Grady named Sixth Judicial District chief judge

Sixth Judicial District Judge Patrick Grady was appointed Wednesday as the chief judge to replace David Remley, who retires Sept. 15.

“It is an honor and a challenge to be selected as chief judge and I want do a good job following in Judge Remley's footsteps," Grady said. "He's done great work.”

Ternus said Grady has extensive experience as a judge on several levels which provides him with the knowledge and abilities needed to be an effective chief judge.

“He has played a significant leadership role in many statewide projects for the courts, most recently working on our efforts to make the courts more accessible for people who choose to represent themselves,” Ternus said.

Grady joked that he was the only one to apply for the position but said that should reveal something about the job itself. “It's not an easy job or a popular one.”

Remley asked Grady to be the assistant chief judge in 2006. It wasn't an official position but it gave Grady the opportunity to experience the duties of chief judge when Remley was gone.

“We've had some tough times with the flood and the budget cuts. I had the chance to be active during the flood because Remley was on vacation when it hit. It also gave me the chance to be part of the recovery efforts.”

Grady said with the continuing budget problems his priority is to maintain the high quality service for the public.

As chief judge, Grady will supervise all judicial officers and court employees, supervise the performance of administrative and judicial business, set the times and places of holding court, designate presiding judges, and serve on the judicial council, which advises the Supreme Court on administrative matters affecting the trial courts. He also will continue to preside over cases.

Grady received a bachelor's degree from Creighton University, Omaha, in 1975 and a law degree from the University of Iowa Law School in 1979. He was appointed to the bench in 1989 as a juvenile referee/associate juvenile judge and was appointed a district judge in 1995.

Before serving on the bench, he was a state appellate defender, Linn County public defender, and practiced law in a private firm.

Grady will start his duties as chief judge Sept. 16.