---
title: "David Wiggins | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-wiggins-4449"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
---

# David Wiggins

Supreme Court of Iowa · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Iowa
- State: Iowa
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Supreme Court of Iowa, 2003-present
- Acting Chief Justice (Nov 2019 – Feb 2020) after the death of Chief Justice Mark Cady
- David Stewart Wiggins is a retired American jurist who held the role of an Associate Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court from 2003 until his retirement in 2020, and briefly as Acting Chief Justice in 2019–2020
- Appointed by Governor Tom Vilsack in 2003, Wiggins was the first Jewish justice on the Iowa Supreme Court
- He held the role of associate editor of the Drake Law Review during law school
- Before joining the court, he was an associate and later partner at the West Des Moines firm Williams, Hart, Lavorato & Kirtley (now Wiggins, Anderson & Tully).

### Education

- Wiggins earned his B.A. from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1973 and his J.D. from Drake University Law School in 1976, graduating with honors and being inducted into the Order of the Coif.

### Additional information

- Brien decision legalizing same-sex marriage in Iowa, which led to a contentious 2012 retention election he won with 54.6% of the vote
- Born October 19, 1951, Chicago, Illinois.
- Date of birth: 1951-10-19
- Birth place: Chicago

## 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/4449/david-wiggins/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4449/david-wiggins/)
- [Supreme Court of Iowa current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4449/david-wiggins/)
- [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/4449/david-wiggins/)
- [Gov. Reynolds releases statement on Justice David Wiggins’ announced resignation | Governor Kim Reynolds](https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/2020-01-10/gov-reynolds-releases-statement-justice-david-wiggins-announced)
- [Wikidata: David Wiggins](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5241058)

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