March 21, 2014 ---Chief Justice Cady has signed an order adopting amendments to Iowa Court Rules 41.3, 42.1, 42.2, 42.3, and 42.4 regarding the role of distance education in continuing legal education for Iowa attorneys.

Chief Justice Cady has also signed an order adopting amendments to Iowa Court Rule 31.15, the "student practice rule," effective immediately.


In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Regulating Student Practice (March 21, 2014)

Order (29 kb)


Rule 31.15 Student Practice Rule (152 kb)


OPR Memo Re: Amendment of Student Practice Rule (65 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Regulating Continuing Legal Education (March 21, 2014)

Order (28 kb)


Chapters 41 and 42 (176 kb)


OPR Memo Re: Distance Education Changes as Adopted (65 kb)



In the Matter of Adoption of New Chapter 17 Forms for Applications to Modify Child Support in the Iowa Court Rules (March 6, 2014)

Order (406 kb)


Rule (127 kb)


Forms (1451 kb)


Guide (492 kb)



In the Matter of Chapter 17 of the Iowa Court Rules and Adoption of New Forms for Dissolutions of Marriage with Children (December 19, 2013)

Order (79 kb)


Divorce Forms for Self Represented Litigants With Minor Children (4394 kb)


Guide to Representing Yourself in an Iowa Divorce Case with Minor Children (543 kb)


Chapter 17 of the Iowa Court Rules (153 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Division III of the Court Rules Regarding the Client Security Trust Fund (November 26, 2013)

Order (160 kb)


Office of Professional Regulation Memorandum (118 kb)


Chapter 39 and 40 (141 kb)



In the Matter of Adoption of New Forms for Dissolutions of Marriage with no Minor Children (November 6, 2013)

Order (60 kb)


Divorce Forms for Self Represented Litigants With No Minor Children (2415 kb)


Guide to Representing Yourself in an Iowa Divorce Case with no Minor Children (445 kb)



In the Matter of Interim Rules to Govern the use of the Electronic Document Management System (October 22, 2013)

Supervisory Order (66 kb)


Rules 16.302, 16.320, 16.701 (132 kb)



In the Matter of the New Rule of Juvenile Procedure (October 16, 2013)

Juvenile Procedure 8.36

Order (125 kb)


Rule 8.36 (253 kb)


Standards of Practice (309 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Regulating Admission to the Bar (August 22, 2013)

Effective immediately

Order (25 kb)


Chapter 31, Admission to the Bar (214 kb)



In the Matter of Adoption of Clarifying Comments (June 13, 2013)

Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:1.13
Effective immediately

Order (61 kb)



In the Matter of Iowa Court Rules New Chapter 26 (June 4, 2013)

Rules for Installment Payment Plans and Other Court Collection Activities
Effective July 1, 2013

Order (253 kb)


Chapter 26 (294 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Chapter 9 (May 9, 2013)

Child Support Guidelines
Effective July 1, 2013

Order (69 kb)


Chapter 9, Child Support Guidelines (2035 kb)


Child Support Guidelines Review Committee Final Report (2595 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Rules of Appellate Procedure and Organization and Procedures of Appellate Courts in Chapters 6 and 21 of the Iowa Court Rules (March 5, 2013)

The Iowa Supreme Court has approved rules governing electronic appellate processes. The rules, to be contained in the Chapter 16 court rules pertaining to EDMS, are prospective only. The court will announce an effective date for the rules and for implementation of electronic filing in the appellate courts at a later date.

Order (63 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Rules of Appellate Procedure and Organization and Procedures of Appellate Courts in Chapters 6 and 21 of the Iowa Court Rules (March 5, 2013)

The Iowa Supreme Court has amended the rules of appellate procedure contained in chapter 6 of the Iowa Court Rules and has rescinded and rewritten the rules governing the organization and procedures of appellate courts contained in Chapter 21 of the Iowa Court Rules.
Effective May 3, 2013

Order (74 kb)


Chapter 6 and Chapter 21 (116 kb)



In the Matter of Adoption of an Emeritus Pro Bono Practice Rule (March 1, 2013)

The Iowa Supreme Court has adopted an emeritus pro bono practice rule (Iowa Court Rule 31.19) that encourages retired or retiring Iowa attorneys, including attorneys licensed in other states, to provide volunteer legal services on behalf of legal aid organizations serving low income persons in Iowa.
Effective immediately

Order and Rule Amendments (323 kb)



In the Matter of New Rule of Civil Procedure (December 6, 2012)

The Iowa Supreme Court has approved the addition of rule 1.1702 to the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure providing a uniform process for interstate depositions and discovery.

Supervisory Order (157 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to the Iowa Court Rules (November 8, 2012)

Forms Regarding Appointment of Counsel
Temporarily adopting the attached forms, effective immediately. Forms permanently take effect January 7, 2013.

