Practice areas

Whether you are a company or an individual, whether your case is big or small, Steve Eckley will provide the legal representation you need.

Business/Commercial Litigation

Steve has more than 35 years of experience helping businesses resolve their disputes, whether through litigation or by reaching a resolution before litigation becomes necessary.  He has represented business clients in a wide range of matters including legal questions, contract issues, business torts, insurance coverage, professional negligence, intellectual property, antitrust, conflicts of interest, products liability, employment questions, defamation, patent disputes, property damage, and personal injury claims.   Steve recognizes that for many  business clients the formal litigation process is not always the best way to resolve their disputes.  He regularly helps clients negotiate favorable settlements.  

Insurance Disputes

Steve’s expertise includes advising both insureds and insurers with respective to their rights and obligations under insurance policies.  Among his courtroom victories are several against insurance companies, including an eight-figure judgment won against an excess carrier.   Currently, he represents both an international Fortune 500 company seeking insurance coverage for thousands of asbestos-related claims and an insurance company seeking a declaratory judgment against liability for a bedbug infestation.   

Construction Law

 Steve frequently provides legal services to property owners, developers, and contractors.  While a major part of his construction practice involves the resolution of disputes or claims that arise during or after construction of a project, he also assists clients with regard to other aspects of construction law, including project bidding, negotiations, drafting, interpreting, and enforcing contracts.  Recently he won, and then successfully defended on appeal, a $12.4 million jury verdict for the owners of an apartment complex plagued by multiple construction defects.

 

Professional Negligence

During his career, Steve has defended physicians, attorneys, and other professionals against claims alleging malpractice. He has testified as an expert on behalf of attorneys. When justified by the circumstances, he has also represented persons who have been compelled to make a claim against a health care provider. Regardless of the side he is on, Steve is known for treating the opposing party with respect.

Personal Injury and Property Damage

Steve regularly represents parties that have suffered personal injury, death, or property damage as a result of the wrongful actions of others.  His largest case to date involved two related lawsuits for $400,000,000.00 in property damage, four deaths, and many injuries resulting from the catastrophic explosion of an ammonium nitrate facility.  In appropriate cases, Steve will represent the client on a contingent fee basis.  

 

Local Counsel

Steve frequently serves as local counsel for out-of-state parties involved in litigation in Iowa. With his knowledge of local practices in the Iowa state and federal courts and his familiarity with many lawyers, judges, and court personnel around the state, Steve is uniquely suited to represent clients who are not from Iowa.

 

Let our experience be your guide 

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