Background
Gritzner, James E. was born on November 19, 1947 in Waverly, Iowa, United States.
Gritzner, James E. was born on November 19, 1947 in Waverly, Iowa, United States.
Dakota Wesleyan University (Bachelor of Arts, 1969). University of Northern Iowa (Master of Arts, 1974). Drake University (Juris Doctor, 1982.
Counsel, Iowa State Bar Association Committee on Professional Ethics and Conduct, 1985-1988.
He received a Bachelor of Arts from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1969, and a Master of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa in 1974. He received a Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in 1979. Before graduating from law school, he served as an assistant to United States. Magistrate Ronald Longstaff on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa from 1977 to 1979.
Gritzner was nominated as a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa by President George West. Bush on September 4, 2001, to a seat vacated when Charles R. Wolle took senior status.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 14, 2002, and received his commission on February 19, 2002. He served as chief judge from 2011 to 2015.
He assumed senior status on March 1, 2015.
Member, Iowa Board of Parole, 1981-1982. Counsel, Iowa State Bar Association Committee on Professional Ethics and Conduct, 1985-1988. Iowa Defense Counsel Association.