Supervisory Order and Forms Regarding Appointment of Counsel (294 kb)



In the Matter of Iowa Court Rule 31.16 (Sept. 13, 2012)

Registration of House Counsel
Effective immediately

Order (49 kb)


Chapter 31 (272 kb)



In the Matter of Standard Forms of Pleadings for Small Claims Actions (Sept. 13, 2012)

Chapter 3 of the Iowa Court Rules -- Form 3.27:Verification of Account
Effective immediately

Order (90 kb)


Chapter 3, Form 3.27 (45 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to the Iowa Court Rules Governing Lawyer Advertising (August 28, 2012)

Effective January 1, 2013

Order and Chapter 32 (1114 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules 35.17 and 42.1 (August 24, 2012)

Effective immediately

Order, Rule 35.17 and 42.1 (66 kb)



In the Matter of Amendment of Iowa Court Rule 35.1 (August 24, 2012)

Effective immediately

Order, Rule 35.1 (56 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Regulating Admission to the Bar (July 13, 2012)

Effective immediately

Order, Rule 31.11(3), and OPR change to rule 31.12 (119 kb)



In the Matter of Chapter 13 of the Iowa Court Rules (July 5, 2012)

Supervisory Order, Chapter 13 (516 kb)



In the Matter of Chapter 13 of the Iowa Court Rules (June 29, 2012)

Order, Chapter 13 and Forms (1418 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Rules of Appellate Procedure (May 21, 2012)

6.1005 Regarding Frivolous Appeals and Withdrawal of Counsel (Including Related Changes to Other Rules)
Effective immediately

Order (147 kb)


Rule 6.1005 (194 kb)



In the Matter of Standard Forms of Pleadings for Small Claims Actions (May 7, 2012)

Chapter 3 of the Iowa Court Rules is rescinded effective July 1, 2012, and revised Chapter 3 is adopted. Until July 1, 2012, parties may use either the current pleadings forms or the new pleadings forms.

Order (129 kb)


Chapter 3 -- Small Claims forms (711 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Regulating the Practice of Law (May 2, 2012)

Amendments concerning the attorney disciplinary process, client trust account reconciliation and record retention procedures, continuing legal education, and the bar exam.
Amended effective immediately

Nunc Pro Tunc (59 kb)


OPR Rules Revisions (Strikethrough version) (4618 kb)


OPR Rules Revisions (Final version) (396 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rule 32:7.4 (March 12, 2012)

The Court adds Veterans Law to the list of fields of practice and specialization.

Order (80 kb)



Iowa Courts Rules

The Chief Justice has signed a supplemental order specifying the effective date of the amendment to Rule 41.3(2)

Supplemental Order (35 kb)



Iowa Court Rules (February 20, 2012)

Amendments concerning the attorney disciplinary process, client trust account reconciliation and record retention procedures, continuing legal education, and the bar exam.
Amended effective immediately

Order (183 kb)


Amendments (10043 kb)


Summary of Amendments (87 kb)
Iowa Supreme Court Opinions

March 21, 2014

Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format).   Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader.

For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here.

NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 11-1133

STATE OF IOWA vs. AKI MALIK ROSS

No. 11-1272

STATE OF IOWA vs. TOMMY GINES, JR.

No. 11-1616

STATE OF IOWA vs. RANDY MITCHELL COPENHAVER

No. 13-1213

IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY BOARD vs. JEFFREY K. MCGINNESS
Des Moines, March 18, 2014 - On Wednesday, April 9, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Toledo, Iowa. The proceeding will take place in the Wieting Theatre, 101 South Church Street. The session is open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.
Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format).   Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader.

For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here.

NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 13-0869

TERESA KAREN BEARINGER vs. IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION

No. 13-1510

IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY BOARD vs. AARON J. THOMAS

February 26, 2014

DENIED:

NUMBER

COUNTY

CASE NAME


11-1957

Scott

State v. Thompson

12-0082

Scott

State v. Pena

12-0857

Marion

State v. Cobbins

12-0927

Black Hawk

Johnson v. State

12-1552

Black Hawk

State v. Dukes

12-1666

Linn

Pundt v. The Gazette Co.

12-1716

Woodbury

Kurtz v. State

12-1722

Linn

Select Auto Group v. City of Cedar Rapids

12-1873

Black Hawk

State v. Dixon

12-2008

Pottawattamie

Searle Petroleum v. Mlady

12-2035

Black Hawk

State v. Bunch

12-2057

Plymouth

Flores v. State

12-2127

Polk

State v. Tigner

12-2248

Pottawattamie

Seimer v. State

12-2312

Black Hawk

State v. Holmes

13-0001

Hancock

Vidal v. Vidal

13-0009

Pottawattamie

Boschert v. State

13-0076

Polk

State v. Madison

13-0106

Franklin

State ex rel. DNR v. Passehl

13-0180

Polk

State v. Tidwell

13-0210

Polk

Snook v. State

13-0342

Delaware

State v. Blanchard

13-1693

Polk

In re D.H. and R.R.

