Iowa Supreme Court. The firm is active in the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, Iowa City Downtown District, the Community Foundation of Johnson County, Shelter House Community Shelter and Transition Services, Iowa City Rotary, Sertoma Club, and many other local civic organizations.Â
- Wills
- TrustsOur lawyers provide legal services in a wide variety of fields, including a comprehensive trial and appellate practice in the Iowa and Federal Courts; banking; corporate; municipal; labor and employment law; family; criminal; taxation; eminent domain; real estate; trusts and estates law; civil, tort, business, construction, land use, and contract litigation; agribusiness and agricultural law;Â and business and estate planning. In addition to its lawyers, Meardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. employs a highly competent and dedicated support staff of trained paraprofessionals.
- Power of AttorneyMeardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. does a full range of estate planning for individuals including the preparation of Wills, Trusts, General Powers of Attorney and Powers of Attorney for Health Care Decisions. Our attorneys provide individualized counseling and advice for your specific situation and are well versed in traditional and non-traditional estate plans that are unique to each person. Our team will work with you to develop a customized Estate Plan that achieves your objectives. The firm is also able to assist Executors and Trustees with the a wide range of affordable services.
- ProbateBrooke recently earned her JD from the University of Iowa College of Law. She also holds a BS in Public Relations from Iowa State University. Brooke’s general practice will initially focus on Business Law, Estate Planning, and Probate Law.
- Tax LawMeardon, Sueppel & Downer offers income tax preparation services to individuals, fiduciaries, and business entities. In addition, our tax practice encompasses various areas of tax planning, administrative representation and litigation including but not limited to: releases of tax liens and wage garnishments; evaluation of the best solution for individuals and businesses who have unresolved tax liabilities; post-audit protests and petitions to the tax court; tax refund actions in District Courts; and negotiation with the Internal Revenue Service, and Iowa Department of Revenue to resolve outstanding tax liabilities.