Judges and Magistrates

Judge Kester was appointed to the district court in July of 2017. She earned her bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in 1994, and her law degree from Drake University School of Law in 1998. Judge Kester was an Assistant Public Defender, in private practice for six years, the Assistant...

Judge Rosenbladt was appointed as a District Associate Judge in October 2008, and as a District Judge in August 2012. He earned his AA degree from Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa in 1982, his BA degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa in 1984, and his law degree from...

Judge Currie was appointed to the bench in 2018. She earned her undergraduate degree from Augustana College in 2000 and her law degree from Drake University Law School in 2003. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Currie was a Law Clerk for the Honorable Linda R. Reade, U.S....

Judge Davenport, Mason City, was appointed to the bench in October of 2010. He earned his undergraduate degree from Drake University in 1982 and his law degree, with Distinction, from the University of Iowa in 1985. Judge Davenport was a Law Clerk for the Second Judicial District from 1985-1986 and...

Judge Doyle was appointed to the bench in 2011 as district associate judge. In 2018, she was appointed as district court judge. She earned her undergraduate degree from Creighton University in 1982, graduating Summa cum laude, and her law degree from Creighton University School of Law in 1984, graduating Magna...

Judge Flynn was appointed to the district court bench in July 2020. He received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Iowa in 2004 and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 2007. Prior to his appointment, Judge Flynn practiced law as a shareholder with...

Judge Foy was appointed to the bench in December of 2007. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Northern Iowa in 1984. He graduated with High Distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1987. Judge Foy practiced law in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1987...

Judge Haney was appointed to the District Court bench in May of 2014. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised in Marshalltown. He received an AA degree with honors Marshalltown Community College in 1991; BA degree with honors from Grinnell College honors in 1993; and his law degree from...

Judge Johnson was appointed to the Iowa District Court in January 2020. He received his undergraduate degree in Business from Buena Vista University in 1996 and his Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in 1999. Prior to his appointment, Judge Johnson worked as an associate attorney for Blake Parker...

Judge Milder, covering Bremer, Butler, and Franklin Counties, was appointed to the bench in 2024. He earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Northern Iowa, as an economics major. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2002. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he...

Judge Miller was appointed to the bench in March 2021. She received her undergraduate degree from Augustana College in 1993 and her law degree from Drake University in 1996. Prior to her appointment, she worked as an assistant public defender from 1996 to 2002 and as the Marshall County Attorney...

Judge Moore was appointed to the district court in April 2019. She graduated from Iowa State University in 1999 and earned her law degree from Creighton University in 2002. Prior to her appointment, Judge Moore was a trial attorney with the Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho and was...

Judge Norman was appointed to the bench in January 2023. He earned his undergraduate degree from University of Northern Iowa in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. In 2012, he earned his law degree from Drake University Law School, graduating with High Honors. Judge Norman served as...

Judge Polking was appointed to the bench in 2019. He earned his undergraduate degree from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts in 1994, and his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 2001. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Polking was in private practice and also served as...

Judge Schroeder was appointed to the district bench in May of 2012. Judge Schroeder graduated from the University of Iowa in 1991 and earned her law degree from the University of South Dakota in 1994. Judge Schroeder practiced law in private practice until her appointment to the district bench and...

Judge Sparks was appointed to the bench in 2023. She earned her undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University in 2007. She earned her master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Northern Iowa in 2011 and her law degree from Drake University Law School in 2013. Prior to her...

Judge Stoebe was appointed as a District Associate Judge in July 2006, and then appointed to the Iowa District Court in February 2011. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Dakota in 1977 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1980....

Judge Weiland was appointed to the bench in 2007. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1991 and graduated with distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1994. Judge Weiland previously engaged in the private practice of law in Mason City and instructed...

Judge Austin was appointed was appointed as a District Associate Judge in November 2022. She received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University, and her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. Prior to her appointment, Judge Austin worked as an Assistant County Attorney in Marshall County.

Judge Batey was appointed as a District Associate Judge in December 2022. She has a bachelor’s degree in Ethics and Public Policy from the University of Iowa. Judge Batey earned her law degree from Drake University Law School in 2015, where she graduated with high honors. After passing the bar,...

Judge Becker was appointed to the bench on February 11, 2022. Judge Becker graduated summa cum laude from Clarke University in 2011 and earned his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2014. Prior to his appointment, he worked as an Assistant Webster County Attorney from...

Judge Beisch was appointed to the bench in 2023. She earned her undergraduate degree from Drake University in 2013 and her law degree from Drake University Law School in 2016. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Beisch was in private practice at Wild, Baxter & Sand, P.C. in...

