---
title: "Robert E. Sosalla | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-e-sosalla-district-associate-judge-iowa-judicial-district-6-district-court-ia"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Robert E. Sosalla

Iowa Judicial District 6 District Court · Senior Judge

## Profile

- Court: Iowa Judicial District 6 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 Judge of the 6th Judicial District Court of Iowa, serving from his initial appointment in 1982 until his retirement in 2016
- Promotion: Appointed as a full district court judge on October 30, 2003 by then–Governor Tom Vilsack
- Appointed to the bench: 1982 as a district associate judge in Iowa’s 6th Judicial District

### Education

- University of Iowa College of Law — J.D. (1972)
- Wayne State College, Nebraska (Undergraduate degree).

### Additional information

- Retirement: Retired in 2016 after serving as senior judge
- Early career: Practiced law in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, until his judicial appointment in 1982
- Before joining the bench, worked at Attorney at a Cedar Rapids law firm.
- Current service classified as Senior Judge.
- Carrington, North Dakota (Born).
- Studies at Wayne State College.
- Birthplace: Carrington, North Dakota.
- Birth place: Carrington, North Dakota

## 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)
- [Iowa Judicial Branch - Judicial District 6 Judges and Magistrates](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-6/judges-and-magistrates)
- [Robert E. Sosalla | Iowa Judicial Branch](https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-6/judges-and-magistrates/robert-e-sosalla)

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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.
