PDAI policies and letters

Amicus briefs joined by the PDAI

The Virginia Larson Memorial Award for Iowa Public Defender of the Year was created in 1998 after the tragic death of Assistant Public Defender Virginia Larson. Virginia was a staff attorney in the Story County Public Defender’s Office when she was killed in a car accident in 1997. Her dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of her clients are remembered each year with the announcement of the recipient of the award named in her honor.

2022 - Darren Page
2021 - Mary Cowdrey
2020 - Julia Zalenski
2019 - Aaron Hawbaker
2018 - Theresa Wilson
2017 - Jason Dunn
2016 - Todd Weimer
2015 - Rachel Regenold
2014 - Sara Smith
2012 - Ahmet Gonlubol & Ray Reel
2011 - Tyler Johnston
2010 - Susan Flander
2009 - Linnea Nichol
2008 - Thomas Rodriguez
2007 - Theresa Wilson
2006 - Valorie Wilson
2005 - Andrea Dryer
2004 - Sharon Briner
2003 - John C. Wellman
2002 - David Staudt
2001 - David Adams
2000 - Greta Truman
1999 - David Staudt
1998 - Dean Olson, Jr.
1997 - Nate Calahan

The Melanie Thwing-Eastman Memorial Award for Outstanding Young Attorney of the Year was created in 2020. Melanie graduated from Drake Law School with her Juris Doctor in 2015. While there she served as the Student Bar Association president from 2014-2015 and was the distinguished recipient of the Iowa State Bar Association Award in 2015. Following law school she became an attorney for the Iowa State Public Defenders Office. She began her career at the Blackhawk County Office before moving to the Scott County Office. Melanie passed away in 2020 after a long-fought battle with cancer.

2022 - Thomas Richter
2021 - Kimberly DePalma
2020 - Melanie Thwing-Eastman

The William J. Hargrave Award for Investigator of the Year was created in 2002. William Hargrave was an investigator in Waterloo Adult Office before becoming the Chief Investigator with the Des Moines Central Office. He was instrumental in making sure investigators received continuing education and training, and that they held a position on the PDA Board. He passed away of natural causes on January 10, 1993.

2022 - Shane Flesher
2021 - Kristofer Lyon
2020 - Judy Smith
2019 - Tom Rohrresen
2018 - Denita Gary
2017 - Melissa Ginther
2016 - Amy Stone
2015 - Anna Bibulowicz
2014 - Giovanna Carnet
2012 - Steve Exley-Schuman
2011 - Blake Mikesell
2010 - Judi Long
2009 - John Gandara
2008 - Rena Schulz
2007 - Shane Flesher
2006 - Deb Smith
2005 - Dennis Walters
2004 - Donna Harvey
2003 - Dennis Westerman

2024 - Davenport, Sioux City Juvenile, and Nevada

2025 - Iowa City and Mason City