Iowa Judicial Branch Application for a Supreme Court Justice … · 2018-06-27 · Supreme Court Justice / Court of Appeals Judge Application – Part 1: Personal Background Page

SupremeCourtJustice/CourtofAppealsJudgeApplication–Part1:PersonalBackground Page1of19

IowaJudicialBranchApplicationforaSupremeCourtJusticePosition

(Revised:5-7-2018)

Part1:PersonalBackgroundInformationFormForSubmissiontotheStateJudicialNominatingCommission

Seethe“InstructionsforApplicants”(aseparatepage)

1. Applicant’sfullname:

TimothyLeeGartin

2. Currentoccupation/title. (Lawyers: identifynameof firm,organization,orgovernmentagency;judicialofficers:identifytitleandjudicialelectiondistrict):

AttorneyandPartnerwithHastings,Gartin&Boettger,LLP

3. Cityandcountyofresidence: Ames,StoryCounty

4. Age: 515. Gender(Female/Male): Male

6. Race/ethnicity: White/Caucasian

Please provide this information sowe can determine the extent towhich the Iowa courts areattracting candidates from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. Please write in the one or twocategoriesthatbestfit(s)yourbackground.

■Asian/PacificIslander(e.g.,Chinese,Japanese,Vietnamese,Indian,Pakistani,Filipino,Indonesian,nativeHawaiian)

■Black/African ■Hispanic/Latina(o) ■NativeAmerican(e.g.,Meskwaki,Sioux,Inuit)■White/Caucasian ■Other(writeitinoneoftheboxes)

7. Areyou related (within the thirddegreeof consanguinity) toanyof themembersof theStateJudicialNominatingCommissioninvolvedintheselectionprocessforthepositionforwhichyouaresubmittingthisapplication?(YesorNo)Ifyouransweris“yes,”pleaseexplain.

No

8. Have you ever had a social relationship or business relationship (e.g., as a business or law

partner)withanyof themembersof theState JudicialNominatingCommission involved in theselectionprocess for theposition forwhich you are submitting this application? (Yes orNo) Ifyouransweris“yes,”pleaseexplain.

No


9. Explainwhyyouareseekingthisjudgeshipposition:

Forthelast22years,IhaveservedmyclientsintheAmesareaasanattorney;InowoffermyselfasacandidatetoserveontheSupremeCourt.Asdiscussedbelow,IbelieveIoffertheskillset,background,andtemperamentthatwouldmakeaneffectivejustice.

Intermsofjudicialphilosophy,Iamatextualistandanadvocateforjudicialrestraint.Thatis,Iwouldseektoenforcewhatthetextsaysandfairlyimpliesandnotusethejudicialprocesstopursueparticularpoliticaloutcomes.Judgesmustdeeplyrespecttheseparationofpowersandthecourt’sproperrole.

I lovepracticing law,but I amready to forego this inorder to serve this state. IowahasawonderfulBarassociationandlegaltraditions. ItwouldbemygreatprivilegetoserveontheSupremeCourtandcontributetoitsfuture.

10. Explainhowyourappointmentwouldenhancethecourt:

In terms of the skill set forwriting appellate decisions,my undergraduate and graduatedegrees in Englishpreparedme for the reading, analysis, andwriting that Iwoulddo in lawschool.IservedastheLeadArticlesEditorformyschool’slawreview.ThiswasaverypositiveexperienceandIinitiallythoughtIwouldwritelawreviewarticlesasawayofcontributingtothedevelopmentofthelaw.However,Isoondiscoveredthatthevastmajorityoflawyersdonotregularlyreadlawreviewarticles.IfIwasgoingtocontributetotheprofession,itwouldbeintheareaofcontinuinglegaleducation(CLE)programs.IamnowoneofthemorefrequentCLEpresentersatlawschoolsandtheIowaBarAssociationintheareaofrealestateandethics.Mygoalisprovidescholarlyoutlinesthatthoroughlycoveraparticularareaoflaw–whetherdealingwithrestrictivecovenantsinrealestateoravoidingconflictsofinterestinethics.Thissummer,IampleasedtobeginworkasCo-EditoroftheIowaBarAssociation’srevisionoftheRealEstateManual.

In termsofpractice areas, I beganmypracticewith a heavy volumeof criminal defense,juvenile,andmentalhealthandsubstanceabusecommitments.However, formostofmy22years,Ihavemaintainedahigh-volumeresidentialrealestateclosingpractice.Thishasallowedme toexamine thousandsof abstracts and sit across the table from thousandsof Iowansastheypurchasedahome.From2006to2008, I servedas theChairof theRealEstate&TitleLaw Sectionof the Iowa Bar. In addition to real estate, I also do a lot of workwith estateplanning,probate,businessformation,andbusinessacquisition.ItwouldbeofgreatvaluefortheIowaSupremeCourttohaveajusticewithasubstantialtransactionalbackgroundsincethemajority of Iowa lawyers have a general practice. I have traveled the state formany years,interactingwith lawyerswhowouldvaluehavinga justiceonthe IowaSupremecourtwithasimilarbackground.ItisimportantthatourCourtrepresentadiversityofpracticeareas.

