Voting for Judges in St. Louis—Understanding the Process for Appointing and Reviewing Judges
Hallie Van Duren • October 27, 2020
On November 3rd, Missouri voters will be asked to vote, not only on their leaders in the executive and legislative branches of government, but the judiciary, as well. Some voters may think that because they do not have any direct experience with the Missouri judges on the ballot, they should skip those ballot questions or vote blindly. Fortunately, however, there are resources available for voters to quickly and easily educate themselves in order to have a voice in their judicial branch.
Missouri’s judicial branch is made up of three levels of courts: The Supreme Court, four Appellate Courts, and 46 local Circuit Courts. Judges presiding in the Missouri Supreme Court, Appellate Courts, and six counties, including St. Louis City and St. Louis County, are selected using the “Missouri Plan”, also known as the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan. Under the Missouri Plan, judges apply for their positions and are evaluated and selected for a panel by a judicial commission made up of an appellate court judge, citizens appointed by the governor of Missouri, and lawyers elected by the members of the Missouri Bar. Three panelists are then selected and submitted to the governor, who selects the judge from the three panelists.
After judges are appointed, they are then periodically submitted to the voters to determine whether they should be retained in their positions. Any judge who receives a majority of “yes” votes will stay on the bench for that term. Unlike other counties in Missouri and some other states, judges under the Missouri Plan do not declare a party affiliation.
The goals of the Missouri Plan are to provide transparency to the public in the process for the selection and retention of judges and hold judges accountable to the people, who are ultimately responsible for keeping them on the bench. The Missouri Plan only works as intended if the voters accept the responsibility of evaluating and retaining their judges and educate themselves about the judges in order to make informed decisions.
To assist in deciding whether to retain judges, Missouri has a committee made up of lawyers, non-lawyers, and retired judges who review judges to advise whether they substantially meet judicial performance standards. The committee evaluates the judges based on lawyers’ ratings, jurors’ ratings, and written opinions from judges. During the current review cycle, the committee concluded that all 52 judges on the ballot for retention on November 3rd substantially meet overall judicial performance standards.
You can find more information about the judges and the history and details of the Missouri Plan at www.yourMissouriJudges.com.
We are thrilled to announce that four of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists! This distinction honors outstanding legal professionals across the nation who demonstrate excellence in their field, and we are proud to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our team. Celebrating Our Super Lawyer Ann Bauer has once again been recognized as a Super Lawyer in Missouri & Kansas, marking her 19th consecutive year on the list. Ann’s dedication, skill, and commitment to her clients have earned her additional prestigious honors: Top 50: Women Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers – 11th year Top 50: St. Louis Super Lawyers – 7th year Ann’s recognition is a testament to her decades of experience and unwavering commitment to families and individuals navigating complex legal matters. Rising Stars of 2025 We are also proud to celebrate our three attorneys named Rising Stars this year: Allison Gerli – 8th year Kristen Sparks – 7th year Hallie Van Duren – 5th year The Rising Stars designation recognizes outstanding attorneys who are making a significant impact in their field earlier in their careers. What This Recognition Means The Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists are highly selective, recognizing only a small percentage of attorneys in each state based on peer nominations, professional achievement, and other rigorous criteria. Being named to these lists reflects the consistent excellence, skill, and dedication our attorneys bring to every case. We are proud to have a team of legal professionals who combine experience, empathy, and expertise to serve our clients. Congratulations to Ann, Allison, Kristen, and Hallie for this well-deserved recognition!
We are proud to share that The Center for Family Law has once again been recognized as a Tier 1 law firm in St. Louis in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law--Mediation. Firms named to the 2026 “Best Law Firms” list by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® are honored for their professional excellence, earning consistently strong ratings from clients and peers. A tiered ranking reflects a unique combination of quality legal practice and breadth of expertise. The 2026 “Best Law Firms” rankings, released this month, are based on client feedback, peer evaluations from leading attorneys, and additional information submitted by participating law firms as part of a comprehensive review process. About The Center for Family Law Since 2013, The Center for Family Law has provided progressive, client-centered family law services with compassion and dedication. Our attorneys are committed to advancing the practice of family law and adapting to its ever-evolving landscape. We partner with each client to address their unique needs and goals, helping families navigate challenging transitions with respect and care.
We are proud to share that our attorneys’ dedication and exceptional work for clients have been recognized by peers. This year, four attorneys from The Center for Family Law are honored in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America . Ann Bauer - Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, collaborative law--family law. In addition, Ann was named as "Lawyer of the Year" for her work in collaborative law. This is Ann's 12th consecutive year being recognized. Allison Gerli - Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, collaborative law--family law. This is Allison's third consecutive year being recognized. Kristen Sparks - Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch" list for family law, family law--arbitration & mediation, and alternative dispute resolution. Hallie Van Duren - Best Lawyers list for family law, family law mediation, collaborative law--family law. This is Hallie's second year being recognized. About Best Lawyers Since 1983, Best Lawyers has been recognized as one of the most respected guides to legal excellence. Attorneys selected for The Best Lawyers in America are nominated and evaluated by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo a rigorous verification process to ensure they are in current practice and in good standing. About The Center for Family Law Founded in 2013, The Center for Family Law provides comprehensive representation in all areas of family law, with a culture built on partnership with our clients and other professionals. We believe the role of a lawyer is to partner with clients, help them understand their options, and give them the information and confidence they need to make well-informed decisions. To schedule a consultation, click here .