Chief Judge Gookin was appointed to the Iowa District Court in August 2011. Judge Gookin received his bachelor’s degree with distinction from Iowa State University in 1980 and his Juris Doctor with honors from the Drake University Law School in 1983. Judge Gookin was in private practice with Foss, Kuiken, Gookin & Cochran P.C. in Fairfield, Iowa, from July 1983 until his appointment to the bench. He is a member of the Judicial Council, The Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Judge’s Association, Iowa Supreme Court Criminal Rules Advisory Committee, Iowa Supreme Court Client Security Commission, Iowa Supreme Court CLE Commission (past), The Iowa State Bar Association Jury Instruction Committee, and the board of directors of the 8th Judicial District Department of Correctional Services.