District 6     Chief Judge, Patrick R. Grady Judge Grady, Cedar Rapids, was appointed as a full-time juvenile referee in 1989, was appointed to the district court bench in 1995, and was named Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District in 2009.  He was born in Davenport, Iowa, and attended Creighton University, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1975.  After earning his law degree from the University of Iowa, he served as a state appellate defender, Linn County public defender, and practiced law with a firm.  Judge Grady has served on task forces in the areas of permanency planning and adoption.  He has been a continuing legal education instructor in the areas of ethics, criminal law and juvenile law. He has chaired the Linn County Magistrate Nominating Commission since 2003.  Most recently, he has co-chaired the joint IJA/ISBA task force on pro se litigation and the Supreme Court Pro Se Family Law Forms Committee.       District Court Judge, Nancy A. Baumgartner Judge Baumgartner, Cedar Rapids, served as a judicial magistrate in Johnson County from 1981-1983 and was appointed to the bench as a district associate judge in Linn County in 1995.  In 2006 she was appointed as a district court judge.  She earned her bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in 1975 and her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1979.  After graduation, she worked in private practice and then served as a public defender before her appointment to the bench.  She is a member of the Linn County and Iowa State Bar Associations, the National Association of Women Judges, and a founding and current member of the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys.  She is a current member of the Iowa Judges Association and one of its past presidents. She has also served on various committees in the Judicial Branch.   District Court Judge, Marsha M. Beckelman Judge Beckelman, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench in 2003.  She earned her bachelor's degree from Illinois State University in 1979 and her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1988.  She served as Assistant City Attorney for Hiawatha and Lisbon and was in private practice from 1988 until her appointment.  Judge Beckelman is a member of the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, the Linn County Bar Association, and has served on several judicial committees.  She is married with one child.    District Court Judge, Marsha Bergan Judge Bergan was appointed to serve Johnson County as a magistrate in 1988.  She was appointed to serve as a District Court Judge in 2007.  She earned her bachelor's degree from Luther College in 1973 and her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1977.  Judge Bergan served as Johnson County Magistrate for 18 years while in private practice in Iowa City for 25 years.  She also served as a substitute hospitalization referee.  Prior to private practice, she worked for Legal Services Corporation as a Reginald Heber Smith Fellow and later co-managing attorney of the Iowa City Legal Aid office.  In 2005 she received the Iowa Judicial Branch annual Meritorious Award for Part-time Judicial Officers.  She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, and the Johnson County Bar Association.  She is a master member of the Dean Mason Ladd American Inn of Court and a fellow in the Iowa State Bar Foundation. She served on the board of governors of the Iowa State Bar Association and on the board of directors of the Iowa Association of Magistrate Judges.  She held the office of president of the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys.  She served as vice-chair of the Iowa Board of Law Examiners.      District Court Judge, Fae Hoover-Grinde Judge Hoover-Grinde, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench as a district associate judge on December 9, 2003.  In 2004 she was appointed to the bench as a district court judge.  She was born in St. Ansgar, Iowa, and raised in Marion, Iowa.  She received her undergraduate degree from Cornell College in 1987 and her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1990.  Judge Hoover-Grinde has served as a public defender in Cedar Rapids and a Legal Service Corp. staff attorney. She is a member of the Linn County Bar Association and the National Association of Women Judges. She is a member of the Linn County Bar Association.   District Court Judge, Mary E. Chicchelly Judge Chicchelly, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench in March 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1989 and her law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1992. Prior to being appointed, Judge Chicchelly was a judicial clerk for District 2A. She worked in private practice in Fort Dodge from 1993-1995, in Waterloo from 1995-1997, and in Cedar Rapids from 1997 until her appointment to the bench. Judge Chicchelly is a member of the American Bar Association, Iowa State Bar Association, Linn County Bar Association, LCBA Board of Governors (2008-2010 and president-elect 2012-2013), and Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court (Master). She is married and has two children.   