Althoughmy daily work is transactional in nature, I still love the courtroom. Every otherspringsemester,IteachtrialadvocacytojuniorsandseniorsstudentsatIowaState,manyofwhom aspire to attend law school. I use Thomas Mauet’s Trial Techniques and Trials, thetextbookmost law schools use for teaching trial advocacy. The class benefits students whowanttogetatasteoftrialwork,butitisalsobenefitsmetoteachstudentshowtogiveagoodopening statement, conduct an effective cross examination, and properly make and argueobjections.Attheendofthesemester,weconducttrialsinanactualcourtroomusingoutside


witnesses to createasauthenticof anexperienceaspossible. It is very rewarding forme tonowhaveformerstudentspracticinglaw.

Another important way my appointment would enhance the court is the public servicebackgroundIbring.Ihavebeenheavilyinvolvedinmycommunityandstate.Thishaschangedme. I thinkdifferently about thepoorbecauseofmy service as chair of the committee thatallocates human services funding, about racial issues because of my work with the AmesBranchoftheNAACP,aboutlocalgovernmentbecauseofmyserviceontheAmesCityCouncil,andabout Iowa’swaterbecauseofmyserviceon the IowaUndergroundStorageTankFundBoard.ItisimportanttohavejusticeswhoareintouchwiththebroadneedsandconcernsofIowanswhostruggle.

A final areawhere Iwould enhance the Court is that I havemany years of experience inboarddecisionmaking. It is important thatour justicesbe able tomakedecisionswell as ateam.I listen,analyze,andhelpreachconsensus.OntheAmesCityCouncil,wedeeplyvaluecivility and being able to disagree without being disagreeable. Thus, I would seek to buildconsensuswherepossibleandinthosesituationswhere it isnotpossible, Iwouldmakesurethatdisagreementsneverbecomepersonal.CooperativedecisionmakingisavitalforservingonacitycouncilandwouldbeatraitIwouldbringtoserviceontheSupremeCourt.

11. Identifyanyoffensesforwhichyouhaveeverbeenconvictedorpledguiltyfortheviolationofanyfederallaworregulation,statelaworregulation,orcountyormunicipallaw,regulation,orordinance, excluding convictions that have been properly expunged. Do not include trafficviolationsforwhichthecourtimposedafineof$250orless,unlessyouwerearrested.(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Convictedof(describeoffense)

Seriousnessofcharge(e.g.,

seriousmisdem.,felony)

Locationofcourt(County,State)

Dispositiontype

(Plea,judgeruling,juryverdict)

Sentence/Penalty

Sentencedate

(mo/day/yr)

None.

12. Hasany local, state,or federaloffice/agencyeverassessedor threatened toassessyouwithacivil or criminalpenalty in connectionwith the reportingof, or failure to report, your federal,state,orlocaltaxes?(YesorNo)Ifyes,providedetails.

No

13. Haveyoueverbeenthesubjectofano-contactorder?(YesorNo)Ifyes,providedetails(casenumber,county,state,dateissued,daterescinded,andreasonfortheNCO).

No

14. Haveyoueverbeenapartyinanylegalproceeding(excludingtrafficviolationcasesforwhichafine of $250 or less was imposed, unless you were arrested)? If yes, provide the followinginformation:(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)


Casenumber County,State

Datefiled Dateclose Descriptionofcaseandoutcome

LACV042259 Story 05/23/05 06/02/06 Dispute over an unreleasedmortgage;dispute settled and dismissed withprejudice.

15. Have you ever beenpublicly disciplined in anymanner for a breach of professional ethics orunprofessionalconductbyanycourt,administrativeagency,barassociation,disciplinaryboard,orotherprofessionalgroup?Ifyes,providethefollowinginformation:(Use“Tab”in lastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Nameofdisciplineboardoragency

Datedisciplineimposed

Descriptionoftheethicsviolation

Descriptionofthepublicdiscipline

No

16. List each college and law school you attended, including the dates of attendance, the degreeawarded, and your reason for leaving each school if you did not receive a degree from thatinstitutionwasawarded.(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

College(s)andLawSchool(s)

–andreasonforleaving,ifapplicable

DatesAttended

(Mo/YrtoMo/Yr)

Degree(s) Month/YrReceived

IowaStateUniversity,Ames 08/85to05/87 Changedmajor

IowaWesleyanCollege,Mt.Pleasant 08/87to05/89 BA(English)

05/89

IowaStateUniversity,Ames 08/89to05/92 MA(Literature& TESL-Linguistics)

05/92

NorthernIllinoisUniversity,DeKalb 08/93to05/96 JD 05/96

17. Listanyrelevanthonors,prizes,awards,orotherformsofrecognitionthatyouhavereceivedforeducational, professional, or community contributions/achievements. (Use “Tab” in last row to addmorerows.)

Name/TitleofHonor,Prizes,Awards Awardedby: Month/YrReceived

Dean’sListinLawSchool NorthernIllinoisUniv.

