Chad Cox: Background and Appointment to the Iowa District Court

Nov 06, 2025 0

This article delves into the background of Chad Cox, who was appointed to the Iowa District Court in February 2022. Additionally, it provides information on other judges and magistrates within the Iowa judicial system.

Judicial Appointments and Backgrounds

The Iowa District Court has seen several judicial appointments in recent years. Here's a look at the backgrounds of some of the individuals serving on the bench:

Judge Anderson was appointed in July 2014. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Luther College in 1992 and his law degree, with distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1995.
Judge Besler was appointed on June 21, 2018. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Luther College in 1996 and his law degree with Distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1999.
Judge Bruns was appointed on December 17, 2014. He earned his bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Drake University in 1988 and his law degree from Drake Law School in 1991, Order of the Coif.
Judge Chappell was appointed to the Iowa District Court in February 2017.
Judge Clay of Linn County was appointed on September 22, 2021. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Iowa in 1997. She then earned her Juris Doctorate at the University Of Maryland Law School in 2006.
Judge Cox was appointed to the Iowa District Court in February 2022. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Iowa in 2004, and attended the University of Iowa College of Law, graduating with honors in 2007.
Judge Dupuich was appointed in May 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English with honors, from the University of Iowa in 1998 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California School of Law in 2002.
Judge Mark D. Fisher was appointed to the District Court bench on February 21, 2024.
Judge Harris was appointed on January 19, 2024. He earned his BBA in Finance from the University of Iowa in 2003, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2007.
Judge Kepros was appointed in February 2015. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Coe College in 1993 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1996, with high honors.
Judge Lightfoot was appointed on March 25, 2021.
Judge McKeever was appointed on September 30, 2015. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in 1991 and his law degree from the University of Iowa in 2001.
Judge Thornhill was appointed on September 25, 2009, and began his career as a district judge October 23, 2009. He received his B.B.A., from The University of Iowa in 1989. In 1991 he received his M.B.A.

District Associate Judges

In addition to district court judges, there are district associate judges who handle specific types of cases:

Judge Black was appointed District Associate Judge in December 2021 and has an extensive background in child services. Prior to attending Drake University Law School in 2004, she was in the child services field for 20 years.
Judge Bryner was appointed on July 24, 2020. She earned her B.A. in Business Administration from Hillsdale College in 1991, and her law degree from the University of Toledo, College of Law, in 1997.
Judge Burns was appointed on August 18, 2015. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Justice Systems from Truman State University in 1999 and his Juris Doctorate degree, with distinction, from the University of Iowa in 2002.
Judge Carmer was appointed in August 2021. She graduated from Cornell College in 1998 and received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2002.
Cynthia S. Finley was appointed in December 2018 and presides over Juvenile Court proceedings in Linn and Benton Counties, as well as Linn County Family Treatment Court.
Judge Johnston was appointed in 2007. Judge Johnston received her undergraduate degree from Luther College, cum laude, in 1989, and her law degree, with honors, from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1992.
Judge Jones was appointed in 2007. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell College in 1987 and his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1990.
Judge Keast was appointed in 2006. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1982 and his law degree from Drake University in 1985.
Judge Schrock was appointed District Associate Judge in January 2023. Prior to his appointment he served as a staff attorney for the Linn County Advocate from 2005 to 2023.
Judge Scott was appointed District Associate Judge in 2016. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2001.

Senior Judges and Referees

The judicial system also includes senior judges and referees who play crucial roles:

Judge Grady was appointed as a full-time juvenile referee in 1989, was appointed to the district court bench in 1995, and was named Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District in 2009. He attended Creighton University, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1975.
Judge Sean W. McPartland is a senior judge in the Sixth Judicial District of Iowa, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Judge Miller was appointed in June 2010. He received his bachelor’s degree with highest honors from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973. He received his law degree with distinction from the University of Iowa in 1976.
Judge Minot served as a District Associate Judge from 2010 to 2023 and was appointed as Senior Judge in 2023.
Judge Sosalla was appointed as a district associate judge in 1982 and as a district court judge on October 30, 2003.
Judge Turner was appointed in 2005. He attended the University of Minnesota and received his bachelor's degree in 1976. He earned his law degree from The University of Iowa in 1979. He has spent 26 years in private practice.

Magistrates

Magistrates also serve an important function within the judicial system:

Magistrate Ahrenholz, Benton County, was appointed in 2015. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College in 1990 and his law degree from Marquette University in 1993.
Magistrate Boyer, Iowa City, was appointed in August 2017. She earned her B.A. degree in Art History from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law.
Magistrate Maria Cole of Johnson County was appointed in 2025. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida in 1995 and her law degree from Drake University School of Law in 1999.
Magistrate Egerton was appointed in 2005. She earned her undergraduate degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids in 1992 and her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1996.
Magistrate Judge Dana A. Judas was appointed by the Honorable Chad Kepros on July 10, 2023.
Eric Lam was appointed to serve Jones County in April 2025. He is a graduate of Macalester College and The University of Iowa College of Law.
Magistrate Neary was appointed in 2022. Prior to that he served Muscatine County as a Magistrate since 2017. He earned his B.A. in finance from the University of Iowa in 1985 and then graduated from the University of Iowa with his Juris Doctorate in 1988.
Magistrate Smolik was appointed in 2009. She received her B.A.

Conclusion

The Iowa District Court and its associated judicial roles are filled by individuals with diverse educational backgrounds and extensive legal experience. These professionals play a vital role in upholding justice and ensuring the fair administration of laws within the state.

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