Document - Judicial Selection in the States

Judicial Biographies
District 6
Deborah Farmer Minot
District Associate Judge
Year of Appointment: 2010
Background and Education:
Judge Minot was born in
the small Virginia town of
Rustburg. Her father, a factory
worker, and her mother
sacrificed to send her to Wake
Forest University, where she
graduated, with honors, in
1980. Judge Minot then put
herself through law school and
graduated in 1983 from the
University of Virginia, receiving
the Faculty and the Virginia
Trial Lawyers Association Awards.
Career: After being admitted to the Maryland Bar, Judge
Minot began her legal career as a prosecutor for the
City of Baltimore. In 1986, she entered private practice
with a small business and civil litigation firm, trying
cases in state and federal court and becoming active
in bar association, civic, and political activities. In
1991, she was hired by the Maryland Attorney General
and appointed as deputy counsel for the Department of
Juvenile Services. When Judge Minot and her husband
moved to Iowa City in 1991, she became an assistant
Johnson County attorney, handling juvenile cases. She
transferred to the criminal division in 2005, where she
prosecuted domestic violence, drug, and other violent
crimes.
Community Activities: In 1988, Judge Minot was
appointed the youngest-ever member of the Baltimore
Civil Service Commission, and in 1990, she was appointed
to the City Charter Revision Commission. She continued
her civil service in Iowa, graduating from the Iowa City
Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership
Program in 1991 and serving on local boards related
to juvenile issues. In 2003, Judge Minot received the
Systems Unlimited Professional of the Year Award.
Judge Minot has been an active member of the First
Presbyterian Church as an Elder, Chair of the Endowment
Committee, and member of the Columbarium Task Force.
She has taught adult education classes, Sunday school
classes to all ages, and has served as a Confirmation
sponsor for four young women.
Professional Activities: Throughout her career as a
prosecutor, Judge Minot conducted training for lawyers,
law enforcement officers, social workers, teachers, and
medical professionals, including presenting at state
and national conferences. Judge Minot served on the
Supreme Court Juvenile Rules Committee and the Iowa
County Attorney’s Association Juvenile Committee for
several years. In 2002, she was honored for her service
by the Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program. Judge
Minot has taught continuing education classes for local
juvenile lawyers and social workers, served on the Sixth
Judicial District Scheduling Committee, and presented
the “Juvenile Law Update” at the State Public Defender’s
Conference this year. She is a member of the Iowa
Judges Association and the National Council of Juvenile
and Family Court Judges.
Family and Hobbies: Judge Minot is married and has
two sons. She enjoys spending time reading, gardening,
scrapbooking, and needlework, keeping in touch with
extended family and friends who live all over the country,
traveling, and watching sports. She especially enjoys
watching baseball, college basketball, and anything
Hawkeye. She is a lifelong Baltimore Orioles fan and, for
better or worse, has become a Cubs fan.
43 Voter Information