Captain,MockTrialTeam NorthernIllinoisUniv. 1995

LeadArticleEditorofLawReview NorthernIllinoisUniv. 1995-96

OutstandingSectionChairAwardforserviceastheChairoftheRealEstateandTitleLawSection

IowaStateBarAssoc. June2008


CommunityInvolvementAward Ames Chamber ofCommerce

Jan.2016

Fellowship American College ofMortgageAttorneys

2011

Fellowship American College ofRealEstateLawyers

April2017

DistrictAwardofMerit Broken Arrow BoyScoutDistrict

Feb.2017

18. Listallarticlesandbooksyouhavepublished;includethecitationsanddates.(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Comment, Parity and the Litigation of Private Property Rights in the United States andGermany:EvidenceinSupportofChemerinsky’sLitigantChoicePrinciple,15N.Ill.U.L.Rev.747(1995).

A Little Grace (Professionalism in abstract examination and loan closings). On the MoveNewsletter.TitleGuaranty.Vol.5,#2(Winter2010).

19. Listallpublicpresentationsyouhavemadeateducational,professional,orotherpublicforums;includethecitationsanddates.(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

TitleofPresentation City,State EventSponsor Month&Year

HowtoMakeEffectiveOralPresentationsofResearchReports

Ames Civil EngineeringDept.,ISU

Multiplepresentationsfrom2000-18

Confidentiality,GiftsfromClients,andClientRecordsasEvidence

Ames Qualicare HomeHealth,LC

Nov.2000

TheRootsofAmericanLawandanAmericanGeneralPractice

Almaty,Kazakhstan

KazGoo Univ. LawSchool & KazGooAhUniv.LawSchool

March2002

TheMentalHealthCommitmentProcess Ames National Alliance onMental Illness ofCentralIowa

May2002

Iowa Real Estate Title Law: Problems andSolutions

DesMoines National BusinessInstitute(NBI)

July2004

RealEstateTitleExaminationinIowa DesMoines NBI Dec.2004

CommonRealEstateTitleProblems Ames Story County LegalAid

April2005

IowaRealEstateTransactionsMadePainlessandEfficient

DesMoines NBI June2005

Introduction to Residential Real EstateTransactions

DesMoines IowaStateBarAssoc.(ISBA)(Nuts&Bolts)

Oct. 2005 toOct.2016


IowaRealEstateTitleUpdate WestDesMoines HalfMoonSeminars Nov.2005

Iowa Real Estate Title: Identifying DefectsandFindingSolutions

CedarRapidsandDesMoines

NBI Dec.2005

Conveyancing Issues Created by DissolutionDecrees

Ames Story County BarAssoc.

Jan.2006

Purchase Agreements and Real EstateClosings

Ames CityofAmes June2006

Basic Estate Planning: Wills, Powers ofAttorney, LivingWills, and AssetOwnershipConsiderations

Ames FirstNationalBank May2006

CuringResidentialRealEstateTitleDefects CedarRapids NBI Aug.206

Legal Issues InvolvingNonprofitCorporationBoardsofDirectors

Ames HabitatforHumanity Oct.2006

Real Estate Law Advanced Issues andAnswers

CedarRapids NBI Nov.2006

RealEstateClosings–BeyondtheBasics CedarRapids Iowa Title Guaranty(ITG)

Nov.2006

ResidentialLandlord-TenantLaw Ames CityofAmes Nov.2006

ResolvingRealEstateTitleDefects CedarRapidsandDesMoines

NBI Dec.2006

IdentifyingandAvoidingConflictsofInterest DesMoines NBI Dec.2006

RealEstateClosingsinIowa West DesMoines,Bettendorf,Cedar Falls, andSiouxCity

ITG April and May2007

ResidentialRealEstateClosingIssues DesMoines Iowa State BarAssociation (ISBA)(AnnualMeeting)

June2007

IntroductiontoRealEstateTransactions Ames Legal SupportProfessionalsofIowa

Sept.2007

Ethical Issues Facing Real Estate Attorneys(PanelModerator)

WestDesMoines ITG Nov.2007

EstatePlanningWhereaFamilyMemberHasaMentalIllness

Ames National Alliance onMental Illness ofCentralIowa

Dec.2007

IdentifyingandAvoidingConflictsofInterest DesMoines DrakeLawSchool March2008

MortgageFraud MasonCity,IowaCity,DesMoines,andSiouxCity

ITG April and May2008


Top10ConveyancingIssuesforRealtors Ames CentralIowaBoardofRealtors

June2008

MortgageFraudandOtherIssues DesMoines Iowa Credit UnionLeague

Feb.2009

IntroductiontoTitleExamination DesMoines ISBA(BridgetheGap) May2009

TopTenTitleIssues Iowa City, SiouxCity, West DesMoines

ITG April, May,Oct.2009;

An Introduction to the History of Law andPoliticsintheU.S.

