Miscellaneous

Both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals released new opinions Friday. One of the Supreme Court cases will surely give rise to a legal malpractice suit, as a personal injury lawsuit was dismissed because the original notice and petition were not served within 90 days of filing. Even though a 1st District judge granted Plaintiff’s ex parte request for an extension of the service deadline because the parties were in settlement discussions. Another held constitutional the civil penalty portion of the deferred judgment provisions of the criminal code.

Linn County Associate Juvenile Judge Susan Flaherty asked that one of the Court of Appeals cases be forwarded to the attorneys practicing in juvenile court. That case discussed the impropriety of the same attorney being appointed guardian ad litem and attorney for a 12-year-old girl who didn’t want her mother’s parental rights terminated, though the guardian ad litem determined that termination was in her best interests. Interesting stuff.