Document - Judicial Selection in the States

Judicial Biographies
District 7
John D. Telleen
District Judge
Year of Appointment: 2011
Background and Education:
Judge Telleen was born in
Moline, Ill., in 1958, one of
four children. Judge Telleen’s
father was also a judge. He
attended Augustana Colllege in
Rock Island, Illinois, receiving
his bachelor’s degree, cum
laude, in political science in
1980. Judge Telleen graduated
from law school in 1984, with
distinction, from the University
of Iowa.
Career: Prior to his appointment, Judge Telleen was
a lawyer in practice with Lane & Waterman, LLP, in
Davenport, Iowa. He served as an associate from 1984
through 1989, and as a partner from 1990 until his appoint
to the bench. In 1988, Judge Telleen became a certified
civil mediator and was regularly asked to mediate tort,
contract, and other disputes. Judge Telleen’s legal
career began with a broad variety of legal matters,
corresponding with the duties of a new associate.
Community Activities: Judge Telleen served on the
Augustana College Alumni Board of Directors from 1985 to
1987. From 1987 to 2006, he was a board member—and
served as chairman—of Bethany for Children and Families,
Inc., a social service agency for children and families in
eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Judge Telleen served
as co-chair of the LeClaire Downtown Revitalization and
Redevelopment Committee, even purchasing an historic
building in downtown LeClaire, Iowa, that he and his wife
restored, receiving the Scott County Historic Preservation
Society’s Award for Adaptive Reuse in 2005. In 2005, he
was also named the Grand Marshall of the LeClaire Tug
Fest Parade. Judge Telleen was a board member for the
Blackhawk College Foundation in Moline from 2009 to
2011.
Family and Hobbies: Judge Telleen is married with one
daughter, and is a member of the Zion Lutheran Church
in Princeton, Iowa. He enjoys regular exercise, including
local road races, triathlons, skiing, boating, kayaking,
swimming, gardening, and fishing.
Gary P. Strausser
District Associate Judge
Year of Appointment: 2005
Family: Judge Strausser is married and has one son.
Background and Education:
Judge Strausser earned
his bachelor’s degree from
Towson State University and
his law degree from Drake
University. He also earned
his master’s degree from the
School of Journalism and
Mass Communication at Drake
University.
Career: After graduating from
law school, Judge Strausser
served as an assistant Clinton County attorney until 2005,
and was first assistant from 1999 to 2005.
47 Voter Information