13-1739

Polk

In re X.J.

13-1795

Fayette

In re J.S.-G.

13-1842

Clinton

In re D.E., K.E., P.E.


GRANTED:

NUMBER

COUNTY

CASE NAME


13-0356

Polk

In re Marriage of Gust

13-0496

Black Hawk

Alta Vista Properties v. Mauer Vision Center

13-1606

Woodbury

In re J.S. & N.S.

Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format).   Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader.

For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here.

NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 12-1023

IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF TRAVIS SISSON AND ALFRONIA SISSON Upon the Petition of TRAVIS SISSON

No. 13-0071

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Successor by Merger to BAC HOME LOANS SERVICING, L.P. f/k/a COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS SERVICING, LP vs. SCOTT A. SCHULTE and MARISEL DEL VALLE a/k/a MARITZA I. DEL VALLE

No. 13-0303

MIKE BROOKS, INC., and GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO. vs. JAMES DAVID HOUSE


In the Matter of Adoption of New Chapter 17 Forms for Applications to Modify Child Support in the Iowa Court Rules (March 6, 2014)

Order (406 kb)


Rule (127 kb)


Forms (15014 kb)


Guide (492 kb)



In the Matter of Chapter 17 of the Iowa Court Rules and Adoption of New Forms for Dissolutions of Marriage with Children (December 19, 2013)

Order (79 kb)


Divorce Forms for Self Represented Litigants With Minor Children (4394 kb)


Guide to Representing Yourself in an Iowa Divorce Case with Minor Children (543 kb)


Chapter 17 of the Iowa Court Rules (153 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Division III of the Court Rules Regarding the Client Security Trust Fund (November 26, 2013)

Order (160 kb)


Office of Professional Regulation Memorandum (118 kb)


Chapter 39 and 40 (141 kb)



In the Matter of Adoption of New Forms for Dissolutions of Marriage with no Minor Children (November 6, 2013)

Order (60 kb)


Divorce Forms for Self Represented Litigants With No Minor Children (2415 kb)


Guide to Representing Yourself in an Iowa Divorce Case with no Minor Children (445 kb)



In the Matter of Interim Rules to Govern the use of the Electronic Document Management System (October 22, 2013)

Supervisory Order (66 kb)


Rules 16.302, 16.320, 16.701 (132 kb)



In the Matter of the New Rule of Juvenile Procedure (October 16, 2013)

Juvenile Procedure 8.36

Order (125 kb)


Rule 8.36 (253 kb)


Standards of Practice (309 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Regulating Admission to the Bar (August 22, 2013)

Effective immediately

Order (25 kb)


Chapter 31, Admission to the Bar (214 kb)



In the Matter of Adoption of Clarifying Comments (June 13, 2013)

Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:1.13
Effective immediately

Order (61 kb)



In the Matter of Iowa Court Rules New Chapter 26 (June 4, 2013)

Rules for Installment Payment Plans and Other Court Collection Activities
Effective July 1, 2013

Order (253 kb)


Chapter 26 (294 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Chapter 9 (May 9, 2013)

Child Support Guidelines
Effective July 1, 2013

Order (69 kb)


Chapter 9, Child Support Guidelines (2035 kb)


Child Support Guidelines Review Committee Final Report (2595 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Rules of Appellate Procedure and Organization and Procedures of Appellate Courts in Chapters 6 and 21 of the Iowa Court Rules (March 5, 2013)

The Iowa Supreme Court has approved rules governing electronic appellate processes. The rules, to be contained in the Chapter 16 court rules pertaining to EDMS, are prospective only. The court will announce an effective date for the rules and for implementation of electronic filing in the appellate courts at a later date.

Order (63 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Rules of Appellate Procedure and Organization and Procedures of Appellate Courts in Chapters 6 and 21 of the Iowa Court Rules (March 5, 2013)

The Iowa Supreme Court has amended the rules of appellate procedure contained in chapter 6 of the Iowa Court Rules and has rescinded and rewritten the rules governing the organization and procedures of appellate courts contained in Chapter 21 of the Iowa Court Rules.
Effective May 3, 2013

Order (74 kb)


Chapter 6 and Chapter 21 (116 kb)



In the Matter of Adoption of an Emeritus Pro Bono Practice Rule (March 1, 2013)

The Iowa Supreme Court has adopted an emeritus pro bono practice rule (Iowa Court Rule 31.19) that encourages retired or retiring Iowa attorneys, including attorneys licensed in other states, to provide volunteer legal services on behalf of legal aid organizations serving low income persons in Iowa.
Effective immediately

Order and Rule Amendments (323 kb)



In the Matter of New Rule of Civil Procedure (December 6, 2012)

The Iowa Supreme Court has approved the addition of rule 1.1702 to the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure providing a uniform process for interstate depositions and discovery.

