29 June 2017

ST. LOUIS – Judge James M. Dowd has been elected chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, by unanimous vote of the judges of the court. His one-year term begins July 1, 2017. The chief judge is the chief administrative officer of the court, presides at court en banc meetings and represents the court to the public. 

"I am excited and honored to be elected to serve my colleagues and our wonderful staff as the Court’s chief judge," Dowd said. "And it is personally gratifying to be the fourth Dowd judge to serve in this capacity. Thanks to the talents and dedication of our staff, I am confident this Court will continue its 141-year tradition of serving the citizens of the state of Missouri by providing the prompt and well-reasoned resolution of the important legal matters that come before us."
   
Judge Dowd was appointed to the Eastern District in 2015 by Governor Jay Nixon. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Saint Louis University and his law degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. Prior to his appointment to the Eastern District, Judge Dowd was the principal at the James M. Dowd Law Firm, a partner at Dowd & Dowd PC and an associate at Watson & Dameron. He previously served as a judicial law clerk at the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, for Judge William E. Turnage. 

Over the years, he has been active in the community and serving with various bar organizations. He was a mock trial team coach for Saint Louis University High School and is a member for Backstoppers, where he serves as a liaison for families of several officers killed in the line of duty. 

The Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, hears appeals from the trial courts in 25 counties in eastern Missouri and the city of St. Louis. It is the largest court in the state appellate system. The court is located in the historic Old Post Office in downtown St. Louis but regularly holds sessions at various locations throughout the district.
 
 
Contact: Laura Roy, clerk of court
Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District
(314) 539-4300