District Court Judge, Stephen B Jackson, Jr. Judge Jackson, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the district court bench on November 12, 2010.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1988 and his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1991, with distinction. Prior to being appointed, Judge Jackson worked in private practice with law firms in Chicago, Illinois, from 1991 to 1994 and in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from 1994 to 2010.  He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, Linn County Bar Association, and Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court.  Judge Jackson is married and has one child.    District Court Judge, Sean W. McPartland Judge McPartland, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the district court bench in 2008.  He received his undergraduate degree from The University of Iowa in 1981, with distinction, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Tau Alpha honor societies.  Judge McPartland received his law degree in 1984, with distinction, from the University of Iowa.  After graduation from law school, he worked in general practice with law firms in Kansas City, Missouri (1984-1989), and in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (1989-2008), before his appointment to the bench.  Judge McPartland is a member of the Iowa Judges Association, the Linn County Bar Association, the Iowa State and American Bar Associations, and Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court (Emeritus).  Judge McPartland also served on the Iowa Supreme Court's Civil Justice Reform Task Force.  District Court Judge, Paul D. Miller Judge Miller, Iowa City, was appointed to the district court bench in June of 2010.  He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973.  He received his J.D. in 1976.  Prior to his appointment, he spent many years in private practice.        District Court Judge, Douglas S. Russell Judge Douglas S. Russell was educated at Grinnell College and the University of Iowa College of Law. He is a U.S. Army veteran. He served as an Assistant Johnson County Attorney from 1978 through 1980 and was in the private practice of law from 1980 to 1999. He served as the first counsel to the Iowa City Police Citizens Review Board. He was appointed to the district court bench in 1999 and is the Assistant Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District. He is a member of the Johnson County Bar Association, the Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court, and the Iowa Judges Association. He is married and has four step-children. District Court Judge, Robert E. Sosalla Judge Sosalla, Marion, was appointed to bench as a district associate judge in 1982.  On October 30, 2003, he was appointed as a district court judge.  Born in Carrington, North Dakota, he earned his undergraduate degree from Wayne State College in Nebraska.  In 1972 he received his law degree from the University of Iowa Law School.  Judge Sosalla then worked at a law firm in Cedar Rapids until his appointment.  He is a member of the Iowa State and American Bar Associations.  Judge Sosalla also has served as secretary/treasurer of the Iowa Judges Association and has been a guest speaker at the National Judicial College.  Judge Sosalla is married and has four children.   District Court Judge, Ian K. Thornhill Judge Thornhill, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the district court bench September 25, 2009, and began his career as a district judge October 23, 2009. He received his B.B.A., from The University of Iowa in 1989.  In 1991 he received his M.B.A. from The University of Iowa, and in 1998 received his J.D. from The University of Iowa with High Distinction.  Previous Professional Experiences have included: Assistant United States Attorney (August 2002 to October 2009), United States Navy Reserve Attorney (August 2002 to Present) and United States Navy Active Duty Attorney (October 1998 to August 2002).  From November 2007 to May 2008, Judge Thornhill was recalled to active duty and deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Judge Thornhill is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, the Linn County Bar Association, and the Iowa Judges Association.   District Court Judge, Mitchell E. Turner Judge Turner, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the district court bench in 2005.  He attended the University of Minnesota and received his bachelor's degree in 1976. He earned his law degree from The University of Iowa in 1979.  He has spent 26 years in private practice.  Judge Turner is a member of the Linn County Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, and the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association.  Judge Turner is married and has two children and two step-children.      District Associate Judge, Stephen C. Gerard II Judge Gerard was appointed to the bench as a district associate judge in 1995. He is a native of Iowa City and received his bachelor's degree from Drake University in 1972.  He went to law school at the University of Iowa and graduated in 1975.  