Judges and Magistrates

Chief Judge Michael D. Huppert was appointed to the bench in December of 1999. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1979 from Drake University and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1982, where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif. Prior to his appointment to...

Judge Scott J. Beattie was appointed to the bench in 2018. He received his bachelor's degree from Cedarville College in 1989 and his law degree with honors from Drake University in 1992. Before taking the bench, Judge Beattie served on active duty with the United States Navy Judge Advocate General's...

Judge Sarah E. Crane was appointed as a District Court Judge in the Fifth Judicial District, based in Des Moines, Iowa, in June 2018. Judge Crane was also appointed as a member of the Iowa Business Specialty Court in November 2019. She grew up in Mason City, Iowa. She received...

Judge Farrell, Urbandale, was appointed to the bench in 2013. He was born in Fort Dodge and also lived in Lytton before moving to Carroll and graduating from Carroll High School. He received his BA in 1986 and JD in 1989, both from the University of Iowa. He was a...

Judge Gogerty was appointed to the bench in November 2018. She received her Bachelor's degree from Drake University in 1992, and her J.D. from the University of Iowa in 1995 with Distinction. Her past experience includes working as the Assistant Linn County Attorney fro 195-2000, and the Assistant Polk County...

Judge Greenwood, Lamoni, was appointed to the district court bench in February of 2016. He received his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 1992 and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1998. Prior to his appointment to the district court bench, he was a judicial magistrate...

Judge Gronewald was appointed to the bench in December 2017. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 2000 and her law degree from Drake University Law School in 2003. Judge Gronewald was in private practice before her appointment

Judge Hanson, West Des Moines, was appointed to the bench in 2003. He was born and raised in Jefferson, Iowa. He received his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University in 1978 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1981. He was a law clerk for...

Judge Hefner, Adel, was appointed to the bench in 2010. He received his undergraduate at the University of Northern Iowa in 1975. He attended Drake University where he received his law degree in 1978. Judge Hefner worked in private practice from 1978 - 2010. He is a member of the...

Judge Jacobsen was appointed to the bench in June 2018. He received his bachelor's degree in political science from South Dakota State University in 1990 and his Juris Doctorate from Drake in 1993. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Jacobsen was in private practice for Diehl, Clayton &...

Judge Kelly, was appointed to the bench in October of 2015. He received his undergraduate degree from Brown University in 1986 and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1999. Judge Kelly has spent 16 years in private practice. He is a member of the Iowa State Bar...

Judge Lauber, West Des Moines, was appointed to the district court bench in December 2016. She attended Drake University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in 2000 and her law degree in 2003. Judge Lauber was in private practice from 2003–2011. She was Assistant Public Defender from 2011–2015. Judge Lauber...

Judge McAllister was appointed to the bench in April 2019. He received his undergraduate degree in History from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1990 and his J.D. from the University of Missouri Law School in 1993. Before his appointment to the bench he worked as the Judicial Law Clerk Fifth...

Judge McCall, Newton, was appointed to the bench in 2010. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1976 and his law degree, with honors, from Drake University Law School in 1978. Prior to taking the bench, he was in private practice, specializing in litigation and trial...

Judge McLellan was appointed to the bench in 2012. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979 from Drake University. He received his law degree from Drake University in 1983. In 2006 he earned a masters in law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in dispute resolution. Upon graduation...

Judge Mertz, Knoxville, was appointed to the bench in February 2002. She received her undergraduate degree from Northeast Missouri State University in 1974, and she graduated with honors from Drake University Law School in 1982. Judge Mertz is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and the American Bar...

Judge Murphy was appointed to the bench in 2017. In 1985, Judge Murphy received his undergraduate degree as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Marquette University. Judge Murphy then served four years on active duty in the United States Army. In 1992, he received his law degree with Honors from Drake...

Judge Nelmark was appointed to the bench in 2019. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Drake University in 1999 and his law degree from Stanford Law School in 2005. His past experience includes working for Gislason & Hunter LLP and Belin McCormick, PC. He is a past president...

Judge Porter was appointed to the District Court bench in October 2015. He received dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Maryland at College Park, one in English/Communications, and the second in Criminology/ Criminal Justice. Judge Porter earned his law degree from Drake University Law School in 2004,...

