Iowa Court of Appeals Elects Eisenhauer as Chief Judge

Des Moines, February 10, 2012– The Iowa Court of Appeals has elected Judge Larry J. Eisenhauer, Ankeny, as chief judge. Judge Eisenhauer has served on the court of appeals since 2001. He is the seventh chief judge since the state legislature established the court of appeals in 1976. He replaces Chief Judge Rosemary Sackett, recently retired.

"I am honored that the judges of the court of appeals elected me chief judge," Chief Judge Eisenhauer said. "Iowans are fortunate to have a court of appeals made up of thoughtful and hardworking judges supported by a dedicated staff. I am privileged to be a part of it."

Judge Eisenhauer was born in Emporia, Kansas, and received his undergraduate degree from Emporia State University in 1968. He then served in the United States Army for two years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, before attending Drake University Law School. After graduating from Drake in 1974, he practiced law privately until 1985 and served as a juvenile referee from 1985 to 1993. He was appointed to the district court bench in 1994 and served as district court judge until his appointment to the court of appeals. Judge Eisenhauer serves on the Judicial Council Subcommittee on Court Records and Management Retention, co-chairs the Children's Justice Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Polk County, Iowa State, and American Bar Associations.

Previously, Chief Judge Eisenhauer was a faculty member of the Iowa Child Abuse Academy, chair of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Court Appointed Special Advocates, chair of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Juvenile Court Officers, and a member of the Iowa State Bar Association Family Law Committee, and the Advisory Board of the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Agency.  In 2005, he served as an International Judge for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo.  He was presented the Iowa Judges Association Award of Merit in 2008. Judge Eisenhauer is married, has two children, and one grandchild.

The Iowa Court of Appeals is an intermediate appellate court. It reviews appeals from trial court decisions that the supreme court has transferred to the court of appeals . A decision of the Iowa Court of Appeals is final unless reviewed by the Iowa Supreme Court on grant of further review. The majority of appeals filed in Iowa are decided by the court of appeals. Last year, the Iowa Court of Appeals issued 1,068 opinions.

In addition to judicial duties, the Chief Judge of the Iowa Court of Appeals supervises the business of the court, presides when present at a session of the court, and serves on the judicial council. Judge Eisenhauer will also continue to write opinions.

Previous Chief Judges of the Iowa Court of Appeals

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