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Iowa Supreme Court justice battling cancer to resign

DES MOINES — Iowa Supreme Court Justice Daryl Hecht, who has been receiving treatment for skin cancer, will resign from the high court.

The court made the announcement in a news release Friday. Hecht’s resignation is effective Dec. 13.

Hecht, of Sloan, resumed hearing cases for the latest term that began Sept. 4 after being absent several months as he sought treatment in Sioux City and at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. But he was unable to sit for oral arguments held Nov. 13-14 due to side effects of the treatment he is receiving.

Hecht said that after discussing the matter with his family, he determined it was essential for him to commit all of his energy to his health.

Hecht was appointed to the court in 2006. Prior to that, he served seven years on the Iowa Court of Appeals after working as a private practice attorney in Sioux City for 22 years.

While on the high court, Hecht served as chairman of the Iowa Civil Justice Reform Task Force. He also was involved in a study of civil justice reform at the national level, serving as a member of the Civil Justice Improvement Committee appointed by the Conference of Chief Justices.

Once Hecht submits his formal resignation letter, the process to accept applications for his seat will begin. A judicial nominating committee will screen applicants and forward a slate of nominees to the governor, who will appoint a replacement.

State supreme court justices serve six-year terms. Each justice is subject to a retention election at the first general election following his or her appointment. If voters elect to retain, a justice may serve another full term.

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