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 Eighth Judicial District until 1988. He went on to be Polk County assistant attorney from 1988 to 1995, at which time we worked as an associate at a law firm until his appointment. Judge Brandt is a member of the Polk County, Iowa State, and American Bar Associations, the Iowa Judges Association, and the American Judges Association.