Judge Gerard then served with the U.S. Air Force as Judge Advocate until 1980.  Prior to his appointment, Judge Gerard was in private practice but also served as a judicial magistrate for Johnson County.  Judge Gerard is a member of the Johnson County and Iowa State Bar Associations. He is a fellow of the Iowa State Bar Foundation.     District Associate Judge, Casey D. Jones  Judge Jones, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench as a district associate judge in 2007.  He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell College in 1987 and his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1990.  Prior to being appointed, Judge Jones worked as a Federal Public Defender and was managing attorney at the Linn County Advocate for 15 years, after working in private practice.  He is a member of the Linn County Bar Association and is also a member of the Iowa Judges Association.  Judge Jones is married with three children.    District Associate Judge, Russell Glen Keast Judge Keast, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench as a district associate judge in 2006.  He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1982 and his law degree from Drake University in 1985.  He was in private practice after obtaining his law degree and served as Assistant Linn County Attorney from 1986 until 2006.  He is married and has two sons.    District Associate Judge, Barbara H. Liesveld         Judge Liesveld, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench as a district associate judge on August 30, 2006. She was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1977, with honors. She received her juris doctorate degree from the University of Iowa in 1987, with distinction. Following her graduation, Judge Liesveld clerked for Justice James H. Carter of the Iowa Supreme Court from 1987 to 1988. Judge Liesveld served as a part-time staff attorney with the Linn County Advocate Office from 1991 to 1994 representing indigent criminal defendants and indigent parents and children in juvenile court. She also served as a Linn County Magistrate from 1997 to 2006 while in private practice in Cedar Rapids for 19 years. Judge Liesveld is a member of the Iowa Judges Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, and the Linn County Bar Association. She held the office of president of the Linn County Bar Association and vice-president of the Iowa Magistrate Association. Judge Liesveld is married and has two children. District Associate Judge, Deborah Farmer Minot Judge Minot, Iowa City, was appointed to the bench as a district associate judge on April 30, 2010.  She earned her bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University in 1980.  After receiving her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1983, she served as Assistant State's Attorney for Baltimore City, Baltimore, MD.  She then went into private practice  from 1986-1990 before serving as Assistant Attorney General for the state of Maryland.  Since 1991 she has been an Assistant Johnson County Attorney.  Judge Minot is a member of the Iowa County Attorneys Association and served on the Iowa Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Juvenile Procedure.  Judge Minot is married and has 2 children.  District Associate Judge, Jane F. Spande Judge Jane Spande, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench as a district associate judge in 1985. She was born in Caledonia, Minnesota, and grew up in Mabel, Minnesota. She earned a bachelors of science (teaching) degree from Mankato State College, now Mankato State University, in 1972 and her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1977. She was an Assistant Linn County Attorney from 1977 to 1985.  From 1979 to 1985, she also maintained a private law practice.  Judge Spande is a member of the Iowa Bar Association and the Iowa Judges Association.  She remains actively involved in the Partnership for Safe Families in Cedar Rapids.  Judge Spande is married and has two children.       Associate Juvenile Judge, Susan Flaherty  Judge Flaherty, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench in 1995.  Born in Detroit, Michigan, she earned her bachelor's degree from Loras College in 1980. She then went to the University of Iowa where she received her law degree in 1983.  From 1984 to 1995, Judge Flaherty served at the Linn County Attorney's Office.  Senior Judge, Denver D. Dillard Judge Dillard, Mt. Vernon, was appointed to the bench in 2002. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Dakota in 1968.  In 1971 he received his law degree from the University of Iowa.  Judge Dillard retired from the district court bench in September of 2012 and is currently serving as a senior judge with t Sixth Judicial District.  He is married and has two children.       Senior Judge, Kristin L. Hibbs Judge Hibbs, Iowa City, was appointed to the bench in 1987. