Voters’ Judicial Directory

Voter Information: Answers to Questions about Judicial Retention Elections Biographies of Judges on the 2018 Iowa Ballot

Prepared as a public service by the Iowa Judicial Branch, October 2018. Table of Contents

Retention Election Q & A...... pg. 2 Biographies of Judges Standing for Retention: Court of Appeals...... pg. 4 District 1A ...... pg. 5 Allamakee, Clayton, , Dubuque, Winneshiek District 1B ...... pg. 6 Black Hawk, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Fayette, Grundy, Howard District 2A ...... pg. 8 Bremer, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Mitchell, Winnebago, Worth District 2B ...... pg. 9 Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Humboldt, Marshall, Pocahontas, Sac, Story, Webster, Wright District 3A ...... pg. 12 Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, Kossuth, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto District 3B ...... pg. 13 Crawford, Ida, Monona, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury District 4 ...... pg. 14 Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Shelby District 5A ...... pg. 15 Dallas, Guthrie, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Warren District 5B ...... pg. 17 Adair, Adams, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Wayne District 5C ...... pg. 18 Polk District 6 ...... pg. 20 Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Tama District 7 ...... pg. 22 Cedar, Clinton, Jackson, Muscatine, Scott District 8A ...... pg. 24 Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Monroe, Poweshiek, Van Buren, Wapello, Washington District 8B ...... pg. 25 Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Louisa

1 What are judicial retention elections?

Retention elections are intended to focus on the professional competency of Iowa’s judges rather than the popularity of individual rulings. In a retention election, voters decide whether a judge should be retained or removed from office. If a judge receives a majority of “yes” votes, the judge serves another full term. If a judge receives a majority of “no” votes, the judge is removed from office at the end of the year.

Where can I find an attorney Why does Iowa have performance evaluation about judges retention elections? on the ballot? In 1962, Iowa voters approved a constitutional amendment that replaced elections of judges with merit selection and retention elections. The Iowa State Bar Association surveys its A process using merit selection and retention members about judges standing for retention. elections: The results of this performance evaluation are available prior to the general election at: www. • Curbs the influence of political parties and iowabar.org. special interest groups in the selection of Iowa’s judges. • Emphasizes the selection of judges based What about a judge’s personal views upon their professional qualifications. on certain issues? • Gives voters the final say about who serves as a judge. • It is inappropriate for a judge to consider his • Is the most effective way to ensure fair and or her personal views, political pressure, or impartial courts. public opinion when deciding cases. Judges must be neutral and follow the rule of the law.

• If a judge announces a position on an issue, the judge’s impartiality may be called into question. The judge may need to decline presiding over any case that involves that issue.

• Judicial ethics prohibit judges from commenting about cases pending in court to ensure that litigants receive a fair trial.

2 What makes a good judge? What about an unpopular

• Integrity—honest, upright, and court decision? committed to the rule of law There are many reasons why a voter may want • Professional Competence—keen intellect, extensive legal knowledge, to consider more than just the outcome of one and strong writing ability case when assessing a judge’s performance: • Judicial Temperament—neutral, • Over the course of a career, a judge will decisive, respectful, and composed dispose of thousands of cases. One case alone is not necessarily an accurate • Experience—strong record of professional excellence in the law barometer of a judicial career. The Iowa Voter’s Judicial Directory gives a more • Service—committed to public service complete measure of a judge’s professional and the administration of justice history.

• Judges must follow the law, which How are courts sometimes leads to unpopular results. If citizens disagree with a law, they may held accountable ? petition the legislature to change it.

Our system of government is carefully designed • High-profile cases that catch the media’s to foster fair and impartial courts while attention often bear little resemblance to the maintaining judicial accountability through a bulk of a judge’s work. Most court cases do series of checks on judicial power. not involve hot-button issues. • If a party in a case believes a judge made an error, the party may appeal to a higher court. What about decisions • If citizens disagree with a court’s interpretion a higher court reverses? of a law, they may petition the legislature to amend the law and change the law’s effect in the future. Sometimes a higher court reverses the decision of a lower court. Reversal does not in itself • If citizens disagree with a court’s indicate the quality of a judge’s work. For interpretation of the constitution, they instance, the higher court could be ruling on have the ultimate power to amend the an issue for the first time or clarifying one of its constitution to change its effect in the earlier opinions that served as precedent for the future. lower court.

• If a person thinks a judge has behaved unethically, the person may ask the Judicial Qualifications Commission to investigate.

In these ways, courts are accountable to the laws, to the constitution, and to the people.

3 Judges Michael R. Mullins Iowa Court of Appeals Chief Judge Judge Michael R. Judge Mullins is a former member of the Mullins, Washington, Judicial Technology Committee and the was appointed as an 8th Business Advisory Committee for Electronic District Court judge in Document Management System (EDMS). He 2002 and to the Iowa is a faculty member for new judge orientation Court of Appeals in 2011. on the topic of sentencing issues. Judge He received his bachelor’s Mullins developed the Iowa Criminal Statutes degree from Southwest Summary Chart used by judges and lawyers Baptist University, throughout Iowa. He is a member of the Bolivar, in Washington County Bar Association, the 1974; his M.S.W. from Iowa Judges Association, the Iowa State the University of Iowa Bar Association, and the American Bar in 1976; and he was Association. editor-in-chief of Drake Law Review and graduated with honors, Order of Coif, from Judge Mullins is married with two adult Law School in 1982. Judge children and four grandchildren. Mullins spent 19 years in private practice in Washington, Iowa.

