Iowa Access to Justice Commission
On June 27, 2016, the Iowa Supreme Court, upon recommendation of The Iowa State Bar Association, established the Iowa Access to Justice Commission to find solutions that will best serve Iowans who may encounter barriers to or difficulties with fully accessing Iowa's civil justice system.
The Iowa Access to Justice Commission serves Iowans by promoting and advancing innovative strategies for ensuring equal access to justice.
To view annual reports from the Iowa Access to Justice Commission, visit our Reports page.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to view Iowa Supreme Court orders establishing the Commission and appointing members to the Commission.
| Commission Members | Term |
|---|---|
| Susan Barta, Sioux City | 9/30/24 |
| Paul Berchenbriter, Cedar Rapids | 9/30/26 |
| Maria Brownell, Des Moines | 9/30/25 |
| Timothy Eckley, Ex Officio, Allen Township | |
| Kristin Esche, Johnston | 9/30/24 |
| Anthony Farrell, Des Moines | 9/30/24 |
| Katie Hall, Ames | 9/30/24 |
| Kim Hess, Clinton | 9/30/24 |
| Kristi Holzer, Norwalk | 9/30/24 |
| Brynne Howard, Des Moines | 9/30/25 |
| Erin Lane, Des Moines | 9/30/24 |
| Daniel Mart, Keokuk | 9/30/24 |
| Matthew McDermont, Justice, W. Des Moines, Chair | |
| Stephen Owen, Judge, Nevada | |
| 9/30/25 | |
| Kevin Patrick, Des Moines | 9/30/25 |
| Angela Reier, Muscatine | 9/30/24 |
| Dustria Relph, Judge, Corydon | 9/30/25 |
| Melvin Shaw, Iowa City | 9/30/24 |
| Carrie Slagle, Cedar Rapids | 9/30/25 |
| Chantelle Smith, Des Moines | 9/30/24 |
| Megan Srinivas | 9/30/25 |
| Jennifer Tibbetts, Marion | 9/30/24 |
| Elizabeth Van Arkel, Des Moines | 9/30/24 |
| Carissa Vogel, Iowa City | 9/30/25 |
| Michael Wells, Hamburg | 9/30/24 |
| Shelley Whitcher, Council Bluffs, Vice-Chair | 9/30/25 |
| Melissa Cano-Zelaya, Des Moines | 9/30/25 |
Order Appointing Members to the Iowa Access to Justice Commission (October 19, 2022)
Order Appointing Chair of the Iowa Access to Justice Commission (September 21, 2022)
Order Appointing Member to the Iowa Access to Justice Commission (November 8, 2021)
Order Appointing Members to the Iowa Access to Justice Commission (October 13, 2021)
Order Appointing Members to the Iowa Access to Justice Commission (October 3, 2018)
Order Appointing Member to the Iowa Access to Justice Commission (October 19, 2016)
Order Appointing Members to the Iowa Access to Justice Commission (September 22, 2016)
Order Establishing the Iowa Access to Justice Commission (June 27, 2016)