Cedar Rapids lawyer elected to state board

DES MOINES - One Cedar Rapids lawyer was elected to the Iowa Association for Justice board, and two others - another local attorney and a Marion woman who lost her son - received awards earlier this month during the organization's annual convention.

Darin Luneckas, a work and personal injury lawyer in Cedar Rapids, was elected to serve on the association's Board of Governors as the 6th Judicial District representative.

Attorney Bob Rush and Kathryn Schussler, a client of another association member, were honored with awards for their contributions to public education and public service.

The association, headquartered in Des Moines, is an organization of about 700 Iowa trial lawyers.

Rush, a lawyer with Rush and Nicholson, received the 2017 Tom Staack Public Education Award in recognition of 'the monumental statewide radio advertising campaign he spearheaded during the legislative session in defense of the rights of injured workers,” Andrew Mertens, association communications director, said.

The campaign warned Iowans about the dangers of slashing worker compensation benefits and workplace safety protection.

Schussler, who lost her son due to medical negligence, received the 2017 Public Service Award in recognition of her 'amazing dedication to educating lawmakers about the dire consequences of medical negligence,” Mertens said.

'She bravely shared her story with dozens of lawmakers, spending day-after-day at the Statehouse, commuting each time from Eastern Iowa,” Mertens said.

Mertens said Schussler would not have been impacted by changes in the law because her lawyer just recently filed her case. But, he said, she wanted to speak out to prevent future harm.

Luneckas, a work and personal injury lawyer at Luneckas Law in Cedar Rapids, said he is honored by his election to the Iowa Association for Justice board,

He said the association 'strives to level the playing field in the legal arena for injured workers, victims of negligence and the criminally accused.”

Luneckas, a lawyer for nearly 20 years, said the organization works to preserve people's right to a jury trial and for laws that ensure average people get fair treatment in the courts.

Each of Iowa's eight judicial districts elect a representative to serve on the board.

Two other Cedar Rapids lawyers, Ben Long, who focuses on medical malpractice at RSH Legal, and Ann E. Brown of Ann Brown Legal, who focuses on personal injury and employment law, were elected to at-large board positions.

Six others, including lawyers, a judge, a law firm, two journalists and a state court administrator, also received one of the annual awards.

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