Mary Tabor Iowa Court of Appeals Judge Judge Tabor, Des Moines, Judge Tabor worked as a staff attorney in was appointed to the the Office of General Counsel for the Federal Court of Appeals in Election Commission in Washington, D.C. 2010. She was born in from 1991 to 1993. She joined the Iowa Maquoketa and raised Attorney General’s office in 1993 and served on her family’s farm in as director of the Criminal Appeals Division Jackson County. She from 1999 to 2010. earned her bachelor’s degree from the Judge Tabor is a member of the Iowa State University of Iowa in Bar Association and the Blackstone Inn of 1985. She graduated Court. Judge Tabor is married and has two from the University of sons and one daughter. Iowa College of Law in 1991.

4 Iowa Court of Appeals Judges

Anuradha Vaitheswaran Iowa Court of Appeals Judge Judge Vaitheswaran was appointed to the district court. She worked as an attorney Court of Appeals in 1999. She attended with Legal Services Corporation of Iowa and high school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Judge with the Attorney General’s office before her Vaitheswaran received her undergraduate appointment to the . Judge degree from Grinnell College. She attended Vaitheswaran is a member of the Polk County the University of Iowa, earning a law degree and Iowa State Bar Associations, the Polk and Master’s in political science. Judge County Women Attorneys and Iowa Judges Vaitheswaran was a law clerk to Honorable Associations, and the C. Edwin Moore Inn of Charles R. Wolle, Iowa , Court. before Wolle’s appointment to the federal

District 1A Judges John J. Bauercamper District Judge Judge Bauercamper, law privately, as well as serving as Allamakee Waukon, was appointed County attorney and juvenile court referee. to the bench in 1986. Judge Bauercamper belongs to the Iowa Born in Cresco, Iowa, he Judges Association, the Allamakee County received his bachelor’s Bar Association, the Iowa State and Minnesota degree from the State Bar Association, and serves as assistant University of Northern chief judge for the First Judicial District. He is Iowa in 1970 and his married and has four children. law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1973. He practiced

Thomas Bitter District Judge Judge Bitter, Dubuque, prior to being appointed to the bench. He was appointed to currently serves on the Iowa Child Support the bench in 2011. Guidelines Review Committee and the Iowa He received his Rules of Criminal Procedure Review Task undergraduate degree Force. He is a member of the Dubuque from Loras College in County Bar Association and the Iowa State 1993 and his law degree Bar Association. He is married and has three from the University of children. Iowa in 1996. Judge Bitter was in private practice in Dubuque

5 District 1A Judges Monica Wittig District Judge Judge Monica Wittig, worked as a law clerk and research assistant Dubuque, was appointed before going into private practice. Wittig is a to serve Dubuque County member of the Dubuque County, Iowa State, in 1997 as a magistrate and Bar Associations. and to the district court bench in 2003. She attended the University of San Diego, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1986 and her law degree in 1990. She

Robert J. Richter District Associate Judge Judge Richter, Sherrill, bench, Judge Richter was an assistant county was appointed to attorney in Dubuque from 2004 to 2011. the bench in 2011. He received his undergraduate degree from St. Ambrose University in 2000, and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2003. Prior to being appointed to the

District 1B Judges

Kellyann M. Lekar Chief Judge Judge Lekar, Waterloo, bench. Judge Lekar is a member of the Black was appointed to the Hawk County, Iowa State and American Bar bench in 2005. She Associations and is also a member of the Iowa received her bachelor’s Judges Association. She was appointed Chief degree from Iowa State Judge of the First Judicial District in January, University in 1990 and 2012. her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1993. She was in private practice prior to her appointment to the

6 District 1B Judges Andrea J. Dryer District Judge Judge Dryer, Cedar public defender’s office since 2004. Prior to Falls, was appointed working for the public defender’s office, she to the bench in 2011. was an assistant county attorney prosecuting She is a University of cases in Winneshiek and Buchanan counties. Iowa graduate, where Judge Dryer is a member of the Black Hawk she received both her County Bar Association as well as the Iowa undergraduate degree State Bar and law degree. Before being appointed to the bench, Judge Dryer had worked in the Waterloo

David F. Staudt District Judge Judge Staudt, Waterloo, public defender’s office in 1997 where he was was appointed to the appointed Chief Public Defender in 2006. bench in 2010. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1990 from the University of Iowa, and his law degree in 1993 from Drake University Law School. Judge Staudt was in private practice until joining the Waterloo

