Document - Judicial Selection in the States

Judicial Biographies
District 2B
Steven J. Oeth
District Judge
Year of Appointment: 1997
Background and Education:
Born in Dubuque, Iowa, Judge
Oeth attended Drake University,
earning his bachelor’s degree in
1978 and his law degree in 1982.
Career: From 1984 to 1997,
Judge Oeth worked as the
Boone County Attorney. He also
practiced law privately from
1986 to 1997. He was appointed
to the associate court bench in
1997, and appointed to district court judge in 2010.
Professional Activities: Judge Oeth is a member of
The Iowa State Bar Association and the Iowa Judges
Association. He is past president of the Boone County Bar
Association.
Family and Hobbies: Judge Oeth is married with two
children, and became a first-time grandfather in January
2012. He enjoys visiting his grandson as frequently as
time permits.
Community Activities: Judge Oeth previously coached the
Boone mock trial team for a number of years.
Judge Oeth has been active in his church, and was
active in his children’s academic, athletic, and religious
activities, including coaching baseball, football, and
basketball teams, instructing religious education classes,
and being on numerous school-related committees.
Dale E. Ruigh
District Judge
Year of Appointment: 1981
Background and Education:
Judge Ruigh was born in Mason
City, Iowa, and received his
undergraduate degree, with
honors, from Iowa State
University in 1971. He received
his law degree, with high
distinction, Order of the Coif,
from the University of Iowa in
1974.
Career: After completing law school, Judge Ruigh
engaged in the private practice of law with a firm in
Ames, Iowa and served a term as a judicial magistrate
until his appointment to the district court bench.
Professional Activities: Judge Ruigh is a member of The
Iowa State Bar Association and the Blackstone Inn of
Court. He received the Award of Merit from the Iowa
Judges Association in 1998.
Family: Judge Ruigh is married.
18 Voter Information