Ames Iowa State Univ.(visiting internationalstudents)

July2009

LegalEthics:SolutionstotheMostCommonChallenges

Des Moines andCedarRapids

NBI Dec.2009

TitleandClosingIssuesforAbstracters WestDesMoines Iowa Land TitleAssociation

May2010

RealEstateinaDepressedMarket DesMoines ISBA(BridgetheGap) May2010

IdentifyingandAvoidingConflictsofInterest IowaCity Univ.of IowaCollegeofLaw

Oct.2011

Issues on Conveying Real Estate fromEntities

DesMoines DrakeLawSchool March2012

EthicsPanel(Moderator) DesMoines ITG April2012

IdentifyingandAvoidingConflictsofInterest DesMoines ISBA(AnnualMtg.) June2012

EthicsinRealEstateTransactions DesMoines ITG Sept.2012

EthicsPanel(Moderator) Coralville ITG Nov.2012

RestrictiveCovenantsfortheTitleExaminer DesMoines DrakeLawSchool March2013

TheMechanic’sLienandNoticeRegistry forContractors

Huxley South Story Bank &Trust

March2013

BestPracticesforClosingAgents Altoona ITG June2013

RestrictiveCovenantsfortheTitleExaminer DesMoines ISBA(AnnualMtg.) June2013

EthicsinRealEstateTransactions Coralville Iowa FinanceAuthority

Sept.2013

FamilyLaw,Foreclosures,andRealPropertyIssues

Ames Center forAgricultural Law andTaxation

Sept.2013

VeterinaryEthicsLecture Ames College of VeterinaryMedicine

Sept. 2013,Sept. 2014,Sept. 2015,andOct.2016

ABC’sofAbstractExamination(3-hour) WestDesMoines ITG Nov.2013


UnderutilizedToolsofaRealEstateLawyer DesMoines DrakeLawSchool March2014

ABC’sofResidentialReal EstateClosings (3-hour)

WestDesMoines ITG March2014

RestrictiveCovenantsfortheTitleExaminer Ames Center forAgricultural Law andTaxation

Sept.2013

EthicsPanel(Moderator) CedarRapids ITG Nov.2014

Changes in Settlement Practices forResidentialRealEstateClosings

DesMoines ISBA(AnnualMtg.) June2015

More than Just “Don’ts”: A Review of theAspirationalRulesofProfessionalConduct

IowaCity Univ.of IowaCollegeofLaw

Sept.2015

Closing Residential Loans under theConsumerFinancialProtectionBureauRules

Indianola South Central IowaLandTitleAssoc.

Sept.2015

EthicsPanel(Moderator) Altoona ITG Nov.2015

Closing Residential Loans under theConsumerFinancialProtectionBureauRules

Clive Iowa Association ofRealtors

Nov.2015

IdentifyingandAvoidingConflictsofInterest DesMoines ISBA(TaxSchool) Dec.2015


DesMoines ISBA(Ethicswebinar) Dec.2015

Changes in Settlement Practices forResidentialRealEstateClosings



Okoboji LawyersChautauqua June2016

TitleExaminationBeyondtheBasics DesMoines ISBA(AnnualMtg.) June2016

The Ouderkirk case: The Ethics of AdvisingClientsonAssetProtectionMeasures

IowaCity Univ.of IowaCollegeoflaw

Sept.2016

Attorney-AbstracterIssues Madrid South Central IowaLandTitleAssociation

Sept.2016


DesMoines ISBA(Ethicswebinar) Dec.2016

When Technical Objections Should CloudTitleUnderIowaLandtitleStandard1.1




Overview of Residential Real EstateTransactions

DesMoines ISBA(AnnualMtg.) June 2017 &June2018


Ames Professional AdvisorConf.

Aug.2017

Overview of Residential Real Estate Johnston IowaParalegalAssoc. Sept.2017


Transactions

Changing the World through CivilInvolvement

Ames Iowa StateUniversityHonorProgram

Oct.2017

Easement Issues for Engineering ConsultingFirmsandMunicipalities

Ames Iowa Section ofAmerican Society ofCivilEngineers

Oct.2017


DesMoines ITG Nov.2017

Examination Issues with Easements (PanelModerator)


Brown v. Board of Education: The CivilWarAmendmentstoIntegration

Ames Ames Branch ofNAACP

Feb.2018



20. Listallpart-timeand full-time teachingpositions youhaveheld. (Use “Tab” in last row to addmore

rows.)

NameofSchool/College City,State NameofCourse(s) Month/Yrto

Month/Yr

Full-timeorPart-time

IowaStateUniversity Ames Writing courses forinternationalstudents; publicspeakingcourse.

Aug./89 toMay/92

Part-time

IowaStateUniversity Ames Research reportwriting forinternationalgraduatestudents

Aug./96 toMay/98

Part-time

IowaStateUniversity Ames TechnicalCommunication forCivil Engineers(shortcourse)

Jan./09 toFeb./09

Part-time

IowaStateUniversity Ames Communicationand the LegalSystem (TrialAdvocacy)

Jan. toMay,2012, 2014,2015,2017

Part-time

21. Listthecourtsorjurisdictionsinwhichyouare,orhavebeen,admittedtopracticelaw,includinganyadministrativebodieswith special admission requirements,and thedatesofadmission foreach.(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Stateandfederaljurisdictionsinwhichyouare,orhavebeen, Month/Yr


admittedtopracticelaw Admitted

Iowa June1996

22. Listchronologicallytheemploymentyouhavehadsinceyourinitialadmissiontopracticelawinany state or federal jurisdiction. For each time period, provide the following information asapplicable:

a. Ifyouservedasalawclerktoajudge,providethenameofthejudge,thecourt,andthecourt’slocation.

