Jonathan E. Kramer

Jonathan has built his practice with a focus on handling cases in which he can add value addressing issues and transactions between $100,000 and $5 million in value.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS / SPECIAL ASSETS

Throughout his career, he has worked for special asset clients, developing an understanding for cost pressures, timelines, result expectations, and documentation. Jonathan represents creditors in state, federal, and bankruptcy court litigation relating to debt collection. He has a substantial practice specializing in deficiency and unsecured judgment collection of debts between $100,000 and $5 million.

His collection practice also includes partnering with lead litigation counsel to advise as to collectability issues and case valuation prior to commencement of suit and throughout the litigation process. Jonathan is often compensated pursuant to tailored alternative fee arrangements.

Jonathan is a regular speaker on collections and has also provided opinions as an expert witness on collection and related matters. Jonathan is the first Iowa lawyer certified in Creditor’s Rights by the American Board of Certification.

BUSINESS OWNERS

Jonathan has a broad base of experience in his practice on issues including real estate, finance, corporate law, employment, intellectual property, process and efficiency, family and estate planning. A vital part of the client relationship is determining succession planning, including buy-outs, mergers, acquisitions, and more. His practical advice fits the many pieces and moving parts together so clients can continue to build, create, and serve with their business. Jonathan is similarly valuable to clients going through breakups or restructurings of their closely-held businesses.

He is a speaker on business planning and succession issues. Jonathan is comfortable working with true, emotional, and political aspects of family business including ones that may be involved in receiverships, creditor litigation, or are experiencing other business difficulties.

PERSONAL INJURY AND EMPLOYMENT

Jonathan uses these same talents to assist clients that have been injured, and their counsel, by helping establish the collectability of judgments or awards that are uninsured or underinsured. This consulting role also is compensated on a risk-shared basis.

Notable Works

• Represented the buyer of a company in a multi-state business acquisition with a $7,500,000 debt facility.
• Assisted an unsecured creditor in using the receivership rules to obtain and sell a $1,300,000 warehouse facility.
• Negotiated with a bankruptcy trustee to use Bankruptcy Code Section 363 to liquidate two minority interests in closely held businesses and subsequently monetized those interests.

Contact Jonathan today or call 515-288-6041 for more information. 

Honors & Recognitions

• AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• Creditors' Rights Law Specialist certified by the American Board of Certification (ABC)
• Selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance, and Litigation - Bankruptcy (2023—2025)
• Selected for inclusion in Great Plains Super Lawyers in the area of Creditor/Debtor Rights (Rising Stars: 2013—2016)
• Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project: recognized for pro bono work hours (2012—2013, 2014—2015, 2015—2016, 2016—2017, 2018—2019, 2019—2020, and 2021—2022)

Cases Presentations & Publications

Published Cases

• In re Urbandale Laser Wash, LLC, et al., Iowa Court of Appeals 16-0081, January 11, 2017 (In a matter of first impression, Iowa homestead law trumps rights of Cities to regulate use of real property.)
• In re Golden Enterprises, LLC, Iowa Court of Appeals 15-0824, May 11, 2016 (Post judgment collection discovery issue)
• In re Grinnell State Bank v. Jones, Iowa Court of Appeals 15-0674, April 27, 2016 (Foreclosure recision issue)
• In re Walters, 450 B.R. 109 (8th Circ. BAP) Docket No. 10-6075, (June 2, 2011) (Creditor’s objection to Iowa homestead objection sustained due to pre-existing debt exception.)
• In re Walters, 675 F.3d 1142 (8th Circ.) Docket No. 11-2449, (April 9, 2012) (Same as above, also Creditor does not have burden to show unavailability of other assets prior to execution on homestead.)

Unpublished Cases

• Testified as expert relating to Iowa collection matter. Iowa District Court for Mahaska County, Case No. EQEQ088047 (2018)
• Rendered opinion as expert witness relating to Iowa collection matter.  Iowa District Court for Polk County, Case No. LACL 113621 (2012)

Selected Presentations 

• Speaker and Panelist, Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association Civil School, April 2024
• Speaker, "Big Questions in Land Management," People's Company Webinar, February 2023
• Presenter, "Basic Securities and UCC Article 8" Iowa State Bar Association Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Seminar, May 2020
• Presenter, "Business Succession Planning," Greater Des Moines Partnership Small Business Success Summit, November 10, 2017
• Presenter, "Unethical Conduct or Great Lawyering: Everyday Debtor-Creditor Scenarios," Iowa State Bar Association Commercial Bankruptcy Seminar, May 12, 2017
• Panelist, "Succession Planning - Leaving A Legacy" AGC of Iowa Controllers Council & CFMA Joint Meeting, April 20, 2017
• Presenter, "Commercial Real Estate Lending," Iowa Credit Union League, October 2016
• Panelist, "Garnishment and Related Collections Issues," Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting, June 2015
• Presenter, Residential Landlord-Tenant Law in Iowa, Lorman Seminars, September 19, 2014
• Presenter, "Pitfalls to Enforcement Overview" and "Property Specific Issues," Judgment Enforcement in Iowa, Lorman Seminars, August 21, 2014
• Presenter, “Judgment Collections for Employment Lawyers,” National Employment Lawyers Association Iowa Chapter, April 18, 2014
• Presenter, “Post Judgment Collections:  Getting Debtors to Pay,” national teleconference seminar, National Business Institute, October 12, 2012
• Presenter, “Post Judgment Collections:  Getting Debtors to Pay,” national teleconference seminar, National Business Institute, March 9, 2012
• Presenter, “Creditors’ Rights When A Debtor Files Bankruptcy” and “Ethical Issues in Collection,” National Business Institute, October 24, 2011
• Presenter, “Collection Law: Understanding the Rights of Judgment Creditors” national teleconference seminar, National Business Institute, February 3, 2011 – attendees included more than 50 people from more than 20 states
• Presenter, “Collections Law from Start to Finish,” National Business Institute, October 6, 2010