Iowa Judicial Branch Application for a Supreme Court Justice … · 2018-06-27 · Supreme Court...
Transcript of Iowa Judicial Branch Application for a Supreme Court Justice … · 2018-06-27 · Supreme Court...
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
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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
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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.)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
More than Just “Don’ts”: A Review of theAspirationalRulesofProfessionalConduct
DesMoines ISBA(Ethicswebinar) Dec.2015
Changes in Settlement Practices forResidentialRealEstateClosings
DesMoines DrakeLawSchool March2016
More than Just “Don’ts”: A Review of theAspirationalRulesofProfessionalConduct
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
The Ouderkirk case: The Ethics of AdvisingClientsonAssetProtectionMeasures
DesMoines ISBA(Ethicswebinar) Dec.2016
When Technical Objections Should CloudTitleUnderIowaLandtitleStandard1.1
DesMoines DrakeLawSchool March2017
The Ouderkirk case: The Ethics of AdvisingClientsonAssetProtectionMeasures
Okoboji LawyersChautauqua June2017
Overview of Residential Real EstateTransactions
DesMoines ISBA(AnnualMtg.) June 2017 &June2018
More than Just “Don’ts”: A Review of theAspirationalRulesofProfessionalConduct
Ames Professional AdvisorConf.
Aug.2017
Overview of Residential Real Estate Johnston IowaParalegalAssoc. Sept.2017
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Transactions
Changing the World through CivilInvolvement
Ames Iowa StateUniversityHonorProgram
Oct.2017
Easement Issues for Engineering ConsultingFirmsandMunicipalities
Ames Iowa Section ofAmerican Society ofCivilEngineers
Oct.2017
When Technical Objections Should CloudTitleUnderIowaLandtitleStandard1.1
DesMoines ITG Nov.2017
Examination Issues with Easements (PanelModerator)
DesMoines DrakeLawSchool March2018
Brown v. Board of Education: The CivilWarAmendmentstoIntegration
Ames Ames Branch ofNAACP
Feb.2018
When Technical Objections Should CloudTitleUnderIowaLandtitleStandard1.1
Okoboji LawyersChautauqua June2018
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
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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%
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(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
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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:
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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.
Significantlegalmatter#2:
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).
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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.
Significantlegalmatter#3:
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
SupremeCourtJustice/CourtofAppealsJudgeApplication–Part1:PersonalBackground Page15of19
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
SupremeCourtJustice/CourtofAppealsJudgeApplication–Part1:PersonalBackground Page16of19
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.
SupremeCourtJustice/CourtofAppealsJudgeApplication–Part1:PersonalBackground Page17of19
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
SupremeCourtJustice/CourtofAppealsJudgeApplication–Part1:PersonalBackground Page18of19
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