District 6  

Chief Judge, Patrick R. Grady: District 6  

Judge Grady, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench in 1995 and named as chief judge of the sixth judicial district in 2009. Born in Davenport, Iowa, he 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. In 1989 he began serving as a juvenile referee. 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: District 6  

Judge Baumgartner, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench in 1995. October 5, 2006 Judge Baumgartner was appointed as a District Court Judge.   She was born in Homewood, Illinois, then earned her bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in 1975. After receiving her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1979, Judge Baumgartner served as supervising attorney at Student Legal Services at the University of Iowa until 1981. She then went into private practice while serving as a judicial magistrate for Johnson County. From 1983 until 1995, Judge Baumgartner was an assistant state public defender in Linn County. 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 the immediate past president of the Iowa Judges Association. She has served on various judicial committees and is currently a member of the Limited Jurisdiction Task Force.  

District Court Judge, Marsha Beckelman: District 6  

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 1999 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: District 6 Judge Marsha 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, Denver D. Dillard: District 6   

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 is married and has two children.    

 District Court Judge, Kristin Hibbs: District 6  

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. 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.  

District Court Judge, Fae Hoover-Grinde  

Judge Hoover-Grinde, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench on December 9, 2003. January 2, 2004 took the bench as a District Court Judge. 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, Sean W. McPartland 

Judge McPartland, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench on October 4, 2009.  He received his undergraduate degree from The University of Iowa (B.A., 1981) with distinction; inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, and Kappa Tau Alpha honor societies.  He received his J.D. in 1984 with distinction from The University of Iowa.  Judge McPartlands previous professional experience consisted of general practice with private law firms in Kansas City, Missouri (1984-1989) and in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (1989-2009).  He is a member of: Linn County Bar Association, Iowa State and American Bar Associations and Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court (master). 

District Court Judge, Douglas S. Russell: District 6  

Judge Russell, Iowa City, was appointed to the bench in February of 1999. He received his bachelor's degree from Grinnell College in 1971 and his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1978. He served in the United States Army. He was an assistant Johnson County attorney from 1978 to 1980 and in private practice from 1980 to 1999. He is a member of the Iowa Judges Association.   

District Court Judge, Robert E. Sosalla: District 6  

Judge Sosalla, Marion, was appointed to the bench in 1982. 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: District 6  

Judge Thornhill, Cedar Rapids, was appointed 25, September 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), United States Navy Active Duty Attorney (October 1998 to August 2002), and The University of Iowa College of Business Introduction to Law Instructor (August 1996 to July 1998).  Ian Thornhill is also a member of: The Iowa State Bar Association, The Linn County Bar Association, and The Linn County Bar Association Board of Governors. 

 District Court Judge Mitchell E. Turner: District 6  

Judge Turner, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the 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: District 6  

Judge Gerard was appointed to the bench 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 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, Jones worked as a Federal Public Defender. Before that, Jones was the managing attorney at the Linn County Advocate for 15 years after working in private practice. Judge Jones 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: District 6  

Judge Keast, Palo, was appointed to the bench in 2006. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1982 and his law degree from Drake University in 1985. Judge Keast served as assistant Linn county attorney from 1986 until 2006. He also was in private practice until his appointment to the bench. He is married and has two sons.  

 District Associate Judge, Sylvia A. Lewis: District 6  

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.    

District Associate Judge, Barbara H. Liesveld: District 6        
Judge Barbara Liesveld, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench on August 30, 2006. She was born in Cedar Rapids, IA. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1977. After receiving her law degree from the University of Iowa with distinction in 1987, Judge Liesveld clerked for Justice James H. Carter of the Iowa Supreme Court. Following her clerkship, she then went into private practice and was a Linn County Magistrate for nine and a half years. Early in her law career she served as a part-time staff attorney with the Linn County Advocate Office. Judge Liesveld has held offices in the Iowa State Magistrate Association and the Linn County Bar Association. She is a member of the Linn County and Iowa State Bar Associations.  

District Associate Judge, Jane F. Spande: District 6  

Judge Jane Spande, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench 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: District 6  

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, Larry Conmey  

 Judge Conmey was appointed to the bench December 1980. He retired and took Senior Judge status January 1, 2004.  

