Fincham named circuit judge for Platte County

Thomas C. Fincham, an associate circuit judge in Platte County, was elevated on Tuesday to circuit judge.

Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Fincham to fill the vacancy created by the retirement earlier this year of Judge Owens Lee Hull Jr.

“Judge Fincham has a combination of experience both on the bench and previously in private practice for three decades, and his experience and legal knowledge are assets that have served the people of Platte County well,” Nixon said in a statement. “I am pleased to appoint him to serve those citizens from the circuit bench.”

Nixon had previously appointed Fincham to the associate bench in 2010. Before becoming an associate judge, he practiced law in the Kansas City area for almost 30 years and had served as a municipal judge for several communities.

Fellow Associate Judge Dennis Eckold and attorney W. Ann Hansbrough were also finalists for the position under the Nonpartisan Court Plan.

Fincham’s appointment comes after another Platte County associate judge, James W. Van Amburg, was picked to replace retiring Circuit Judge Abe Shafer. Between retirements and promotions, Nixon soon will have named all five judges on the Platte County Circuit Court.