Document - Judicial Selection in the States

Judicial Biographies
District 1B
David F. Staudt
District Judge
Year of Appointment: 2010
Background and Education:
Judge Staudt received his
bachelor’s degree from the
University of Iowa in 1990 and
his law degree from Drake
University in 1993.
Career: Judge Staudt was in
private practice until joining the
Waterloo Public Defender’s
Office in 1997, where he was
appointed chief public defender
in 2006.
Nathan A. Callahan
District Associate Judge
Year of Appointment: 2000
Background and Education:
Judge Callahan was born in Des
Moines, Iowa, and grew up in
Carlisle, Iowa, the youngest of
five children. He worked on
farms, at a grocery store, and
at a gas station while in high
school. Judge Callahan was
active in high school activities
and was a State of Iowa Scholar.
He was also a recipient of
a Des Moines Register and
Tribune Scholarship. Judge Callahan graduated from
Carlisle Community Schools in 1971. He received his
bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1979.
Judge Callahan obtained his law degree from Lewis &
Clark in 1984, while working full time during the day and
attending evening classes.
Career: From 1972 through 1976, Judge Callahan
was enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. After
graduating from law school, he worked as a legal
assistant/clerk for the City of Kenai, Alaska, in municipal
law until 1984. From 1985 to 1992, he was a prosecutor
in the Alaska Attorney General’s Office. Judge Callahan
worked in the private practice of law in Waterloo, Iowa,
from 1992 to 1996, and with the State Public Defender’s
Office from 1996 until his appointment to the bench.
Judge Callahan was involved in litigation throughout his
entire legal career.
Community Activities Prior to Appointment: Judge
Callahan participated as a judge in the American Mock
Trial Association national collegiate competition and
was named a member of the Judges Hall of Fame for his
participation. He has also served as a judge in mock trial
presentations at the Iowa State Fair.
Professional Activities: Judge Callahan is a member of
the Black Hawk County, Iowa State, and Alaska State Bar
Associations, and the Iowa Judges Association. He has
given presentations at the State Public Defender’s Annual
Conference and the State of Iowa Judicial Conference.
Since becoming a judge, Judge Callahan attended several
training conferences at the National Judicial College in
Reno, Nev., as well as attending ASTAR judicial training.
He has also taken judicial training sponsored by the Iowa
Supreme Court
Family and Hobbies: Judge Callahan has two daughters.
His hobbies and interests include music, singing, bicycle
riding, and gardening.
15 Voter Information