This month, the In The Balance Podcast hosts Jessica Taylor, director of Boards and Commissions for the Office of Professional Regulation, which oversees a grant program that helps fund organizations that provide legal assistance to low-income

44. The role of a magistrate, an interview with Magistrate Christine Skilton

May 28th, 2024 14m 51s

This month, I spoke with magistrate Christin Skilton, the magistrate in Chickasaw County. We discussed her role, her service and her motivation working for the Iowa Judicial Branch. Host: Abhash Shrestha Guest: Magistrate Christine SkiltonWebs

43. A Career with the Iowa Judicial Branch, an Interview with Savannah Hanning

Apr 30th, 2024 9m 46s

This month, I spoke with Savannah Hanning, the trial court supervisor in Linn County. We discussed her career and her experiences working in the Iowa Judicial Branch. Host: Abhash Shrestha Guest: Savannah Hanning Website: www.iowacourts.gov Yo

42. Exploring Iowa's Legal Forms with Tim Eckley

Mar 26th, 2024 15m 41s

This month, I had a fascinating chat with Tim Eckley, who works as the assistant counsel for the Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court. We talked about the free Iowa court forms available on the Iowacourts.gov website, and how they are the es

41. Considering Law School with Anna Stoeffler

Feb 27th, 2024 13m 21s

This month I spoke with Iowa Supreme Courts senior law clerk Anna Stoeffler. We discussed her educational journey, her decision to go to law school, and what to expect when pursuing a law career. Host: Abhash ShresthaGuest: Anna Stoeffler, Seni

40. Business Court with Justice Thomas Waterman and Judge David Nelmark

Jan 30th, 2024 26m 4s

Welcome back. In this episode of in the balance we focus on the benefits of the Iowa Business Court. I spoke to Iowa Supreme Court Justice Thomas Waterman and Business Court Judge David Nelmark to discuss how the business court moves complex c

39. An Interview with Megan Tooker, Counsel to the Chief Justice

Dec 26th, 2023 8m 54s

A quick update: this will be my last month hosting the In the Balance podcast for the Iowa Judicial Branch. I will be turning the reins over to our new host and producer, Abhash, in January, so keep your eyes and ears out for those exciting new

38. The Evolution of Iowa's Court System

Nov 28th, 2023 6m 18s

This month I am going to walk you through the evolution of the Iowa court system, taking us through the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.Host: Marissa GaalMusic from The Epic 2 by Rafael KruxLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-License:

37. The Office of Professional Regulation with Executive Director Tre Critelli

Oct 31st, 2023 13m 49s

Welcome back. This month I chatted with Tre Critelli, executive director of the office of professional regulation, about the functions and duties of his office’s work with Iowa’s attorneys and how that work protects Iowans who come into contact

36. The 60th Anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright

Sep 13th, 2023 13m 49s

In honor of Constitution Day on September 14, In the Balance is releasing an early episode on the topic of Gideon v. Wainwright, a federal supreme court decision celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Host: Marissa GaalGuest: Chief Justice

35: Preserving Iowa's Judicial History with Richard Lyford

Aug 29th, 2023 10m 42s

This month I spoke with Richard Lyford, who has worked with the Iowa Judicial Branch over the past 20 years to collect and record personal oral histories from past Iowa supreme court justices and judges. To learn more about his work preserving

34. Iowa's Treatment Courts with Richard Gordon

Jul 25th, 2023 10m 42s

Welcome back. This month I spoke with Richard Gordon, Iowa’s statewide treatment courts coordinator, about his role in the many treatment courts in our state.Host: Marissa GaalGuest: Richard Gordon, Iowa Statewide Coordinator for Treatment Cour

33. An Interview with Iowa Supreme Court Justice David May

Jun 27th, 2023 7m 19s

This month I sat down with Justice David May, the most recent appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court. To learn more about his journey to the bench, keep listening.Host: Marissa GaalGuests: David May, Iowa Supreme Court JusticeMusic from The Epic

