Alma mater University of Iowa Name Leonard Strand | Education University of Iowa | |
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Leonard Terry Strand (born July 14, 1965) is the Chief United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa and a former United States Magistrate Judge of the same court.
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Biography
Strand was born on July 14, 1965, raised in Sioux City, Iowa, and graduated from West High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in 1987 from the University of Iowa. He received a Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, in 1990 from the University of Iowa College of Law, graduating first in his class. He joined the law firm of Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as an associate in 1990 and was made partner in 1996, serving with that firm until 2012. During his service with the firm, he specialized in commercial litigation and employment law and served on the firm's management committee. From June 7, 2012 to February 12, 2016, he served as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Iowa.
Federal judicial service
On July 21, 2015, President Obama, at the recommendation of Senator Chuck Grassley, nominated Strand to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, to the seat vacated by Judge Mark W. Bennett, who took senior status on June 4, 2015. He received a hearing before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee on October 21, 2015. On November 5, 2015 his nomination was reported out of committee by voice vote. On February 11 the United States Senate confirmed his nomination by a vote of 93-0. He received his commission on February 12, 2016. Strand's investiture occurred on April 21, 2016. He became Chief Judge on February 12, 2017.