Clerk's Corner
Reviews From Past Clerks
I know that the skills I have acquired will be particularly useful for when I go to law school.
I was a summer intern with Goodman/Keller P.C. while attending Boston College. I was able to hone my research skills, which has helped me throughout my time as an undergraduate, and I know that the skills I have acquired will be particularly useful for when I go to law school.
Before working there, I was undecided as to what I wanted to for a career. My time at Goodman/Keller P.C. convinced me that I wanted to become a lawyer. I greatly admire the lawyers at Goodman/Keller P.C. They are zealous advocates who carefully prepare their cases to represent their clients very effectively. They are willing to go above and beyond for their clients and for the employees that work for them.
The work was detailed, yet fast-paced. I loved every minute of it.
I clerked at Goodman/Keller P.C. for one year, which translates roughly as five years’ experience anywhere else. Exceptional individuals are the lifeblood of Goodman/Keller and I am grateful to have worked alongside each of them.
The work was detailed, yet fast-paced. I loved every minute of it. Trial consulting, highprofile defamation, falling elevators, and class arbitration is just a sampling of the unique and intriguing caseload.
One of last cases I worked on was a challenging legal malpractice action. Picture three underlying cases woven into an entirely new case. Now picture researching, analyzing, and crafting a preliminary strategy for that case. It required extensive case law and statutory research, clear legal writing, grit, and ingenuity. As with every other project during my clerkship, I was given the independence and responsibility to use my judgment to best serve the client. Even so, Jeff and Nicole were my faithful copilots on each ascent, bend, or dive.
Goodman/Keller P.C. provided me with unrivaled opportunity, guidance, and kindness.
. If you want to be exposed to the way litigation really is and how it should be done, I highly recommend a clerkship with Goodman/Keller P
I clerked for Goodman/Keller P.C. on many different cases ranging from personal injm1′ for both Defendants and Plaintiffs during the many months I clerked at the firm.
I spent a lot of my time working on a $60 million clain1 against a design-builder and contractors and subcontractors. In that case, all together, there were about 26 parties and 32 lawyers involved in the case. There were more than 184,000 documents and we were only at the early stated of discovery.
I was primarily involved in assessing and evaluating the claim and relating the claims to the damages sought and our party’s insurance coverage. It is hard for me to imagine a more complex case than this one and I was able to be intimately involved in all aspects of the case for the first several years of it.
If you want to be exposed to the way litigation really is and how it should be done, I highly recommend a clerkship with Goodman/Keller P.C. I learned a lot and my experience was challenging and enjoy
What I really appreciated about working at the firm was that they treated me as a professional colleague on the projects that we worked on, and I was completing tasks that law school graduates and licensed attorneys commonly do at other fi
During my tenure as a law clerk at Goodman/Keller P.C. I worked on many interesting cases.
What I really appreciated about working at the firm was that they treated me as a professional colleague on the projects that we worked on, and I was completing tasks that law school graduates and licensed attorneys commonly do at other firms.
The most memorable case I worked on was a case in which we represented a person who died in an interstate traffic collision in a construction zone that had been poorly managed and routed by the Iowa Department of Transportation.
The legal issues involved the Public Duty Doctrine which basically absolves and holds harmless governmental entities for their negligent acts.
I researched and co-authored a mediation statement that presented a novel argument against the Iowa Department of Transportation. Our argument circumvented the Public Duty Doctrine.
The State of Iowa paid us nearly half of a million dollars for our claim. In a perfect world, the claim may have been worth more if the Public Duty Doctrine did not exist, but if we had proceeded to trial and the case was appealed by the State of Iowa, we may not have prevailed.
Our client was delighted with the outcome.
I learned about my writing skills and advocacy from working at Goodman/Keller, P.C. My involvement in this case as well as others that I researched and briefed during my tenure at the firm gave me practical experience that was essential in landing me a job upon graduation.
The firm allows clerks to work at whatever level they are capable of (within ethical limitations).
I clerked for Goodman/Keller P.C. when I was in college. I worked on legal matters for the law firm as well as matters for Harbinger Jury Consultants.
J eff Goodman is a very creative and taleuted lawyer. His creativity is reflected in the great results that he achieves for his clients. His colleagues with whom he works are amazing and together they make an outstanding team.
The firm allows clerks to work at whatever level they are capable of (within ethical limitations).
I loved my clerkship working at Goodman/ Keller P.C. and Harbinger Jury Consultants.
I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get a “real life” in the trench workingexperience in the litigation field.
The amount of care and individualized effort put in by the firm on each case is something I hope to carry with me wherever I end up in practice.
Jeff,
Thank you for the opportunity to work at your firm this summer. While it is unfortunate that I will not be continuing into the Fall, I greatly appreciate the incredible, practical experience I was able to glean these past few months.
As I’ve said to just about anyone who asks me about my job, if I were ever involved in a tort or construction dispute claim (or frankly, any civil litigation), you and Nicole would be first on my list of who I would want to represent me. The amount of care and individualized effort put in by the firm on each case is somethii1g I hope to carry with me wherever I end up in practice.
