DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver Friday announced the appointments of two district court judges. The Governor named Richard Davidson as a District Court Judge for Iowa’s 4th Judicial District, and Ian Thornhill as a District Court Judge for Iowa’s 6th Judicial District.

Davidson currently serves as Page County Attorney, and Thornhill is an assistant U.S. Attorney in Cedar Rapids.

“It is an honor to appoint Richard Davidson and Ian Thornhill as Iowa District Court Judges,” said Governor Culver. “They both have had distinguished careers at the Bar, and their records of service to Iowans are truly exceptional. Iowans of the 4th and 6th Districts will be served well, and I thank the Judges for continuing their commitment to justice through service on the Bench.”

Ian Thornhill attended the University of Iowa, where he received his undergraduate degree in 1989, his MBA in 1991, and his law degree in 1998. During law school, he clerked for the Iowa City firm Lynch, Greenleaf & Michael; interned with the Scott County Attorney’s Office; and taught for the University of Iowa College of Business. Following law school, he served on active duty in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps until 2002, and continues to serve in the Reserve J.A.G. Corps. In 2002, he began working as an assistant U.S. Attorney in Cedar Rapids, where he continues to serve. From 2007 to 2008, he returned to active duty to serve on the Law & Order Task Force in Iraq.

The 6th Judicial District vacancy was created when Iowa District Court Judge Thomas Koehler retired after 30 years of service. Iowa’s 6th Judicial District comprises Tama, Benton, Linn, Jones, Iowa, and Johnson counties.

Richard Davidson received his undergraduate degree from Drake University in 1981 and his law degree from Drake University in 1984. He then served as a Trial Attorney for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington D.C. In 1986 he joined Wright & Talisman, of Washington D.C., a corporate litigation law firm. In 1991 Davidson returned to Iowa and became partner with Davidson Law Firm. He was elected Page County Attorney in 2001.

The 4th Judicial District vacancy was created when Iowa District Court Judge J.C. Irvin retired after 28 years of service. Iowa’s 4th Judicial District comprises Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, Pottawattamie, Cass, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont and Page counties.