News : Meet Derek Marsh, Benton County Assistant Attorney

Judge Thornhill swearing in Assistant County Attorney Derek Marsh also pictured, Benton County Attorney Ray Lough

The Benton County Attorney's office has added a couple of new faces to its staff this last year. One of those is Assistant County Attorney Derek Marsh. Fresh out of law school he has joined Benton County Attorney Ray Lough as part of the legal team representing Benton County.

The journey to Iowa is one that was a bit unexpected for the attorney. Originally from Montana, Marsh and his wife Brooke were looking for something rural, but close to an airport for trips home. Growing up in a small rural community, he wanted to live and work in a rural area so he began to search for jobs online. He ran across the listing for an opening in Vinton and the town met all the wants and needs on the couple's wish list.

That week changed the path of their life:

Sunday night - He found the listing for the job and filled out the online application.

Monday - He got a call back. 

Wednesday - He had a job interview

Thursday - He was offered the position

Friday - He accepted. 

It was one of those times he said that he and his wife felt like it was meant to be.

Originally Marsh thought that his calling was to be a school teacher, so he began his career at a small school in Montana. Working his way through his Master's Degree at South Dakota State and having been involved in athletics at Montana State University it seemed natural for him to pursue education. His intended career gave him pause. He had always had a desire to help people and he thought the best way to do that would be to become a teacher. As a Math and PE teacher, he found that there were needs with the kids, that he simply couldn't address as a teacher. Issues at home affected the kids, but his hands were tied to make any real changes for them. 

And then COVID hit. This too helped to redirect him in his journey. Even though he held a Master's Degree, jobs were scarce to find. He began to analyze the situation. How could he help his students? During the same time, an issue arose in his extended family. Again he said, "It was the same feeling I had with some of my students."

As he went to rescue his family member, driving back he remembered gripping the wheel in frustration that there was nothing that he could do."And then it clicked," he said.  As he asked himself how could he have helped his students and his family member, he pondered "What occupation could do that?" On the heels of that thought, it occurred to him, "I think a lawyer could."

He began to study immediately for the LSATS (Law School Admissions Test). Testing was delayed because he came down with COVID himself. However, in a little more than six months, the teacher was now on his way to becoming a lawyer. He applied to college in Virginia, on the other side of the country from where he grew up. He found out this was exactly where he needed to be at the time. Unbeknownst to him, his soon-to-be wife who was also from the western part of the United States, had also chosen Virginia as her new zip code. 

And the rest is history as they say.  Fresh out of college, he joined the legal team in Benton County. The couple hit the ground running and are now making plans to join the Vinton community permanently.  "We have truly enjoyed the community and I really appreciate people around here!" he added.

Welcome to the Marshs!