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1969, and her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1977. Judge Hibbs was an assistant Johnson County attorney from 1978 to 1980. From 1980 to 1987 she was in private practice and was also an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa College of Law teaching trial advocacy during this time. She served as a magistrate from 1981 to 1983 and conducted the annual training for Iowa county attorney legal interns form 1981 to 1987.  Judge Hibbs retired from the district court bench on January 21, 2010, and is currently serving as a senior judge with the Sixth Judicial District.  She is a member of the Iowa Judges Association, the Johnson County Bar Association, the American Judicature Society, and the National Association of Women Judges. Senior Judge, Thomas L. Koehler Judge Koehler, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the district court bench in 1979. He received his undergraduate education and law education from the University of Iowa.    Senior Judge, Sylvia A. Lewis Judge Lewis, North Liberty, was appointed to the bench in 1982.  She grew up in Marion, Iowa.  She earned her undergraduate degree from Coe College in 1971 and her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1974.  She was in practice with Legal Services of Iowa from 1974 until her appointment to the bench.  Judge Lewis has chaired the Supreme Court Committee of Juvenile Rules of Procedure and has served on the Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, the Council on Chemically Exposed Infants and Children, and the Juvenile Laws Committee.  She is a member of the Iowa Judges Association, the National Association of Women Judges, and the Johnson County Bar.  She is married.        Senior Judge, Michael J. Newmeister Judge Newmeister, formerly of Mt. Vernon, and now residing in Eagle River, Wisconsin, was appointed to the bench in March of 1987.  Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1973.  He then attended Pepperdine University in California where he received his law degree in 1976. After graduating, Judge Newmeister went into private practice for 11 years and served as director of the Linn County Advocate for three years. He is a past member of the Judicial Administration Committee of the Iowa State Bar Association and Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court.  He chaired the ICIS Steering Committee and the District Associate Judges Committee of the Iowa Judges Association.  He is currently assigned to the Iowa Court Information Systems where he is helping to implement the Iowa Electronic Data Management System. Judge Newmeister is married and has two children and two grandchildren.   Senior Judge, David M. Remley Judge Remley, Anamosa, was appointed to the district court bench in 1993 and named as chief judge of the Sixth Judicial District in 2001.  September 2009 Judge Remley retired and took Senior Judge status. Born in Anamosa, Iowa, he received his bachelor's degree from Lawrence University in 1966.  In 1969 he graduated from law school at the University of Iowa.  In addition to private practice, Judge Remley has served as Assistant Jones County Attorney and Jones County Attorney.  He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and a charter member of the Dean Mason Ladd Chapter of American Inn of Court, Master of the Bench.  He served on the Grievance Commission and the Probate Rules Committee of the Iowa Supreme Court.  He was co-chair of the Iowa Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Judicial Branch Redistricting.    Senior Judge, William L. Thomas Judge Thomas, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the district court bench in 1981.  He received his undergraduate education from the University of South Dakota and his law education from the University of Iowa.     Magistrate, Karen D. Egerton Magistrate Egerton, Coralville, was appointed to serve Johnson County in 2005.  She earned her undergraduate degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids in 1992 and her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1996.  She served as an Assistant Johnson County Attorney from 1996 through 2001 and has been in private practice since 2001. Magistrate Egerton is a member of the Johnson County Bar Association and the Iowa State Bar Association.  She is married with three children. Magistrate, Lynn Rose Magistrate Rose, Iowa City, was appointed to serve Johnson County in May 2012.  She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1989 with her bachelor's degree, in 1991 and 1995 with her master’s degrees in German and Urban & Regional Planning, and in 2004 with her law degree.  She is currently an attorney at the Mears Law Office in Iowa City. She previously worked as a writer and editor for the health colleges at the University of Iowa, as a prairie restoration specialist and grant administrator at Trees Forever, and as professional office staff for the Bergan & Weyer Law Office and the Mears Law Office.  Magistrate Rose is a member/recorder of the Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court, and a member of the Johnson County Bar Association, National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives, Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Bicyclists of Iowa City. Magistrate, Cynthia S. Finley  Magistrate Finley, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to serve Linn County in August 2007.  