--- title: "John J. Sullivan | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-j-sullivan-district-court-judge-iowa-judicial-district-1-district-court-ia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # John J. Sullivan Iowa Judicial District 1 District Court · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Iowa Judicial District 1 District Court - State: Iowa - Role: District 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 - Assistant Fayette County Attorney - Assistant Woodbury County Attorney ### Education - Creighton University School of Law Iowa Judicial Branch+1 — J.D. (1996) - Brigham Young University Iowa Judicial Branch+1 — B.A. (1993) ### Additional information - December 7, 2021 - in Oelwein, Iowa, practicing solo until his judicial appointment in 2021 - from 2006 to 2021 - In 2005, Sullivan opened - From 2000 to 2002, he was - at Laird & Luhring in Waverly, Iowa (1998–2000) - for Judicial District 1B from 1996 to 1998 - to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Bradley J. Harris - associate attorney - Judge Sullivan’s career reflects a blend of legal service in public prosecution, private practice, and judicial leadership, with a long-standing commitment to community service in Iowa. - Sullivan Law Office - Fayette County Magistrate - 1st Judicial District Court of Iowa, District 1B - , his jurisdiction includes Allamakee, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Grundy, Howard, and Winneshiek counties - Member of the Iowa Judges AssociationIowa Judicial Branch - Member of the Iowa State Bar Associationthe biographical record - Active in Rotary Club of Oelweinthe biographical record - Married to Rebecca Sullivan; they have nine children the biographical record ## 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-1/judges-and-magistrates-district-1) - [Official roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-1/judges-and-magistrates-district-1) - [Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-1/judges-and-magistrates-district-1) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-j-sullivan-district-court-judge-iowa-judicial-district-1-district-court-ia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-j-sullivan-district-court-judge-iowa-judicial-district-1-district-court-ia", "name": "John J. 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