Jacob R. Koller

Jacob Koller is a member of Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman. He practices primarily in the area of family law, which includes representing individuals in all aspects of domestic relations, including dissolution of marriage, child custody and visitation, child support, premarital agreements and related matters. In addition, Mr. Koller’s practice includes representing individuals in other circumstances affecting the family unit, such as adoption, guardianships and conservatorships.

Mr. Koller’s family law practice includes the following:

Mediation. Mediation, which is a form of alternative dispute resolution, has become an important component in resolving family law cases. Mr. Koller is a trained lawyer mediator, having completed a 40-hour training in 2009. As a mediator, he acts as a neutral to aid parties and their attorneys in settling their disputes without the need for court intervention.

Appellate Advocacy. In some cases, the decision of the trial judge is challenged on appeal. Mr. Koller has experience handling the prosecution and defense of appeals, both in cases for which the firm was trial counsel and in cases brought to him that have been tried by lawyers outside of our firm.

Litigation. Mr. Koller believes the best result in any family law matter is a negotiated settlement. When this is not possible, however, it becomes necessary to have a trial before a judge. Mr. Koller is experienced in the preparation and prosecution to trial of complex financial – including high net worth marital estates, large farm and livestock operations and business interests – and custody matters. He is a 2008 graduate of the American Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute, which is an advanced trial training program for attorneys specializing in the practice of family law.

Collaborative Law. Mr. Koller is trained in the practice of collaborative law and a founding member of the Collaborative Lawyers of Eastern Iowa. Collaborative Law is a non-adversarial process that views the issues arising from a divorce as a series of battles to be solved rather than fought. The end goal is to meet the legitimate needs of everyone involved in a restructured family. Both parties have independent lawyers present during negotiation to provide legal advice in an educational context, thereby empowering the clients to make informed decisions about their lives and their children’s lives. Mr. Koller is also a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

Recent articles:

• Matt Brandes and Jacob Koller to Present at ISBA Annual Conference

Honors & Awards

• Included in the Best Lawyers in America® list 2018 & 2019
• AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®
• Included in Great Plains Super Lawyers list, 2013, 2018

Memberships

• Iowa State Bar Association
  • Family and Juvenile Law Section
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
• Linn County Bar Association
• Johnson County Bar Association
• Dean Mason Ladd American Inn of Court
  • Secretary/Treasurer, 2008 - 2010
  • Member, 2006 - 2010
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
  • Member, 2010 - Present
• Collaborative Lawyers of Eastern Iowa
  • Member, 2010 - Present
  • President, 2010 - Present

Presentations

• Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting - Limited Scope Representation Forms and Practice Panel: Everything You Wanted to Know About LSR But Were Afraid to Ask, June 20, 2018
• Collaborative Law/Collaborative Divorce, Iowa Association for Justice Criminal Defense & Family Law Trial Lawyers Conference, April, 2018
• Family and Collaborative Law, Iowa Association of Legal Assistants.Paralegals Spring Seminar, April, 2016
• Mediation and Collaborative Law, Eastern Iowa Nuts & Bolts Seminar, October, 2015
• Collaborative Law, Region VI of the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants Paralegals Seminar, December, 2014
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Practitioners, University of Iowa College of Law’s Public Interest and Alternative Career Forum, September, 2014
• Ethical Considerations Related to the New Mediation Rules, 23rd Annual Iowa Association of Justice Family Law Seminar, April, 2013
• Collaborative Law, Linn County Bar Association Meeting, February, 2013
• Collaborative Law, Iowa Women's Foundation Seminar, November, 2012

Publication

• Co-author, "Rising farm incomes warrant close examination when determining proper child support levels," The Iowa Lawyer, March 2013