Strand was born on July 14, 1965, raised in Sioux City, Iowa, and graduated from West High School as valedictorian.

[1] He received a Bachelor of Arts degree, with high distinction and Phi Beta Kappa, in 1987 from the University of Iowa.

[1] He received a Juris Doctor, with highest distinction, first in his class, and Order of the Coif, in 1990 from the University of Iowa College of Law.

[1] After graduating from law school, Strand joined Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman as an associate.

[1] From June 7, 2012, to February 12, 2016, Strand served as a United States magistrate judge for the Northern District of Iowa.