Missouri’s Top 20 Law Firms 2024: Limbaugh Law Firm

Most Closely Associated with the Bench

 Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. started The Limbaugh Law Firm in 1916. Though not a judge, Rush Sr., whose name adorns the federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau, launched a judicial dynasty.

Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. was an attorney at his father’s firm until 1983, when he was named to concurrent terms on the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District and the Western District of Missouri. He served full time until 2008, when he retired to make way for his son, Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., as federal rules bar members of the same family from serving on the same court.

Limbaugh Jr. came to the Eastern District of Missouri with plenty of judicial experience of his own. After working at the Limbaugh firm early in his career, he was named in 1987 as a judge for the 32nd Judicial Circuit, which covers Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Perry counties. In 1992, he joined the Missouri Supreme Court, where he served until his confirmation to the federal bench in 2008.

Limbaugh Jr.’s son, Christopher K. Limbaugh, is now following the family tradition. Gov. Mike Parson appointed him in 2021 as a Cole County associate circuit judge after having served as the governor’s general counsel.