--- title: "Michael J. Schilling | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-j-schilling-district-court-judge-iowa-judicial-district-8-district-court-ia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Michael J. Schilling Iowa Judicial District 8 District Court · Senior Judge ## Profile - Court: Iowa Judicial District 8 District Court - State: Iowa - Role: Senior Judge - Service status: senior - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Senior District Court Judge for Sub‐District 8B of Iowa’s Eighth Judicial District, appointed in 2006 and serving until his retirement on September 12, 2023 - Drug court judge for several counties for about nine years, ending in 2018 - Schilling held the role of Senior Judge, District 8B, covering Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and Louisa counties ### Education - University of Iowa College of Law — J.D. (1976) ### Additional information - The District 8B Judicial Nominating Commission began the process to appoint his successor, with applications accepted from July 14–31, 2023 - He was appointed to the bench in 2006 and retained in 2014. - 2000–2006: Attorney, Cahill and Schilling He also held the role of a VISTA volunteer lawyer on three Native American reservations in Nebraska - 1990–2000: Attorney, Dieterich and Schilling - Studies at University of Iowa (1973). - Current service classified as Senior Judge. - Undergraduate degree with honors; law degree with distinction. - Since his appointment, Schilling has served on the Iowa Supreme Court’s Civil Justice Reform Task Force and the Eighth Judicial District’s Mediation Committee. - He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, Nebraska State Bar Association, Des Moines County Bar Association, American Judicature Society, and the Iowa Judges Association ## 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-8/district-8-judges-and-magistrates) - [Official roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-8/district-8-judges-and-magistrates) - [Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-8/district-8-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) - [District 8 Judges and Magistrates | Iowa Judicial Branch](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-8/district-8-judges-and-magistrates) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-j-schilling-district-court-judge-iowa-judicial-district-8-district-court-ia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-j-schilling-district-court-judge-iowa-judicial-district-8-district-court-ia", "name": "Michael J. 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