Thank you for your time, teachings, and patience. I look forward to joining the legal profession with you in a few years, although I hope I never have to be opposing counsel!
While working on the case, I honed my research and writing skills and learned a lot about how to deal with resolving real-life legal problems for a client.
I clerked at the Goodman/Keller P.C. law firm and then was later hired as an associate attorney. I truly enjoyed my time with the firm. The lawyers at Goodman/Keller are first rate and very skilled.
I learned a lot during my time there about how to be a great trial lawyer.
One of the cases I worked on was a class action case that involved approximately 400 class members. The class had not yet been certified. We represented one of four Defendants. We argued a Motion to stay the proceedings based upon arbitration clause. We were successful in obtaining a stay from the State Court which is now in place in the United States District Court where the case was removed. For the time being, the stay has effectively ended the litigation against our client.
While working on the case, I honed my research and writing skills and learned a lot about how to deal with resolving real-life legal problems for a client. Finding solutions that meet a client’s unique individual needs is much different than the clinical and theoretical study of caselaw disputes in law school.
I really enjoyed my association with Goodman/Keller P.C. It was a very dynamic place to work. The cases they handle are very complex and intricate.
I learned a lot during my time there about how to be a great trial lawyer.
I clerked at the Goodman/Keller P.C. law firm and then was later hired as an associate attorney. I truly enjoyed my time with the firm. The lawyers at Goodman/Keller are first rate and very skilled.
I learned a lot during my time there about how to be a great trial lawyer.
One of the cases I worked on was a class action case that involved approximately 400 class members. The cL’lss had not yet been certified. We repreeyented one of four Defendants. We argued a Motion to stay the proceedings based upon arbitration clause. We were successful in obtaining a stay from the State Court which is now in place in the United States District Court where the case was removed. For the time being, the stay has effectively ended the litigation against our client.
While working on the case, I honed my research and writing skills and learned a lot about how to deal with resolving real-life legal problems for a client. Finding solutions that meet a client’s unique individual needs is much different than the clinical and theoretical study of caselaw disputes in law school.
I really enjoyed my association with Goodman/Keller P.C. It was a very dynamic place to work. The cases they handle are very complex and intri
During my 15 months clerking at GOODMAN/KELLER, I learned a lot about organization, preparation, advocacy, writing and communication, anticipating the actions of adversaries, and responding to the actions of said adversaries.
I clerked at GOODMAN/KELLER during the summer after my sophomore year in college, and then again upon graduating with a degree in English and Political Science – at which point I clerked a for a full year before starting law school.
Initially, Jeff and I were apprehensive about both the quality and quantity of the work I would be able to complete since I had not yet started law school – but it didn’t take long to hit the ground running with numerous substantive and engaging tasks.
While there, I researched and revised expert reports on a variety of topics and legal issues, worked on courtroom visuals to assist with presentation of case material, conducted research and authored memos for attorneys in the progression of casework, assisted with motions that were directly filed with the court, and sorted, compiled, and prepared documents for discovery, depositions, and meditations. I also co-authored articles on the topic of jury consulting, including a piece published by the Nebraska Bar Association, and drafted opening statements for focus groups and mock trials, for both plaintiffs and defendants.
During my 15 months clerking at GOODMAN/KELLER, I learned a lot about organization, preparation, advocacy, writing and communication, anticipating the actions of adversaries, and responding to the actions of said adversaries. I was also under the instruction of a lead-by-example attorney who lives, breathes, and all around exudes high-quality litigation practices. Watching and learning from Jeff was an invaluable experience to me as I prepared to embark upon my journey to law school.
After I completed my term at GOODMAN/KELLER, I felt like I had a leg up on my classmates once I started law school because I had a front row seat to litigation – which made reading cases (that might have otherwise been abstract) take on a different life because of my understanding of the case from the lawyers and other parties’ perspective.
I was really impressed with not only the caliber of attorneys at Goodman/Keller P.C. but also the size and types of cases that they are handling.
I clerked for Goodman/Keller P.C. for a little over a year. I really enjoyed my clerkship and I worked on some very interesting cases and was always enthusiastic about my work.
Jeff and Nicole were great mentors and I still consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to learn from them. Aftet working with Goodman/Keller, they encouraged me to try a bigger firm for another experience and so, during the summer between my Junior and Senior year in law school, I worked for a big firm in downtown Des Moines. I enjoyed that work as well and was grateful for the chance to work at both a big and a small firm.
I have worked in Goodman/Keller -a relatively small firm -and a large firm in downtown Des Moines. I was really impressed with not only the caliber of attorneys at Goodman/Keller P.C. but also the size and types of cases that they are handling. For a small firm, they handle some big cases!
W hen I began my work at Goodman/Keller I was scared to admit that I didn't know much about civil law at all, having come from real estate law.
