---
title: "Melissa S. Larson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melissa-s-larson-ia"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Melissa S. Larson

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: active

## Summary

Melissa S. Larson — Iowa Judicial District 5 District Court

## Biography

### Professional career

- Larson resigned from the Adair County Attorney position in August 2026, with her last day set for August 14, 2026
- Greenfield, Iowa attorney appointed in July 2026 by Governor Kim Reynolds as a District Associate Judge in Judicial District 5A, succeeding the retired Judge Virginia Cobb
- Served as Adair County Attorney (2019 until judicial appointment)
- Undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice at Grand View University (2008)

### Education

- Drake University Law School — J.D. (2011)

### Additional information

- On July 29, 2026, Governor Reynolds announced Larson’s appointment to fill a vacancy created by Judge Cobb’s retirement.
- Worked in private practice before serving as county attorney.
- She noted that while she could no longer appear in district court, she would assist in preparing the office for the transition
- Graduated from law school with High Honors.
- Her appointment reflects Iowa’s need for judicial leadership in a multi-county district and marks a move from a prosecutorial role to a judicial one, where she will adjudicate cases rather than represent the state

## Sources

- [Melissa Larson | Iowa Judicial Branch](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-5/judges-and-magistrates/melissa-larson)

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## 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.