Areas of Practice

Litigation 

Watson and Ryan, P.L.C. handles all aspects of civil trial and appellate litigation in both state and federal courts throughout the United States, including:

Complex Business Disputes
Our attorneys have extensive experience in the subject of business disputes, including business dissolutions, asset disputes, liquidations, court supervised business management and officer/manager disputes.

Property Taxation
We represent Iowa taxing authorities across the state in all areas of the property tax process. Our attorneys have represented clients in all areas of the state, and successfully litigated cases regarding all areas of property tax law at the trial court, appeals court, and Iowa Property Assessment Appeal Board levels.

Personal Injuries and Property Damage
Claims for injuries and damage to property caused by either the actions or negligence of another party.

Employment Matters
We represent employees, former employees, and job applicants who have been victims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or wrongful termination based on factors such as gender, race, age, disability and pregnancy. Our attorneys also assist employees in recovering unpaid wages, overtime pay, unemployment compensation and workers’ compensation benefits. We assist businesses with avoiding the risk of employment litigation and how to comply with federal, state and local laws by reviewing employee handbooks, manuals and policy statements.

Product Defects
Including claims of manufacturing defects, design defects or inadequate instructions or warnings.

Auto Injuries
Claims for property damage or personal injuries from motor vehicle accidents.

Insurance Coverage
Claims against your own insurance company for damage to your vehicle, home, or other property, medical payments and claims against your own insurance company when you have been harmed by the acts of another.

Consumer Rights
Protecting the rights of those who have been wronged by creditors, banks, collection agencies, lenders, credit card issuers, automobile dealers, consumer reporting agencies, health care providers and landlords.

Condemnation
All aspects of eminent domain (commonly called “condemnation” or “taking”) issues including, but not limited to, the right to take, inverse condemnation, highest and best use, public use, regulatory takings, partial takings, commercial takings, residential takings, allocation proceedings, leasehold interests, commissioner hearings, valuation hearings and appeals. Condemnation is the process by which a governmental agency takes private property for a public use such as roads, parks, schools, other public buildings, or any other endeavor where the purpose of the project serves a public good or need. Our attorneys can help you obtain maximum compensation for the taking of your property.

Death Claims
Claims for the death of a family member caused by the wrongdoing of another. These claims include intentional and unintentional acts, and seek to recover both the economic and emotional loss caused by the wrongful death.

Workplace Injuries
We help workers obtain fair compensation, including lost wages, medical expenses, disability benefits and death benefits.

Business and Personal

Taxation
Our attorneys stay abreast of current income, payroll and sales tax legislation and render their expertise in tax law. We represent corporations, businesses and individuals in the areas of tax planning, tax return preparation, tax litigation and dealing with federal and state tax authorities. We prepare individual, corporate, partnership, limited liability company, business, farmer and trust income tax returns and federal estate tax returns.

Corporate and Business Planning
We can assist you in all aspects of planning and operation; the formation of corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, limited partnerships and joint ventures; mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations.

Estate Planning and Probate
We provide services in all aspects of estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration, wills and living trusts, conservatorships, guardianships and premarital agreements. We prepare Living Wills, Health Power of Attorney, and Property Power of Attorney. We assist beneficiaries to receive their proper inheritance and also assist creditors to file claims in probate.

Real Estate
Our attorneys can assist you with the purchase, sale and leasing of residential, commercial and industrial properties for developers, buyers, sellers and lenders.

Agriculture
We represent crop and livestock farmers in all aspects of their daily operation. We represent both crop insurance claimants and crop insurance companies.

Banking and Commercial
Our firm represents both borrowers and lenders in negotiation and drafting of loan and related agreements; advises banks on regulatory matters; and handles collections and foreclosures for banks and businesses. We represent debtors in “workout” debt reduction negotiations.

Administrative Law
Watson and Ryan has a strong administrative law practice in rulemaking and other agency actions, as well as a successful administrative litigation practice. Our attorneys represent a broad array of clients before federal, state and local agencies as well as participating in judicial and administrative reviews. We regularly represent clients in matters involving insurance regulation, tax appeals, and administrative appeals of government agency actions. The approach to meeting our client’s goals can often include involving all levels of government decision makers to ensure prompt and complete resolution of our client’s issues.

Watson and Ryan are Council Bluffs, Iowa based attorneys practicing in Iowa, Nebraska, and surrounding areas which include the cities of Council Bluffs, Atlantic, Audubon, Carroll, Clarinda, Denison, Glenwood, Harlan, Logan, Oakland, Onawa, Red Oak, Shenandoah, Sidney, Sioux City, Treynor, and the communities that make up Pottawattamie, Carroll, Cass, Crawford, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Shelby, and Woodbury counties in Iowa and Omaha, Bellevue, Blair, Fremont, Lincoln, Nebraska City, North Platte, and the communities that make up Cass, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Lancaster, Otoe, Sarpy, and Washington counties in Nebraska.