Judge William Owens

Judge William Owens was appointed as an Associate Juvenile Judge in November 1998. Judge Owens received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas in May 1981, and his Juris Doctor degree from Drake University Law School in May 1984.

Prior to his appointment to the bench Judge Owens served as Assistant Monroe County Attorney from 1984-1989, and Monroe County Attorney from 1990-1998. Judge Owens also was engaged in the private practice of law until his appointment to the bench, and at the time of his appointment was a partner in the law firm of Owens & Albers, L.L.P.

Judge Owens currently serves as co-chair of the Iowa Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee for Children’s Justice; is a member of the State Council of the Iowa Supreme Court Commission for Children’s Justice; and is chair of the Juvenile Judge Committee of the Iowa Judge’s Association.

In 2008 Judge Owens received the Supreme Court of Iowa Court Innovation Award for initiating a Family Treatment Court in Wapello County that serves the five counties where Judge Owens serves as an Associate Juvenile Judge. In 2015 and 2018 the Wapello County Family Treatment Court was selected as a National Peer Learning Court by Children and Family Futures, Inc., and the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. In 2018 Judge Owens was appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds to the Child Advocacy Board which oversees CASA and Foster Care Review Boards in Iowa. In 2018 Judge Owens was appointed to the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Judicial Leadership Council. Judge Owens is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Judges Association, and National Association of Drug Court Professionals