Judge Relph, Corydon, was appointed to the bench in 2014. She graduated from Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in 1988, Mercy College of Health Sciences in 2003, and Drake University Law School in 2006. Before her appointment, Judge Relph was in private practice with the Chambers & Relph Law Firm,...

Judge Reynoldson was appointed to the bench in July 2019. She received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 1989, graduating with honors, and her JD with Distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law. Her past experience includes a private practice in Osceola from 1992-2002 and 2013-2019....

Judge Terry Rickers, Newton, was appointed as a District Court Judge in October 20 IO after serving as a Magistrate in Jasper County since 2005. He received his undergraduate degree from lowa State University in 1983. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earned his law degree in 1986. After...

Judge Ritchie was appointed to the bench in September 2021. She received her undergraduate degree from Bethel College in 1992 and her J.D. from Drake University Law School in 1998. Prior to her appointment, she worked as a contract specialist for Principal Financial group in 1999, a court of appeals...

Judge Rosenberg, Des Moines, was appointed to the bench in January of 1997. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1976 and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1979. He has experience in private law practice and private...

Judge Seidlin, Clive, was appointed as a District Court Judge in November, 2018, after serving as a District Associate Judge since August, 2013. Before that, he served as a Polk County Magistrate for 8 years. Originally from Rockford, Illinois, Judge Seidlin attended Drake University where he received his undergraduate degree...

Judge Scott, Des Moines, was appointed to the bench in 2014. He received his undergraduate degree from Drake University in 1984 and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1987. Prior to taking the bench, he was in private practice. Judge Scott practiced in the State and Federal...

Judge Vaudt was appointed to the bench in 2014. She received her undergraduate degree from Upper Iowa University in 1976 and an MA in Public Administration from Drake University before graduating from Drake University Law School with honors in 1991, where she was a member of the Drake Law Review....

Judge Kimberly Ayotte was appointed to the bench in February 2019. She received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 1993 and her J.D. from the University of Iowa in 1996 with Distinction. Prior to her appointment, she worked as a staff attorney for 23 at the Youth Law...

Judge Belcher was appointed to the bench on August 20, 2010, becoming the first African American female judge in the state of Iowa. Prior to her appointment, she was an Assistant Polk County Attorney for 15 years. Born in Plymouth, North Carolina, she earned her bachelor’s degree with honors from...

Judge Brandt, Des Moines, was appointed to the bench in March of 1997. Born in Ottumwa, Iowa, he graduated from Drake University with a bachelor's degree in 1984 and earned his law degree from the same institution in 1987. After graduation, Judge Brandt worked as a law clerk for the...

Judge Virginia Cobb, Dallas Center, was appointed to serve as Dallas County Magistrate in 1995 and was appointed to serve as District Associate Judge in 2005. She attended Drake University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in 1978 and her law degree in 1982. She has served as assistant county...

Judge Cox was appointed to the bench in 2014. She grew up on the northeast side of Des Moines. After graduating from the University of Northern Iowa with highest honors, she received her law degree with distinction from the University of Iowa college of Law. Judge Cox practiced law for...

Judge Crisp was appointed to the bench in August 2021. Prior to her appointment, she worked as an assistant county attorney in Cerro Gordo county from 2008-2012, and assistant Dallas county attorney from 2012-2021. Judge Crisp received her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 2005 and her J.D. from the...

Judge Franklin was appointed to the bench in 2007. He earned his bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and his law degree, with distinction, from the University of Iowa. Judge Franklin served as a Wayne County Attorney from 1982 to 1986 and has also been in private practice since 1979....

Judge Goettsch, West Des Moines, was appointed as district associate judge in 2017. She received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University and her law degree from the University of Iowa. Prior to her appointment as magistrate in 2012, Judge Goettsch was in private practice from 1994-1998 and served as...

Judge Greiner was appointed to the bench in 2018. He received his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 2000 and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 2007. Prior to his appointment Judge Greiner was an assistant county attorney in Polk County and Story County. He resides...

Judge Guiter was appointed to the bench in January 2012. He received his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in 1978 and law degree from Drake University in 1982. Judge Guiter practiced law with the same firm following graduation from law school in 1982 until his appointment to the bench....

