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Romonda D. Belcher, a 1995 graduate of Drake Law School, made history when she was selected as Iowa’s first African-American female Judge. Belcher, who previously worked as a prosecutor for the Polk County Attorney’s Office, is now an associate judge in Iowa’s 5th district.
Belcher credits her education at Drake Law School and particularly her experiences representing clients in the Drake Legal Clinic and clerking for an Iowa Supreme Court Justice in helping shape her legal career.
“I am truly elated,” Belcher told the Des Moines Register. “I’m blessed, I’m humbled, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. It’s been a dream of mine, something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Former Dean of Drake Law School, David Walker attested to Belcher’s pursuit of being a judge while in law school.
“Since her first days at Drake, Romonda stood out in my mind as a hardworking, focused, really principled person who had backbone, courage and grace. I knew from the get-go she wanted to be a judge someday, which isn’t a few short steps from the commencement podium.”