Donald Lyle Clark
v.
State of Iowa
The State appeals a district court judgment entered on a jury verdict awarding plaintiff emotional distress damages for legal malpractice in connection with a public defender’s representation of plaintiff in criminal proceedings. The State contends the court erred in allowing emotional distress damages where plaintiff failed to establish his criminal trial attorney engaged in any illegitimate conduct during the representation. The State also contends the court erred in denying its motion for mistrial after plaintiff’s witness violated a pretrial order and revealed to the jury the public defender had been previously adjudicated to have provided ineffective assistance of counsel.
Appellee
Donald Lyle Clark
Appellant
State of Iowa
Attorneys for the Appellee
Thomas P. Frerichs
Luke D. Guthrie
Mel C. Orchard III
G. Bryan Ulmer III
Attorneys for the Appellant
Tessa M. Register
David M. Ranscht
Supreme Court
Oral Argument Schedule
15-15-5
Apr 10, 2024 9:00 AM
