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# David Nelmark

Iowa Business Court · Business Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Iowa Business Court
- State: Iowa
- Role: Business Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- David W. Nelmark is a judge of the 5th Judicial District Court of Iowa, Department 5C, serving in Polk County since 2019
- Appointed full-time judge of the Iowa Business Court effective September 1, 2026
- Partner, Gislason & Hunter, LLP (2017–2019) He handled complex civil litigation, including antitrust, contract disputes, intellectual property, insurance defense, medical malpractice, and trade secret cases
- Attorney at Gislason & Hunter LLP
- Attorney at Belin McCormick, PC
- held the role of a judicial law clerk to Judge Michael J. Melloy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit

### Education

- Stanford Law School — J.D. (2005)
- Drake University — B.A. (1999)

### Additional information

- Appointed by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and is also set to become one of two full-time judges on Iowa’s stand‐alone Business Specialty Court starting September 1, 2026
- Received an appointment to Iowa district court in 2019.
- Recognized for extensive experience in complex civil and business litigation before his judicial appointment
- Active as a mock trial coach and judge, and former board member of the Des Moines Social Club

## 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.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-5/judges-and-magistrates)
- [Official roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-5/judges-and-magistrates)
- [Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-5/judges-and-magistrates)
- [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)
- [David Nelmark | Iowa Judicial Branch](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-5/judges-and-magistrates/david-nelmark)

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