BW INSIGHTS

Questions about the Property Tax Sale

By Katie McKain Tegtmeier | 08.12.2024

What is a Tax Sale? Tax sales are used by the County Treasurer to collect unpaid and delinquent real estate taxes. The tax sale is generally held on the third Monday of June every year. At the sale, the County Treasurer offers for sale each parcel with delinquent taxes for the total amount of taxes, interest, fees, and costs due against each... Read More

It’s Hip To Be Square! But Can You Protect A Square Cheese Curd With IP?

By Christopher Proskey | 07.31.2024

As famously said by Huey Lewis: It’s Hip To Be Square! But that raises the question: Can you protect the shape of a square cheese curd? Let’s find out! There is nothing I enjoy more in my career than finding ways to meaningfully protect what is unique about a brand through the use of creative Intellectual Property (“IP”) strategies. A fun and... Read More

DOL FIDUCIARY RULE STAYED INDEFINITELY

By Caleb J. Brus & Cynthia Boyle Lande | 07.29.2024

A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) “Retirement Security Rule” (the Fiduciary Rule) ahead of its September 23, 2024, effective date. BACKGROUND ON THE FIDUCIARY RULE The DOL has been on a fourteen-year quest to replace a fiduciary definition in place since 1975. The saga began in 2010, but fierce... Read More

IRS Announces Guidance on Basis-Shifting Transactions by Related-Party Partnerships

By Maggie Simonson Schild & Christopher L. Nuss | 07.25.2024

On June 17, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Treasury announced new guidance aiming to curtail abusive basis-shifting transactions by related-party partnerships. The Treasury and IRS plan to propose regulations targeting transactions in which partners shift basis from one asset to another, thereby increasing the second asset’s basis... Read More

BrownWinick Team Participates in the 2024 Firm Annual Volunteer Day

By BrownWinick | 07.18.2024

On July 17, 2024, over 80 BrownWinick attorneys and staff participated in our firm's annual volunteer day. Groups of attorneys and staff went to five different locations across the metro to serve including the Blank Park Zoo, Animal Rescue League, Habitat for Humanity, YMCA Supporting Housing Campus, and Ronald McDonald House. Learn more about... Read More

Court Blocks FTC Rule Banning Employment Noncompete Agreements on a Limited Basis

By Danielle Smid | 07.10.2024

On May 7, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a Final Rule banning most post-employment non-competes for all workers, except senior executives, employed by for-profit employers. However, recent judicial decisions are stirring up problems for the Final Rule. Important Court Rulings On July 3, 2024, in Ryan LLC v. Federal Trade... Read More

Supreme Court Tightens Standards for NLRB Injunctive Relief

By Danielle Smid | 07.03.2024

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an independent federal agency tasked with safeguarding employees' rights and addressing unfair labor practices by employers. In the recent Supreme Court case Starbucks Corp. v. McKinney, 144 S. Ct. 1570 (2024), the Court's 8-1 decision imposed the stricter traditional four-factor test for granting... Read More

Iowa Livestock Capital Gain Deduction for 2023

By Maggie Simonson Schild & Christopher L. Nuss | 06.18.2024

On May 15, 2024, Governor Reynolds signed into law House File 2649 that provides an Iowa individual income tax deduction for capital gains incurred on the sale of certain livestock. The Iowa livestock capital gain deduction is available retroactively for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023. To claim the livestock capital gain... Read More

Tax Relief Due to Recent Severe Weather in Iowa

By Maggie Simonson Schild & Christopher L. Nuss | 06.18.2024

Severe weather has been active across the state of Iowa, affecting individuals and businesses. Governor Reynolds and the Internal Revenue Service have implemented various forms of tax relief for those most affected by severe weather. Iowa Penalty Relief On May 21, 2024, Governor Reynolds issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the... Read More

Government Relations Update 6-5-24

By Matthew McKinney | 06.05.2024

Iowa’s Primary Election was held on Tuesday, June 4.  There were several hotly contested races featuring challengers to incumbent legislators – most notably: Republican Senator Waylon Brown vs. Doug Campbell - Incumbent Senator Brown won; Democratic Senator Clair Celsi vs. Julie Lasche Brown - Incumbent Senator Celsi won; House Republican Jane... Read More