--- title: "Justin Lightfoot | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/justin-lightfoot-judge-iowa-judicial-district-6-district-court-ia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Justin Lightfoot Iowa Judicial District 6 District Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Iowa Judicial District 6 District Court - State: Iowa - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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-6/judges-and-magistrates) - [Official roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-6/judges-and-magistrates) - [Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-6/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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/justin-lightfoot-judge-iowa-judicial-district-6-district-court-ia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/justin-lightfoot-judge-iowa-judicial-district-6-district-court-ia", "name": "Justin Lightfoot | KnowJudges", "description": "Justin Lightfoot, Iowa Judicial District 6 District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-26", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/justin-lightfoot-judge-iowa-judicial-district-6-district-court-ia#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/justin-lightfoot-judge-iowa-judicial-district-6-district-court-ia#judge", "name": "Justin Lightfoot", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/justin-lightfoot-judge-iowa-judicial-district-6-district-court-ia", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Iowa Judicial District 6 District Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-6/judges-and-magistrates" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Iowa", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/iowa" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Justin Lightfoot", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/justin-lightfoot-judge-iowa-judicial-district-6-district-court-ia" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Additionally, he represented the Eighth Circuit on the Department of Justice’s Criminal Chiefs’ working group Iowa Judicial Branch - He is also an adjunct instructor at the University of Iowa College of Law, teaching Federal Criminal Practice and Sentencing Advocacy - His career highlights include leadership in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, service on professional legal boards, and ongoing contributions to legal education ### Education - Juris Doctor with high distinction, Order of the Coif, from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2006. ### Additional information - Joined the Iowa District Court on March 25, 2021, by Governor Kim Reynolds to replace Patrick R. Grady. - He was also involved in professional legal organizations, including the Linn County Bar Association (Board of Governors 2018–2021), the Iowa State Bar Association, and the Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court. - Before his judicial appointment, Lightfoot served as an Assistant United States Attorney from 2010 to 2021, serving as Chief of the Criminal Division from 2018 to 2021. - After law school, he held the role of a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Carol E. Jackson in the Eastern District of Missouri for four years Iowa Judicial Branch - He serves in District 6, which covers parts of Iowa including Linn County Iowa Judicial Branch - Justin Lightfoot combines extensive federal prosecutorial experience with academic involvement, making him a well-rounded member of the Iowa judiciary. - His experience in federal prosecution and criminal law informs his judicial work and teaching - As a district court judge, Lightfoot presides over cases in Iowa’s Sixth Judicial District. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, official September 30, 2026 collection](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0095feb1b1da55bd07a559b3) — Civil proceedings in Iowa District Courts; specialized proceedings and statutory exceptions remain applicable. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/09-30-2026.1.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.