11 June 2015

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The 31st Circuit Judicial Commission conducted one day of public hearings, interviewed eight applicants, and selected a panel of three nominees for the circuit judge position in Greene County created by the retirement of Judge J. Dan Conklin. The nominees are:

Jason R. Brown, an associate circuit judge in Greene County.

Mark A. Powell, an associate circuit judge in Greene County.

Margaret Holden, a division of workers’ compensation judge in Springfield.

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 that all of these individuals are capable of serving well and honorably if selected by the governor. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 10.20, the commission notes the final votes received by each nominee were: Jason Brown received five votes, Mark Powell received five votes, and Margaret Holden received four votes.

The commission has submitted the panel to Governor Jay Nixon, who will have 60 days to appoint one of the nominees as circuit judge.

The commission is chaired by Judge William W. Francis, Jr., chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, and is composed of attorneys Andrew Bennett and Steve Garner, and lay members Steven Stepp and Joann Hosmer.

Note: The governor appointed Jason Brown to fill this vacancy.

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

Contact: Sandra L. Skinner, clerk of the court

Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District

(417) 895-6811