Kellyann M. Lekar

Attorney

Kellyann Lekar is an attorney at Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C. Kellyann served as a District Court Judge for the Iowa Judicial Branch for over 20 years including 14 years as the Chief Judge of the First Judicial District of Iowa. Kellyann practiced for over 12 years as a civil litigator prior to taking the bench in 2005. Through her combined career, Kellyann brings to Shuttleworth & Ingersoll over 33 years of complex litigation experience. She has tried to verdict hundreds of civil and criminal jury trials as well as countless nonjury trials and motion hearings. Civil jury and nonjury trial experience includes commercial litigation, breach of contract, product liability, personal injury, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, employment, business agreements, non-compete agreements, will contests, and family law. Kellyann is skilled at analyzing trial strategy, evidence impact and jury receptiveness. Kellyann has a particular interest in jury selection, jury instructions and jury debriefing which are fundamental to a comprehensive understanding of civil litigation.

Kellyann holds a 40 hour certificate in Civil Mediation from the National Judicial College and has attended other mediation trainings. Over the years, she has served as both a formal and informal settlement conference judge in numerous cases. Kellyann has real world experience in the role of a neutral including practical insights, managing emotionally charged situations and supporting resolution through respectful and straightforward dialogue.

Iowa State Bar Association
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Council
- Litigation Section
- Jury Instruction Committee
Black Hawk County Bar Association
American Bar Association
- Dispute Resolution Section
  - ADR Skills Building and Technology Innovations
  - Women and Diversity
- Judicial Division, National Conference of State Trial Court Judges (retired member)
- Law Practice Division
  - ABA Women Rainmakers
  - Productivity and Knowledge Strategy Forum
- Senior Lawyers Division
  - Ethics and Professionalism
  - Alternative Dispute Resolution
Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys (IOWA)
Iowa Judges’ Association (retired member)
National Association of Women Judges (retired member)

Chief Justice Mark Cady Award of Merit, Iowa Judges’ Association, 2026

Over 20 years on the district court bench, Kellyann spoke frequently to professional and community groups on topics of interest to judges, attorneys, and citizens. Below is a sampling of speeches and presentations she has given:

2008 – The Role of Judge, Transition from Bar to Bench (Iowa Judicial Branch New Judges’ School)
2010 – History of Women Attorneys in Iowa (Business and Professional Women of Black Hawk County)
2012 – Implications of Social Media on Evidence and the Practice of Law (Dubuque County Bar Association)
2014 – Civil Discovery (Joint Annual Judges’ Conference/Annual ISBA Conference)
2016 – Excellence Through Teamwork (Bench Bar Conference)
2018 – Building Professional Relationships in the Era of EDMS (Bench Bar Conference)
2019 – Challenges Facing District Courts (Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers)
2023 – The Ethics of Recusal (Joint Annual Judges’ Conference/Annual ISBA Conference)
2023 – Effective Motions in Limine (Iowa Defense Counsel Association)
2024 – Advocating for Tomorrow: Insights from Judges on Representing Children in District Court (Iowa Association for Justice, Family Law Advocacy Section)
2025 – Effective Opening Statements (Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers)

Kellyann served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Northern Iowa for 9 semesters teaching two classes – Constitutional Law: Institutional Powers and Constraints and Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Through teaching, Kellyann was able to bring together a lifelong interest in history, government, and law along with the added benefit of working with undergraduate students, including many with law school aspirations.

In her private time, Kellyann enjoys family, traveling, and her pottery studio.

Practice Areas

Education

Iowa State University, B.S., Psychology (1990)
University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., with distinction (1993)
- Semester intern to the Honorable Magistrate Judge John Jarvey, United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa (1992)