American Civil Liberties Union - The ACLU is our nation's guardian of liberty. They work daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Their job is to conserve America's original civic values - the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Iowa Civil Liberties Union - Founded in 1935, the ICLU is the nation's fifth oldest state affiliate of the ACLU. The ICLU is a non-profit membership organization with over 3,500 statewide supporters and members. The ICLU promotes and defends the values reflected in the Bill of Rights through public advocacy, lobbying and litigation. The Mears Law Office has worked closely with the ICLU on many civil rights issues.

Iowa State Bar Association - The Iowa State Bar Association is a vibrant, progressive organization that provides Iowa attorneys with the benefits of professional association with their colleagues. Its benefits include continuing legal education, practice aids, interaction with the judiciary and legislature, participation in reform of the law, and news regarding developments impacting the profession.

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit - The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth circuit is a federal court with apellate jurisdiction over the district courts in Iowa, Arkansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

District of Southern Iowa - The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of both law and equity. There is a United States bankruptcy court in each U.S. district court. There is at least one courthouse in each federal judicial district, and some large districts have more than one.

Iowa Courts Online Search - Use this search tool to look for previous cases in Iowa

State Public Defender - The State Public Defender coordinates provision of legal representation to indigent persons under arrest or charged with a crime, in juvenile cases, and on appeal in criminal and post-conviction relief cases. This legal representation is provided through State Public Defender Offices or through private attorneys who contract with the State Public Defender or who are appointed by the Court.

United States District Court Northern District of Iowa - The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of both law and equity. There is a United States bankruptcy court in each U.S. district court. There is at least one courthouse in each federal judicial district, and some large districts have more than one.

Iowa Supreme Court - As the constitutional head of the Iowa Judicial Branch, the seven-member Iowa Supreme Court has many important responsibilities. It is the "court of last resort" or the highest court in our state court system. Its opinions are binding on all other Iowa courts and set precedent for subsequent cases decided in the state. The Court is the administrative head and policy-making body of Iowa's statewide court system. It also is vested with the power to license persons to practice law in Iowa.

Supreme Court of the United States - The Supreme Court of the United States, located in Washington, D.C., is the highest federal court in the United States; that is, it has ultimate judicial authority within the United States to interpret the Constitution of the United States and decide questions of federal law. It has the power of judicial review to declare Acts of Congress and state legislatures, and actions of the federal and state executive unconstitional. The Supreme Court is the only court required by the United States Constitution. All other federal courts are created by U.S. Congress. The nine justices are appointed for life by the President of the United States and confirmed by majority vote by the Senate. One of these nine serves as Chief Justice; the remaining members are designated Associate Justices.

Social Security Online - Recieve information about and apply online for social security, including disability and retirement benefits. This site provides useful information about these benefits and also provides a tool to get a rough estimate of your eligibility for these programs.

Iowa Division of Workers' Compensation - This site provides answers to common questions about workers' rights after an on the job injury and provides contact information, past decisions, among other things.