Causey & Ye Law

07/10/2026

We are excited to welcome Colin Smyka to the Causey & Ye Law team!

Colin graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2024 and has been practicing law since then. He also earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Iowa in 2019, along with a Certificate in Social Science Analytics, with a focus on statistics in the social sciences.

Colin primarily represents clients in civil litigation matters, bringing experience across a wide range of litigation work, including personal injury, business litigation, foreclosure matters, professional disciplinary defense, and debt collection defense. He also has experience in family law, minor criminal matters, and administrative law.

His litigation experience includes all stages of a case, from filing petitions and initiating lawsuits to discovery, motion practice, summary judgment, settlement negotiations, trial preparation, trial work, and post-trial matters. Colin has second-chaired trials and has also conducted a trial as first-chair attorney. In addition, he has appellate experience, including drafting appellate briefs, preparing supervising attorneys for oral argument, and drafting or resisting applications for further review to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Colin’s broad litigation background, strong writing skills, and courtroom experience will be a great asset to our clients and our growing litigation practice.

Please join us in welcoming Colin to Causey & Ye Law!

07/08/2026

We are proud to recognize Jonathan M. Causey of Causey & Ye Law for successful advocacy before the Iowa Supreme Court in two related criminal appeals involving significant statutory-interpretation issues.

In unanimous decisions filed on June 19, 2026, the Court affirmed the dismissal of serious felony charges after reviewing the statutory language in effect at the time. The opinions reinforce a fundamental principle of criminal law: courts must apply criminal statutes as written and may not expand criminal liability beyond the legislature’s chosen language.

The Iowa Supreme Court held that, under the statute in effect at the time, the charge required an actual “victim” or another actual “person engaged in human trafficking.” Because the alleged facts did not involve an actual victim or trafficker as defined by the 2024 statute, the Court affirmed dismissal.

Jonathan argued before the Iowa Supreme Court on behalf of the appellee in both matters. These results highlight the importance of precise legal analysis, strong motion practice, and appellate advocacy in protecting due process and ensuring that criminal charges are evaluated under the governing law.
Congratulations to Jonathan on these important appellate victories.

Case citations:

State of Iowa v. Kevin Charles Lind, Iowa Supreme Court No. 25–0819, filed June 19, 2026. The Iowa Supreme Court opinion identifies Jonathan M. Causey of Causey & Ye Law, P.L.L.C. as counsel who argued for the appellee, and states that the Court affirmed dismissal of the human trafficking charge.

State of Iowa v. Kevin Charles Lind, Iowa Supreme Court No. 25–0821, filed June 19, 2026. The Iowa Supreme Court opinion identifies Jonathan M. Causey of Causey & Ye Law, P.L.L.C. as counsel who argued for the appellee, and states that the Court affirmed dismissal of the human trafficking charge.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case depends on its own facts and applicable law.

07/02/2026

Causey and Ye Law will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of Independence Day. We will resume normal business hours on the next business day. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

05/22/2026

Causey and Ye Law will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal business hours on the next business day. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

03/26/2026

🎉 From Global Vision to U.S. Success: Fast L-1A Approval for CEO from a Multinational Company

A few months ago, a multinational company came to us during a critical stage of its U.S. expansion.

The client had previously obtained an initial L-1 approval—but only after a challenging process that involved an RFE and a difficult early-stage business development period. As the company moved forward with its U.S. investment, it became clear that a stronger, more strategic approach was needed to support both immigration compliance and long-term growth.

That’s where we stepped in.

We worked closely with their team to rebuild and strengthen the foundation of their U.S. operation—including corporate structuring, development of a credible and executable business plan, infrastructure planning, and cross-border tax strategy—ensuring that every element aligned with USCIS expectations and real-world business ex*****on.

Two weeks ago, we submitted the L-1A petition.

Today, we received the approval.
✅ Approved in just two weeks
✅ No Request for Evidence (RFE)
✅ Stronger positioning for sustainable U.S. expansion

This wasn’t just about speed - it was about turning a previously difficult case into a clean, well-supported approval.

🚀 What We Do

We help international companies navigate complex U.S. expansion challenges through:

• Integrated immigration, corporate, and cross-border strategy
• Practical, business-focused solutions—not just legal theory
• A long-term partnership approach, from startup recovery to expansion

Whether you’re entering the U.S. market, overcoming early-stage hurdles, or scaling an established global business, we provide the legal foundation to move forward with confidence.

A few months ago, a multinational company came to us during a critical stage of its U.S. expansion.

03/20/2026

Welcome David Williams, Case Manager Assistant!

Causey & Ye Law, PLLC is pleased to welcome David Williams to our team as a Case Manager Assistant. In this role, David will support our attorneys and case managers in client communication, case preparation, and maintaining organized, efficient workflows across our practice.

David brings a strong academic foundation and practical experience in research, data management, and public-facing communication. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Boston University, graduating Cum Laude with double minors in Public Policy Analysis and Urban Studies. During his time there, he was consistently recognized on the Dean's List and inducted into the Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honors Society.

Please join us in welcoming David to Causey & Ye Law:
https://causeyyelawgroup.com/blog/f/welcome-david-williams-case-manager-assistant

02/23/2026

Attorney Zach Hecht recently secured a considerable win for one of his clients in Johnson County, Iowa. His client was originally facing four serious felony charges: Money Laundering, a Class C felony; Credit Card Fraud, a Class D felony; Theft in the 2nd Degree, a Class D felony; and Ongoing Criminal Conduct (Commit Specified Unlawful Act – Ongoing Activity), a Class B felony. The most serious of these charges carried a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison, placing Zach’s client at risk of decades behind bars, but ultimately resulted in just a probationary sentence.

For more details on the case, visit out website at the link below:
https://causeyyelawgroup.com/blog/f/attorney-zach-hecht-scores-victory-in-johnson-county

02/18/2026

Honored to participate in a panel discussion hosted by the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), where our attorney, Yangyidi Ye, joined students and faculty to discuss career development and immigration pathways in the United States.

The conversation brought together recent GSD graduates now working at U.S. architecture firms, along with career services professionals, to address the practical questions many international students face: How early should they begin planning? How can they secure summer internships? What visa and long-term immigration options are available after graduation?

As an immigration and business attorney who regularly advises international students, professionals, and employers, Yangyidi shared practical insights drawn from real-world experience, helping students better understand how to strategically plan their academic and professional journeys in the U.S.

Thank you to the GSD team for organizing such an open and informative dialogue. We look forward to continuing to support international talent as they build their futures in the United States.

02/16/2026

May the Year of the Horse bring you speed to success, strength in every endeavor, and prosperity throughout the year.
Warmest wishes from the Minnesota and Iowa Team at Causey & Ye Law.
https://causeyyelawgroup.com/blog/f/happy-chinese-new-year

12/31/2025

As we close out 2025, we're proud of the work Causey & Ye Law has done in service of individuals, families, and businesses across Minnesota and Iowa. Thank you to our clients and partners for allowing us to be your trusted advocates. Looking forward to continuing this work in 2026.