Judge Crawford was appointed as a District Associate Judge in January 2016. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Creighton University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communications and from the University of Iowa School College of Law in 1984. From 1984 to 1986 Judge Crawford was an...

Judge Joseph B. McCarville works primarily in Calhoun, Carroll, Greene, and Sac Counties. He was appointed to the bench in 2017. In 1985, he earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University. In 1989, he graduated from Iowa Law School with his Juris Doctorate Degree. He worked in private practice...

Judge Newell was appointed to the bench in 1995. Born in Yale, Michigan, he received his bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in 1984. He attended Drake University Law School and graduated in 1987. Judge Newell is a member of the 2A and Iowa State Bar Associations.

Judge Owen is an Iowa native, Army veteran, husband, and father. After active duty service in the United States Army, he earned a BS from ISU and JD from Drake. Prior to his appointment as a judge, he practiced extensively in criminal and civil law from offices in central Iowa....

Judge Karen Kaufman Salic was appointed to the bench in 2013. She earned her undergraduate degree from Buena Vista College in 1998) and her law degree from Southern Methodist University in 1998. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Salic was in private practice in Clear Lake from 1998...

Judge Sauer was appointed as a District Associate Judge effective February 23, 2018. He received his Business Administration degree from Grand View College in 2004 and his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 2008. After receiving his law degree, Judge Sauer was in private practice until 2008....

Judge Thorpe was appointed to the bench in 2023. He earned his undergraduate degree from Central College in 2016 and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 2019 where he served as the Researcher Editor of the Drake Law Review. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge...

Judge Tofilon was appointed to the bench in 2019. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 2002 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2005. Judge Tofilon served as an assistant county attorney and worked in private practice. He is...

Judge Bice was appointed to the bench in 2008. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1969 and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1972. Judge Bice was in private practice for thirty-six years prior to his appointment to the bench. He is...

Chief Judge Drew was appointed to the bench in February of 1999. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University in 1982 and his law degree from the University of Iowa (With Distinction) in 1985. Judge Drew was in private practice from 1986 -...

Judge Ellefson was appointed to the bench in February of 2012. He earned his Bachelor's degree From Wartburg in 1974 and graduated with Honors from Drake Law School in 1977. Judge Ellefson Clerked for Robert G. Allbee, Chief Judge of the Iowa Court of Appeals (1977 - 1978) and Justice...

Judge McGlynn was appointed to the district court bench in November 2012. He served as an Associate Juvenile Court Judge from September 1999 until his appointment as a District Court Judge. Judge McGlynn earned his undergraduate degree from Drake University in 1972. He graduated from Creighton University School of Law...

Judge Wilke was appointed to the bench in 1992. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota in 1970, and his law degree from the University of North Dakota in 1974. Judge Wilke was in private practice in Fort Dodge from 1974 until his appointment to the bench...

Magistrate Timothy A. Casperson was appointed to serve in Winnebago County in December of 2013. He previously served as the Magistrate in Hancock County for six years. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1990 and his law degree from the University of Iowa in...

Magistrate Neven Conrad, was appointed to serve Humboldt County in 2022. He earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa Central Community College and the University of Northern Iowa and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 2013. Magistrate Conrad remains in private practice as well.

Magistrate Leslie A. Dalen was appointed to serve Hancock County in 2018. She earned her undergraduate degree from Miami University in 1990 and her law degree from Drake University Law School in 1993. She worked as an assistant public defender from 1993 to 2013 and served as a Floyd County...

Magistrate Paul W. Demro was appointed to serve Butler County in 2023. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1983 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1988. Magistrate Demro practiced law in Waterloo, Iowa, with Clark, Butler, Walsh...

Magistrate Deppe was appointed to the bench in July 2019. He received his Bachelor's of Finance from Iowa State University in 1994, and his law degree, J.D., from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2002. He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and Hamilton County Bar...

Magistrate Eisentrager was appointed to serve Wright County in 2013. She earned her bachelor's degree from Buena Vista University in 2003 and her law degree from the Drake University Law School in 2006, graduating with High Honors. Eisentrager has been in private practice since 2006 and was the Eagle Grove...

Magistrate Ethan Epley was appointed to serve Bremer County in 2017. He earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 2002 and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 2009. Magistrate Epley started his career as a solo practitioner in Shell Rock Iowa. He became a partner...

Magistrate Katherine Evans, Cerro Gordo County, was appointed to the bench on July 24, 2018. She graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1990 and received her law degree from Drake Law School in 1993. She previously worked at the Office of the Public Defender and Iowa Legal Aid....

