The Appellate Judicial Commission is accepting applications to fill two vacancies on the Missouri Court of Appeals following the Aug. 1 retirements of judges from the Eastern and Western districts.
The vacancies were created by the retirements of Eastern District Judge Philip M. Hess and Western District Judge Anthony Rex Gabbert, both of whom were appointed to the appellate court in 2013.
Hess retired after nearly 13 years of judicial service. A ninth-generation Missourian and Jefferson County native, he worked in private practice for three decades before his appointment to the Eastern District, where he served as chief judge from 2016 to 2017.
Gabbert retired following a judicial career spanning more than 30 years. The Kansas City native began as a municipal judge in 1993, served as a Clay County associate circuit and circuit judge for nearly two decades, and finished a two-year term as chief judge for the Western District at the end of June.
The Missouri Constitution requires that a judge of the state appeals court be at least 30 years old, licensed to practice law in Missouri, a U.S. citizen for at least 15 years and a qualified Missouri voter for at least nine years preceding selection.
Citizens are encouraged to nominate well-qualified candidates for both vacancies. Nominations should be submitted no later than noon Friday to ensure individuals have time to complete the application process. Nominations can be mailed to the Appellate Judicial Commission, Missouri Court of Appeals Vacancy, P.O. Box 150, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Nominations can also be emailed to EDJudgeVacancy@courts.mo.gov for the Eastern District or WDJudgeVacancy@courts.mo.gov for the Western District. Nomination forms are available online at courts.mo.gov.
Formal applications for both vacancies will be accepted until 5 p.m. Sept. 21.
The commission will conduct public interviews for the applicants Nov. 3 through Nov. 5 at the Supreme Court Building in Jefferson City. Following the interviews, the commission will select a panel of three nominees for each position to submit to the governor for consideration.
