18 February 2012

ST. LOUIS – Richard B. Teitelman, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri and chairman of the Appellate Judicial Commission, announces that the commission today submitted to Governor Jay Nixon its panel of nominees to fill the vacancy on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. This vacancy exists due to the resignation of Judge George W. Draper III, who was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri after serving more than 11 years on the appeals court, including a term as chief judge, two years as a circuit judge on the St. Louis County circuit court and four years as an associate circuit judge in St. Louis County.

The commission unanimously supports the three nominees. After more than nine hours of public interviews, four hours of deliberations and five rounds of balloting, the nominees are: Gretchen Garrison, six votes; Hon. Angela T. Quigless, five votes; and Lisa Van Amburg, five votes.

Garrison is a principal in the St. Louis law firm of Gray, Ritter & Graham. She was born in November 1959. She earned her bachelor of science degree in 1982 from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and her law degree in 1986 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. Garrison lives in St. Louis.

Quigless is a circuit judge in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (St. Louis city). She was born in January 1960. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in sociology in 1981 from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her law degree in 1984 from Saint Louis University School of Law. Quigless lives in St. Louis.

Van Amburg is a circuit judge in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (St. Louis city). She was born in September 1948. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in 1970 from Washington University in St. Louis and her law degree, cum laude, in 1975 from Saint Louis University School of Law. Van Amburg lives in St. Louis.

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

In addition to Teitelman, the commission is composed of attorneys Thomas M. Burke of St. Louis, J.R. Hobbs of Kansas City and John D. Wooddell of Springfield and lay members Cheryl M. Darrough of Columbia, John T. Gentry of Springfield and Donald L. Ross of St. Louis.

Note: The governor appointed Angela Turner Quigless to fill this vacancy.

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

Contact: Beth S. Riggert

Communications Counsel

Supreme Court of Missouri

(573) 751-3676