Susan Christensen

Christensen received an undergraduate degree in psychology from Judson University, where she was valedictorian and graduated with highest honors. She then received a Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Creighton University School of Law.{{Cite web |url=https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/ChristensenPart_1_DA2D7172AA560.pdf |title=Iowa Judicial Branch: Application for Supreme Court Justice position}}

Christensen practiced law in Harlan, Iowa at the firm Larson, Childs, Hall & Christensen from 1991 to 2003, specializing in family law.{{Cite web |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2018/08/01/iowa-supreme-court-justice-susan-christensen-kim-reynolds-appointment-fourth-judicial-district/882466002/ |title=Gov. Kim Reynolds names district court judge to Iowa Supreme Court |date=2018-08-01 |website=Des Moines Register |language=en |access-date=2018-09-30}} She then worked as a sole practitioner specializing in family law from 2003 to 2007. She was also a prosecutor, working as an assistant county attorney for Shelby County from 1991 to 2007, for Harrison County from 1996 to 2007, and for Crawford County in 2007.

Christensen was an associate judge for the Iowa Fourth Judicial District from 2007 to 2015 then a district judge for the same district from 2015 until her appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court.{{Cite web |url=https://ktvo.com/news/local/susan-christensen-appointed-to-iowa-supreme-court |title=Susan Christensen appointed to Iowa Supreme Court |last1=Glueck |first1=Kevin |last2=Cummings |first2=Caroline |date=2018-08-01 |website=KTVO |language=en-US |access-date=2018-09-30}}

Christensen was one of three finalists sent to the governor for consideration after the retirement of Justice Bruce B. Zager.{{Cite web |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2018/07/10/finalists-iowa-supreme-court-seat-susan-christensen-terri-combs-kellyann-lekar/771146002/ |title=Here are the three finalists for the open Iowa Supreme Court seat |date=2018-07-10 |website=Des Moines Register |language=en |access-date=2018-09-30}} In August 2018 Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Christensen to the Iowa Supreme Court.{{Cite press release|title=Gov. Reynolds selects Susan Christensen as Supreme Court justice|url=https://governor.iowa.gov/2018/08/gov-reynolds-selects-susan-christensen-as-supreme-court-justice|access-date=2018-09-30|website=governor.iowa.gov}} On September 21, 2018, she was sworn into office.{{Cite web |url=https://www.iowacourts.gov/announcements/justice-christensen-investiture-september-21-2018/ |title=Justice Christensen Investiture September 21, 2018 |date=2018-09-04 |language=en |access-date=2018-09-30}} Christensen is Reynolds' first appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/iowa-governor-kim-reynolds-announces-des-moines-judge-susan-christensen-as-newest-iowa-supreme-court-justice-only-woman-20180801 |title=Reynolds names rural judge to Iowa Supreme Court Susan Christensen becomes first woman on the court since 2011 |date=2018-08-01 |website=The Gazette |access-date=2018-09-30}} She became the first female since 2011 and the third female overall to join the court.

On February 24, 2020, she was selected to be the chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, following the death of Mark Cady.{{Cite web |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2020/02/24/iowa-supreme-court-susan-christensen-appointed-chief-justice-replacing-mark-cady-david-wiggins/4857560002/ |title=Susan Christensen named chief justice of Iowa Supreme Court |last=Sahouri |first=Andrea May |date=February 24, 2020 |website=Des Moines Register |language=en |access-date=February 28, 2020}}

Christensen was born and raised in Harlan, Iowa where her husband Jay serves as mayor. Her father was former justice Jerry L. Larson who served on the Iowa Supreme Court from 1978 to 2008. Her brother Jeffrey Larson is a judge of the Iowa Fourth Judicial District.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=January 19, 2016|title=Christensen takes oath of office|work=Harlan Tribune|url=https://harlanonline.com/news/christensen-takes-oath-office|access-date=}} She is a registered Republican.

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Ballotpedia|Susan_Christensen|Susan Christensen}}
• [https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/supreme-court/justices/susan-christensen/ Iowa Supreme Court profile]

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Category:1962 births

Category:20th-century American lawyers

Category:20th-century American women lawyers

Category:21st-century American judges

Category:21st-century American women judges

Category:Chief justices of the Iowa Supreme Court

Category:Creighton University School of Law alumni

Category:Iowa Republicans

Category:Iowa state court judges

Category:Justices of the Iowa Supreme Court

Category:Judson University alumni

Category:Living people

Category:People from Harlan, Iowa

Category:Women chief justices of state supreme courts in the United States

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