Jeffrey L. Harris District Associate Judge Judge Harris, Grundy States Army and served until 1989. Prior to Center, was appointed his appointment, Judge Harris worked as a to the bench in U.S. Army Judge Advocate, as well as in the 1997. He earned his Department of Children and Family undergraduate degree Services, Legal Corporation of Iowa, and the from the University of Black Hawk County attorney’s office. He is a Minnesota in 1974 and member of the Iowa Judges Association and his law degree from the the Iowa National Bar Association. University of Iowa in 1977. He began his law career with the United

7 District 1B Judges Brook Jacobsen District Associate Judge Judge Jacobsen, was He served as Assistant County attorney for appointed to the bench the Black Hawk County Attorneys Office from in 2017. He received his 2004-2017. He is a member of the Black undergraduate degree Hawk County and Iowa State Bar Association from St. Olaf College and the Iowa Judges Association. and his law degree from University of Minnesota Law School in 1999. Prior to his appointment, he was in private practice from 2002 through 2004.

William Patrick Wegman District Associate Judge Judge Wegman was served as Chickasaw county attorney from appointed to the bench 2002 through 2017. in 2017. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1991 and his law degree from Drake Law School in 1994. Prior to being appointed to the bench he was in private practice in Des Moines and Charles City. He also

District 2A Judges Rustin T. Davenport District Judge Judge Davenport, Mason Second Judicial District from 1985-1986, a City, was appointed to Law Clerk for the Honorable David R. Hansen, the bench in October District Court Judge, Northern of 2010. He earned his District of Iowa from 1986-1988. Judge undergraduate degree Davenport was in private practice from 1988- from Drake University in 2010. He is Vice-President of the Iowa Judge’s 1982 and his law degree, Association, a member of the American Bar with Distinction, from Association, Iowa State Bar Association, the University of Iowa in Judicial District 2A Bar Association, and the 1985. Judge Davenport Cerro Gordo County Bar Association. was a Law Clerk for the

8 District 2A Judges James M. Drew District Judge

Judge Drew, Hampton, Distinction) in 1985. Judge Drew was in was appointed to the private practice from 1986 - 1999, and in bench in February of addition served as Franklin County attorney 1999. He earned his from 1988 - 1994. He is a member of the Iowa Bachelor of Science Judges Association (Board of Directors 2010 - degree in Business ) and the Iowa State Bar Association. Administration from State University in 1982 and his law degree from the University of Iowa (With

District 2B Judges

Kurt L. Wilke Chief Judge Judge Wilke, Fort practice in Fort Dodge from 1974 until his Dodge, was appointed appointment to the bench and also served to the bench in as Webster County Magistrate from 1977 to 1992. He received 1992. In 2007 he was appointed Chief Judge his bachelor’s degree of Iowa’s Second Judicial District. Judge Wilke from the University of is married with three children. Minnesota in 1970, and his law degree from the University of in 1974. Judge Wilke was in private

Adria Kester District Judge Judge Kester was private practice for six years, the Assistant appointed to the district Boone and Assistant Hamilton County court in July of 2017. Attorney, and the Boone County Attorney prior She earned her bachelor’s to her appointment as district associate judge degree from Iowa State in 2013. Judge Kester has been involved in the University in 1994, and Iowa Association of County Attorneys, Iowa her law degree from State and Boone County Bar Associations. Drake University School of Law in 1998. Judge Kester was an Assistant Public Defender, in

9 District 2B Judges Steven J. Oeth District Judge Judge Oeth, Ogden, was 1984 to 1997, he worked as the Boone County appointed to the associate attorney. He also practiced law privately from court bench in June of 1986 to 1997. Judge Oeth is a member of the 1997 and the District Iowa Bar Association and the Iowa Judges Court bench in June Association. He is married and has two 2010. Born in Dubuque, children. Iowa, Judge Oeth went to Drake University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1978 and his law degree in 1982. From

Kurt J. Stoebe District Judge Judge Stoebe, Humboldt, the University of Iowa in 1980. Stoebe has was appointed as a previously been a law clerk for Judge Roy District Associate Judge Stephenson with the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court in July 2006, and then of Appeals, the Humboldt County Attorney appointed to the District and was in private practice with Stoebe Court bench in February Law Office. He served as Humboldt County 2011. He received his magistrate from 2001 through 2006. Stoebe is undergraduate degree a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, from the University of Humboldt County Bar Association and the in 1977, Iowa Magistrates Association. He is married and his law degree from and has two children.

Paul B. Ahlers District Associate Judge Judge Ahlers, Webster 2008 to 2011, he served as claim counsel in City, was appointed to the the Bond and Financial Products Claim Group bench in March of 2011. for the Travelers Companies. Judge Ahlers is a He graduated from Iowa member of the Iowa State Bar Association. State University with a Finance degree in 1991 and from the University of Iowa School of Law in 1994. From 1994 to 2008 Judge Ahlers practiced in a private law firm. From

10 District 2B Judges Paul G. Crawford District Associate Judge Judge Crawford, 1984. From 1984 to 1986 Judge Crawford Marshalltown, was was an assistant Story County Attorney, he appointed to the bench was in private practice in Fairfield, Iowa, in January of 2016. He from 1986 to 1987, and was an assistant graduated Magna Cum Marshall County Attorney from 1987 until his Laude from Creighton appointment. University in 1981 with a BA in Organizational Communications and from the University Of Iowa School Of Law in

