The Iowa Extension Council Association (IECA) has retained the law firm of Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C for consultation and education in the areas of Labor and Employment Practice for IECA member counties.   Whitfield & Eddy is based out of Des Moines and serves private, non-profit, and public-sector clients throughout the state of Iowa.  Kay Oskvig employment law attorney will be the lead attorney working with IECA. 

 Whitfield & Eddy provides IECA and its members with the following services:

• Ongoing communication on current and developing issues in all areas of law
• Email Alerts: when new issues arise that may affect county councils
• Legal Updates: short legal updates will be provided that will be posted on IECA web site and included in IECA newsletters.
• Webinar Q&A sessions for employment-related questions providing “do’s and don’ts” in the supervision of employees.
• Labor and Employment Practice educational webinars
• Consultation for a limited number of hours concerning issues councils may be addressing in the area of labor and employment practices, lease agreements, contracts and other legal matters. 

If council members have a wish to consult with Whitfield & Eddy about a legal matter involving their council, they should follow the process below:

1. Identify if there are currently existing resources that would be able to answer your council’s questions/concerns.  Existing resources may include the following:
   • The IECA website – Resources tab, Human Resources tab and Council Training Materials
   • Your Regional Director
2. An extension council member should contact Jennifer Vit, IECA Executive Director.  She will ask some general questions to help determine if Whitfield & Eddy is the best resource to help you.  She will also monitor county usage of the consultation service so as not to exceed one hour per half year.  Note:  Jennifer will only ask general questions so as not to endanger attorney/client privilege.  All information will be kept confidential.
3. Communication with Whitfield & Eddy must be with an extension council member(s) only or an official designee of the council because of attorney/client privilege.  The decision to involved person(s) other than council members will be made by Kay Oskvig at Whitfield & Eddy.  All information will be kept confidential.
4. If a county council requires additional legal services after consultation with Whitfield & Eddy, the council will be directly responsible for payment of fees for their continued services with Whitfield & Eddy. IECA will pay Whitfield & Eddy directly for the county's one complimentary hour per half-year.

Please contact IECA Executive Director Jennifer Vit, with any questions.