ARTICLE I — NAME
The name of this Association shall be the Iowa Association for Justice.
ARTICLE II — OBJECTS
Its objective shall be to uphold and defend the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Iowa; to advance the science of jurisprudence; to train in all fields and phases of advocacy; to promote the administration of justice for the public good; to uphold the honor and dignity of the profession of law; and, especially, to advance the cause of those who are damaged in person or property and who must seek redress therefore; to encourage friendship among the members of the bar; and to uphold and improve the adversary system and the right of trial by jury.
ARTICLE III — MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. There shall be the following classes of membership:
(a) Regular Members—Any person who is licensed to practice law in any Country, State or Jurisdiction; is of good moral character; is engaged in any field or phase of advocacy and who is committed and devoted to the concept of a fair trial, the adversary system, and a just result for the injured, the accused, and those whose rights are jeopardized, shall be eligible for regular membership; and shall continue to be a regular member in good standing upon the payment of periodic dues and the continued adherence to the objectives of the Association and to the qualifications for membership, and who shall in writing subscribe to those objectives. Provided, however, that no person shall be eligible for regular membership in this Association who: for the most part represents the defense of personal injury or workers’ compensation litigation; or for the most part does criminal prosecution work.
(b) Student Members—A law student engaged in a course of study at a law school shall be eligible for student membership, if of good moral character. A student member shall remain a member in good standing by continuing the study of law at a law school, paying periodic dues as set by the Board of Governors and continuing to adhere to the objectives of the Association and to the qualifications for student membership.
(c) Associate Members—Any person who for the most part represents the defense of personal injury or workers’ compensation litigation, who would otherwise be eligible for regular membership, shall be eligible for associate membership. Associate members are entitled to all the benefits of regular membership with the exception that associate members are not entitled to hold office or participate on any IAJ list serve that the IAJ Board of Governors has chosen to limit to regular members only.
(d) Staff Public Defender Members—A staff public defender, employed in Iowa through the State Public Defender’s office, shall be offered a limited scope membership, at a reduced rate. Staff public defender members are entitled to all of the benefits of regular membership with the exception that staff public defender members are only entitled to access IAJ’s criminal law list serve, and are not entitled to CLE pricing discounts on non-criminal law seminars.
Section 2. The Board of Governors may create other classes of non–voting membership including subscribers and shall establish procedures for the application and admittance to all classes of membership.
Section 3. Termination of Membership. Membership may be terminated in the following manner:
(a) Resignation—A member may resign by submitting a written resignation to the President. Such resignation shall become effective on the date submitted, provided the member has satisfied all obligations to the Association.
(b) Disbarment—A member who is disbarred shall automatically be removed from membership.
(c) Suspension from Practice—A person suspended from practice may be suspended from membership for as long as their period of suspension from practice continues and may be returned to membership subject to the approval of the Board of Governors upon the termination of the suspension.
(d) Expulsion, Suspension or Censure—A member may be expelled, suspended or censured for unethical conduct or for misconduct which brings discredit to themselves, the Association or the profession. This power shall rest exclusively in the Board of Governors, which may authorize the President to appoint a committee of three to hear complaints or grievances against a member. A member shall receive thirty (30) days' notice in writing of any complaint made against them. The notice shall specify the charges against the member and shall advise the member of the time and place of the hearing, which shall be held either before the Board of Governors or a committee appointed in accordance with this Section. The member may appear and present evidence. If the hearing is held before a committee, the committee shall report its findings to the Board of Governors, which shall then decide whether to expel, suspend or censure the member. Expulsion, suspension or censure of a member shall require a two–thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Governors present and voting.
ARTICLE IV — OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers shall be the President, President-Elect, First Vice President, Second Vice President, and Parliamentarian. Officers shall perform such duties as: serve as custodians of the funds of the Association; make recommendations to the Board of Governors to insure the financial solvency of the Association; insure the collection of dues and moneys of the Association; insure the keeping of accurate books of account; cause an annual financial review by a Certified Public Accountant and see that financial reports are submitted to the Board of Governors at its regular meetings; insure the Association is actively monitoring the activities of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of the Iowa government; insure the Association is delivering high quality educational opportunities for practicing attorneys; insure the Association is delivering programs designed to improve the public’s understanding of and appreciation for the American system of justice; and other duties as are delegated by the President.
Section 2. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and Board of Governors and shall direct the affairs of the Association with the advice and consent of the Board of Governors. Unless otherwise provided for in the Constitution, the President shall appoint all committees. In the event of incapacity or inability to fulfill the office and upon certification of such fact by two–thirds (2/3) of the Board of Governors, the remainder of the term shall be filled in the following order of succession: President-Elect followed by the Vice President with the most years of service.