Dates(From--To) Nameofjudge,nameofcourt,andcourtlocation

b. If you have practiced law, provide the following information for each position you haveheld:

(1)Nameofthelawfirm(s),company,orgovernmentagencythatemployedyou,(2)Cityandstatewheretheofficewaslocated,(3)Numberofattorneysinthelawfirmoragency,(4)Whetheryouwereapartnerinthefirm,(5)Theareasoflawinwhichyoupracticed,and(6)Adescriptionofthetypicalclientsyourepresented.(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Dates(From--To) Descriptionoflawpractice(addresstopicsin22(b)(1)–(6)foreachtimeperiod)

June 1996 toPresent

1.Hastings,Gartin&Boettger,LLP

2.Ames,Iowa

3.3-4attorneys

4.Becameapartnerin1999

5. General practice 1996-2008 (real estate, criminal defense,mental health andsubstanceabuse commitments, juvenile, businessorganizations, estateplanning)2008topresent(realestate,businessorganizations,estateplanning,andprobate)

6.Typicalclients– lenders,businessclients,criminaldefendants(privatepayandcourt appointed), all ages of adults for estate planning, and families needingassistancewithprobate.

23. Regardingyourlegalexperience:a. Approximately what percentage of your court appearances have been in the following

typesofcourts?

Typeofcourt %ofappearances

(1) Federalcourts 0

(2) Statecourts 99%


(3) Administrativeagencies 1%

(4) Othertribunals 0

b. Approximately what percentage of your time have you spent on the following types ofcases?

Typesofcases %ofyourtime

(1) Administrative 1%

(2) Civil 5%

(3) Criminal 70%

(4) Domestic 0%

(5) Juvenile 20%

(6) Probate 4%

(7) Other(describe):

c. Inthepast10years,approximatelyhowmanycaseshaveyoutriedtoaconclusion(ratherthan settling)beforea judgeandbeforea jury? Indicate thenumber inwhichyouweresolecounsel,chiefcounsel,orassociatecounsel.

Typeoftrial

Total#oftrials

#assolecounsel

#aschiefcounsel

#asassociatecounsel

Triedbeforeajury 0

Triedbeforeajudge 0

ColumnTotal 0

d. Inthepast20years,inapproximatelyhowmanycaseshaveyouhaverepresentedapartyin an appeal to an appellate court in any state or federal jurisdiction? Indicate thenumberinwhichyouweresolecounsel,chiefcounsel,orassociatecounsel.

Appellatecourt* Total#of

appeals:

#assolecounsel

#aschiefcounsel

#asassociatecounsel

#inwhichyoupresentedoral

argument

IowaSupremeCourt 2 1 1 0 2

IowaCourtofAppeals 2 2 0 0 0

Otherstateappellatecourt(identify):

Otherstateappellate


court(identify):

Otherstateappellatecourt(identify):

Otherappellatecourt(identify):

FederalCircuitCourt(s)

U.S.SupremeCourt

Total 4 3 1 0 2

*Countitasanappealtoanintermediatecourtofappeals(ICA)--e.g.,Iowa’sCourtofAppeals--ifthestate intermediate court of appeal initially handled it; count it as a separate appeal to the supremecourt(SC)iftheSCacceptedituponapetitionforfurtherreviewfromtheICA;countanappealtothesupremecourtiftheSCretainedjurisdictionwithoutfirstassigningittotheICA.(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

e. Describethegeneralnatureofyourcurrentlawpractice,includingthesubstantiveareasofthe law in which you practice (e.g., civil, domestic, criminal) and the approximatepercentageoftimeyouhavespentoneachareaoverthepastfiveyears:

Mycurrentpracticeinvolvesrealestate(70%),businessorganizations(10%),estateplanning(10%),andprobate(10%).

24. Describethreeofthemostsignificantlegalmattersthatyouhavepersonallyhandled.Foreachofthesignificantlegalmattersincludethefollowinginformation:

a. Titleofthecaseandthecountyandstateofvenue,

b. Abriefsummaryofthesubstanceofeachmatter,

c. Asuccinctstatementofwhatyoubelievetobethesignificanceofit,

d. Thenameofthepartyyourepresented,

e. Thenatureofyourparticipationinthecase,

f. Datesofyourinvolvement,

g. Theoutcomeofthecase,

h. Name(s)andaddress(es)[city,state]ofco-counsel(ifany),

i. Name(s)ofcounselforopposingpartiesinthecase,and

j. Nameofthejudgebeforewhomyoutriedthecase.

Note:ifthematterwasconfidential,pleaseavoidtheuseofanyinformationthatmayallowdisclosureoftheidentityoftheparties.