Angela L. Doyle District Associate Judge Judge Doyle, Fort law degree from Creighton University School Dodge, was appointed of Law, graduating Magna cum laude. Prior to the bench in 2011. to her appointment to the bench, Judge Doyle She received her served as law clerk for the of the undergraduate degree Supreme Court and was in private from Creighton University practice in Omaha, Nebraska, and Fort Dodge. in 1982, graduating She served clients for 26 years as a general Summa cum laude, with practitioner with an emphasis in family law a Bachelor of Science in and juvenile law. Judge Doyle is a member of Business Administration. the Webster County Bar Association and the In 1984, she earned her Iowa Judges Association.

Joseph B. McCarville District Associte Judge Judge McCarville Judge McCarville has worked in the Webster was appointed to County Attorneys office, the Iowa Public the district associate Defenders office and private practice since bench in September graduation. Judge McCarville is a member of 2017. He received and past president of the Webster County Bar his undergraduate Association. He has three children. degree from Iowa State University and his law degree from the University of Iowa Law School in 1989.

11 District 2B Judges Kim Riley District Associate Judge Judge Riley, receiving her law degree, Judge Riley served Marshalltown, was as a law clerk for the Sixth Judicial Circuit appointed as a District Court in South Dakota. Later, she worked for Associate Judge the Iowa Department of Commerce, Banking effective October 7, Division, and she served as Assistant County 2000. She obtained Attorney, Child Support Recovery Division her undergraduate in Carroll County. She was also supervising degree from Sioux Falls attorney of the Marshalltown Public Defender’s College in 1985 and Office. Judge Riley is a member of the Iowa her law degree from Judges Association. the University of South Dakota in 1988. After

District 3A Judges

David A. Lester District Judge Judge Lester, Spirit Iowa in 1990. Judge Lester was a practicing Lake, was appointed to dentist from 1982 to 1988 in Estherville. the bench in September He was a practicing attorney in Estherville 1998. He received his from 1991 until appointed to the bench in bachelor’s degree from 1998. He served as Emmet County Judicial Augustana College in Hospitalization Referee from February 1991 1978, his doctor of and as Assistant City Attorney for Armstrong, dental surgery from Iowa from 1991 until his appointment to the the University Of Iowa bench. College Of Dentistry in 1982 and his law degree from the University of

Nancy L. Whittenburg District Judge Judge Whittenburg, law degree in 1986. She had been engaged Spencer, was appointed in the private practice of law since 1988. to serve as district court Whittenburg is a member of the Clay County judge in 2004. Prior to and Iowa State bar associations. She is her appointment, she married and has one child. served as Clay County magistrate since 1989. She attended Drake University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1980 and her

12 District 3B Judges Jeffrey L. Poulson District Judge Judge Poulson, Sioux in December, 1976. He is one of the founders City, worked in private and the presiding judge for the only Veterans practice in Sioux City, Treatment Court in Iowa and a member of the Iowa from February Iowa and Woodbury County Bar Associations. 1977 to December, 2010. He graduated from the University of with a Bachelor of Arts with honors in 1974 and from Drake University Law School

Julie Schumacher District Judge Judge Schumacher lives School of Law in 1993. Judge Schumacher in Crawford County entered private practice in Denison, Iowa and has served as a upon graduation from law school and served district associate judge as both a prosecutor in the Crawford County since 2013. Judge Julie Attorney’s Office and as Assistant City Schumacher earned her Attorney for Denison. Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of South Dakota in 1990 and her law degree from Creighton University

Stephanie Forker Parry District Associate Judge Judge Forker Parry. served as a Woodbury County Magistrate Sioux City, was appointed from 2008 until her appointment. Prior to to the bench in 2017. her appointment, she was in private practice She received her with the law firm Forker & Parry in Sioux undergraduate degree City and was licensed to work in Iowa and from the University of South Dakota. Judge Forker Parry serves South Dakota, majoring on the Supreme Court Advisory Committee in criminal justice, and on the Rules of Juvenile Procedure and is a her law degree from member of the Iowa State Bar Association, the the University of South Woodbury Bar Association, and South Dakota Dakota in 1998. She State Bar Association.

13 District 3B Judges Todd Hensley District Associate Judge served as first assistant public defender Judge Hensley, Sioux for Woodbury County. He is a member of City, was appointed the Iowa Judges Association, Woodbury to the bench in 2000. County Bar Association and the Iowa State He earned a Bachelor Bar Association. He is currently co-chair of of Science degree from the District Associate Judges Committee of Morningside College in the Iowa Judges Association. He has three 1984, his law degree children. from the University of Iowa in 1988. Judge Hensley previously

District 4 Judges

Greg W Steensland District Judge Judge Steensland, in the public defender’s office for fourteen Council Bluffs, was years. Judge Steensland is a member of the appointed to the bench Iowa State and Pottawattamie County Bar October 7, 2005. He Associations. He was actively involved in earned his bachelor’s establishing a Drug Court in Pottawattamie degree in political science County. He is married and has two grown from the University of children. Iowa in 1973 and his law degree from Drake University in 1976. He was in private practice for fifteen years and served

