News Releases

On October 12, 2021, District 2B Judicial Nominating Commissioners signed a letter to Governor Reynolds submitting two nominees to fill a district court vacancy. After the Nominating Commission submitted the names of the nominees, the judicial branch was contacted by the governor’s office regarding complaints about the conduct of Commission Chair Judge Kurt Stoebe. Judge Stoebe and each member of the commission were contacted and, in light of the concerns raised by commission members, Judge Stoebe agreed to step down as chair of future nominating commissions. 

The Iowa Judicial Qualifications Commission is an independent government body responsible for investigating allegations of judicial misconduct.  The Iowa Supreme Court does not (and cannot) discipline judicial officers without first receiving a public report from the Judicial Qualifications Commission after its investigation.  The operations and procedures of the Commission are set forth in Iowa Code Sections 602.2103 and 2104.   More information regarding the Judicial Qualifications Commission can be found on their website: www.iowajqc.gov.

Seven Iowans applied with the State Judicial Nominating Commission to fill the vacancy on the Iowa Court of Appeals that will occur upon the retirement of Judge Michael Mullins.

This certification of the most recent one-year treasury constant maturity index published by the Federal Reserve in the H15 Report is distributed to the courts in conformance with Iowa Code Section 668.13(3). The average yield during the most recent month for securities included in the one-year treasury constant maturity index was .16 percent. This notice will be updated and distributed monthly.

Chief Justice Susan Christensen has appointed District Judge Myron Gookin, Fairfield, as chief judge of the Eighth Judicial District. Judge Gookin succeeds Chief Judge Mary Ann Brown who will retire December 31, 2021. Judge Gookin will begin the position of chief judge January 1, 2022.

Seven Iowans have applied with the State Judicial Nominating Commission to fill the vacancy on the Iowa Court of Appeals that will occur when Judge Michael R. Mullins retires on January 13, 2022.

The State Judicial Nominating Commission, which is responsible for selecting nominees for appointment to the Iowa Court of Appeals, announced today it will begin accepting applications for the vacancy on the court that will occur when Judge Michael R. Mullins retires on January 13, 2022. The Commission received notice of the vacancy from Governor Reynolds on September 23, 2021.  The Commission has sixty days to send a slate of nominees to the Governor, who makes appointments to the court.  

This year, as The Iowa State Bar Association celebrates Pro Bono Month and the legacy of the late Chief Justice Mark Cady, Chief Justice Christensen, on behalf of the Iowa Supreme Court, is encouraging attorneys to pledge to provide at least 22 hours of pro bono service in 2022. You can read Chief Justice Christensen’s letter to Iowa attorneys in full here.

The Iowa Supreme Court named Robert Gast state court administrator for the Iowa Judicial Branch. The state court administrator is responsible for the day-to-day management of Iowa's state court system. Gast is currently the District Court Administrator for the Fourth Judicial District that includes the counties of Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby.

On Thursday, September 23, and Friday, September 24, justices of the Iowa Supreme Court will meet with students from five Oskaloosa area schools to discuss the Iowa judicial system and the role of the courts in Iowa.

On Thursday, September 23, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The proceeding will take place in the George Daily Community Auditorium at Oskaloosa High School, 1800 N. 3rd Street. The oral arguments are open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.