Significantlegalmatter#1:


a. Mosher v. Dept. of Inspections & Appeals, Heath Facilities Division, Story County Case No.EQCV039682.

b. Summary. TiffanyMosher, a nursing home administrator, was accused of committing dependentadult abuse for accepting gifts from a resident at a nursing home. The nursing home residentwas aretiredattorneyandfullycapableofmakingfinancialdecisions.However,theadministrativelawjudgemadeafindingofdependentadultabuse.AnappealwasfiledtotheStoryCountyDistrictCourt,wheretheCourt reversed thedecisionof theALJ. TheStateof Iowaappealedand the IowaSupremeCourtretained the case. The Iowa Supreme Court, inMosher v. Dept. of Inspections and Appeals,HealthFacilities Division, 671 N.W.2d 501 (Iowa 2003), affirmed the District Court and held that theDepartment lacked the statutory authority to define “dependent adult” and the resident was not adependentadultforpurposesofthestatute.

c.Significance.Attheverybeginningofthecase,Ibroughttheissueofthelackofadependentadulttothe attentionof the assistant attorney generalwho represented theDIA.Her response: “I prosecutethesekindsofcasesallover Iowa. Iprosecutenursinghomestaffwhoonlytakeacigarette fromaresident. Idon’tcarewhatthestatutesays. I’mgoingforwardwiththiscase.” I representedTiffanyMosheronaprobonobasistodefendheragainstanunjustandillegalaction.

d.Nameofpartyrepresented.IrepresentedTiffanyMosher,thenursinghomeadministratorallegedtohave committed dependent adult abuse. I also represented Tiffany in her professional licensurerevocationandacivilactionbroughtbytheestateof thenursinghomeresident.Nocriminalchargeswerefiled.

e.Natureofparticipation.IrepresentedTiffanyateverystageoftheprocess,frominitialconference,toadministrativelawproceeding,totheappealattheDistrictCourt,andfinallytheappealtotheIowaSupremeCourt.

f.Datesofinvolvement.1998throughtheoralargumentbeforeIowaSupremeCourtonJuly9,2003.

g. Outcome. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the DIA exceeded its authority in defining “adultabuse” and affirmed the District Court decision, removing Tiffany from the dependant adult abuseregistry.

h. Co-Counsel. Mark Teigland (at that time of Story City, Iowa) was an associate in our office andassistedwiththebrieftotheIowaSupremeCourt.

i.Opposingcounsel.MelissaBiederman,AssistantAttorneyGeneral.

j.Nameoftrialjudge.AdministrativeLawJudgeJennyFlaherty;heardonappealtotheDistrictCourtbyHon.JudgeWilliamPattinson.


a.BaumhoefenerNursery,Inc.v.A&DPartnership,II,PolkCountyCaseNo.CE35573.

b.Summary.ThemanagerofanapartmentcomplexinWestDesMoineswantedtoinstall400trees.Atreebrokerwasutilized.ThebrokercontractedwithBaumhoefenerNursery,inCedarRapids,todigupthe treesata tree farm inKalona, Iowa,and load themon trucks.BaumhoefenerNurseryneverhadtitletothetrees.Thedeveloperhadnoknowledgeofhowthetreesweredug.Itpaidthetreebrokerand obtained a lien waiver. Baumhoefener Nursery was not paid by the tree broker and filed amechanic’slienprimarilyfordiggingupthetreesandloadingthem.Thequestionwaswhetherapartycouldfileamechanic’slienforoff-siteworkregardlessofhowfarremovedtheoff-siteworkwastothesubject property. ThePolk CountyDistrict Court ruled in favor of BaumhoefenerNursery. Thiswas acaseoffirstimpression.TheIowaSupremeCourtaffirmedonappealinBaumhoefenerNursery,Inc.v.A&DPartnership,II,618N.W.2d363(Iowa2000).


c. Significance. The case extended the right to filemechanic’s liens for parties whose labor is farremovedfromthesubjectpropertyandwheretheownerof thepropertyhasnoknowledgeof theclaimantandthereforenoreasonablemeansofobtainingalienwaiver.

d.Nameofpartyrepresented.IrepresentedA&DPartnership,II.

e. Natureofparticipation. IdefendedA&DPartnership, II inthetrialtoenforcethemechanic’s lienandonappealtotheIowaSupremeCourt.

f.Datesofinvolvement.1997totheoralargumentonApril19,2000.

g. Outcome. The Court affirmed the decision of the District Court, in favor of the mechanic’s lienclaimant.

h.Co-Counsel.Noco-counsel.

i.Opposingcounsel.DavidA.O’BrienandJamesW.Radig,CedarRapids.

j.Nameoftrialjudge.Hon.ArthurE.Gamble.


a.CityofAnkenyv.JenniferVeith,PolkCountyCaseNo.ANNTAN199771.

b. Summary. JenniferVeith,asenior incollege,wastravelingbacktoherdormatFaithBaptistBibleCollege,Ankeny, in theearlyeveningofSeptember15,1998.Whilewaitingtomakea left-handturn,hervehiclewasstruckbyanon-comingmotorcycle.Themotorcyclistdiedasaresultofhisinjuries.Thequestionwaswhether Jennifer failed to yield. Although only a simplemisdemeanor, the casewouldprecedeawrongfuldeathcivilcase.Thiswasajurytrial.

