21 August 2008

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Appellate Judicial Commission today announced that it has submitted to Governor Matt Blunt its panel of nominees to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court of Missouri. The vacancy exists due to the July 31, 2008, departure of Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., who now is serving as a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

In alphabetical order, the panel consists of the Honorable Zel M. Fischer, the Honorable Lisa White Hardwick and the Honorable Ronald R. Holliger.

Fischer is an associate circuit judge in Atchison County, which is in the 4th Judicial Circuit. He was born in April 1963 in Hamburg, Iowa. He received his bachelor of arts degree, majoring in both philosophy and political science, in 1985 from William Jewell College in Liberty and his law degree, with distinction, in 1988 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. Fischer lives in Tarkio.

Hardwick is a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District. She was born in October 1960 in Kansas City. She received her bachelor of journalism degree in 1982 from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and her law degree in 1985 from Harvard Law School. Hardwick lives in Kansas City.

Holliger is a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District. He was born in July 1946 in Kansas City. He received his bachelor of science degree in education in 1969 and his law degree in 1973, both from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Holliger lives in Blue Springs.

Under the Missouri Constitution, the governor has 60 days to select one member of the panel to fill the vacancy. If the governor should fail to do so, the Missouri Constitution directs the commission to make the appointment.

Contact: Beth S. Riggert

Communications Counsel

Supreme Court of Missouri

(573) 751-3676