KC appeals court loses four judges in 2009
Judge Mark Pfeiffer heard his first case for the Court of Appeals Western District from an unusual place - the audience. Pfeiffer, who was appointed to the court on May 6, watched a court en banc argument later that month over the conviction of a man on a child molestation charge. He was in town for the court's conference that afternoon and intended merely to be a spectator. But when the court'[...]
Longtime Nixon aide named to appeals court
In a move that surprised few, Gov. Jay Nixon has appointed his longtime aide, Karen King Mitchell, to the Western District Court of Appeals. Mitchell was one of three finalists for a vacancy on the Kansas City-based appellate court. That court has had three vacancies this year, and Nixon filled the first opening in May […]
Panel named for Western District spot
Two circuit judges and the director of the Missouri Department of Revenue are the finalists for the second of three vacancies on the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District. The Appellate Judicial Commission on Wednesday nominated Judge Jacqueline A. Cook, Revenue Director Karen King Mitchell and Associate Circuit Judge Gary D. Witt for a spot […]
Short court slows down
Missouri’s Court of Appeals Western District is supposed to have 11 people donning black robes and meting out justice. These days, it’s limping along with eight. The three-judge shortfall appears to have an impact. Data show the court has heard almost a third fewer cases and issued 22 percent fewer rulings compared to a year ago. But so far, lawyers don’t seem to be complaining. At [...]
Judicial Commission to meet May 13
Wasting no time, the Appellate Judicial Commission has announced it will meet Wednesday in Jefferson City to select another panel of candidates for an appellate judgeship in Kansas City. The announcement came just a day after Gov. Jay Nixon selected Mark Pfeiffer, a Columbia attorney, to fill the first of three vacancies on the Missouri […]
Commission announces interview rescheduling
The Appellate Judicial Commission has suspended the process to fill Judge Booker T. Shaw’s vacancy on the Eastern District Court of Appeals until at least late summer because of scheduling conflicts with filling the three vacancies on the Western District Court of Appeals. Interviews for the three Western District vacancies will be held on March […]
Division miscalculated increases to blind pension fund
Blind Missourians won a partial victory in the Court of Appeals this week when the court held that state agencies miscalculated increases to the state’s blind pension fund for more than a decade. The case was one of 11 handed down this week by the court’s Western District. The appellate court agreed with the Missouri […]
Western District Court of Appeals resignations now official
The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District on Wednesday formally announced the resignations of three of its judges. Judges Paul Spinden and Ron Holliger leave the court this week, and Judge Joseph Dandurand will leave on March 2, the state’s Appellate Judicial Commission said in a press release. Spinden’s resignation, first noted in a Dec. […]
Western District resignations now official
The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District on Wednesday formally announced the resignations of three of its judges. Judges Paul Spinden and Ron Holliger leave the court this week, and Judge Joseph Dandurand will leave on March 2, the state’s Appellate Judicial Commission said in a press release. Spinden’s resignation, first noted in a Dec. […]
Spinden, Holliger, Dandurand to leave Western District
The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District on Wednesday formally announced the resignations of three of its judges. Judges Paul Spinden and Ron Holliger leave the court this week, and Judge Joseph Dandurand will leave on March 2, the state’s Appellate Judicial Commission said in a press release. Spinden’s resignation, first noted in a Dec. […]
Judge Shaw leaves appeals court for firm
Eastern District Judge Booker Shaw is joining the exodus from the Court of Appeals. After 25 years as a judge, Shaw will retire in February to become a partner in the litigation and appellate litigation practices at St. Louis firm Thompson Coburn. Shaw’s exit will follow those of three Western District judges expected to leave […]
Dandurand tapped as deputy attorney general
Another judge from the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District is leaving to join Attorney General-elect Chris Koster’s team. Judge Joseph Dandurand, who was appointed to the court just one year ago, will become deputy attorney general, Koster announced in a press release on Monday. Dandurand’s colleague at the Western District, Judge Ron Holliger, was […]
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