Supervisory Order (157 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to the Iowa Court Rules (November 8, 2012)

Forms Regarding Appointment of Counsel
Temporarily adopting the attached forms, effective immediately. Forms permanently take effect January 7, 2013.

Supervisory Order and Forms Regarding Appointment of Counsel (294 kb)



In the Matter of Iowa Court Rule 31.16 (Sept. 13, 2012)

Registration of House Counsel
Effective immediately

Order (49 kb)


Chapter 31 (272 kb)



In the Matter of Standard Forms of Pleadings for Small Claims Actions (Sept. 13, 2012)

Chapter 3 of the Iowa Court Rules -- Form 3.27:Verification of Account
Effective immediately

Order (90 kb)


Chapter 3, Form 3.27 (45 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to the Iowa Court Rules Governing Lawyer Advertising (August 28, 2012)

Effective January 1, 2013

Order and Chapter 32 (1114 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules 35.17 and 42.1 (August 24, 2012)

Effective immediately

Order, Rule 35.17 and 42.1 (66 kb)



In the Matter of Amendment of Iowa Court Rule 35.1 (August 24, 2012)

Effective immediately

Order, Rule 35.1 (56 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Regulating Admission to the Bar (July 13, 2012)

Effective immediately

Order, Rule 31.11(3), and OPR change to rule 31.12 (119 kb)



In the Matter of Chapter 13 of the Iowa Court Rules (July 5, 2012)

Supervisory Order, Chapter 13 (516 kb)



In the Matter of Chapter 13 of the Iowa Court Rules (June 29, 2012)

Order, Chapter 13 and Forms (1418 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Rules of Appellate Procedure (May 21, 2012)

6.1005 Regarding Frivolous Appeals and Withdrawal of Counsel (Including Related Changes to Other Rules)
Effective immediately

Order (147 kb)


Rule 6.1005 (194 kb)



In the Matter of Standard Forms of Pleadings for Small Claims Actions (May 7, 2012)

Chapter 3 of the Iowa Court Rules is rescinded effective July 1, 2012, and revised Chapter 3 is adopted. Until July 1, 2012, parties may use either the current pleadings forms or the new pleadings forms.

Order (129 kb)


Chapter 3 -- Small Claims forms (711 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Regulating the Practice of Law (May 2, 2012)

Amendments concerning the attorney disciplinary process, client trust account reconciliation and record retention procedures, continuing legal education, and the bar exam.
Amended effective immediately

Nunc Pro Tunc (59 kb)


OPR Rules Revisions (Strikethrough version) (4618 kb)


OPR Rules Revisions (Final version) (396 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rule 32:7.4 (March 12, 2012)

The Court adds Veterans Law to the list of fields of practice and specialization.

Order (80 kb)



Iowa Courts Rules

The Chief Justice has signed a supplemental order specifying the effective date of the amendment to Rule 41.3(2)

Supplemental Order (35 kb)



Iowa Court Rules (February 20, 2012)

Amendments concerning the attorney disciplinary process, client trust account reconciliation and record retention procedures, continuing legal education, and the bar exam.
Amended effective immediately

Order (183 kb)


Amendments (10043 kb)


Summary of Amendments (87 kb)

Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format).   Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader.

For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here.

NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 12-2023

JOHN GIZA vs. BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY

No. 13-0412

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. vs. IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION
Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format).   Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader.

For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here.

NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 12-1377

EDWIN ALLEN III and MELISSA D. ALLEN vs. DALLAS COUNTY BOARD OF REVIEW

No. 13-1336

IN THE INTEREST OF A.M., Minor Child, A.M., Father

Des Moines, February 11, 2014 –On Tuesday, February 25, at 3:00 p.m., Governor Terry E. Branstad will administer the oath of office to Court of Appeals Judge Christopher Lee McDonald in a public ceremony in the supreme court courtroom in the Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines. Judge McDonald, 39, fills the vacancy on the Iowa Court of Appeals that occurred when Chief Judge Larry Eisenhauer retired.

Judge McDonald, Des Moines, was born in Bangkok, Thailand. He earned his undergraduate degree from Grand View University in 1997 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2001, where he graduated with highest distinction and received Order of the Coif recognition. After graduation, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable David R. Hansen, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Prior to being appointed to the Iowa Court of Appeals, Judge McDonald served as a Judge of the District Court, Fifth Judicial District of Iowa. Prior to commencing service on the bench, Judge McDonald worked in private practice in Central Iowa.

Judge McDonald is a member of the American Bar Association, Iowa State Bar Association, Polk County Bar Association, and the Iowa Judges Association.

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