c.Significance.IhandledthiscaseonaprobonobasisbecauseJenniferandherfamilycouldnotaffordlegalrepresentation,noranexperttorebuttheCity’saccidentreconstructionexpertwhowastotestifythatJenniferwasatfault.However,IwasabletoneutralizetheCity’sexpertduringcross-examinationby obtaining a concession that he could not testify with reasonable certainty where the point ofcollision tookplace.As a result, theCity’s case collapsed.Understandably, the accident involving thedeathofamotoristandthesubsequentchargeassertingfaultweremajor lifeeventsforJenniferandher family.Thecasewasshapingtomeasayoung lawyertoseehowthetrialprocesscanprovidejustice;however,italsoreinforcedtheimportanceofhavingcompetent,zealousdefenseattorneys.

d.Nameofpartyrepresented.IrepresentedJenniferVeith.

e.Natureofparticipation.Trialcounsel.

f.Datesofinvolvement.IhandledthecasefromtheinitialinterviewthroughthejurytrialonFebruary17,1999.

g.Outcome.ThejuryfoundJennifernotguilty.

h.Co-Counsel.Noco-counsel.

i.Opposingcounsel.TreCritelli

j.Nameoftrialjudge.Hon.CynthiaMoisan

25. Haveyouservedasajudicialofficerinanystate?(Yes/No): No If“No”–skipto#26.

a. If“Yes”-providethefollowinginformation:(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Dates(From--To) Judicialtitle CountyorDistrict Typesofcaseswithinyourjurisdiction


b. IfyouhavebeenajudicialofficerinIowaduringthepreviousfiveyears:

(1) HowmanytimesdidyoufailtofilethemonthlyRule22.10reportsbythereportdeadline?

(2) During thepast fiveyears, howmanycases did you listonyourRule22.10 reports thatweremorethanthefollowingnumberofdaysoldfromthetimetheyweresubmittedforaruling?

120daysold 180daysold 240daysold Oneyearold

#ofcasesmorethan:

26. If you are currently an officer, director, partner, sole proprietor, or otherwise engaged in themanagement of any business enterprise or nonprofit organization other than a law practice,providethefollowinginformationaboutyourposition(s)andtitle(s):(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Nameofbusiness/organization

Yourtitle Yourduties Dates(From--To)

CarrollAvenue,L.C. Manager Manage company which ownsinvestmentproperty

04/00topresent

409DuffBuilding,L.C. Manager Manage company which ownsinvestmentproperty

08/01topresent

27. Listall county, state,andnationalbarassociationandprofessionalorganizationmemberships

and the years you have been a member of each (e.g., 1998 to present), and identify anycommitteesonwhichyouhaveservedandofficesyouhaveheld in thoseorganization(s) -andthetitlesanddatesofanyofficesyouhaveheld.(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Professionalassociationstowhichyouhavebelonged

Committees/Offices Dates(From--To)

IowaStateBarAssociation Law-RelatedEducationComm. 1996to1998

Bridge-the-GapCommittee 1997to2002

Real Estate & Title Law SectionCouncil(Chair07/06to06/08)

07/04to06/10

Special Committee forResponding to Iowa Land TitleAssociationBill(Chair)

12/07to01/08

Ethics & Practice GuidelinesCommittee

04/17topresent

StoryCountyBarAssociation AmericanCitizenshipCommittee 06/96topresent


Chair(1998)

FederalistSociety Member 1996topresent

AmericanCollegeofMortgageAttorneys Fellow 2011to2015

AmericanCollegeofRealEstateLawyers Fellow 04/17topresent

28. Listalllocal,county,state,andnationalgovernment(includingbutnotlimitedtojudicialbranch)commissions, task forces, or advisory committees onwhich you have served - and any titles(e.g., chair) youhaveheldon such commissionsor committees. (Use “Tab” in last row to addmorerows.)

Dates(From--To) Governmentcommissions,taskforces,etc.onwhichyouserved

04/97to3/04 AmesHumanRelationsCommissionHearingOfficer

04/01to03/02 AmesAnalysisofSocialServicesEvaluationTeam(Vice-Chair04/01to03/01;Chair03/01to03/02)(Allocatingfundingtohumanservicesagencies)

11/02to12/04 AmesMentalHealth/CriminalJusticeTaskForce

08/12toPresent IowaComprehensivePetroleumUndergroundStorageTankFundBoard(StateBd.)

