ST. LOUIS – Patricia Breckenridge, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri and chair of the Appellate Judicial Commission, announces that the commission today submitted to Gov. Jay Nixon its panel of nominees to fill the vacancy on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. This vacancy exists due to the January 2016 resignation of Judge Patricia L. Cohen, who since has become a federal magistrate judge.
The commission unanimously supports the three nominees. After approximately five hours of public interviews, two hours of deliberations and five rounds of balloting, the nominees – each of whom received seven votes – are: Judge Colleen Dolan, Judge Robin Vannoy and Kenneth Vuylsteke.
Dolan is a circuit judge in the 21st circuit (St. Louis County). She was born in 1957. She earned her bachelor of science in the administration of justice in 1981 from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and her law degree in 1984 from Saint Louis University School of Law.
Vannoy is a circuit judge in the 22nd circuit (St. Louis city). She was born in 1967. She earned her bachelor of arts in political science and sociology in 1988 from Douglass College of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and her law degree in 1991 from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.
Vuylsteke is a partner with Fox & Vuylsteke LLP in Webster Groves. He was born in 1954. He earned his bachelor of science in political science in 1976 from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, and his law degree in 1980 from Washington University School of Law 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 Breckenridge, the commission is composed of Michelle Beckler of Marshfield, Scott S. Bethune of Kansas City, Thomas M. Burke of St. Louis, Cheryl M. Darrough of Columbia, Edward “Nick” Robinson of St. Louis and Donald E. Woody of Springfield.
Note: The governor on March 18, 2016, appointed Colleen Dolan to fill this vacancy.
Communications Counsel
Supreme Court of Missouri
(573) 751-3676