Governor appoints Johnson County prosecutor as next Sixth Judicial District judge 

Gov. Terry Branstad on Friday appointed Assistant Johnson County Attorney Andrew Chappell, 45, as a Sixth Judicial District judge.

Chappell replaces Judge Robert Sosalla, who retired last year and has taken senior status on the bench.

Chappell, of Iowa City, has been a Johnson County prosecutor in the civil division since 2000. Before working as a prosecutor, he was in private practice from 1997 to 2000 with Phelan Tucker Mullen Walker Tucker & Gelman in Iowa City. He focused on civil work.

Chappell earned his bachelor's degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University in 1994 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1997.

The Sixth Judicial District Nominating Commission interviewed 19 candidates in January and Chappell and Mike Lahammar, a defense attorney, were selected as nominees and forwarded to the governor for his appointment.

The judgeship has been vacant for six months based on statewide budget constraints. Sosalla retired in July. 

The Sixth District includes Linn, Johnson, Benton, Jones, Iowa and Tama counties.

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