11/17toPresent AmesCommunitySchoolDistrictSchoolImprovementAdvisoryCouncil

02/18toPresent District2BJudicialNominatingCommission

29. Describeyourprobonoworkduringthepast10years:

a. Approximatenumberofprobonocasesyou’vehandled:

IwouldestimatethatIhavehandled150mattersprobonooverthelasttenyears.Thesemattersvaryconsiderablyinscope.

b. Averagenumberofhoursofprobonoserviceperyear: Iowa lawyers are required to provide 50hours per year in pro bono service. Ianticipate that I provide at least 75 plushoursofserviceperyear.Publicserviceisa very important part of our firm’smission.

c. Typesofprobonocases: I take referrals through the VolunteerLawyer Project and Story County LegalAid. However, my main avenue ofproviding pro bono services is tononprofit organizations and churches.For example, I handle all of the realestate matters on a pro bono basis forourlocalHabitatforHumanitychapter,Irepresent churches without feewhereverpossible,anddomanywillsforpeoplewhoareindigent.


30. Listanyemploymentoutsideofthelegalprofessionthatyouhavehadsincegraduatingfromlawschoolthatmayberelevanttothisapplication;include:(a)thedates,(b)organizationorbusinessforwhomyouworked,and(c)dutiesyouperformed.(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Dates(From--To) Business/OrganizationName,City,State YourDuties

08/96to05/17 IowaStateUniversity(SeeQuestion20.) Teaching writing, technicalcommunicationandtrialadvocacy.

01/14topresent CityofAmes(SeeQuestion31) Citycouncilmember

31. Have you ever held public office or have you ever been a candidate for public office? If theanswer is“yes,”describethepublicofficeheldorsought, the locationof thepublicoffice,andthedates.(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Dates(From--To) Publicoffice(s):Indicate“Held”or“Sought”andLocation

2010 Sought:Republican candidate for IowaSenateDistrict23 (Ames,Gilbert, LutherandMadrid)

01/14toPresent Held:AmesCityCouncil(Ward2)

32. Providethefollowinginformationonyourmilitaryservice(ifany):(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmore

rows.)

Dates(From--To) Militarybranch CurrentRank Locationanddatesofserviceinothercountries

CurrentStatus

(Active/Inactive)

None.

33. Listanycivic,charitable,religious,educational,socialorfraternalorganization(s)towhichyou

belong or provide volunteer services. Describe the nature of your involvement with theorganization(s),includinganyofficesyouhaveheldwiththeorganization(s).(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Dates(From--To) OrganizationName Natureofyourinvolvement

06/96toPresent Cornerstone Church ofAmes

Member(Leadership01/05to05/13)

07/97to06/99 Lincoln Way Chapter ofAmericanRedCross

BoardofDirectors(DisasterResponseTeam,05/04to07/10)

02/99to05/06 AmesMorningRotary Member(BoardofDirectors07/00to06/02)

08/00to06/06 Mary Greeley MedicalCenterFoundation

MemberofInvestmentCommittee

11/04toPresent Ames Chamber ofCommerce

Member(GovernmentAffairsCommittee(11/04to11/12)

02/05to11/11 Habitat for Humanity ofCentralIowa

BoardofDirectors

09/00to03/14 BoyScoutsofAmerica Cub Scout Den Leader (09/00 to 02/05; 08/07 to


02/12); Cubmaster (02/02 to 05/05); Boy ScoutTroop Committee (08/06 to 12/11); BrokenArrowDistrictChair(01/12to03/14)

02/12to12/13 Ames Convention andVisitorsBureau

BoardMember

03/15to04/17 AmesTransitAgency BoardMember(overseestheCy-Ridebussystem)

06/17toPresent Ames EconomicDevelopmentCorporation

BoardMember

03/16toPresent AmesBranch,NAACP Member

06/16toPresent Youth&ShelterServices Mentorofanat-riskelementarystudent

01/14toPresent IowaLeagueofCities Member(Constitution&By-LawsCommittee12/16to09/17;EducationCommittee01/17toPresent)

06/17toPresent AmesPatrioticCouncil Member (Co-Chair0917 toPresent) (organizes theMemorialDayandVeteransDayCelebrations)

34. Listallthesocialmediaapplications(e.g.,Facebook,Twitter,Snapchat,Instagram,Linkedin)thatyou have used in the past five years and your account name or other identifying information(excludingpasswords)foreachaccount.(Use“Tab”inlastrowtoaddmorerows.)

Socialmediaapplicationname Accountnameorotheridentifyinginformation

Facebook TimGartin(individual);TimGartin(electedofficial)

Linkedin TimothyGartin

LibraryThing(asocialcatalogingwebsiteforsharingbookcatalogsandbookrecommendations)

IowaLawyer

35. References:Listthenames,addresses,andtelephonenumbersofatleastfivepersonswhoarein a position to provide knowledgeable comments about your qualifications for this judicialposition.

Name Address Telephonenumber

AndrewJ.Boettger Hastings,Gartin&Boettger,LLP

409DuffAve.

Ames,IA50010

515-232-2501

DanMoore Moore,Heffernan,Moeller,Johnson&Meis,LLP

501PierceSt.

SiouxCity,IA51101

712-252-0020

MattWhite TitleServicesDMCorp.

2066thAve.,Suite900

DesMoines,IA50309

515-457-9002

Iowa Judicial Branch Application for a Supreme Court Justice … · 2018-06-27 · Supreme Court Justice / Court of Appeals Judge Application – Part 1: Personal Background Page

Documents