Jackson County judge to retire at year’s end

Jackson County Associate Circuit Judge Gregory B. Gillis will retire at the end of the year, according to a news release from the 16th Circuit.

Gillis, 60, has served as an associate circuit judge since 2001 in the court’s Division 27. He first took the bench in 1999 when he was appointed as a drug court commissioner.

He previously served from 1987 to 1999 as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Jackson County. During his tenure with the prosecuting attorney’s office, he held the roles of chief warrant officer, drug unit warrant officer and trial team leader.

He has worked within the Jackson County Courthouse for a total of 32 years.

In a statement, Gillis said he hopes to spend more time with his school-age children and to volunteer in the community in his retirement.

While on the bench, Gillis served for 10 years on the board of directors of the Missouri Association of Probate and Associate Circuit Judges. He earned his law degree from the University of Missouri in 1984.

The 16th Circuit Judicial Commission is accepting applications for the opening created by Gillis’ retirement in Division 27. The deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

Applications and instructions can be found online at courts.mo.gov under Judicial Vacancies.