Byrn to retire from Jackson County Circuit Court

After nearly 13 years on the bench in Jackson County, Judge David M. Byrn is set to retire on July 28. 

His retirement is only for a beat: On July 30, he plans to join CGL Companies, a Florida-based consulting group that focuses on the criminal justice system. He will remain in Kansas City.  

Byrn said he’ll be working with clients on issues such as court operations, court management, evaluating and modifying facilities, and crisis management.

“It really was one of those things that presented itself, seemed to be a good fit, so I decided to give it a chance and I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “It really is an exciting opportunity.” 

Byrn, 64, is leaving about six years before he would reach the mandatory retirement age of 70. His current term was set to expire in 2022.

Byrn served as presiding judge of the circuit from 2019 to early this year. 

During his tenure, Byrn shepherded the court through back-to-back pipe bursts occurring weeks into his term that prompted approximately $18 million in renovations at the Jackson County Courthouse. He also faced the COVID-19 pandemic and protests over evictions in Jackson County. 

Gov. Matt Blunt appointed Byrn to the court in 2008. Prior to joining the bench, he practiced at Jeter, Rains & Byrn for 27 years, focusing on the areas of business, real estate, construction and commercial litigation. He earned his law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. 

He said his time on the family court stands out in particular. He oversaw adoption days and watched parents reunify with their children. 

“It really is, daily, an opportunity to look beyond self and look at others in the confines of what we do in the court system to try to find a way to show them the respect and dignity that they should have even in the midst of making the decisions that people don’t like,” he said. 

He said it’s easy for the public to criticize the courts, but they provide a steady foundation for society.

“It strikes me that in today’s society, with the divisiveness that we see, it is more important than ever that we have good judges, that we have fair judges, judges that can truly administer justice, follow the law, do what is necessary to maintain the integrity of the system,” he said. “We’re so fortunate to have judges that fit that criteria.”

The 16th Circuit Judicial Commission is accepting applications for Byrn’s successor through Aug. 18. The commission will meet Sept. 1 at the Court of Appeals Western District in Kansas City to conduct public interviews.

The commission will then send a panel of three candidates to Gov. Mike Parson, who will then have 60 days to name a successor.