Document - Judicial Selection in the States

Judicial Biographies
District 6
Marsha M. Beckelman
District Judge
Year of Appointment: 2003
Background and Education:
Judge Beckelman earned her
bachelor’s degree from Illinois
State University in 1979 and her
law degree from the University
of Iowa in 1988.
Professional Activities: Judge Beckelman is a member
of the Linn County, Iowa State, and American Bar
Associations, and has served on several judicial
committees.
Family: Judge Beckelman is married with one child.
Career: Judge Beckelman
served as assistant city attorney
for Hiawatha, Iowa, and Lisbon,
Iowa, and was in private
practice from 1988 until her
appointment.
Stephen B. Jackson, Jr.
District Judge
Year of Appointment: 2010
Background and Education:
Judge Jackson was born
and raised in Cedar Rapids,
Iowa, graduating from Regis
High School. He received his
undergraduate degree from
the University of Notre Dame
in 1988, and was a Dockweiler
Medal recipient for his senior
philosophy thesis. Judge Jackson
earned his law degree, with
distinction, from the University
of Iowa in 1991.
Career: Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge
Jackson worked in private practice with a law firm in
Chicago, Ill., from 1991 to 1994. He returned to Iowa to
work in the private practice of law in Cedar Rapids for
the next 16 years, until he was appointed district judge in
2010.
Community Activities: Before joining the court, Judge
Jackson served on the boards of various organizations,
including Young Parents Network, the Linn County
Community Empowerment Board, and Foundation 2,
as well as volunteering for United Way. Judge Jackson
participated as a judge of mock trial and moot court
competitions, and assisted coaching a local mock trial
team. He was a member of the board of directors of
Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa and served on the Linn
County Magistrate Appointing Commission from 2009 to
2010. Judge Jackson, with his law firm, received the 2000
Iowa State Bar Association Pro Bono Award.
Professional Activities: Judge Jackson has presented at
various continuing education seminars. He is a member
of the Linn County Bar Association, The Iowa State Bar
Association, the Iowa Judges Association, and the Dean
Mason Ladd Inn of Court.
Family: Judge Jackson is married and has one child.
40 Voter Information