Craig M. Dreismeier District Associate Judge Judge Craig M. 1989. In 1992, Judge Dreismeier earned his Dreismeier, Council law degree from Creighton University. He has Bluffs, is appointed to served as assistant county attorney from 1995 the bench as District to 1996 and was in private practice since Associate Judge. Born 1992. Judge Dreismeier is a member of the in Omaha, Nebraska, Iowa Bar Association and was President of he received his the Pottawattamie County Bar Association in undergraduate degree 2010. He is married and has one child. in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska Omaha in

14 District 4 Judges Amy Zacharias District Associate Judge

Judge Zacharias, Logan, Irwin with the Nebraska Court of Appeals from was appointed to the 2001 to 2003 was an Associate with Childs & bench December 18, Hall, P.C. in Harlan from 2003 to 2005, and 2015. She received her served as Assistant County Attorney in the BSBA from Creighton Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office from University in 1998 and 2005 to 2015. her Juris Doctorate from Creighton University School of Law in 2001, Magna Cum Laude. She clerked for Judge John

District 5A Judges

Randy V. Hefner District Judge practice from 1978 - 2010. He is a member Judge Hefner, Adel, was of the Dallas County Bar Association, Iowa appointed to the bench State Bar Association, and the Iowa Judges in 2010. He received his Association. He is married with one child. undergraduate at the University of Northern Iowa in 1975. He attended Drake University where he received his law degree in 1978. Judge Hefner worked in private

Brad McCall District Judge Judge McCall, Newton, in private practice, specializing in litigation was appointed to and trial law. He was board certified in both the bench in 2010. civil and criminal trial advocacy and is now He received his a Judicial Fellow on the National Board of undergraduate degree Trial Advocacy. Judge McCall is a member from the University of of the Order of the Coif, the Iowa Judge’s Iowa in 1976 and his law Association, the Iowa Bar Association, the degree, with honors, from Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers and the Drake University Law National Board of Trial Advocacy. He has School in 1978. Prior to three daughters. taking the bench, he was

15 District 5A Judges Terry Rickers District Judge Judge Rickers, Newton, and earned his law degree in 1986. After was appointed as a graduation, he was in private practice in District Court Judge Newton for over 24 years. He is a member in October 2010 after of the Jasper County and Iowa State serving as a Magistrate Bar Associations, and the Iowa Judges in Jasper County since Association. He formerly belonged to the 2005. He received American Health Lawyers Association, Iowa his undergraduate Association of School Board Attorneys, degree from Iowa State Iowa Association for Justice and the Iowa University in 1983. He Association of Magistrate Judges. He also attended the University served on the Grievance of Nebraska-Lincoln Commission. He is married with two children.

Virginia Cobb District Associate Judge Judge Cobb, Dallas as assistant county attorney, instructed at Center, was appointed to Grand View College and was in the private serve as Dallas County practice of law. Cobb is a member of the bar Magistrate in 1995 and and achieved Order of the Barristers. was appointed to serve as District Associate Judge in 2005. She attended Drake University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in 1978 and her law degree in 1982. She has served

Kevin A. Parker District Associate Judge Judge Parker, Indianola, Denato in 1980. While in private practice, he was appointed to the served as assistant Warren County attorney bench in 2005. He from 1981 to 1989, then served as Warren received his bachelor’s County attorney from 1989 to 2002. He degree from Gannon practiced law with a firm from 2003 until his University in 1977 and appointment to the bench. Judge Parker is his Juris Doctorate a member of the Iowa State Bar Association from Drake University and the Warren County Bar Association. He is in 1979. Judge Parker married and has four children. served as law clerk to the Honorable James P.

16 District 5B Judges Patrick Greenwood District Judge Judge Greenwood, his appointment to the district court bench, Lamoni, was appointed he was a judicial magistrate and a lawyer in to the district court private practice serving clients for more than bench in February 17 years as a general practitioner. Judge of 2016. He received Greenwood taught Business Law at Graceland his undergraduate University for 13 years. He is a member of the degree from Iowa State Iowa Judges Association. Judge Greenwood is University in 1992 and married and has three children. his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1998. Prior to

District 5C Judges

Heather Lauber District Judge Judge Lauber, West Des She was Assistant Public Defender from 2011– Moines, was appointed 2015. Judge Lauber was appointed district to the district court associate judge in 2015. She is a member of bench in December 2016. the Iowa State Bar Association, Polk County She attended Drake Bar Association, Iowa Association of Women University, where she Attorneys, Polk County Woman Attorneys, and received her bachelor’s C. Edwin Moore Inn of Court. degree in 2000 and her law degree in 2003. Judge Lauber was in private practice from 2003–2011.

