Epilogue: Friends, co-workers remember public defender as ‘sincere, zealous advocate’

CEDAR RAPIDS — Brian Sissel, former Linn County chief public defender who died unexpectedly at age 60 earlier this week, is remembered by judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers and court staff as always being “positive, sincere and a zealous advocate” for his clients over his 33 years as a lawyer.

Almost all of them also mentioned his distinctive, “infectious laugh” that could be heard echoing throughout the Linn County Courthouse.

Sissel’s celebration of life gathering will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Classic Event Center in the Town & Country Shopping Center, 3607 First Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids.

Dave Grinde, a retired Linn County public defender, said “it was utter shock” when he got the call that his friend and colleague had died of a heart attack Monday while mowing the lawn.

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Sissel began his law career working for a few years in Des Moines and then came to the Linn County Public Defender’s Office in Cedar Rapids. Sissel, who was born in Iowa City and grew up in Anamosa, was appointed of office’s chief public defender in 2007 and retired in 2022.

“We’ve been through every kind of life event together — marriages, divorces, children,” Grinde, becoming emotional, said. Grinde said he was speaking to The Gazette on behalf of Sissel’s wife, Brittney Hagmeier, and his children.

“Brian was the epitome of a public defender,” Grinde said. “He was well- respected by the court, prosecutors and all involved in the judicial system. He was the defense lawyer that clients in need wanted and requested. The judicial system has lost a giant, who was only just beginning his well-deserved retirement.”

Grinde and Sissel started working at the public defender’s office at the same time in 1991 along with now retired 6th Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover.

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Hoover said Sissel brought a “positive energy” when he walked into a room. “He was a heckuva lawyer who would bleed for his clients,” she added.

Both told a story about how, years ago, they teased Sissel by “kidnapping” his valued, life-size cardboard cutout of Larry Bird, former Boston Celtics basketball great. They took the cutout with them around northwest Iowa, taking photos of Bird boating and eating with them. They even put the cutout in a dumpster.

Grinde said he had just found out that Sissel had kept a scrapbook of those photos.

Other memories

Sixth Judicial District Associate Judge Russell Keast said Sissel was “one of the most genuinely sincere, capable and empathetic humans that I have had the good fortune of encountering.”

He had a “knowledgeable and pragmatic perspective that regularly produced optimal outcomes for his clients.”

“As a man, his outgoing and positive affect was uplifting and contagious for all those around him,” Keast said. “He is and will continue to be remembered and missed.”

Todd Weimer, a public defender, said Sissel was a “great boss, but he was an even better person.” He cared for his family, friends, co-workers and clients.

“I'm sad he is gone, but it was a pleasure and privilege to have known him,” Weimer said.

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Iowa Court of Appeals Judge Mary Chicchelly said Sissel was an “excellent trial attorney, but more importantly he was one of the best people I’d ever met.”

The work Sissel did as a public defender, representing those unable to pay for a lawyer, is “mentally draining, and he did it masterfully.”

He also had a knack for “lightening thing up” with a smile or a joke. His “infectious” laugh was unforgettable.

“I will miss his sunshine,” she said.

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks also noted Sissel’s great sense of humor and “gregarious” personality.

“He was a true professional that handled with grace and ease the good, the bad and the ugly of what we all see in our profession,” Maybanks said. “He was an extremely talented trial attorney and litigator and a strong voice for his clients. He was taken away too soon.”

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District Judge Ian Thornhill said he had great respect for Sissel professionally.

“Despite a huge caseload, he was always prepared and effectively championed his clients,” Thornhill said. “He never wasted time making baseless arguments or seeking unreasonable outcomes and, because of that and his knowledge of the law, when he did make a novel argument or sought a novel outcome, it warranted extra attention because he was often right on the money.”

Personally, Thornhill noted Sissel’s “infectious personality that could brighten anybody’s day. A bad mood would not survive an encounter with Brian — just being around him lifted your spirits. He will be missed by so many people, including me.”

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Cedar Rapids City Council member Dale Todd went to Mount Mercy College with Sissel and both were bartenders during college and then lived next door to each other when Sissel graduated from law school.

“Brian was the eye of the hurricane — a force of nature,” Todd said. “He fought for his clients, loved his friends and family and truly believed that no matter who you were, you deserved a fair shot. He elevated the office of the public defender in a way that it deserved and made us all proud.”

Savannah Hanning, a judicial assistant and trial court supervisor, said Sissel treated everybody the same. He spoke to staff at the courthouse the same way he spoke to his clients, with respect.

“Losing Brian is a personal loss for so many, but also a loss for our community, on which he truly left his mark,” Hanning said.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jordan Schier echoed that thought, saying Sissel was an “amazing” attorney who treated everyone with fairness and respect.

“He was a zealous advocate for his clients,” Schier said. “It was a pleasure to work with him, and he will greatly be missed.”

Kellee Cortez, district court administrator, said Sissel was a “zealous and gracious advocate.”

“He always had a smile on his face, and he left a legacy as an esteemed Linn County public defender who was empathetic and compassionate in his commitment to helping people.”

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