The Iowa Court of Appeals has reaffirmed Judge Mary Tabor as its chief judge. This decision was made during the court's first meeting of the year, where judges select a chief judge by majority vote to serve a two-year term. Judge Tabor has been part of the court since 2010 and initially became chief judge in 2024 following Chief Judge Thomas Bower's retirement.
Born in Maquoketa and raised on a farm in Jackson County, Judge Tabor completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa in 1985 and earned her law degree from the same institution in 1991. Her career began as a staff attorney for the Federal Election Commission's Office of General Counsel in Washington, D.C., from 1991 to 1993. She later joined the Iowa Attorney General's Office, serving as director of the Criminal Appeals Division from 1999 until her appointment to the court.
Judge Tabor is actively involved with several legal organizations, including the Polk County Bar Association, Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Judges Association, American Law Institute, Blackstone Inn of Court, Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys, and Polk County Women Attorneys. She is married with two sons and one daughter.
The Iowa Court of Appeals consists of nine judges and serves as an intermediate appellate court. It handles appeals transferred from trial courts by the supreme court. Its decisions are final unless further reviewed by the Iowa Supreme Court.
As chief judge, Tabor will oversee court operations, preside over sessions when present, participate in judicial council activities, review cases, and author opinions.
Steve Davis
Iowa Judicial Branch
Communications Director
[email protected]