Replacements for Judge Novak selected

August 22, 2011

Iowa: The Judicial Nominating Commission of Polk County, Iowa has selected two finalists to replace Judge Joel D. Novak when he retires from District Court 5C and becomes a senior judge on September 6, 2011. Out of the 15 candidates interviewed, only Lawrence P. McLellan and Mary Pat Gunderson have been recommended to the Governor for the judicial seat. Gov. Branstad has approximately one month to appoint one of them as the new District Court judge. McLellan, who is approaching 54, currently works as a lawyer with the firm of Sullivan & Ward. Gunderson, 48, has served as a Magistrate Judge of the 5th District since 2005.