David May District Judge Judge May, Polk City, Sciences Center in 1995, and his law degree was appointed to the from Drake University Law School in 1998. bench February 3, Judge May was in private practice before his 2016. He received his appointment. He also serves as a lecturer undergraduate degree at the Annual Fire Investigation School for from the University of the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau and Missouri - Columbia has served as an instructor at the Bureau of in 1993, his Master of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Public Health degree from the University of Health

17 District 5C Judges Romonda D. Belcher District Associate Judge Judge Belcher was earned her bachelor’s degree with honors appointed to the bench from Howard University in 1990 and her juris on August 20, 2010, doctorate from Drake University Law School becoming the first African in 1995. Judge Belcher remains active in her American female judge community and in the bar, and she has been in the state of Iowa. Prior recognized for her commitment to service to to her appointment, she the legal profession and her community. was an Assistant Polk County Attorney for 15 years. Born in Plymouth, North Carolina, she

Gregory D. Brandt District Associate Judge Judge Brandt, Des Eighth Judicial District until 1988. He went Moines, was appointed on to be Polk County assistant attorney from to the bench in March of 1988 to 1995, at which time we worked as an 1997. Born in Ottumwa, associate at a law firm until his appointment. Iowa, he graduated from Judge Brandt is a member of the Polk County, Drake University with a Iowa State, and American Bar Associations, bachelor’s degree in 1984 the Iowa Judges Association, and the and earned his law degree American Judges. from the same institution in 1987. After graduation, Judge Brandt worked as a law clerk for the

Carol L. Coppola District Associate Judge Judge Coppola, Des practice for 21 years. While in private practice Moines, was appointed she served on many committees including to the bench in July the Client Security Commission, Polk County 2001. She received her Family Law Committee, and the Polk County bachelor’s degree from Grievance Committee. She is a member of Creighton University in the Iowa State Bar Association, the Polk 1973. She graduated with County Bar Association, and the Iowa Judges honors, Order of Coif, Association. from Drake University in 1980. Judge Coppola had been in private

18 District 5C Judges Carol S. Egly District Associate Judge Judge Egly, Polk City, While in private practice, she was a part-time was appointed to the magistrate and part-time hearing officer for bench in 1986. She the State of Iowa prior to her appointment. received her bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College in 1971 and her law degree from Drake University in 1974. She then served as assistant attorney general for the State of Iowa until 1977.

Becky Goettsch District Associate Judge Judge Goettsch, West Des Judge Goettsch was in private practice from Moines, was appointed as 1994-1998 and served as a Deputy District district associate judge Attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1998- in 2017. She received 2006. From 2006 until her appointment, she her undergraduate served as an Assistant Iowa Attorney General degree from Iowa State in the Area Prosecutions Division. She is a University and her member of the Polk County Bar Association, law degree from the Polk County Women Attorneys, and the Iowa University of Iowa. Prior Organization of Women Attorneys. She is to her appointment as married with four children. magistrate in 2012,

William A. Price District Associate Judge Judge Price, Ankeny, was most currently in general private practice. He appointed to the bench served in the Iowa National Guard from 1970 in July 2001. He received to 1976. Judge Price is a member of the Iowa his bachelor’s degree State Bar Association, and the Polk County from Drake University Bar Association. He is married and has two in 1970 and his law children. degree also from Drake University in 1972. Judge Price has worked as a trust officer, an assistant Polk County attorney and

19 District 5C Judges Rachael E. Seymour District Associate Judge Judge Seymour, Des honors from Drake University in 1999. Judge Moines, was appointed to Seymour represented both adults and children the bench in June, 2010. while working for the State Public Defender She was born in Madrid, from 1999 until her appointment to the Iowa and received her bench. She is a member of the American Bar bachelor’s degree from Association, the Iowa State Bar Association the University of Iowa and the Iowa Judges Association. She has in 1995. She earned served on the Juveniles Rule Committee since a Masters of Public her appointment in 2010. Judge Seymour and Administration and her husband have six children. Juris Doctorate with

District 6 Judges Andrew B. Chappell District Judge Judge Chappell, Iowa the University of Iowa College of Law in 1997. City, was appointed to Prior to being appointed, Judge Chappell was the bench on February in private practice in Iowa City from 1997- 10, 2017. He earned his 2000, and was an Assistant Johnson County Bachelor of Arts with Attorney in the Civil Division from 2000-2017. High Honors in Political Judge Chappell is a member of the Iowa State Theory and Constitutional Bar Association and the Johnson County Bar Democracies from James Association and served on the Iowa Supreme Madison College at Court Attorney Disciplinary Board and the Michigan State University ISBA Jury Instructions Committee prior to his in 1994 and his Juris appointment. He is married and has one child. Doctor with Honors from

Paul D. Miller District Judge Judge Miller, Iowa City, Iowa in 1976. He practiced law for 34 years was appointed to the in a variety of positions (Assistant County district court bench in Attorney, Public Defender, Assistant Iowa June 2010. He received Attorney General and in private practice). his bachelor’s degree Married with two children. with highest honors from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973. He received his law degree with distinction from the University of

20 District 6 Judges Mitchell E. Turner District Judge Judge Turner, Cedar years in private practice. Judge Turner is a Rapids, was appointed member of the Linn County Bar Association, to the district court the Iowa State Bar Association, and the Iowa bench in 2005. He Trial Lawyers Association. Judge Turner is attended the University of married and has two children and two step- Minnesota and received children. his bachelor’s degree in 1976. He earned his law degree from The University of Iowa in 1979. He has spent 26