Judge Holwerda, Newton, was appointed in 2010 to serve as Jasper County Magistrate and in 2013 to serve as District Associate Judge. He received his bachelor's degree from Dordt College in 1979 and his law degree from Valparaiso University in 1983. Judge Holwerda was in private practice in Newton until...

Judge Kemp was appointed to the bench in July 2019. He received his Political Science degree from Carleton College in 2006 and his law degree from Drake University in 2009. He is a member of the Blackstone Inn of Court, Iowa Bar Association, and the Polk County Bar Association.

Judge Moisan, Des Moines, was appointed to the bench in 1995. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. In 1982 she received her law degree from Drake University Law School. Judge Moisan practiced law with a firm from 1984 until her appointment...

Judge Parker, Indianola, was appointed to the bench in 2005. He received his bachelor's degree from Gannon University in 1977 and his Juris Doctorate from Drake University in 1979. Judge Parker served as law clerk to the Honorable James P. Denato in 1980. While in private practice, he served as...

Judge Pattison was appointed to the bench in May 2020. He received his bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University in 1993, and completing his law degree at the University of Minnesota Law School in 1999, graduating magna cum laude. Before his appointment, Judge Pattison was a clinical professor of law at...

Judge Poschner was appointed to the bench in May 2018. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2003 and her J.D. from Drake Law School in 2007 with High Honors. Her past experience includes private practice law. She is a member of C. Edwin Inn...

Judge Ramirez was appointed to the bench in July 2021. He received their undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 2009 and their J.D. from Drake University Law School in 2013. Prior to their appointment, Judge Ramirez worked in private practice, as well as an assistant Story county attorney, assistant...

Judge Schlenker, Indianola, was appointed to the bench as District Associate Judge in 2012. He was born in Des Moines, graduated from Indianola Community High School in 1972, received a B.S. in Economics from Iowa State University in 1975, and his J.D. from Creighton University in 1978. Prior to appointment...

Judge Seymour, Des Moines, was appointed to the bench in June, 2010. She was born in Madrid, Iowa and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1995. She earned a Masters of Public Administration and Juris Doctorate with honors from Drake University in 1999. Judge Seymour represented...

Judge Smith was appointed to the bench in December 2020. She received her undergraduate degree from Mount Mercy University in 2000 and her Juris Doctorate from Drake University Law School in 2003. She worked as an associate attorney at Roehrick Law Firm from 2003 to 2008, an assistant public defender...

Judge Turner was appointed to the bench in August 2019. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Oregon State University in 2005, and her J.D. from Drake University Law School in 2011. Her past experiences include being the sole practitioner of Turner Law Firm P.L.L.C., specializing in criminal...

Judge Block, Ankeny, was appointed to the bench in 2013. Born in Centerville, IA, he received his associate arts degree from IHCC in 1977, his bachelor's degree from Drake University in 1979, and his law degree, with honors from Drake University in 1981. Judge Block was in private practice for...

Judge Blane, West Des Moines, was appointed to the bench in 1995. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he attended Drake University where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1970 and his law degree in 1973. Before his judicial appointment, he served as an assistant Polk County attorney, first assistant United States...

Judge Blink of West Des Moines was appointed to the bench in 1995. He received his undergraduate degree in English and Speech Communications from North Central College in 1972 and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1975. He served as an assistant Polk County Attorney, Assistant Iowa...

Judge Clogg, Indianola, was appointed as a District Court Judge in 2012. He served as a District Associate Judge from 2000 until his appointment to the District bench. He was in private practice for 25 years prior to his appointment. Judge Clogg received his bachelor's degree from Simpson College in...

Judge Gamble, Clive, was appointed to the bench in 1983. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, he attended the University of Iowa where he earned his bachelor's and law degree. He graduated with distinction in 1978 and worked in private practice until his appointment. Judge Gamble is a member of the...

Judge Hutchison, Runnells, was appointed to the bench in 1990. Born in Prairie City, Iowa, he earned his bachelor's degree from Harvard University in 1971. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1974 with his law degree and worked at a private law firm until his appointment to the...