I have been clerking for Goodman/Keller P. C. since November 2020. I enjoy my work because every day is varied and different. This isn’t one of those clerkships that law students fear … research piled on, coffee runs and constant criticism – its quite the opposite. The work I research goes into the motions, discovery, letters, etc., that I personally get to draft. I am able to research and provide my legal opinion and even suggest legal positions to be taken on cases.
When I began my work at Goodman/Keller I was scared to admit that I didn’t know much about civil law at all, having come from real estate law. This is a common fear of law students that was quickly overcome with the reassurance of both Jeff and Nicole that theywere here to teach me all the practical things that law school simply cannot. I have found it to be simple to ask Jeff and Nicole questions whenever I am in need of assistance and I error on the side of over-asking which never seems to come as a bother to either. I am here to learn how to be the best attorney I can be so asking questions of Jeff and Nicole is a sure path to get me there.
I also have the opportunity to work on cases continually, so I get to follow them as they progress. Not many clerks get the opportunity to see cases cradle to grave so I have enjoyed seeing cases I wrote discovery for, grow into complex disputes with continuous motions and resistances. Jeff and Nicole are a great team and want the best work for their clients, but do not expect perfection out of me. They are understanding that I am still learning the ropes and will red-line endless .drafts of mine if that is what it takes to not only perfect the document, but ensure I am learning the most I can. Jeff has the ability to make quick strategic decision after years of experience but is never hesitant to sit and explain legal positions, strategies and concepts to me.
I also am exposed to various opportunities that are single item research assignments that call on me to not only look up the law but also apply the facts of the case and make judgements that remember the decisions made by lawyers and then I present those decisions to lawyers in the firm who are responsible for adapting my research recommendations to their courtroom advocacy.
Overall, Goodman/Keller is a phenomenal environment for a young attorney to learn the law and how the profession truly operates. My work schedule is flexible to ensure school isn’t taking a back seat, but work is always available when I am.
Goodman/Keller practices law at the highest professional level and is very thorough in their evaluation and preparation of a case.
I worked as a law clerk at the Goodman/Keller P.C. law firm for approximately 1 year.
During that time, I worked on many complex interesting projects. Goodman/Keller practices law at the highest professional level and is very thorough in their evaluation and preparation of a case.
This firm also offers many mentorship opportunities, and it is an excellent environment to learn how to be a lawyer.
One of the cases I worked on involved a claim of tortious interference by a neighbor in the effort to develop land. The case involved some of the most complex and exotic legal theories. All aspects of the case were thoroughly briefed and ruled on by the Court, including multiple appeals by our adversary in related certiorari proceedings. It was fun to work on this case in particular because it reminded me of the some of the most interesting cases we read about in law school.
I have had the opportunity to be involved with a wide variety of legal projects including drafting many huge motions, preparing for trial, attending hearings and working with experts.
I have been clerking with Goodman/Keller P.C. since March of 2021 and my experience has been outstanding. The clients we get to work with are amazing and the cases we work on are unique and very interesting.
I have had the opportunity to be involved with a wide variety of legal projects including drafting many huge motions, preparing for trial, attending hearings and working with experts. I also have gotten great experience outside of standard court practices. For example, I had the opportunity to write an article with Jeff, which is now being published in the Drake Law Review.
All of these experiences have felt very valuable to me. I have learned so much from both Jeff and Nicole. Every time I have had a new project they have always been happy to not only explain the case and what it is they want me to do, but also explain why it is they want me to do that project and how it fits into the big picture of the case, which allows it to feel like everything I work on has a real purpose. Often times when you work on a case Jeff and Nicole will keep you working on projects for that case so you get to experience the entire case develop and progress which I think has really helped me understand the entire process of litigation, as compared to if I would have worked on a lot of unconnected projects for many different cases.
I have many favorite parts of my job, but to name just a few, I appreciate the quality of work that is expected but also allowed. Jeff and Nicole have high expectations for the work that you do but they also allow you the time required to accomplish that level of quality. This allows you to really dive in and spend the extra time required to produce great work product. Another favorite part is that both Jeff and Nicole are great mentors and they do an awesome job setting you up for success. Each member of the firm has been wonderful to work with and overall, the entire firm makes you feel very valued.
Jeff and Nicole have so much experience and passion for law which is evidenced by their organization, skill, and vast knowledge.
I clerked at Goodman/Keller for approximately 6 months during law school and am grateful to have worked in such an incredible environment. Jeff and Nicole have so much experience and passion for law which is evidenced by their organization, skill, and vast knowledge. This allows Goodman/Keller to run like a well-oiled machine, directly benefiting their employees and their clients.
I knew very little about civil litigation and even less about construction and architectural legal issues before starting at the firm, but working with Jeff and Nicole, I learned quickly. It was invaluable to see attorneys use their intuition and creativity to develop such effective litigation strategies. They showed me an art to law that I never knew existed-genuinely something that cannot be taught in case books.
While my interest for criminal law has led me in a different direction, I would recommend working at Goodman/Keller to anyone interested in fascinating and complex civil litigation. It is a dynamic and balanced work environment which allows for diligent work, exponential growth, and long-lasting professional relationships