Justice Wiggins, West Des Moines, was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2003.
Justice Wiggins, who was born in Chicago, earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago in 1973. He graduated with honors and Order of the Coif from Drake University Law School in 1976. While in law school he served as associate editor of the law review. Justice Wiggins began his legal career as an associate in the West Des Moines law firm of Williams, Hart, Lavorato & Kirtley. He became a partner in the firm in 1979.
Prior to joining the court, Justice Wiggins was active in numerous bar organizations including serving on the Board of Governors of the Iowa State Bar Association, and serving as president of the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, senior counsel for the American College of Barristers, master emeritus of the C. Edwin Moore American Inn of Court, a founding sponsor of the Civil Justice Foundation, and an advocate for the American Board of Trial Advocates. He served as chairperson of the Judicial Qualifications Commission from 2000 until he joined the supreme court. He received the Meritorious Achievement Award from the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association in 1999.
Justice Wiggins is married with three children and four grandchildren. His current term expires December 31, 2020.