22 November 2022

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The 31st Circuit Judicial Commission conducted two days of public hearings, interviewed 16 applicants, and selected a panel of three nominees for the position of associate circuit judge of the 31st Judicial Circuit, created by the appointment of the Honorable Jerry E. Harmison, Jr., to the position of circuit judge. The nominees are:

Kaiti Greenwade, the prosecuting attorney of Dade County, Missouri, and an attorney with Greenwade Law Firm;

Steven E. Kellogg, a public defender; and

Daniel R. Wichmer, the executive director of Legal Services of Southern Missouri.

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 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 after two and one-half hours of deliberation were:  Greenwade received five votes, Kellogg received five votes, and Wichmer received five votes.

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

The commission is chaired by Chief Judge Jack Goodman of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, and is composed of attorneys Deborah Dodge and Kurt Larson, and lay members Kim Hancock and Dr. Fred McQueary.

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

Contact: Craig Street, clerk of the court

Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District

(417)-895-6811