In the Balance

Latest Episodes:

39. An Interview with Megan Tooker, Counsel to the Chief Justice Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

A quick update: this will be my last month hosting the In the Balance podcast for the Iowa Judicial Branch. I will be turning the reins over to our new host and producer, Abhash, in January, so keep your eyes and ears out for those exciting new developments. For my last podcast interview, I wanted to introduce one of the newest members to the Iowa Judicial Branch, Megan Tooker, Counsel to the Chief Justice.

Host: Marissa Gaal
Guest: Megan Tooker, Counsel to the Chief Justice

Music from The Epic 2 by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

38. The Evolution of Iowa's Court System Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

This month I am going to walk you through the evolution of the Iowa court system, taking us through the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
Host: Marissa Gaal

Music from The Epic 2 by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

37. The Office of Professional Regulation with Executive Director Tre Critelli Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back. This month I chatted with Tre Critelli, executive director of the office of professional regulation, about the functions and duties of his office’s work with Iowa’s attorneys and how that work protects Iowans who come into contact with the judicial system.
Host: Marissa Gaal
Guest: Tre Critelli, Executive Director of the The Office of Professional Regulation
Music from The Epic 2 by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

36. The 60th Anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

In honor of Constitution Day on September 14, In the Balance is releasing an early episode on the topic of Gideon v. Wainwright, a federal supreme court decision celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Host: Marissa Gaal
Guest: Chief Justice Susan Larson Christensen, Iowa Supreme Court

Music from The Epic 2 by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

35: Preserving Iowa's Judicial History with Richard Lyford Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

This month I spoke with Richard Lyford, who has worked with the Iowa Judicial Branch over the past 20 years to collect and record personal oral histories from past Iowa supreme court justices and judges. To learn more about his work preserving Iowa’s judicial history, keep listening.

You can watch past Iowa justices and judges oral histories here.

Host: Marissa Gaal
Guest: Richard Lyford

34. Iowa's Treatment Courts with Richard Gordon Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back. This month I spoke with Richard Gordon, Iowa’s statewide treatment courts coordinator, about his role in the many treatment courts in our state.
Host: Marissa Gaal
Guest: Richard Gordon, Iowa Statewide Coordinator for Treatment Courts

Music from The Epic 2 by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

33. An Interview with Iowa Supreme Court Justice David May Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

This month I sat down with Justice David May, the most recent appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court. To learn more about his journey to the bench, keep listening.
Host: Marissa Gaal
Guests: David May, Iowa Supreme Court Justice

Music from The Epic 2 by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

32: Celebrating 20 Years of the Iowa Judicial Branch Building May 30, 2023

Show notes

May marked the 20th anniversary of the Iowa Judicial Branch building's opening. In honor of the anniversary, I sat down with Rebecca Colton and David Boyd, two past Iowa Judicial Branch employees who were a part of the building process from start to finish.

Host: Marissa Gaal
Guests: Rebecca Colton, retired Iowa Supreme Court Executive Assistant, and David Boyd, retired Iowa State Court Administrator

Music from The Epic 2 by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

31. A Day in the Life with Donna Humpal, Appellate Clerk of Court Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

This month I connected with the Iowa Appellate Clerk of Court, Donna Humpal, to discuss what a day in her life looks like, as well as how her role and clerk’s office resembles and differs from the county clerks offices.

Host: Marissa Gaal
Guest: Donna Humpal, Iowa Appellate Clerk of Court

Music from The Epic 2 by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

30. Gertrude E. Rush, Iowa's First African American Female Attorney Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

In recognition of Women’s History Month, I went looking for women throughout Iowa’s history to cover for this episode. As it turns out, Iowa is not lacking for strong, influential women who have left their mark on the state’s judicial and legal systems. Last year we covered the life of Arabella Mansfield, the first white woman admitted to the Iowa State Bar in 1869. This year, I want to highlight the first black woman admitted to the Iowa State Bar, and one of the founding members of the National Bar Association: Gertrude E. Rush.
Host: Marissa Gaal

Music from The Epic 2 by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5384-the-epic-2- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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