---
title: "Joy Messer | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joy-messer-ia"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Joy Messer

Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court · District Associate Judge

## Profile

- Court: Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court
- State: Iowa
- Role: District Associate Judge
- Service status: expected
- Appointment: Appointed on September 3, 2026. [Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court](https://knowjudges.com/kyj/court/ia/iowa-judicial-district-5-district-court)

## Summary

Joy Messer — Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court

## Biography

### Professional career

- Appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds as a District Associate Judge in Iowa Judicial District 5A on September 3, 2026
- She previously held the role of Assistant Marion County Attorney
- Before her appointment, she worked as an assistant Marion County attorney and lived in Pella.

### Education

- Undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

### Additional information

- Appointment date: 2026-09-03
- Joy Messer, from Pella, Iowa, was appointed after the resignation of Judge Steven Holwerda.
- Appointed court: IA::iowa-judicial-district-5-district-court
- Judicial subdistrict: 5A

## Sources

- [governor.iowa.gov](https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/2026-09-03/gov-reynolds-appoints-joy-messer-district-associate-judge)

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