Senior Judge Lloyd, Osceola, was appointed to the bench in 2002. He was born and raised in Ottumwa, Iowa and received his undergraduate degree from Drake University in 1971 and his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1974, both with honors. Before being appointed to the bench, Judge...

Senior Judge McGhee, Des Moines, was appointed as a District Associate Judge in February 2002. He received his bachelor’s degree from Cornell College in 1974 and his Juris Doctorate from Drake University Law School in 1977. Judge McGhee has worked as the Program Planner for the Iowa Commission of the...

Senior Judge Price, Ankeny, was appointed to the bench in July 2001. He received his bachelor's degree from Drake University in 1970 and his law degree also from Drake University in 1972. Judge Price has worked as a trust officer, an assistant Polk County attorney and most currently in general...

Senior Judge Romano, Johnston, was appointed as a District Court Judge in December 2001. She received her bachelor’s degree from Creighton University in 1983 and her law degree from University of Iowa College of Law in 1986 with distinction. Judge Romano worked for a private law firm before serving as...

Magistrate Heather Dickinson, Des Moines, was appointed to serve Polk County on August 1, 2005. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a BA in Economics. She received a law degree from Drake University and an LLM from the London School of Economics. Before her appointment she served as bank...

Magistrate Adam D. Hanson, Winterset, was appointed to serve Madison County August 1, 2009. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with his bachelor's degree in 2004, magna cum laude and earned his law degree from Drake University Law School in 2007. Adam has worked in general practice. He...

Magistrate Matthew C. Hanson was appointed to serve Taylor County in June, 2014.

Magistrate Ananstasia Baker Hurn was appointed to serve Polk County August 1, 2013. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's in psychology and earned her law degree from Drake University in 1998. Magistrate Hurn was an Assistant Polk County Attorney from 2007-2013. She is married with two...

Jonathan Kimple was appointed to serve Dallas County in 2008. He graduated from the University of Dubuque in 1973 and Drake Law School in 1977. He was a bus driver for Keyline Transit in Dubuque before attending Drake. He has served as an Assistant Dallas County Attorney and is in...

Magistrate Jenna Lain was appointed to the bench in November 2016. She received her undergraduate degree Iowa State University and her J.D. from Drake Law School in 2009 with High Honors. Her past experience includes private practice in Corydon, Iowa. She is the current chair of the Taxation Section of...

Magistrate Jeff Lipman was appointed as a Polk County Magistrate in May of 2001. Magistrate Lipman is a 1989 graduate of the William Mitchell College of Law. Magistrate Lipman serves as the President of the Iowa Magistrate Judges Association and is active in judicial education where he is a frequent...

Magistrate Mahmutagic was appointed to the bench in August 2021. He received his degree from Mt. Mercy University in 2000 and his Juris Doctorate from Drake Law School in 2002.

Magistrate Michael Maynes was appointed to serve Adair County in 2017.

Magistrate Nielsen was appointed to the bench in 2014. He received his undergraduate degree from Birmingham Southern College in 1986 and his J.D. from Cumberland Law School-Stanford University in 1989. Prior to his appointment, he worked in private practice for over 30 years in Creston, IA. He is a member...

Magistrate Ranes was appointed to the bench in May 2018. She received her undergraduate degree from Roanoke College in 2004 and her Juris Doctorate from Drake University Law School in 2007. She worked in private practice beginning in 2007 and was a certified family law mediator beginning in 2010, prior...

Magistrate Beth Tigges, Des Moines, was appointed to serve Polk County in October, 2013. She received her bachelor's degree in English from Iowa State University and her law degree from Drake University School of Law in 2008. She was previously employed as a public defender in Story County and Polk...

Magistrate Weeks was appointed to the bench in January 2021. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 2011 and her law degree from Drake University Law School in 2014.

Magistrate Don L. Williams, Ankeny, was appointed to serve Polk County on August 1, 2017. He graduated from Drake University with a BA in Education in 1973. He received a MA in Special Education in August 1979 and his J.D. in 1984 from Drake University. Magistrate Williams received his MBA|...

Magistrate Zimmerman was appointed to the bench in February 2017. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor's degree in political science, continuing on to receive his J.D. at Creighton University of Law in 2012.