The Iowa Supreme Court has announced the passing of former Justice Mark McCormick, who served on the court from April 12, 1972, until January 31, 1986, when he returned to private practice. Justice McCormick was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on April 13, 1933.
He graduated from Villanova University in 1955 and served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1958. Subsequently, he attended Georgetown University Law School, graduating in 1960. His career began as a law clerk for Chief Judge Harvey Johnsen at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, followed by private practice in Fort Dodge from 1961 to 1968. During this period, he also served as Assistant County Attorney of Webster County from 1963 to 1966, before being appointed as a Judge of the Iowa District Court in 1968.
A memorial page for Justice McCormick, including statements from past and present Iowa Supreme Court Justices, is available on the judicial branch's website. It can be accessed at: https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/supreme-court/justices/in-memoriam-justice-mccormick.
An interview with Justice McCormick is also available as an educational resource on the Judicial Branch website at: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/educational-resources-and-services/iowa-courts-history/oral-interviews-with-past-judges/honorable-mark-mccormick.
Steve Davis, Communications Director for the Iowa Judicial Branch, can be contacted for further information at steve.davis@iowacourts.gov.