This morning, Polk County District Court Judge Robert Hanson ordered the Forestry Bureau of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to “cease and desist from discriminating on the basis of disability.” The order follows a jury verdict that found that the DNR discriminated against John Vetter, a 36-year employee, on the basis of his disability when the agency fired him on August 23, 2013. The… Read More
Author Archives: Juicebox Administrator
Paige Fiedler interviewed by KCCI
KCCI visited the office today to discuss the recent case of a gay teacher being denied employment by Dowling Catholic High School. The story and video are available here, with the legal discussion beginning at 2:55 in the video. https://www.kcci.com/article/all-sides-express-views-over-school-s-refusal-to-hire-gay-teacher/6905488
Firm, Client Awarded $1.1M in Post-Trial Orders
In late 2014, a Chickasaw County jury found in favor of one of our firm’s many brave clients, Tina Haskenhoff, on her sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation claims against Homeland Energy Solutions. This morning, the Iowa District Court for Chickasaw County upheld the jury’s verdict and ordered Homeland to pay an additional $240,000 in front pay for Tina, and $846,364.30 for Tina’s attorney’s fees and… Read More
Paige Fiedler honored by Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys
The Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys (IOWA) honored Paige Fiedler with the Arabella Mansfield Award. More information on the award is available from IOWA: http://www.iowawomenattorneys.org/awards.php Drake University Law School recently described the honor: Each year, Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys (IOWA) gives two awards, the Arabella Mansfield Award and the Gertrude Rush Award. This year’s honorees both have ties to Drake Law School. Paige Fiedler,… Read More
F&T Recognized for Donation to Visiting Mom Project
Last fall, the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys (I.O.W.A.) teamed with Polk County Women Attorneys and the Ashcraft Library Project to help raise money for the Visiting Mom Project. The project, initiated by Judges Paulsen and Bremer, raised funds to establish a special meeting room for incarcerated mothers to visit with their children at the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women in Mitchellville. During a recent… Read More
Complaint alleges gender bias against University of Iowa
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Qualified male candidates were repeatedly passed over for an assistant job in the University of Iowa track program after the athletic department quietly mandated that a woman be hired, a discrimination complaint alleges. Track and field director Larry Wieczorek joked during the hiring process that then-assistant Mike Scott should consider having a sex change operation to improve his prospects, according… Read More
State officials investigated Jesse Marzen, according to testimony
WAVERLY — The Iowa Attorney General’s Office initiated a criminal investigation and was collecting evidence for a “Chapter 66” removal action long before Jesse Marzen lost his job as Floyd County attorney. Ultimately, though, officials decided to let an ethics complaint and related trial play out, according to Scott Brown, with the likely expectation Marzen would face disciplinary action. “I thought if they did it… Read More
Press Release – Nelson v. Knight
Iowa Supreme Court Affirms Employer’s Firing of Attractive Employee Stating She Didn’t Rebuke Her Bosses Sexual Advances Forcefully Enough DECISION DILUTES CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS AGAINST GENDER DISCRIMINATION DES MOINES, Iowa (July 12, 2013) — An attractive female employee whose presence sparks sexual feelings and inappropriate behavior from her male boss is not protected by the Iowa Civil Rights Act if he should decide to fire… Read More