Associate 37th Circuit Court Judge Donna Anthony has tendered her resignation, effective Feb. 29.
"After an almost-38-year career in law I have decided to retire at a time when I can spend time on hobbies and pursuits I enjoy,”Anthony wrote in a statement to the Quill. “I have dedicated my career to serving the poor, the accused, and the maligned — the 'least of these.'
“I am proud to say I have lived in and worked in two of the best states in America. I spent 28 years on our family farm in Tennessee and the remainder of my life in Missouri with a career in law.
“In West Tennessee, farm life was very much like farms in Missouri — lots of hard work as a family enterprise with two big differences, lots of rich top soil and almost no rocks.
“When I was a young judicial law clerk I opened court with these ending words 'All those having business before this court come forward and be heard. God save the United States and this honorable court.' Every citizen in America has a right to be heard in our courts. I have accomplished that here as a judge.
“While I will miss many friends, church family and colleagues, I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life.”
Anthony hails from Memphis, Tenn., and earned a Bachelor of Science degree and master's in education from the University of Memphis, the latter in 1981, before spending several years as an English teacher.
She completed her juris doctorate in 1989 at the Washington University-St. Louis School of Law, and was licensed to practice law in Missouri and Illinois, beginning her legal career as a law clerk.
Anthony was a public defender in the 37th Judicial Circuit from 1993 to 2017 and entered into private practice in 2017.
In a letter submitted to Gov. Mike Parson, dated Jan. 30, Anthony explained health issues as part of the reason for retiring.
"It is with a heavy heart that I must retire from my position as Howell County Associate Judge, effective 30 days from this date,” she wrote. “I am concluding my cases under advisement so that I leave my position without requiring cases to be reheard. Two rounds of COVID-19 and other health issues have made it impossible for me to continue."
Anthony concluded the letter by offering the governor her opinion on individuals that make the final round of candidates for appointment to the seat, if needed. Anthony was elected in 2018 and 2022, each a four-year term. The process to appoint a replacement will now begin, which involves a review of applications of lawyers who wish to join the court by a commission, then an interview. The commission will next submit the names of three qualified candidates to Parson. Usually, the governor then interviews the three candidates and selects one within 60 days.
If a candidate is not selected by the governor in that timeframe, the commission will select one of the three finalists.
After an appointed judge has served for at least a year, he or she will be placed on a nonpartisan judicial ballot at the next general election for retention for a full term of office.
