Attorney Profiles

Benjamin P. Roach

Benjamin P. Roach

700 Walnut, Suite 1600
Des Moines, IA 50309-3899
Phone: (515) 283-8158
Fax: (515) 283-3108
bproach@nyemaster.com

Ben Roach is a shareholder in the Litigation and Labor and Employment Departments at Nyemaster Goode. Ben represents clients in a wide range of employment-related matters before administrative agencies, state courts, and federal courts. Ben represents employers seeking to enforce restrictive covenants and to protect competitive and proprietary interests from former employees. Ben defends employers against claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. He also defends employers in claims seeking wages, benefits, and other statutory and common law employment matters. Ben provides counseling to employers regarding compliance with state and federal regulations affecting background checks, drug testing, and other personnel matters.
Ben also practices in commercial and contract litigation. He represents lessors and other creditors in litigation under the Uniform Commercial Code.
Ben is a member of the Polk County, Iowa State, and American Bar Associations.

Significant Recent Cases

Earlham Savings Bank v. Polk County Bank, R.L. Fridley Theaters, Inc. and Leonard R. Fazio, Case No. EQCE 060422 (Iowa Dist. Ct., Polk County, October 21, 2009). Granted summary judgment awarding client possession of collateral and resolving security interest priority dispute.
Dillon v. Mason and Liberty Baptist Church, Case No. CVCI 005709 (Iowa Dist. Ct., Marshall County, May 26, 2009). Granted summary judgment dismissing Plaintiff's claim for defamation.
Connie Hayden v. J.D. Carpenter Company, Case No. LACV 033954 (Iowa Dist. Ct., Cedar County, November 18, 2008). Granted directed verdict during second day of jury trial dismissing Plaintiff’s claims of gender discrimination and harassment.
Midwest Computer Products, Inc. v. Greg Berg, Michel Berg, and Berg Audio-Video, Case No. CL 106523 (Iowa Dist. Ct., Polk County, June 19, 2008). Granted summary judgment dismissing claims for breach of non-compete contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of duty, conversion and conspiracy.
The Vernon Co. v. Schmid, Case No. LACV 114091 (Iowa Dist. Ct., Jasper County March 6, 2007). Obtained injunction enforcing non-compete and non-solicitation agreement against former employee.

Education

University of Northern Iowa (B.A. 1999) 
University of Iowa (J.D., with high distinction, 2003)

Academic Achievements

Order of the Coif
Iowa Law Foundation Merit Scholar

Bar Admissions

Iowa, 2003
Admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Iowa and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Associations & Affiliations

American Bar Association
Iowa State Bar Association
Labor and Employment Law Section
Polk County Bar Association
Iowa Defense Counsel Association
Defense Research Institute

Recent Speeches & Publications

Are Physician Non-Compete Agreements Under Attack in Iowa?, Defense Update, Vol. XVIII No. 1 (Winter 2009).