Trial Court

  Christopher Nydle was sworn in as a judge for the Trial Court of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa on November 20, 2023, and was appointed Chief Judge on April 11, 2025.

   Judge Nydle began his legal career in private practice, including representing individuals in both criminal and civil matters before the Meskwaki Tribal Court. He then served as the Tribal Prosecutor and an Assistant Attorney General for the Meskwaki Nation from 2012-2021, representing the Tribe and its various departments in matters before the Meskwaki Tribal Court, Iowa District Court, and a variety of other surrounding state court systems. Before returning to the Meskwaki Nation as a judge, he served as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Cedar Rapids. Judge Nydle grew up in Bettendorf, Iowa and earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa. After a brief foray in the non-profit world, Judge Nydle obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from Drake University Law School, where he was a Public Service Scholar and graduated with honors.

   Judge Nydle resides in Cedar Rapids with his wife and children. On the weekends you will likely find him cheering on his children from the sidelines of the soccer field or baseball field.

   Brooktyn Blood was sworn in as Associate Trial Court Judge on  June 25, 2026.   Judge Blood is a member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.  She graduated from Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark School of Law in 2008 and began her legal career as an associate at a large law firm in Phoenix, Arizona.  For seven years she represented tribal governments, agencies, and officials, gaining invaluable experience in tribal law and governance.

   Judge Blood returned home to Nebraska to be closer to family and joined the Native American Studies Department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she taught classes about Native issues and tribal sovereignty.  Since 2017, she has served as a Judge for Nebraska Tribes. 

   Judge Blood resides in Omaha with her husband and children.  She enjoys spending time with her children in their many activities and she also coaches her daughters' volleyball teams.  When not presiding in the courtroom you can find her on the pickleball court.

 Brent Hinders was sworn in as Associate Trial Court Judge on  June 2, 2026.  He is a graduate of Simpson College, where he earned his B.A., and Drake University, where he completed graduate study at the College of Business and Public Administration before earing his J.D. from Drake University Law School in 2005.

   Judge Hinders has been practicing law in Iowa since 2005.  He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for both the Southern and Northern Districts of Iowa, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. 

   He has been a practicing attorney in Meskwaki Tribal Court since 2014, working primarily with families in Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) matters.

   In his private practice of law, he's a stakeholder partner at Hinders, Updegraff, Franklin & Limkemann, PLC, working out of their Des Moines metro Office in Norwalk, Iowa.  Judge Hinders' practice centers on municipal and public-sector clients across Iowa.  He enjoys service the communities he lives and work in.  He is also a member of several public and professional boards and committees.  Judge Hinders has been recognized as Best Lawyer in the State of Iowa in employment benefits law, labor and employment law, and municipal litigation.

   He loves spending time with his family, traveling, working out, and hanging out with McAdoo "Mack", his Australian Mountain Dog (part Australian Shepherd, part Bermese Mountain Dog).

• Hon. Joseph Plumer, Pro Tempore

• Hon. Todd R. Matha, Pro Tempore