32: Celebrating 20 Years of the Iowa Judicial Branch Building

May 30th, 2023 34m 24s

May marked the 20th anniversary of the Iowa Judicial Branch building's opening. In honor of the anniversary, I sat down with Rebecca Colton and David Boyd, two past Iowa Judicial Branch employees who were a part of the building process from sta

31. A Day in the Life with Donna Humpal, Appellate Clerk of Court

Apr 25th, 2023 22m 36s

This month I connected with the Iowa Appellate Clerk of Court, Donna Humpal, to discuss what a day in her life looks like, as well as how her role and clerk’s office resembles and differs from the county clerks offices.Host: Marissa GaalGuest:

30. Gertrude E. Rush, Iowa's First African American Female Attorney

Mar 28th, 2023 5m 17s

In recognition of Women’s History Month, I went looking for women throughout Iowa’s history to cover for this episode. As it turns out, Iowa is not lacking for strong, influential women who have left their mark on the state’s judicial and legal

29. The Making of Shattering Silence with James Ellwanger

Feb 28th, 2023 19m 49s

In recognition of Black History Month this February, I spoke with sculptor James Ellwanger, the artist behind the Shattering Silence sculpture which decorates the Iowa Judicial Branch Building's west lawn. This sculpture is a memorial to Iowa's

28. Iowa's Clerks of Court with Jackie Myers and Donna Geery

Jan 3rd, 2023 17m 23s

This episode we are focusing on the important work of our county courthouses clerks of court. I spoke with Jackie Myers, the clerk of court for Des Moines and Henry Counties, as well as Donna Geery, the District 2 assistant court administrator,

27. Iowa's Court Reporters with Laura McFall and Bob Gast

Nov 29th, 2022 13m 56s

This month we are highlighting an essential role in Iowa’s Judicial system: the court reporter. I spoke with Laura McFall, a court reporter out of District 8 and a past president of the Court Reporter’s Association, and Bob Gast, State Court Ad

26. Electronic Search Warrants with Judge James Malloy and Deputy Seth McCrea

Oct 25th, 2022 19m 52s

This month we are discussing electronic search warrants. In 2017, the Iowa Legislature amended Iowa Code Chapter 808 to allow the transmission for and issuance of search warrants by electronic means. In April 2018, the Iowa State Court Administ

25. Jury Service with Judge Kevin McKeever

Sep 27th, 2022 20m 53s

This month I spoke with District 6 Judge Kevin McKeever about Iowa’s jury service. To learn more about the history of jury service, what the selection process looks like, and the rights upheld by jury service in our country, keep listening. Hos

24. The Iowa and Federal Constitutions with Justice Dana Oxley

Aug 30th, 2022 21m 28s

This month, in recognition of the upcoming Constitution Day, celebrated on September 17 every year, I sat down with Justice Dana Oxley to discuss the difference between the Iowa Constitution and Federal Constitution. Host: Marissa GaalGuest: Io

23. A Day in the Life of a Juvenile Court Officer with Chris Castrey

Jul 26th, 2022 11m 8s

This month I spoke with Juvenile Court Officer Chris Castrey about what a typical day might look life for a JCO in the 7th judicial district. To learn more about what the position of a juvenile court officer entails, keep listening. Host: Maris

22. The Iowa Judicial Branch FY2023 Budget

Jun 28th, 2022 6m

This month we are breaking down the Iowa Judicial Branch budget, which was approved earlier this month. I sat down with State Court Administrator Bob Gast to discuss the budget process, from proposal to approval, and how the money will support

21: An Introduction to the Iowa Judicial Branch Website

May 31st, 2022 8m 59s

Welcome back to another episode of In the Balance, the Iowa Judicial Branch podcast. Today, we are going to walk through some important information and interesting features available on our website, iowacourts.gov.Host: Marissa GaalLinksLatest