Magistrate Habhab was appointed to serve Webster County in June of 2012. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1977, and his law degree from Drake University in 1980. He was a former Assistant County Attorney and has been in private practice since 1980. Magistrate Habhab...

Magistrate Tom Hillers was appointed to serve Marshall County in 2024. He earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 2003 and his law degree from Valparaiso University in 2007. Magistrate Hillers has been in private practice since 2007, with the exception that he served as assistant general counsel...

Magistrate Stephen Kersten, Fort Dodge, was appointed to serve Webster County in 1992. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in 1975, his Master of Science degree from the University of Iowa in 1977, and his Juris Doctorate degree from Drake University Law School...

Magistrate Douglas A. Krull was appointed to serve Worth County in 2005. He earned his undergraduate degree from Upper Iowa University in 1981 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1984. Magistrate Krull previously served as Worth County Attorney and is in private practice...

Magistrate Livingston was appointed to the bench in December 2020. She received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 1995 and her law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1998. Previously Magistrate Livingston worked as the assistant county attorney for Story and Boone County from...

Magistrate Nicholas T. Larson was appointed to serve Mitchell County in June of 2012. He received his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University and his law degree from the University of Iowa Law School in 2007. He served as an Assistant County Attorney from 2007-2010, and is currently in private...

Magistrate Ben C.C. Meyer was appointed to serve Pocahontas County in 2017. He earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 2011 and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2014. Magistrate Ben Meyer has previously served as Assistant County Attorney in Pocahontas and Calhoun Counties...

Magistrate William Morrison, Mason City, was appointed to serve Cerro Gordo County in 2024. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1986 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1989. Magistrate Morrison has been in private practice in Mason City...

Magistrate Jessica L. Morton was appointed to the bench in September 2019. She received her undergraduate degree from Cornell College in 2009, her Masters of English from Western Ilinois University in 2011, and her law degree from the University of Iowa in 2014. Her past experience includes private practice in...

Magistrate A. Eric Neu, Carroll, was appointed to serve Carroll County in 1999. He received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in 1989 and his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1993. He served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice David Harris from 1993 to 1994....

Magistrate O'Hare, Marshalltown, was appointed to serve Marshall County on September 2000. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell College in 1977 and his J.D. from the University of Iowa in 1982. He has been in private practice since July 1982. He is a member of the Iowa State Bar...

Magistrate Nellie O’Mara was appointed to serve Franklin County in 2024. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa in 2000 and her law degree from Drake University Law School in 2011. She served in the Mason City Public Defenders Office from 2013 through 2019 and has been...

Magistrate Stubbs was appointed to serve Calhoun County in 2018. She received her undergraduate degree from University of Iowa in 1994 and her law degree from Creighton University School of Law in 1997. She served as Assistant Webster County Attorney from 1998-2009 and Webster County Attorney from 2009-2013. She served...

Magistrate Merrill C. Swartz, Marshalltown, was appointed to serve Marshall County in July 2018. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Morningside College in 1992 and his law degree from the University of Iowa Law school in 1995. Magistrate Swartz has been in private practice since 1995.

Magistrate Karen Thalacker Magistrate Thalacker was appointed to serve Bremer County in August of 2009. She graduated from Wartburg College in 1988, and received her law degree from Drake University Law School. She served as an Assistant County Attorney in Black Hawk County from 1991 - 1994, was in private...

Magistrate Ann M. Troge was re-appointed to serve as Floyd County Magistrate in 2024 after serving as Magistrate from 1994-2013. She earned her undergraduate degree in 1985 from the University of Northern Iowa and her law degree from Drake University Law School in 1992. Magistrate Troge has been in a...

Magistrate Kimberly Voss-Orr was appointed to serve Story County in 2021. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1996 and her law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 2005. Magistrate Voss-Orr served as a judicial law clerk in both the Seventh...

Magistrate Ronald J. Wagenaar, Mason City, was appointed to serve Cerro Gordo County in September 2007. He earned his bachelor's degree from Northwestern College, Orange City, in 1981 and his law degree from the University of Washington Law School, Seattle Washington, in 1984. Magistrate Wagenaar was a staff attorney for...

Magistrate Arach Wilson (pronounced Arch) was appointed to serve Boone County in 2024. He earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Iowa in 2004 and his law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2007. Magistrate Wilson was previously employed as an Assistant State Attorney in Polk County,...

Magistrate Jennie L. Wilson-Moore was appointed to serve Hardin County in 2021. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1999 and her law degree from Drake University Law School in 2002. Magistrate Wilson-Moore has been in private practice since 2002 and the owner of Wilson Law...