13 September 2019

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The 31st Circuit Judicial Commission conducted one day of public hearings, interviewed nine applicants, and selected a panel of three nominees for the new circuit judge position in the 31st Judicial Circuit (Greene County), created by the legislature in July 2019. The nominees are:

Becky J.W. Borthwick, an associate circuit judge, Division 25, 31st Judicial Circuit

Randall D. Eggert, a supervisory assistant United States attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri

Ginger K. Gooch, a partner at Husch Blackwell LLP

The commission believes these three candidates, chosen from a field of extremely qualified individuals, possess those qualities essential to the fair and efficient administration of justice. The commission is confident all of these individuals are capable of serving well and honorably if selected by the governor. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 10.29, the commission notes the votes received by each nominee were as follows: Borthwick received five votes; Eggert received five votes; and Gooch received five votes.

The commission has submitted the panel to Governor Michael L. Parson, who will have 60 days to appoint one of the nominees as circuit judge in the 31st Judicial Circuit.

The commission is chaired by Judge Jeffrey Bates, chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, and is composed of attorneys Steve Garner and Laurel Stevenson and lay members Kim Hancock and Joann Hosmer.

Note: Links to nominees' applications typically are disabled after the governor makes his appointment.

Contact:    Craig Street, Clerk of the Court

Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District

Craig.Street@courts.mo.gov

(417) 895-6811