Iowa. Code. Jud. Cond. 51:2.13
Comment
1 Appointees of a judge may include assigned counsel, mediators, officials such as district associate judges, magistrates, referees, commissioners, special masters, receivers, guardians, and personnel such as clerks, secretaries, and court reporters. Consent by the parties to an appointment or an award of compensation does not relieve the judge of the obligation prescribed by paragraph (A).
2 Unless otherwise defined by law, nepotism is the appointment or hiring of any relative within the third degree of relationship of either the judge or the judge's spouse or domestic partner*, or the spouse or domestic partner of such relative.