Document - Judicial Selection in the States

Judicial Biographies
District 8A
Lucy J. Gamon
District Judge
Year of Appointment: 1993
Background and Education:
Judge Gamon was born in
Washington, Iowa, and raised on
a family farm with two siblings.
As a high school student, she
was active in 4-H, school choir,
Honor Society, and the Big
Brother/Big Sister program.
She graduated from Washington
High School in 1975 and was a
National Merit Scholar. Judge
Gamon graduated, summa cum
laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from
Cornell College in 1979, where she wrote for the college
newspaper. She received her law degree, with high
distinction, from the University of Iowa in 1983. While in
law school, she was a Notes and Comments Editor for the
Journal of Corporation Law.
Professional Activities: Judge Gamon is a member of
The Iowa State Bar Association and the Iowa Judges
Association. She has taught for several years at the New
Judges’ School in Des Moines, Iowa. Judge Gamon is a
member of the Eighth Judicial District Public Outreach
Committee, regularly speaking to groups of students and
providing courthouse tours. She has served on several
committees of the Iowa Supreme Court, including the
Limited Jurisdiction Committee, the Judicial Formula
Assessment Committee, the Digital Audio Recording
Committee, and the Small Claims Forms Committee. She
mentored three law students through the University of
Iowa summer extern program, and is a regular contributor
to the “Court Calls” column published in the Ottumwa
Courier.
Family and Hobbies: Judge Gamon is married with three
children. She enjoys reading, biking, kayaking, attending
fine arts performances, and was recently appointed to the
Ottumwa Community Theater Board.
Career: Judge Gamon worked for three private law
firms before becoming a Bremer County magistrate in
1991. She was appointed district associate judge in 1993,
serving Keokuk, Jefferson, and Washington Counties. In
2010, she became a district court judge for District 8A.
Community Activities: While working for a private
practice law firm, Judge Gamon was President of the
Waverly Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of the
American Association of University Women, and received
their Young Leader Award. Judge Gamon has judged mock
trial competitions at the high school, college, and law
school level.
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