Iowa’s Eighth Judicial District is welcoming a familiar face to a new role.   

Chief Justice Susan Christensen has appointed District Judge Myron Gookin of Fairfield, as chief judge of the Eighth Judicial District. Judge Gookin will be taking over for Chief Judge Mary Ann Brown who is retiring December 31st. Gookin has served on the bench of the Eighth Judicial District since August of 2011 and was a lawyer in Fairfield for 28 years prior to being appointed. He received his Bachelor’s degree with distinction from Iowa State University and his Juris Doctorate with honors from Drake University Law School. Gookin is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Judges Association, Iowa Supreme Court Criminal Rules Advisory Committee, Iowa Supreme Court Client Security Commission, Iowa State Bar Association Jury Instruction Committee and on the board of directors of the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. 

As chief judge, Judge Gookin will supervise all judicial officers and court employees and the performance of administrative and judicial business in the district, set the times and places of holding court, designate presiding judges and serve on the judicial council while continuing to preside over cases. The Eighth Judicial District is comprised of 14 counties including Washington, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk and Louisa.