Deborah Farmer Minot District Associate Judge Judge Minot, Iowa For 18 years prior to her appointment to the City, was appointed bench, Judge Minot served as an Assistant to the bench in 2010. Johnson County Attorney. In addition to her As a District Associate juvenile and criminal casework, she trained Judge for the Sixth law enforcement officers, social workers, and Judicial District, lawyers, and was active in legislative and Judge Minot presides policy initiatives. She was named “Professional over criminal, juvenile of the Year” by the Sixth Judicial District’s delinquency, child in CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) need of assistance, Program in 2002. Before moving to Iowa in and termination of 1991, Judge Minot practiced law in Baltimore parental rights cases. as a city prosecutor, an assistant attorney She is a member of the general, and a member of a private civil Iowa Judges Association and a fellow of the litigation firm. She was active in city and state Georgetown University Center for Juvenile bar associations and a member of the Civil Justice Reform. She has presented at national Service Commission. Judge Minot graduated conferences about local reforms in juvenile with honors from Wake Forest University and delinquency. Judge Minot co-chairs the Iowa the University of Virginia School of Law. Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Juvenile Procedure and has been a member Judge Minot is married and has 2 children. of the Juvenile Court Services Workload Formula Committee and the Supreme Court Senior Judge Task Force.

21 District 6 Judges Nicholas L. Scott District Associate Judge Judge Scott, Cedar County Attorney and as an Assistant Linn Rapids, was appointed County Attorney for 11 years. He is a member to the bench as a district of the Iowa State Bar Association and a associate judge on August member of the Iowa Judges Association. 31, 2016. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and his law degree from the University of Iowa in 2001. He served as an Assistant Jackson

District 7 Judges Mark D. Cleve District Judge Judge Cleve, Davenport, Attorney for Black Hawk County. He was in was appointed to the private practice in Davenport, from 1984- bench in 1998. He was 1998. Judge Cleve is a member of the Scott born in Davenport, County and Iowa Bar Associations, the Iowa Iowa. He received both Judges Association, and the Dillon Inn of his undergraduate and Court. Judge Cleve is married and has three law education from the children. University of Iowa. After graduating from law school in 1981, he served as Assistant County

Thomas G. Reidel District Judge Judge Reidel, Muscatine, 1992 to 2011. He served as Muscatine County was appointed to Magistrate from 2009 until his appointment the bench in 2011. to the district court bench. He is a past He received his recipient of the Iowa Golden Seal Award for his undergraduate degree dedication to ending domestic violence. He has from Iowa State a long history of being active in his community University in 1989 and and is past board member of multiple non- his law degree from the profit organizations and the past Chairman University of Iowa in 1992 of the Muscatine County Civil Service with High Distinction. Commission. He is a member of the Muscatine After graduation from County Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar law school, he was in Associations and the Iowa Judges Association. private practice, in Muscatine, Iowa, from He is married and has four children.

22 District 7 Judges Nancy S. Tabor District Judge

Judge Tabor was in 1986 from the University of Wyoming, appointed an associate College of Law. Judge Tabor served as juvenile judge in 1994 assistant city attorney in Cheyenne, Wyoming and named district court and as assistant Clinton county attorney. judge in 1999. Born She was in private practice from 1987-1989 in Morristown, New in Wyoming and later in Iowa until 1999. She Jersey, she earned her served on the Supreme Court Task Force for undergraduate degree Juvenile Court Improvement Project. She is a from William Paterson member of the Wyoming Bar Association, the College of New Jersey in Iowa Bar Association and an ISBA mediator. 1982 and her law degree She is married and has two children.

John D. Telleen District Judge Judge Telleen was in the private practice of law with the law firm appointed to the bench of Lane & Waterman LLP in Davenport. Judge in 2011. He received Telleen is married and has one child. his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Augustana College in 1990, and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1984. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he was engaged

Gary P. Strausser District Associate Judge of Journalism and Mass Communication at Judge Strausser was Drake University. After graduating from Law appointed to the bench School he served as an Assistant Clinton in 2005. He earned his County Attorney from 1992 to 2005 and was bachelor’s degree from First Assistant from 1999 until 2005. Judge Towson State University Strausser is married and has one son. and his Law Degree from Drake University Law School. He also earned his Master’s Degree from the School

23 District 8A Judges Crystal Cronk District Judge Judge Cronk, Sigourney, Van Buren County Attorney from 1996 to was appointed to the 1999 and as County Attorney from 1999 bench in November 2010. to 2006; and was appointed as Van Buren She attended Northeast County Judicial Magistrate from 2006 to Missouri State University 2010. She is a member of the Iowa State Bar and received her Doctor Association, Iowa Judges Association, the of Jurisprudence in 1996 District 8 Public Outreach Committee and was from the University of a prior commission member of the Grievance Missouri - Columbia. She Commission of the Supreme Court of Iowa and was in private practice served as a member of the Committee to study from 1996 to 2010, the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct. serving as Assistant

