C.J. Williams, Chief Judge
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
111 Seventh Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Phone: (319) 286-2340
BIOGRAPHY:
Born 1963 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, 2018-present
Nominated by President Donald J. Trump on February 15, 2018, to fill a seat vacated by Judge Linda R. Reade.
Confirmed by the Senate on September 6, 2018, and received commission on September 10, 2018.
Assumed the duties of Chief Judge in 2024.
Other Federal Service:
Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, 2016-2018;
Chief Magistrate Judge 2016-2018.
Education:
University of Iowa, B.A., 1985
University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 1988
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, L.L.M, 1997
Professional Career:
Elbow law clerk to the late Donald E. O'Brien, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
Trial attorney, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., 1990-1992
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (on detail), Eastern District of Virginia, 1991-1992
Private practice, Kansas City, Missouri, 1992-1997
Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa, 1997-2016
Adjunct professor, University of Iowa College of Law, 2001-present
Instructor, North Iowa Area Community College, 2008-2010
Adjunct professor, University of South Dakota Law School, 2016