--- title: "Bruce M. Snell Jr. | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bruce-m-snell-jr-7291" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Bruce M. Snell Jr. Judge · Historical service · Iowa Court of Appeals ## Profile - Court: Iowa Court of Appeals - State: Iowa - Role: Judge · Historical service - Service status: historical / current service unconfirmed - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of Iowa, 1976-present - Bruce M. Snell Jr. (1929–2019) was an American judge who served on the Iowa Supreme Court from 1987 until his retirement in 2001 - Iowa Court of Appeals Judge (1976–1987) - He maintained a solo practice in Ida Grove until 1976, when Governor Robert Ray appointed him to the Iowa Court of Appeals - Bruce Morey Snell Jr. was born August 18, 1929, in Ida Grove, Iowa, the son of Justice Bruce M. Snell Sr - He later practiced law in New York City, returned to Iowa, and worked as Assistant Iowa Attorney General - Snell held the role of law clerk to Judge Henry N. Graven of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa ### Education ### Additional information - Bruce M. Snell Jr. died December 20, 2019, in Ida Grove, Iowa, at age 90. - In 1987, Governor Terry Branstad appointed him to the Iowa Supreme Court, a position he held until August 18, 2001, succeeding Charles R. Wolle and preceding Michael Streit. - His appointment followed in the footsteps of his father, who served on the Iowa Supreme Court from 1961 to 1970 - He then attended the University of Iowa College of Law, where he was Editor of the Iowa Law Review, elected to the Order of the Coif (top 10% of law students), and graduated in 1956 - He graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1947, obtained a B.A. from Grinnell College in 1951, and served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. - He was remembered as a dedicated jurist, community leader, and the last surviving member of his pioneer family in Ida Grove ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### recording photography streaming Scope: statewide Iowa prohibits broadcasting, recording, photographing, texting, blogging, or tweeting real-time courtroom coverage unless the presiding judicial officer permits it in advance. Evidence excerpt: prohibited unless the presiding judicial officer expressly permits coverage in advance [Iowa Judicial Branch: Expanded News Media Coverage](https://www.iowacourts.gov/newsroom/expanded-news-media-coverage) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### presiding judge discretion Scope: statewide Iowa's expanded news media coverage framework requires approval, but the judge should allow coverage unless it would materially interfere with protected interests or the proceeding. Evidence excerpt: The judge shall allow expanded news media coverage unless the judge concludes [Iowa Judicial Branch: Expanded News Media Coverage](https://www.iowacourts.gov/newsroom/expanded-news-media-coverage) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### electronic devices for media Scope: statewide Iowa Chapter 25 requires approval before using electronic devices for photography, video recording, audio recording, or streaming video in a courtroom. Evidence excerpt: Electronic devices for photography, video recording, audio recording, or streaming video may not be used [Chapter 25 Rules for Expanded News Media Coverage](https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/25_2_44097B6A827DC.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7291/bruce-m-snell-jr/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7291/bruce-m-snell-jr/) - [Iowa Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7291/bruce-m-snell-jr/) - [Iowa Judicial Branch: Expanded News Media Coverage](https://www.iowacourts.gov/newsroom/expanded-news-media-coverage) - [Chapter 25 Rules for Expanded News Media Coverage](https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/25_2_44097B6A827DC.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7291/bruce-m-snell-jr/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bruce-m-snell-jr-7291", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bruce-m-snell-jr-7291", "name": "Bruce M. 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