In a ceremony marked by reflection, responsibility, and a strong sense of community, Iowa welcomed 25 of its newest attorneys during the 147th Bar Admission Ceremony held April 9 at the State Historical Building Auditorium in Des Moines. The event brought together members of the judiciary, bar leaders, family, and friends to celebrate the achievements of those entering the legal profession while also underscoring the obligations that come with it.
Thomas A. Mayes, chair of the Iowa Board of Law Examiners, opened the ceremony as master of ceremonies, welcoming attendees and introducing a series of remarks from leaders across Iowa’s legal community. Iowa Supreme Court Justice Thomas D. Waterman, Iowa State Bar Association President Kathy Law, ISBA Young Lawyers Division President Manuel A. Cornell, and Sandi Tibbets Murphy of Iowa Legal Aid each addressed the admittees, offering guidance and encouragement.
Following the remarks, Mayes moved for the admission of the examinees, and Justice Waterman administered the oath, formally welcoming the new attorneys to the Iowa bar.
Justice Waterman, who was appointed to the Iowa Supreme Court in 2011, reflected on his own admission to the bar more than four decades ago and emphasized that while the ceremony marks a milestone, it is also a beginning.
“Today is your first day as Iowa lawyers,” he said. “But you are not done being tested.”
He reminded the new attorneys that the real challenges lie ahead in their work, their decision-making, and the real-world consequences their actions will carry for clients and communities.
Waterman described the Iowa Lawyer’s Oath as a meaningful encapsulation of the profession’s purpose and offered seven pieces of advice to guide the new admittees:
- Take the high road ethically and safeguard your reputation
- Practice with civility. Be “Iowa nice” even in adversarial settings
- Seek mentors and continue learning
- Be responsive and dependable
- Give back to your communities
- Prioritize your health and well-being
- Nurture relationships with family and loved ones
ISBA President Kathy Law welcomed the new attorneys into what she described as a close-knit and deeply rooted professional community. “After years of study and sacrifice, you are taking your place in a profession that is both demanding and deeply personal,” she said. Law emphasized that practicing law in Iowa often means building meaningful relationships with clients, colleagues, and even members of the judiciary.
“You are joining a history much broader than your own,” she said, noting that the ISBA, founded in 1874, continues to play a central role in strengthening the profession and advancing justice across the state. She encouraged new attorneys to seek out mentors, become involved in bar activities, and remember that success in the legal profession is not measured solely by outcomes in court. “Success is measured not in cases won, but in lives changed,” Law said.
ISBA YLD President Manuel A. Cornell echoed the theme of community, emphasizing that new attorneys are not entering the profession alone. “This represents years of resilience, sacrifice, and hard work,” he said. “But it’s also the beginning of something bigger.”
Cornell highlighted the diversity of paths within the legal profession and encouraged new lawyers to engage with the ISBA as a resource for both professional development and personal connection. “Whether you’re in private practice, government, or public interest work, this community is here to support you,” he said. “It’s not just about growing your career. It’s about building lasting relationships.”
Sandi Tibbets Murphy of Iowa Legal Aid reminded the new attorneys that a law license carries both privilege and responsibility, particularly when it comes to expanding access to justice. Whether first-generation lawyers or continuing a family legacy, she said, all attorneys share the ability and obligation to use their skills to serve others. “Iowa Legal Aid attorneys helped 30,000 low-income Iowans last year,” Murphy noted, adding that thousands more were unable to secure legal assistance. She encouraged new attorneys to explore pro bono opportunities, including document preparation, legal clinics, and volunteer initiatives such as the Iowa Legal Aid Volunteer Lawyers Project and the Polk County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project. “The key is to find something that gives you purpose,” she said.
In addition to ceremonial duties, Mayes offered practical guidance for the new attorneys, including reminders to complete annual continuing legal education (CLE) requirements and file Client Security Commission reports, early steps in maintaining good standing within the profession.
Among those admitted were individuals with diverse paths and aspirations, each bringing unique experiences to Iowa’s legal community.
Taylor Jo Brocka, a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law, returns to Iowa after practicing as a litigation associate in Delaware. Now living in Butler County near her husband’s hometown of Denver, Iowa, she continues to practice with the Delaware firm, which is beginning both a new chapter in her legal career and preparing to start a family.
John Danos, a graduate of Drake University Law School, works with Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice and plans to continue serving communities across the state.
Sydney Voglegesang, who completed her undergraduate studies at Drake University and earned her law degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, has returned to Iowa and practices family law at Flanagan Law.
As in years past, the ceremony served not only as a celebration of individual achievement but also as a reminder of the shared values that define Iowa’s legal profession: integrity, service, and community. For the newest members of the Iowa bar, April 9 marked both the culmination of years of effort and the start of a career defined by responsibility, opportunity, and the chance to make a lasting impact.
ISBA President Kathy Law spoke to newly admitted lawyers on April 9
Justice Thomas Waterman provided seven pieces of advice to the newly admitted attorneys
YLD President Manuel Cornell welcomes the new lawyers to the ISBA's Young Lawyers Division
Justice Waterman administers the attorney's oath at the Iowa State Historical Society in Des Moines
There were 25 newly admitted attorneys who qualified for the ceremony on April 9
ISBA President Law shakes hands with a new lawyer
YLD President Cornell congratulates a new lawyer
President Law welcomes a new lawyer to the Iowa bar
Justice Waterman welcomes Iowa's newest attorneys
Justice David May shakes hands with the newly admitted
Newly admitted attorney Sydney Voglegesang and her family after the newly admitted ceremony on April 9
Fionna Sparrow proudly displays her newly admitted certificate surrounded by her family
Newly admitted lawyer Elena Pinnow showcases her certificate
Iowa attorney John P. Danos (left) and his son (right), newly admitted attornney John A. Danos
YLD swag was featured at the ISBA Building reception welcoming newly admitted members and their guests
Attendees at the ISBA reception welcoming newly addmitted lawyers on April 9 at the ISBA Building
Iowa Board of Law Examiners Chair Thomas Mayes and I.O.W.A. representatives Emily Gould-Chafa and Miki McGovern
President Law (far-right) talks with newly admitted attorneys at the ISBA welcome reception
New Iowa attorney Taylor Jo Brocka (left) talked with a member of the Board of Iowa Law Examiners
Justice Waterman and ISBA ABA Delegate David L. Brown at the ISBA welcome reception April 9
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