Michele Slater

Legal Assistant

Michele Slater

Bar Admission

  • State of Iowa, 1977

Court Admissions

  • US Court of Appeals
    • Eighth Circuit
  • US District Court
    • Northern & Southern Districts of Iowa

Education

  • University of Missouri School of Law, LLM, 1981
    • Taxation
  • Drake University Law School, JD, 1977
    • Moot Court Board
  • Regis College, BS, cum laude, 1974
    • Political Science

Bill Vernon is a member of Simmons Perrine PLC where he concentrates his practice in commercial litigation and business planning. His primary practice is protecting and advocating creditors’ and debtors’ rights, secured transactions, banking and corporate law, real estate transactions, construction law and contractor dispute resolution and civil tax audit defense.

Mr. Vernon followed his law degree with a Master of Laws in Taxation and admission as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1979. With this CPA background, Mr. Vernon’s expertise provides for unique analysis and support services for business litigation and advocacy.

“Understanding the financials behind the dispute is an important element of ensuring your position is simple, clear, authoritative and attainable.”

Banking Litigation. Mr. Vernon represents many lenders and creditors to protect and assert their rights. When the repayment risk of financed collateral and credit facility increases, Mr. Vernon advises how to prevent asset dissipation and protect loan repayment sources. Mr. Vernon is a frequent speaker at foreclosure and creditor rights seminars.

Commercial or Business Litigation. Mr. Vernon has focused his practice on the business side of legal advocacy from business agreement preparation and analysis to enforcement. Mr. Vernon practiced as a CPA with a big eight accounting firm prior to practicing law.

Construction and Design Practice. Mr. Vernon’s clients include owners, sureties, general contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers. Mr. Vernon represents clients in all facets for government and private projects from contract drafting through contract dispute resolution. As a past president and board member of the Cedar Rapids Home Builders Association, Mr. Vernon has counseled on all areas of construction and development regulation.

  • Iowa State Bar Association
    • Real Estate and Title Law Section
    • Iowa Title Standards Committee, 1990s–Present
    • LAWPAC Committee, 1990–2014
    • Title Guaranty Committee, 1985–1987
    • Taxation Committee, 1985–1988
  • Linn County Bar Association
  • Included in the Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Cedar Rapids, 2024
    • Tax Law
    • Banking and Finance Law
  • Included in the Best Lawyers in America® list, 2026
    • Banking and Finance Law
    • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
    • Construction Law
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Litigation – Real Estate
    • Real Estate Law
    • Tax Law
  • Included in Great Plains Super Lawyers list, 2011-2013
  • AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®