In the Balance
An Iowa Judicial Branch podcast dedicated to taking listeners beyond the courtroom doors to explore Iowa's rich judicial past, present, and future.
Episodes
29 episodes since 2020
47. History of Iowa Constitutional Conventions with Leo Landis
This month, the
August 27, 2024
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Episode 46
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21:45
46. Women Pioneers in the Iowa Judicial Branch
This month, In The Balance Podcast hosts Dr. Roxann Ryan. Dr. Ryan began practicing law in the Iowa Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Division in 1980 and has been...
July 30, 2024
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23:11
44. The role of a magistrate, an interview with Magistrate Christine Skilton
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: Magist...
May 28, 2024
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Episode 44
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14:51
43. A Career with the Iowa Judicial Branch, an Interview with Savannah Hanning
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 &...
April 30, 2024
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Episode 43
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9:46
42. Exploring Iowa's Legal Forms with Tim Eckley
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...
March 26, 2024
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Episode 42
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15:41
41. Considering Law School with Anna Stoeffler
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 Sto...
February 27, 2024
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Episode 41
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13:21
40. Business Court with Justice Thomas Waterman and Judge David Nelmark
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 busine...
January 30, 2024
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Episode 40
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26:04
39. An Interview with Megan Tooker, Counsel to the Chief Justice
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...
December 26, 2023
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Episode 39
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8:54
38. The Evolution of Iowa's Court System
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-...
November 28, 2023
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6:18
37. The Office of Professional Regulation with Executive Director Tre Critelli
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...
October 31, 2023
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13:49
36. The 60th Anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright
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 GaalGues...
September 13, 2023
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13:49
35: Preserving Iowa's Judicial History with Richard Lyford
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 ...
August 29, 2023
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10:42
34. Iowa's Treatment Courts with Richard Gordon
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 Tr...
July 25, 2023
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10:42
33. An Interview with Iowa Supreme Court Justice David May
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 Justice...
June 27, 2023
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7:19
32: Celebrating 20 Years of the Iowa Judicial Branch Building
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...
May 30, 2023
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34:24
31. A Day in the Life with Donna Humpal, Appellate Clerk of Court
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 Gaal...
April 25, 2023
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22:36
30. Gertrude E. Rush, Iowa's First African American Female Attorney
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...
March 28, 2023
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5:17
29. The Making of Shattering Silence with James Ellwanger
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...
February 28, 2023
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19:49
28. Iowa's Clerks of Court with Jackie Myers and Donna Geery
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,...
January 03, 2023
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17:23
27. Iowa's Court Reporters with Laura McFall and Bob Gast
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...
November 29, 2022
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13:56
26. Electronic Search Warrants with Judge James Malloy and Deputy Seth McCrea
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...
October 25, 2022
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19:52
25. Jury Service with Judge Kevin McKeever
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.&nbs...
September 27, 2022
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20:53
24. The Iowa and Federal Constitutions with Justice Dana Oxley
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 ...
August 30, 2022
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21:28
23. A Day in the Life of a Juvenile Court Officer with Chris Castrey
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.
July 26, 2022
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11:08