JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – William Ray Price Jr., chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri and chair of the Appellate Judicial Commission, announced today that the commission has submitted to Governor Jay Nixon its panel of nominees to fill the vacancy on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, created by the January 30 retirement of Judge Booker T. Shaw.

In alphabetical order, the panel consists of the Honorable Rachel L. Bringer, the Honorable Gary M. Gaertner Jr. and Thomas B. Weaver.

Bringer is in the sole practice of law in Palmyra and, since 2003, has served as the state representative from District 6 (Palmyra). She was born in September 1971. She earned her bachelor of arts degree, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, in English with a minor in political science in 1992 and her law degree in 1995, both from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Bringer lives in Palmyra.

Gaertner is a circuit judge in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County). He was born in December 1964. He earned his bachelor of science degree, magna cum laude, in economics in 1987 from the Saint Louis University School of Business Honors Program and his law degree, cum laude, in 1990, from Saint Louis University School of Law. Gaertner lives in St. Louis.

Weaver is a partner with the law firm of Armstrong Teasdale LLP in St. Louis. He was born in October 261951. He earned his bachelor of arts degree, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, in English with a certificate in secondary school teaching in 1974 from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and his law degree, magna cum laude, in 1978 from Saint Louis University School of Law. Weaver lives in Glendale.

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

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Note: The governor appointed Gary Gaertner Jr. to fill this vacancy.

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

Contact: Beth S. Riggert
Communications Counsel
Supreme Court of Missouri
(573) 751-3676