--- title: "Thomas J. Shields | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-j-shields-9661" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Thomas J. Shields U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa · Magistrate ## Profile - Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa - State: Iowa - Role: Magistrate - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Retired U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, appointed in 2000 and retired on February 12, 2014 - Joined the federal bench as a U.S. magistrate judge in the Southern District of Iowa in 1997 - West C. Stuart, U.S. District Judge, Southern District of Iowa (1972–1974) - Special partner at Lane & Waterman in Davenport before his federal judicial appointment. ### Education - Indiana University — J.D. - College of William & Mary — B.A. ### Additional information - Magistrate, District Court, S.D. Iowa, 2000-present - Retirement: Left active service in 2014; continues to serve as a recalled federal magistrate judge - Appointed to this court on June 9, 2000. - Appointment: June 9, 2000, to a renewable 8‐year term as a full‐time U.S. Magistrate Judge - Earlier role: held the role of a part‐time federal magistrate judge from 1997 until his full‐time appointment in 2000 - His professional work has included service as a judicial observer for the Sedona Conference working group on electronic document retention and production. ## 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.courtlistener.com/person/9661/thomas-j-shields/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9661/thomas-j-shields/) - [U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9661/thomas-j-shields/) - [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/9661/thomas-j-shields/) - [Thomas Shields (Iowa) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Thomas_Shields_(Iowa)) - [www.thesedonaconference.org](https://www.thesedonaconference.org/bio/2623) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9661/thomas-j-shields/) - [Thomas Shields (Iowa) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Thomas_Shields_(Iowa)) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-j-shields-9661", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-j-shields-9661", "name": "Thomas J. 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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.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.