--- title: "Thomas D. Waterman | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-d-waterman-justice-iowa-supreme-court-ia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-09" --- # Thomas D. Waterman Supreme Court of Iowa · Justice ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Iowa - State: Iowa - Role: Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Supreme Court of Iowa, 2011-present - Associate Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, appointed in 2011 and serving until the end of his term in 2028 - He also held the role of associate editor of the law review ### Education - University of Iowa College of Law in, graduating Order of the Coif in the top five percent of his class — J.D. (1984) - B.A. in History from Dartmouth College in 1981 ### Additional information - Waterman was appointed by Governor Terry Branstad in 2011, following the removal of three justices after the Iowa Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in Varnum v. - Born 1959. - Date of birth: 1959-06-25 - Waterman was born in Davenport, Iowa, and graduated from Bettendorf High School. - Marriott International, Inc.. - He is also an elected member of the American Law Institute - Birth place: Davenport ## 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/static/media/cms/FY_2025_Iowa_Judicial_Branch_Annual_6E76A5FB94E95.pdf) - [Official roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/FY_2025_Iowa_Judicial_Branch_Annual_6E76A5FB94E95.pdf) - [Iowa Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/FY_2025_Iowa_Judicial_Branch_Annual_6E76A5FB94E95.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4446/thomas-d-waterman/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4446/thomas-d-waterman/) - [Wikidata: Thomas D. Waterman](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16879617) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-d-waterman-justice-iowa-supreme-court-ia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-d-waterman-justice-iowa-supreme-court-ia", "name": "Thomas D. Waterman | KnowJudges", "description": "Thomas D. Waterman, Supreme Court of Iowa. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-09", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-d-waterman-justice-iowa-supreme-court-ia#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-d-waterman-justice-iowa-supreme-court-ia#judge", "name": "Thomas D. 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