Iowa Court of Appeals elects its 11th chief judge since 1976

The Iowa Court of Appeals has selected Mary Tabor as its new chief judge to replace Thomas Bower, who retired after serving two terms as chief and 31 years overall as a judge in Iowa courts.

Tabor, 61, of Des Moines, who was born in Maquoketa and raised on her family’s farm in Jackson County, will be the 11th chief judge since the state Legislature established the Iowa Court of Appeals in 1976, according to the Iowa Judicial Branch.

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“Serving on the Iowa Court of Appeals has been my great honor,” Tabor said in a statement Thursday. “Our judges and staff are dedicated to doing justice for the people of Iowa. And I’m truly grateful for the chance to continue contributing to that important work as chief judge.”

Senior Judge Bower told The Gazette on Thursday that Tabor has proved herself to be a “leader in all areas of her life and career.”

“She will undoubtedly be a successful leader for the Iowa Court of Appeals,” Bower said.

Nine judges serve on the appeals court, which reviews appeals from trial court decisions that have been transferred by the Iowa Supreme Court. Its decision is final unless reviewed by the state Supreme Court. Tabor will earn a base salary of $184,400 a year.

The chief judge, in addition to day-to-day judicial duties, supervises the business of the court, presides when present at court sessions and serves on the judicial council. Tabor also will continue to review cases and author opinions.

Tabor received her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1985 and graduated from the UI College of Law in 1991.

She started out as a staff attorney in the Office of General Counsel for the Federal Election Commission in Washington, D.C., from 1991 to 1993. She then joined the Iowa Attorney General's Office in 1993 and served as the director of the Criminal Appeals Division from 1999 to 2010.

Tabor was appointed to the appeals court in 2010 by then-Gov. Chet Culver.

She is also is a member of the Polk County Bar Association and Polk County Women Attorneys, Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Judges Association, American Law Institute, Blackstone Inn of Court and Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys.

She is married and has two sons and one daughter.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com