9 April 2015
ST. LOUIS – Mary R. Russell, chief justice of the Supreme Court of
Missouri and chair 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 Glenn Norton, who retired February 1, 2015.
The
commission unanimously supports the three nominees. After more than five hours
of public interviews, nearly two hours of deliberations and five rounds of
balloting, the nominees – each of whom received seven votes – are: James M.
Dowd; Judge Lisa Page; and Erwin O. Switzer.
Dowd is a
principal at The James M. Dowd Law Firm PC in St. Louis. He was born in June 1964. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in history in 1985 from Saint Louis
University and his law degree in 1990 from the University of Missouri-Kansas
City. Dowd lives in Webster Groves.
Page is a
circuit judge in the 23rd Judicial Circuit (Jefferson County). She was born in September 1966. She earned her bachelor of arts degree, cum laude, in political science in 1988 from
Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and her law degree, cum laude, in 1997 from the Saint Louis
University School of Law.
Switzer
is an officer and general counsel at Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale PC in St.
Louis. He was born in February 1956. He earned his bachelor of arts degree, magna cum laude, in 1978 from Saint
Louis University and his law degree, cum
laude, in 1981 from the Saint Louis University School of Law.
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.
Contact: Beth S. Riggert
Communications Counsel
Supreme Court of Missouri
(573) 864-1966
In addition to Russell, the commission is composed of Michelle Beckler of Marshfield, Thomas M. Burke of St. Louis, Cheryl M. Darrough of Columbia, J.R. Hobbs of Kansas City, Edward “Nick” Robinson of St. Louis and Donald E. Woody of Springfield.
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Note: The governor appointed James Dowd to fill this vacancy.
Note: Links to nominees' applications typically are disabled after the governor makes his appointment.
Communications Counsel
Supreme Court of Missouri
(573) 864-1966