Section 3. The President-Elect shall perform such duties as are delegated by the President, and shall succeed to the office of President in the event of death or resignation of the President. The President-Elect shall preside at meetings in the event of the temporary absence of the President. The President-Elect shall also serve the role of Treasurer of the Association. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President-Elect, the remainder of the term shall be filled by the Vice President with the most years of service as Vice President.
Section 4. The First Vice President shall perform such duties as are delegated by the President and President-Elect. The First Vice President shall also serve the role of Secretary of the Association.
Section 5. The Second Vice President shall perform such duties as are delegated by the President and President-Elect.
Section 6. The Parliamentarian shall perform such duties as are delegated by the President and President-Elect.
Section 7. The terms of office of President and President-Elect shall be one (1) year which shall begin at the end of the last business meeting at the annual convention. The terms of Vice Presidents shall be two (2) years and shall be staggered so that one new Vice President is elected each year. The term of office of Parliamentarian shall be one (1) year which shall begin at the end of the last business meeting at the annual convention.
Section 8. Upon the expiration of a term of a President-Elect, the President-Elect shall be the President of this Association. This succession to higher office shall be automatic and there shall be no separate election to the office of President of the Association. This is the only position to which there is automatic succession.
Section 9. Any officer shall be removed with or without cause by an affirmative vote of 75% of the Board of Governors voting in person or by written ballot.
ARTICLE V — BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Section 1. The Board of Governors shall be the managing body of the Association and shall direct its affairs.
Section 2. The Board of Governors shall consist of the President, who shall serve during the term of office and shall also serve two (2) years after the expiration of said term, the other members of the Executive Committee, and the Governors elected in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws.
Section 3. Each judicial district in the State of Iowa is allowed one Governor. In addition to the district Governors, no more than twenty (20) "at–large" Governors shall be elected. Both district and at-large Governors will serve for a term of one (1) year. In the event of a vacancy on the Board of Governors, other than an officer or immediate Past President, between annual meetings of the Association, the Board of Governors may fill such vacancy with any member of the Association in good standing by a majority vote at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Governors. Persons so elected shall serve the unexpired term. In filling such vacancies the Board of Governors shall attempt to ensure that each judicial district shall have a representative on the Board.
A person representing the State of Iowa on the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Board of Governors, if not otherwise a member of the IAJ Board of Governors, shall automatically become a member of the IAJ Board of Governors for the duration of their service on the AAJ Board.
Section 4. Except as specifically limited by these Bylaws, the Board of Governors shall have full power and authority in intervals between the business meeting of the annual conventions to do all acts and perform all functions which the Association itself duly convened at the business meeting of the annual convention may do or perform. However, whenever the membership of the Association shall have required or forbidden any act or policy at the annual convention, such action shall be binding upon the Board of Governors.
Section 5. No commitments or expenditure of any funds of the Association shall be made by any officer or member except as provided in the annual budget or by the Board of Governors. The President and Executive Committee shall have the authority to spend up to Ten Thousand ($10,000) Dollars without advance authority of the Board. The Board of Governors at its discretion shall be authorized to spend funds in addition to the budget for the good or welfare of the organization.
Section 6. In the event of a vacancy in any one office of a Vice President or Parliamentarian between annual meetings of the Association, the Board of Governors shall fill such vacancy with any member of the Association in good standing by a majority vote at a regular meeting or special meeting of the Board of Governors. The person so elected shall serve the unexpired term.
Section 7. Meetings of the Board of Governors shall be held upon the order of the President, or upon written request of any seventeen (17) members of the Board of Governors. In any event, meetings of the Board of Governors shall be held at the annual convention. A quorum shall consist of fifteen (15) elected members of the Board of Governors and actions shall be decided by a majority vote. The President may request a telephone, email, mail, or other technological communication vote of the Board of Governors in which event action shall require a majority vote, and that fifteen (15) or more votes are cast.
Section 8. The Board of Governors shall appoint and supervise an Executive Director. The Executive Director shall appoint and supervise all personnel which are it deemed necessary or appropriate to carry out the functions of the Association. Major personnel decisions, such as hiring or terminating permanent Association staff, shall be carried out by the Executive Director with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee. The compensation and duties of all personnel shall be approved by the Board of Governors in the annual budget.
Section 9. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Board of Governors.
(a) The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors, shall consist of the officers of the Association, the immediate Past President, the chairperson of the Justice for All PAC, and the section chairs. Vice chairs of all IAJ sections will be invited to attend any meeting of the Executive Committee and Board of Governors as a representative of their section. Section vice chairs do not serve as an official member of either the Executive Committee or Board of Governors by virtue of their position as vice chair, but are empowered to act and vote on their section chair’s behalf in the event that the chair is not present. Between meetings of the Board of Governors, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to do all acts and perform all functions that are necessary for the operation and management of the Association.
(b) The Executive Committee shall not countermand actions taken by the Board of Governors and will be bound by specific instructions given to it by the Board of Governors.
