Apply for Western Appellate District vacancy on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors
The Missouri Bar Board of Governors is accepting applications to fill a board vacancy in the Western Appellate District for the 2026-27 bar year. The Missouri Bar must receive letters of application by Monday, Sept. 7, 2026.
Who Is eligible to apply?
Any person who is in good standing and enrolled to vote in the Western Appellate District may apply. A lawyer must be employed or maintain their principal law office full-time in the Western Appellate District to be eligible to apply for the board vacancy. The Western Appellate District includes Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Daviess, De Kalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Schuyler, Sullivan, Vernon, and Worth counties.
In accordance with Rule 7.03, members filling appellate district seats have unique experience and knowledge or represent diverse elements of the bar within the state of Missouri including, but not limited to, age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, geography, and areas and types of practice.
How will the selection process work?
Letters of application will be distributed to the members of the Board of Governors for review and consideration. At its next regularly scheduled meeting (Sept. 16), the Board of Governors will select an applicant to fill the vacancy by a majority vote.
What is the duration of the term?
The applicant elected by the board shall serve for the remainder of the regular term, which will expire with the adjournment of the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar in September 2027. If eligible to be elected under Supreme Court Rule 7.07, the applicant will be able to submit a nominating petition between Jan. 1 and June 21, 2027, for election to a full two-year term representing the Western Appellate District.
What should be included in the letter of application?
Applicants should provide a complete description of their qualifications to fill the vacancy. Letters of application can be sent by mail or electronically by using the form below.
What is the application deadline?
An individual’s letter of application must be received by The Missouri Bar no later than Sept. 7.
Where should the letter of application be sent?
Interested lawyers can apply electronically using this online form or by mailing letters of application to the address below:
The Missouri Bar Attn: Executive Director
Re: Board Western Appellate District Vacancy
P. O. Box 119, 326 Monroe St.
Jefferson City, MO 65102
This article was updated on 8/26/26 to clarify candidate eligibility.