Senior Judge, William Eads: District 6  

Judge Eads, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench in 1963. He was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and went to school at the University of Iowa. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1951 and his law degree in 1957. He also served in the United States Army. He then practiced law with a private firm and served as assistant city attorney in Cedar Rapids. Judge Eads has been the president of the Iowa Judges Association and has served on the Judicial Education Committee. He is married and has two daughters, four granddaughters.  

Senior Judge, Thomas M. Horan: District 6  

Judge Horan, Marion, was appointed to the bench in 1979. October 4, 2006 Judge Horan retired and took Senior Judge status.   He was born in Fayette County and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 to 1955. Judge Horan earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1960 and his law degree from the same institution in 1963. He then worked as an attorney with a private firm in Marion, Iowa, and as assistant Linn County attorney. Judge Horan is a member of the Linn County, Iowa State, and American Bar Associations. He served on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Judges Association as well. He is married with four children.   

Senior Judge, Thomas Koehler: District 6   

Judge Koehler, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench in 1979. He received his undergraduate education and law education from the University of Iowa.   

 Senior Judge, Michael J. Newmeister: District 6  

Judge Newmeister, Mt.Vernon, 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 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. Judge Newmeister is married and has two children.  

Senior Judge, David Remley: District 6  

Judge Remley, Anamosa, was appointed to the 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 Thomas: District 6   

Judge Thomas, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the 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 Karen D. 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 assistant for Johnson County Attorney from 1996-2001 and in private practice since 2001. Egerton is a member of the Johnson County Bar Association and the Iowa State Bar Association. She is married with three children.  

 Magistrate Cynthia S. Finley  

Magistrate Cynthia S. Finley, was appointed to serve Linn County in August 2007. She graduated 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 Bruce D. Goddard  

Magistrate Bruce D. Goddard, North Liberty, was appointed to serve Johnson County in 1983. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1968 and his law degree in 1980. He served in the United States Army, was a teacher, and is currently the city attorney for West Branch. Goddard is a member of the Municipal Attorneys Association, Iowa Association of Magistrate Judges, and the Johnson County and Iowa State Bar Associations. He is married with two children.   

Magistrate David E. Grinde  

Magistrate David E. 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 defenders office from 1991 to the present. Grinde is a member of the Linn County Bar Association.  

Magistrate Marty Hagge  

Magistrate Marty Hagge, 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. 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 Robert J. Leinen was appointed to serve Iowa County in 1993.   

Magistrate Lorraine Machacek  

Magistrate Lorraine 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 Iowa State Bar Association and Linn County Bar Association.  

Magistrate Robin L. O'Brien Licht  

Magistrate Robin L. O'Brien Licht was appointed to serve Linn County September 18, 2006. She graduated from University Of Iowa in 1991. She received her law degree from the University of Northern Ohio in 1995 and MBA from University of Northern Iowa in 1999. She previously worked with Legal Services Corporation of Iowa Staff Attorneys from 1995-1999, and Assistant City Attorney in Cedar Rapids from 1999-2006. She has been a member of the Linn County Bar Association and Iowa Municipal Lawyers Association.  

Magistrate James H. Martinek   

Magistrate James H. 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 Anders J. 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. 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. Norgaard is married and has four children.

Magistrate Robert Shimanek   

Magistrate Robert Shimanek, Monticello, was appointed to serve Jones County in 1997. He earned his undergraduate degree from Loras College in 1965 and his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1968. He served in the United States Army, Military Intelligence, and practices law with a private firm in Monticello. Shimanek is married with three children.   

Magistrate Kandyce J Smolik  

Magistrate Kandyce J. Smolik was appointed to serve Iowa County on august 1, 2009. She received her B.A. from the University of Iowa in 2000. She received her graduate degree from Vermont Law School in 2003  

Magistrate L. Jay Stein  

Magistrate L. Jay 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. L. Jay Stein is also a member of the Iowa State Bar Association. He is married and has two children.  

Magistrate Nick Strittmatter  

Magistrate Nick Strittmatter, was appointed to serve Jones County on August 1, 2009. He graduated from University of Notre Dame with his bachelor's degree in 1975. He obtained his law degree from Iowa College of Law in 1978. Nick Strittmatter has been an attorney since June of 1978. He is a member of the Jones County and Iowa Bar Association.