She earned her undergraduate degree from Clemson University in 1984 and her law degree from the University of Iowa, with high distinction.  She has worked with the Public Defender's Office, United Fire Group, and the Linn County Advocate Office. Magistrate, J.C. Fraker Magistrate J.C. Fraker was appointed to serve Benton County in 1988.     Magistrate, David E. Grinde Magistrate Grinde, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to serve Linn County in 2005.  He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1982 and his law degree from Drake in 1985. He was in private practice from 1985 through 1991 and in the State Public Defender's Office from 1991 to the present.  Magistrate Grinde is a member of the Linn County Bar Association. Magistrate, Marty Hagge  Magistrate Hagge, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to serve Linn County in 2005.  He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1987 with his bachelor's degree and in 1990 with his law degree.  He has been in private practice since that time in Anamosa and Cedar Rapids.  Magistrate Hagge is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, the Linn County Bar Association, and the Iowa Association of Magistrate Judges.    Magistrate, Ann Kuhter Magistrate Ann Kuhter was appointed to serve Tama County in 1997.     Magistrate, Robert J. Leinen  Magistrate Leinen was appointed to serve Iowa County in 1993.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in 1979 and graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1982. He has been in private practice in Marengo and North English since 1982. He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, the Iowa County Bar Association, and the Iowa State Magistrate's Association. Magistrate, Lorraine Machacek  Magistrate Machacek was appointed to serve Linn County in November 2006.  She graduated from Northwestern University in 1980 with a Bachelor Degree in Communication Studies.  She received her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1983.  She has been in private practice since 1983 and is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and Linn County Bar Association. Magistrate, Matt McQuillen Magistrate Matt McQuillen was appointed to serve Jones County in 2009. Magistrate, Robin L. O'Brien Licht  Magistrate O'Brien Licht, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to serve Linn County September 18, 2006.  She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1991.  She received her law degree from the University of Northern Ohio in 1995 and MBA from the University of Northern Iowa in 1999.  She previously worked with Legal Services Corporation of Iowa Staff Attorneys from 1995 through 1999 and Assistant City Attorney in Cedar Rapids from 1999 through 2006.  She has been a member of the Linn County Bar Association and Iowa Municipal Lawyers Association. Magistrate, James H. Martinek  Magistrate Martinek, Solon, was appointed to serve Johnson County on August 1, 2005.  He graduated from the University of Iowa with his bachelor's degree and his law degree. He has worked with legal aid, as an assistant county attorney, and in private practice since 1979. He is married with two children. Magistrate, Anders J. Norgaard Magistrate Norgaard, Belle Plaine, was appointed to serve Benton County starting in June 2001.  He received his undergraduate degree in 1966 and his law degree in 1976, both from the University of Iowa.  Magistrate Norgaard was a commissioned officer with the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1988 and a Judicial Magistrate for Benton County from 1982 to 1997.  He is presently in private practice in Belle Plaine.  He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, and the Benton County Bar Association.  He is married and has four children. Magistrate, Kandyce J. Smolik  Magistrate Smolik was appointed to serve Iowa County on August 1, 2009.  She received her B.A. from the University of Iowa in 2000 and her graduate degree from Vermont Law School in 2003. Magistrate, L. Jay Stein  Magistrate Stein was appointed to serve Johnson County on August 1, 2009.  He received his BA and MA from the University of Iowa in 1969 and 1972. He obtained his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1977, with distinction, and has been in private practice since June of 1977.  He has also been a Judicial Magistrate from 1980-1983, Judicial Hospitalization Referee 1986-2000, and 2007-2009.  Magistrate Stein is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and the Iowa Magistrate's Association.  He is married and has two children. Magistrate, Nick Strittmatter Magistrate Strittmatter was appointed to serve Jones County on August 1, 2009.  He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with his bachelor's degree in 1975.  He obtained his law degree from Iowa College of Law in 1978. Magistrate Strittmatter has been an attorney since June of 1978.  He is a member of the Jones County and Iowa Bar Association.  Magistrate, Rich Vander Mey Magistrate Rich Vander Mey was appointed to serve Tama County in 2009.