Judge Mary W. Sheffield (Retired)
Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District
Dates of judicial service:
- Judge of the court of appeals, 2012-2025 (retired)
- Elected and reelected circuit judge for the 25th Judicial Circuit, 2004-2012
- Elected and reelected associate circuit judge for Phelps County, 1983-2004
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Juris Doctor, University of Miami, Miami, FL.
Professional memberships and activities:
- Phelps County Bar Association
- Southern Missouri Women's Bar Association
- United States Liaison Judge for the Hague Convention on Parental Child Abduction
- Former Chairperson, Family Law Committee
- Judicial Education Committee
- Teen Court
- Former President, National College of Probate Judges
- Former President, Blue Ridge Institute for Family Court Judges
Prior Employment:
- Knecht and Holland, Miami, Florida
- Gullinson Law Offices, Salem, Missouri
- Solo Practice, Rolla, Missouri
Awards and Honors:
- Lawyer of the Americas Law Review – Editor, University of Miami
- Bramlett-Light Award
- CASA HOPE Award
- Missouri Lawyers Weekly Women's Justice Award
Civic and Charitable Activities:
- Co-founded Russell House for victims of domestic violence.
- Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Aging Out – Transitioning from Foster Care to Independence
- Co-founded 25th Judicial Circuit CASA program
- Rotary Club
- PEO
- First United Methodist Church
- Community Partnership Board of Directors
- Youth Mental Health Coalition
Additional Information:
- She and her husband, Dr. W. Kent Wray, Vice Chancellor Missouri University of Science and Technology, have three children, Jennifer, Katherine and Christopher