(c) Fifty (50) percent plus one member of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum and actions shall be decided by a majority vote. The President may request a telephone, email, mail, or other technological communication vote of the Executive Committee in which event action shall require the affirmative vote of fifty (50) percent plus one member.
Section 10. Any member of the Board of Governors may be dropped from the Board if that member misses three (3) Board meetings in one term without due cause shown. Notice shall be given to that member in advance of the third meeting.
ARTICLE VI — ELECTIONS AND VOTING
Section 1. The officers to be elected and at–large members of the Board of Governors shall be elected at the annual convention. The offices of Parliamentarian, Vice President, and the President-Elect shall be nominated and elected at a business meeting of the annual convention by a majority vote of the members present and eligible to vote.
Section 2. At–large members of the Board of Governors shall be nominated and elected at a business meeting of the annual convention by a majority vote of the members present and eligible to vote. In the event a candidate does not receive a majority, a runoff election shall be held between the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes. The convention by two–thirds (2/3) vote may provide for the election by a plurality prior to the holding of the elections.
Section 3. In addition to at–large members of the Board of Governors, each judicial district in Iowa may elect a Governor.
(a) Each fall prior to the annual convention an election for district Governor may be held in each judicial district. Ballots will be mailed to every IAJ member in good standing in each district. Members will have at least two weeks to return their ballots to the Election Committee.
The IAJ member in each district who receives the most votes shall be elected the district Governor.
(b) Notice of upcoming district elections shall be given to all IAJ members in good standing in each district at least two weeks prior to the date that district election ballots are mailed out by the Election Committee. The notice shall state that any member can nominate any member in good standing for district Governor. All candidates so nominated will appear on the district ballot.
(c) A member of the Board of Governors elected to serve as a representative from one judicial district who moves from that district will be considered automatically removed from the Board of Governors.
Section 4. The President shall appoint an Election Committee to conduct the elections. All contested elections shall be by secret ballot. When only one candidate for an office has been nominated, such candidate shall be declared the winner by the Election Committee Chair without the necessity of voting.
Section 5. No member who is not a member in good standing shall be eligible to vote on any matter or in any election.
Section 6. No member of the Board of Governors shall be elected to serve more than ten (10) consecutive years in one position (i.e. by at–large or district), but the restriction does not include serving as an officer.
ARTICLE VII — MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS
Section 1. There shall be an annual convention of the Association to be held at a time and place fixed by the Board of Governors.
Section 2. There shall be such interim meetings as shall be called by the President with the advice and consent of the Board of Governors.
Section 3. Fifteen (15) members shall constitute a quorum at any business meeting of the Association.
Section 4. Unless otherwise provided, all actions taken by the convention shall be by majority vote. Robert's Rules of Order may govern the business meetings of the convention and all other meetings.
ARTICLE VIII — DUES
The dues of the Association shall be determined by the Board of Governors.
ARTICLE IX — PAST PRESIDENTS COUNCIL
Section 1. The Past Presidents Council may consist of the Past Presidents of this Association.
Section 2. Members of this Council may handle special projects and serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Governors and the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Each member of the Council may be an ex-officio member of the Board and shall be notified of all Board meetings and invited to attend such meetings and all functions of the Board held in connection with the Association seminars.
Section 4. The Council may elect one of its members to chair the meetings of the Council; this election may be held during the annual convention of the Association. The Council may meet during the annual convention for this purpose and to plan any activities for the coming year with the assistance of the current President and IAJ staff.
ARTICLE X — COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Board of Governors may, except as provided herein, from time to time, establish standing committees, abolish standing committees, and amalgamate standing committees. The Board of Governors shall, from time to time, determine the jurisdiction of standing committees. The President shall appoint the chair of each committee with the advice of the other Officers.
Section 2. There shall be such other non–standing committees as the President shall establish or as the Board of Governors may direct to be established. All members of such committees shall be appointed for one (1) year terms.
Section 3. In the event of a vacancy on any committee, the President may fill such vacancy with any member of the Association. The person so appointed shall serve out the term vacated.
ARTICLE XI — SECTIONS
Section 1. The Board of Governors may establish sections.
Section 2. Each section shall elect a Chairperson and Vice–Chairperson, and such other officers as its Bylaws require. The elected officers shall constitute the Executive Council of the section and shall be empowered to act for the section between annual meetings.
Section 3. Each section shall hold a meeting at the annual convention or, alternatively, at the annual section seminar, for the purpose of electing officers and transacting such other business as may come before it. Balloting for officers may commence during a reasonable period of time prior to the meeting in accordance with procedures established by the council.
ARTICLE XII — AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended by the Board of Governors by majority vote. Any proposed amendment must be submitted in writing to the Board of Governors at least thirty (30) days prior to the vote to amend the bylaws
Updated 6/27/2025
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