The Iowa State Bar Association 150th Anniversary

The Iowa State Bar Association will celebrate its Sesquicentennial Anniversary in 2024. What started in 1874 with Iowa lawyers occasionally meeting at county courthouses is now an active and thriving community of more than 6,500 dedicated legal professionals. We hope you enjoy our collection of Iowa's legal history below.

150th Anniversary Resources

The Iowa State Bar Association History & Impact video below was produced by Scott Siepker and captures the 150-year legacy of the association. 

The ISBA Sesquicentennial Committee compiled the below resources in honor of the association's 150th anniversary.

The Iowa Lawyer magazine's special issue

The May 2024 issue of The Iowa Lawyer magazine is a commemorative edition celebrating the 150-year legacy of The Iowa State Bar Association. The ISBA's Sesquicentennial Committee collaborated on providing authored articles, historical images, and other materials for this special issue. 

Legal Benchmarks in Iowa's History Timeline
Access more than 150 years of historic milestones for the legal profession in Iowa. 

View timeline

ISBA Past Presidents (1874 – 2024)
Get to know ISBA Presidents from the association's inception to present day. 

View ISBA presidents page 

History Archive

Below are published works developed by the ISBA Sesquicentennial Committee. 

– The Iowa State Bar Association at 150 years

– The ISBA will be 150 years old

– Some things never change: The ISBA was created to increase social interaction in the profession – and it is still a challenge today

– Recognizing Iowa's pioneering women lawyers

– Celebrating Trailblazing Women in the Law

– Iowa adopts judicial merit selection 

– Iowa State Bar Association involvement in the legislature

– Mock trial impacts Iowa

– Iowa law schools and the ISBA: A legacy of collaboration

- Crash landing: The rapid response of the ISBA - 1989

- ISBA Stories: Iowa law school students from the University of Iowa College of Law conducted interviews with Iowa State Bar Association members. 

Past Award Recipients

Rolland E. Grefe Pro Bono Publico Award
The Rolland E. Grefe Pro Bono Publico Award was established in recognition of Grefe’s long service to the ISBA, as well as his support for access to justice for all people. 

View past recipients

Award of Merit - Senior Bar
The Award of Merit is presented in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the ISBA in June of each year and is the highest honor the ISBA bestows upon an individual.

View past recipients

Award of Merit - YLD
The YLD Award of Merit is annually bestowed upon an individual(s) whose contributions to the legal community have made a significant impact on the lives of young attorneys in this state or across the country.

View past recipients

ISBA Stories

Iowa law school students from the University of Iowa College of Law conducted interviews with Iowa State Bar Association members.

Hear ISBA Stories

Share a Memory

We'd love to hear from you. If you have a story, article, or historical photo related to Iowa legal history, please email communications@iowabar.org.