Document - Judicial Selection in the States

Judicial Biographies
District 8B
Cynthia H. Danielson
District Judge
Year of Appointment: 1999
Background and Education:
Judge Danielson received her
undergraduate degree from the
University of Iowa in 1972 and
her law degree from the same
institution in 1976.
Career: Judge Danielson
worked in the private practice
of law from 1976 until her
appointment in 1999. In that
time, she served in many
positions, including Henry
County judicial magistrate from 1981 to 1985, Henry
County judicial hospital referee from 1985 to 1997, and
city attorney for the cities of Mt. Pleasant, New London,
and Olds.
Professional Activities: Judge Danielson served on the
Supreme Court Grievance Commission, the Supreme
Court Task Force on Involuntary Hospitalization, and
the Supreme Court Child Support Guidelines Review
Commission. She served as the Iowa delegate to the
American Bar Association’s National Conference of State
Trial Judges from 2005 to 2008. Judge Danielson is a
member of The Iowa State Bar Association, the American
Bar Association, the Iowa Judges Association, and the
National Association of Women Judges.
Family: Judge Danielson is married and has one daughter.
John Wright
District Judge
Year of Appointment: 2010
Background and Education:
Judge Wright grew up in Fort
Madison, Iowa, where he
graduated from Fort Madison
High School in 1982. He earned
a bachelor’s degree in political
science from the University of
Iowa in 1986. After working for
a year, Judge Wright attended
law school at Drake University
and graduated in 1990.
Community Activities: Judge Wright served as mayor
of Fort Madison for five years, served on several boards
and commissions, and has spoken to many classes at the
elementary and high school levels. He enjoys area high
school sporting events, and, with his coaching certificate,
has coached at the high school level.
Professional Activities: Judge Wright has been a member
of the Lee County Bar Association, The Iowa State Bar
Association, and the Iowa Judges Association. He is a
member of the Public Outreach Committee for the Eighth
Judicial District. Judge Wright welcomes the opportunity
to speak to organizations.
Career: After graduating from
law school, Judge Wright entered the private practice
of law in Fort Madison. In his private practice, Judge
Wright represented people in the areas of family law,
personal injury, and criminal defense. For two years, he
served as an assistant Lee County attorney. Judge Wright
has worked for the Executive Office of the United States
Trustee. In 1997, Judge Wright and his father, George
Wright, established Wright Law Firm. From 2009 until
his appointment to district judge, he was a partner in a
Burlington law firm.
Family: Judge Wright and his wife have four children.
50 Voter Information