William J. Miller

Bill is a trial lawyer and has litigated several matters through trial and appeal. Other successes have resulted in client victories without trial. Some of his notable experiences include:

• Trial and appeal (N.D. Iowa and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals) of breach of contract claims surrounding economic development agreement between a municipal client and corporation alleging the city failed to pay agreed-upon incentives.
• Defense and arbitration of employment claims involving sexual harassment by female supervisor directed at two male employees.
• Securing summary judgment for food industry corporation in federal court (S.D. Iowa) defeating former employee’s claims of termination in violation of public policy.
• Defense of municipal client through trial in Iowa state court (Dubuque County) against claim that special assessments for local improvements violated Iowa law.
• Successful federal court (S.D. Iowa) trial of breach of contract claims asserted by entity claiming rights to unique colony of bonobos living in Des Moines.
• Consultation, trial support, and appeal, including oral argument to the Iowa Supreme Court, in action seeking to stymie client’s economic development initiatives involving tax increment financing and zoning issues.
• Represented manufacturing client in complex products liability action in Iowa state court (Mahaska County). With a Dorsey colleague, tried the case to a jury over five weeks resulting in an eight-figure verdict in favor of client.    
• Defense of hospital in Iowa state court (Linn County) in action alleging malpractice by nursing employees, resulting in a defense verdict after trial to a jury.
• Lead counsel in securing a defense verdict after trial in Iowa state court (Polk County) of plaintiffs’ failure to warn claim related to allegedly-defective vehicle loading ramp.
• Success in securing summary judgment in Iowa state court (Polk County) on plaintiff's tort claims against client premised on conduct of therapist allegedly employed by client.            
• Represented long term care facility in Iowa federal court (Northern District) against allegations of termination of employment in violation of public policy, including securing a defense verdict after trial to a jury.       
• Secured dismissal with prejudice of claims against pharmaceutical manufacturer in Iowa federal court (N.D. Iowa) in defense of products liability claims arising from alleged failure of vaccine to protect plaintiff’s swine herd.   
• Multiple representations of hospital client in defense of medical malpractice claims in Iowa state court (Linn County), including securing summary judgment based on plaintiffs’ inability to offer expert testimony in support of their claims.