Lucy J. Gamon District Judge Judge Gamon, Ottumwa, firms in private practice until her appointment was appointed to the to the bench, and also served as a Bremer bench in 1993. She was County magistrate for two years. Judge born in Washington, Gamon became a district court judge in 2010. Iowa, and graduated She has served as a member of the Iowa from Cornell College Courts Improvement Project and as a faculty summa cum laude, Phi member for the New Judge School. She is a Beta Kappa, in 1979. member of the Eighth District Public Outreach In 1983, she graduated Committee, and regularly speaks to local civic from the University of groups. She is a member of the Iowa Judges Iowa College of Law with Association, the Iowa Bar Association, and high distinction. She the Wapello County Bar Association. Judge worked for three law Gamon is married with three children.

Myron Gookin District Judge Judge Gookin, Fairfield, Kuiken, Gookin & Cochran P.C. in Fairfield, was appointed to the Iowa from July 1983 until his appointment to bench in August of 2011. the bench. He is a member of the Iowa State Judge Gookin received Bar Association, Iowa Judge’s Association, his bachelor’s degree with Iowa Supreme Court Criminal Rules Advisory distinction from Iowa Committee, Iowa Supreme Court Client State University in 1980 Security Commission, Iowa Supreme Court and his Juris Doctorate CLE Commission (past), Iowa State Bar with Honors from The Association Jury Instruction Committee, and Law School at Drake on the board of directors of the 8th Judicial University in 1983. Judge District Department of Correctional Services. Gookin was in private He is married and has three children. practice with Foss,

24 District 8A Judges Shawn R. Showers District Judge Judge Showers, In law school, Judge Showers was active in Washington, was law clinic and elected Student Bar Association appointed to the bench President. After being admitted to the Iowa in November 2016. Judge Bar, Judge Showers worked as an assistant Showers was born in county attorney in Cerro Gordo County and Leon, Iowa, and grew up Washington County. He also worked as an on farms in Lucas and assistant public defender in Ottumwa before Wayne counties. He being elected Washington County Attorney in graduated from Mormon November 2014. Judge Showers is a member Trail Community High of the Washington County Bar Association, School in 2000 and Iowa Bar Association and the Iowa Judge’s the University of Iowa Association. Judge Showers and his wife, in 2004. He received his law degree from Megan, have two children. Washburn University School of Law in 2008.

Daniel P. Kitchen District Associate Judge

Judge Daniel P. Kitchen, moving to Washington in 1997. He was in Washington, was private practice in Washington and served appointed to the bench in as Washington County’s Judicial Magistrate 2017. He earned his law starting in 2003, until his appointment as a degree with distinction District Associate Judge. Judge Kitchen is from the University of a member of the Iowa State and Washington Iowa College of Law in County Bar Associations. Judge Kitchen lives December 1994. Judge with his family in Washington, Iowa. Kitchen was in private practice in Muscatine and Davenport before

District 8B Judges Mark Kruse District Judge

Judge Kruse, Burlington, and graduated in 1983. Judge Kruse served was appointed to the as Appanoose County attorney and assistant bench in February of Wapello County attorney. He also worked with 1997. He was born in Child Support Recovery from 1984 to 1987. He Little Rock, Iowa, and is a member of the Iowa Judges Association attended Morningside and the Iowa State Bar Association. Judge College, where he Kruse is married and has one child. received his bachelor’s degree in 1980. He then went to the University of Iowa for law school

25 District 8B Judges John M. Wright District Judge Judge Wright grew up in entered private practice in Fort Madison. He Fort Madison where he has worked for the Executive Office of the graduated in 1982. He United States Trustee and as an assistant Lee attended the University of County Attorney. Judge Wright and his wife, Iowa earning a Bachelor Christine, live in Fort Madison with their four of Arts degree in political children. science in 1986. Judge Wright received his Juris Doctorate degree from The Law School at Drake University in 1990 and

Jennifer Slocum Bailey District Associate Judge Judge Bailey, Burlington, graduating with distinction in 2005. After was appointed to the graduation, Judge Bailey entered private bench in 2016. She practice until 2007. She was an Assistant received her Bachelor’s County Attorney at the Des Moines County Degree from the Attorney’s office from 2007 until 2014. Judge University of Northern Bailey worked as an Assistant Public Defender Iowa, graduating summa in Burlington from 2014 to 2016, when she cum laude in 2002. She was selected as a District Associate Court received her Juris Doctor Judge. from the University of Iowa College of Law,

Ty Rogers District Associate Judge Judge Rogers, Burlington, University of Iowa College of Law in 2000. was appointed to the After being admitted to the Iowa Bar, Judge bench January, 2017. Rogers worked as First Assistant County He attended University Attorney in the Des Moines County Attorneys of Iowa College of Liberal Office from October, 2000 - January, 2017. In Arts, where he received 2012 Judge Rogers received the Iowa County his Bachelor of Arts Attorney’s Association Staff Attorney Award of Degree with Honors, Merit. majoring in sociology in 1997 and his Juris Doctorate from the

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