UPDATES & ANALYSIS

ISBA annual meeting will feature presentations by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals

by Ryan Koopmans | June 4, 2015

By Ryan Koopmans

On Thursday, June 18, the Iowa State Bar Association appellate practice committee will put on a morning CLE as part of the ISBA’s annual meeting.  For anyone who practices before Iowa’s appellate courts–or for anyone who wants an insight into how Iowa’s case law is made–it will be a program worth attending.

There are three one-hour sessions. First, a Court of Appeals panel consisting of Chief Judge Danilson and Judges Doyle, Tabor, McDonald, and Miller will talk about the size of the court’s docket (it’s big), how they select cases for oral argument, what persuades them, what doesn’t, and what mistakes attorneys frequently make (hint: see here).  

Next, Clerk of Court Donna Humpal will give an update on the appellate courts’ transition to EDMS and talk about how the Court operates behind the scenes.

The session will conclude with a Supreme Court panel consisting of Justices Hecht, Appel, and Mansfield.  Since 2011, the Court has made several significant changes, including the implementation of the term system and the amendments to the rules that govern further review.  The justices will talk about those changes, and others, and will tell the audience how the court operates.  For instance: What do the justices consider when reviewing applications for interlocutory appeal? How many votes are required to grant further review? How are opinions assigned?

All three panels will take questions, time permitting.  To register for the event, and the other activities at the annual meeting, go to the ISBA’s website.

Tags: Iowa Court of Appeals, Iowa Supreme Court