About Our Firm
About Our Firm
Jeff Goodman founded his firm in May of 2001, but has been helping clients since 1985. With nearly 40 years of experience in litigation, Jeff is licensed to practice in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, and has been admitted by special permission of the courts (pro hac vice) in approximately four other states. You can read more about our firm’s practice specialties HERE.
Our staff and attorneys are experienced and efficient. Trials can be an expensive and stressful experience, so we also value the many alternatives and precursors to trials including negotiations, mediations and/or arbitrations, as well as resolution of disputes through the use of contracts or other preventative and advisory risk services.
There are a number of certainties which capture our approach to each case including yours:
• No two cases are alike.
• Defining success at the outset is critical to a successful result.
• Good results are seldom mass produced.
• Every case deserves a tailored approach that is well designed to achieve the desired outcome.
• Litigation is a last resort, rather than a first.
• The best defense is a good offense and the best offense is a good offense.
• Winning is everything, but “winning” is defined differently by each client.
WE ASSESS THE STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES OF YOUR CASE
01 the unique facts of your case
02 your opponent
03your opponent’s counsel
04the assigned judge
05the venue and it’s demographics
WE HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
For every problem, there is a solution. For every challenge, there is a victory. For every lawsuit, there is a way to prevail. In order to prevail, goals must be realistically evaluated and clearly defined.
When a case commences, we identify our goals clearly so there are as few surprises as possible. We also try to evaluate the other party’s goals. In some cases, your goals and the other party’s goals may not be far apart. In other cases, the differences may be vast.
If the goals are far apart, much work–in the form of persuasion–lies ahead. Marshaling the law and the facts to persuade the other parties, or the mediator, or the judge and, ultimately the jury, is the key. We help convince them that your goal is the right goal. Care should be taken to choose a goal that is realistic and achievable, and reasonable efforts to understand and evaluate your adversary’s goals should be undertaken.
You can read more about our general practice areas HERE.
Jeff Goodman is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
An AV® Rating signifies that the lawyer has reached the heights of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for a number of years and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.
“A” is a legal ability rating meaning “very high to preeminent.”
“V” is a general recommendation rating meaning “very high.”
The attorney will receive a “CV,” “BV,” or “AV” rating based on the endorsement given by other attorneys. The AV® rating is the highest rating established by Martindale-Hubbell of these three ratings.*
Keeping Good Judges in Iowa
Jeff Goodman is devoted to maintaining quality judges and has served or still serves on the State Court Judicial Nominating Commission, the 5C District Court Judicial Nominating Commission, and the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission. He has served and continues to serve on the Iowa State Bar Association Bench Bar Committee from 2013-2016, 2017-2020, and 2023-2024.