BW INSIGHTS

Government Relations Update - 9.15.21

By BrownWinick | 09.15.2021

MICHAEL BOUSSELOT WINS ANKENY SPECIAL ELECTION House District 37 will continue to be represented by a republican as Michael Bousselot defeated Andrea Phillips in yesterday’s special election. Bousselot, an attorney and former director of Iowa’s Department of Management, secured 51.58% of the vote. The democratic candidate Andrea Phillips received... Read More

An Update on Vaccine Incentives: Can Employers Raise Health Insurance Premiums for Unvaccinated Employees? 

By Danielle Smid | 09.13.2021

Last week, BrownWinick provided an update on COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace, including anticipated requirements from the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”). It is expected that these requirements will apply only to certain larger employers, although the anticipated rule is still in its early... Read More

Company with 100+ Employees? Prepare for the Most Stringent Vaccine Requirements Yet.

By BrownWinick | 09.10.2021

On September 9, 2021, President Biden announced an updated national COVID-19 strategy that includes the most sweeping vaccine requirements to date. Of note, under the strategy, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) is developing a rule that will mandate all large employers to either: (1) require their... Read More

Government Relations Update - 9.10.21

By BrownWinick | 09.10.2021

Gov. Reynolds Deputy Chief of Staff to Join BrownWinick Des Moines, Iowa (September 10, 2021) – BrownWinick Law is pleased to announce the addition of Paige Thorson as a member to the firm. Thorson compliments the firm’s established government relations, insurance, health care, and energy and natural resources practices. Prior to joining... Read More

Vaccinations in the Workplace

By Danielle Smid | 08.12.2021

As the COVID-19 Delta variant spreads, many employers are becoming increasingly concerned about the health and safety of their workforce and have again begun looking toward additional safety measures to combat COVID-19 in the workplace. Such measures include but are not limited to mandatory vaccinations (showing proof of their vaccination status)... Read More

NCAA Name, Image, and Likeness ("NIL") Policy Brings Opportunities and Legal Challenges for College Athletes

By William Daniel | 07.26.2021

On July 1, the NCAA announced that college athletes can now benefit from their name, image, and likeness (“NIL”). This drastic shift in NCAA policy brings all sorts of previously unthinkable opportunities for college athletes; however, this new world also brings many areas of concern for athletes, particularly from a legal standpoint. Athletes who... Read More

BrownWinick Collects More Than 5,500 Diapers to Support Local Refugee Families

By BrownWinick | 07.26.2021

BrownWinick’s Community Engagement Committee recently held a diaper drive in collaboration with Bethany Christian Services in support of the Start Small Project in Des Moines. Start Small Project is a community effort to help fill a specific yet impactful need: diapers for refugee and immigrant families in the Des Moines area. Every single box of... Read More

Iowa Water Quality Lawsuit Dismissed by Supreme Court

By BrownWinick | 06.30.2021

A lawsuit brought against the State of Iowa alleging that the State – and various departments and officials – has failed to sufficiently protect the public’s use of the Raccoon River was ultimately halted by a divided Iowa Supreme Court earlier this month. The lawsuit, initially brought forth by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (“ICCI”) and... Read More

Iowa Supreme Court Clarifies Iowa Civil Rights Act Individual Liability, Disability Discrimination, Failure to Accommodate, and Retaliation Standards

By BrownWinick | 06.28.2021

On Friday, June 25th, the Iowa Supreme Court filed a decision addressing several issues under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. In Rumsey v. Woodgrain Millwork, Inc., a discharged employee filed disability discrimination and retaliation claims against his former employer. The employee was injured at work in early 2015, and the employer provided the... Read More

Iowa Supreme Court Decides Key Iowa Drug and Alcohol Testing Law Questions, Provides Leniency to Iowa Businesses

By BrownWinick | 06.25.2021

This morning, Friday, June 25, 2021, the Iowa Supreme Court filed decisions in two cases involving Iowa’s private sector drug and alcohol testing law. Under the decisions, Iowa employers will not be held liable for violating Iowa’s private sector drug and alcohol testing law so long as they “substantially comply” with the provisions of the law.... Read More