23 August 2022
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Paul C. Wilson, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri and chair of the Appellate Judicial Commission, announces the commission today submitted to Governor Michael L. Parson its panel of nominees to fill the vacancy on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District. This vacancy exists due to the June 2022 retirement of Judge Gary W. Lynch.
The commission unanimously supports the three nominees. After approximately 7 hours of public interviews, approximately 2.5 hours of deliberations and eight rounds of balloting, the nominees are Becky J.W. Borthwick, Ginger K. Gooch and Raymond E. Williams.
Borthwick is a circuit judge in the 31st Judicial Circuit (Greene County). She was born in 1969 and resides in Springfield. She earned her bachelor of arts in political science in 1991 from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her law degree in 1995 from the Oklahoma College of Law in Norman, Oklahoma. She received seven votes.
Gooch is a partner with Husch Blackwell LLP in Springfield. She was born in 1975 and resides in Springfield. She earned her bachelor of arts, summa cum laude, in English and philosophy, law and rhetoric in 1997 from Stephens College in Columbia and her law degree, cum laude, in 2000 from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. She received seven votes.
Williams is the owner and member of Williams Law Offices LLC in West Plains and Eminence. He was born in 1962 and resides in West Plains. He earned his bachelor of science, cum laude, in mechanical engineering in 1984 from what is now Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla; his masters in business administration in 1992 from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his law degree, cum laude, in 1995 from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He received seven votes.
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 Wilson, the commission is composed of Neil Chanter of Springfield, Timothy M. Drury of St. Louis, Sally Hargis of Springfield, Thomas K. Neill of St. Louis, Kirk R. Presley of Kansas City and Kathy Ritter of Columbia.
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Update: The governor on September 9, 2022, appointed Becky Borthwick to fill this vacancy.
Note: Links to nominees' application materials typically are disabled after the governor makes his appointment.
Contact: Beth S. Riggert
Communications Counsel
Supreme Court of Missourui
(573) 751-3676