Senate Confirms Locher to Be Federal Judge in Iowa

WASHINGTON – Judge Stephen Locher of Des Moines today was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a lifetime federal judgeship for the Southern District of Iowa. As ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) marshalled the nomination through the vetting process, culminating in a rare unanimous approval by the full Senate.

 

“Judge Locher represents the best and brightest of our legal community, and it was an honor to work with him throughout his swift confirmation process. Drawing on years of experience in both civil and criminal law, Judge Locher understands the proper role of a judge, and I’m confident he will enforce the law as written. I’d like to thank the Iowans who served on our Judicial Selection Commission for doing such an excellent job selecting a well-qualified nominee. Congratulations to Judge Locher and his family on this significant achievement,” Grassley said.

 

“Judge Locher is an experienced and qualified individual who is an exceptional choice for this position. Congratulations to Judge Locher and his family on today’s confirmation,” Ernst said. “In addition, I’d like to thank all of the members of the Judicial Selection Commission in Iowa for their hard work in reviewing every one of the candidates during this process.”

A photo of Grassley with Locher and his family can be found HERE.

 

Photos of Locher’s appearance before the Judiciary Committee can be found HERE, HERE and HERE.

 

“Judge Locher is a thoughtful and practical judge who will serve Iowans well as a District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa. We appreciate Senators Grassley and Ernst ensuring that Iowa continues to have a strong federal bench,” said Kelsey Knowles of Clive, member of Belin McCormick, P.C.

 

“As a past president of the Iowa State Bar Association and a former commissioner on the Iowa State Judicial Nominating Commission, I know what qualities make a good judge. The selection and confirmation of Stephen H. Locher as a United States District Judge is great news for all Iowans. Judge Locher represents the best of Iowa, whip smart, hard working, and humble. He is eminently well qualified, with extensive professional experience as a courtroom lawyer, both as a prosecutor and defense lawyer. Most notably, Judge Locher possesses the critical judicial temperament to follow the law and treat everyone fairly and with respect. I congratulate Senator Grassley for recommending Stephen H. Locher and the U.S. Senate for confirming Judge Locher to this important position,” said Guy Cook of Des Moines.

 

“Steve Locher has been an exemplary lawyer as a federal prosecutor, a private practitioner representing people from all walks of life, and a federal magistrate judge. I have worked with him in all of those roles, and I am thrilled that he will now serve the citizens of Iowa as an Article III federal judge. We Iowans are fortunate to have Senator Grassley’s leadership in helping select Judge Locher and helping obtain his confirmation,” said Mark Weinhardt with The Weinhardt Law Firm of Des Moines.

 

Grassley and Ernst convened a Judicial Selection Commission last December to evaluate candidates for the Southern District vacancy. The commission was comprised of highly-qualified members of the Iowa legal community and led by Cynthia Moser, a former Iowa State Bar Association president. The commission also included Richard Sapp, Jeffrey Goodman, Harlan D. Hockenberg and Adam Freed.

 

Following an extensive review process, which included hundreds of hours reviewing and interviewing applicants and their professional history, credentials and qualifications, the commission unanimously supported Judge Locher for the position. In February, Grassley and Ernst officially recommended Locher to President Joe Biden.

 

The Iowa senators’ recommendation was quickly considered by the White House. In April, President Biden nominated Locher to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa. Less than a month later, the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Locher’s nomination. Locher then advanced through the Judiciary Committee with unanimous support in June.

 

More details on Locher’s background and qualifications follow:

 

 

 

 

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