Judges Hansbrough, Gardner recognized for judicial excellence

Hon. W. Ann Hansbrough and Hon. Michael E. Gardner will be honored with The Missouri Bar’s 2026 Theodore M. McMillian Judicial Excellence Awards for their exceptional work in the judiciary.

Established by The Missouri Bar Board of Governors in 2004, the awards recognize jurists who, by virtue of their integrity, leadership, and diligence in the pursuit of the efficient administration of justice, inspire other members of the judiciary to similar noble purpose.

Hansbrough

Hansbrough graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and was a managing partner with Swanson, Midgley, LLC, where she was founder and director of the firm’s volunteer attorney project. She was a member at the Law Offices of Stout & Hansbrough, LLC. In 2014, she was appointed associate circuit judge in the Circuit Court of Platte County. In 2021, she was appointed circuit judge in the Circuit Court of Platte County.

Hansbrough is a member of the Missouri Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence Commission, the Missouri Bar Judicial Conference Executive Council, and the Missouri Circuit Court Budget Committee. She is a former member of the Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Realignment Task Force.

“When I reflect on my career and what this award means to me, I find myself thinking less about the titles I have held and more about the doors I have had the privilege, and sometimes the challenge, of opening,” Hansbrough said. “Long before I became a judge, I experienced what it meant to enter places where women had not previously held positions of leadership.”

Hansbrough was the first woman to become a partner at Swanson, Midgley, LLC, a firm that had been in existence for more than 100 years, and later became its first female managing partner. She then became the first woman to serve as a judge in the 6th Judicial Circuit and ultimately the first female presiding judge.

Hansbrough said that being a pioneer is an honor but also carries a responsibility.

“There were struggles along the way, and there were times when I was very conscious that I was breaking ground that had not been previously broken,” Hansbrough said. “Those experiences taught me the importance of preservice, fairness, humility, and perhaps most importantly, the responsibility to leave the path wider for those who would follow.”

Gardner

Gardner has served on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, since 2020. He previously served as a circuit judge in the 32nd Judicial Circuit, which covers Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, and Perry counties. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law. Gardner is a member of the Supreme Court of Missouri’s Civil Rules Committee and is the chair of the Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners. From 2013 to 2026, he served on the Missouri Board of Law Examiners. He previously served on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors and Young Lawyers’ Section Council and is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Bar Foundation.

Gardner said he was grateful for all the amazing people he’s worked with over the years, from the time he was a circuit judge through his time in the Eastern District.

“We've worked on so many difficult cases, and I couldn't have done my job without all their help,” Gardner said. “I am pleased to share this recognition with them.”

Gardner said serving as a judge is an incredible honor and profound responsibility.

“My drive comes from ensuring fairness and trying to get our decisions right,” Gardner said. “Even though at the appellate level we rarely see the litigants themselves, it is important to remember that our decisions have a real impact on people's everyday lives.”

Gardner said his advice to fellow members of the bar, especially new lawyers, is to reflect on the preamble to the Rules of Professional Conduct, which discuss the lawyer’s role as a “public citizen.”

“We should all seek improvement of the law and access to justice, using our knowledge to further the public's understanding of the rule of law and our judicial system,” Gardner said.

Hansbrough and Gardner will accept the Theodore M. McMillian Judicial Excellence Awards in Kansas City during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar and Judicial Conference, Sept. 16-18.

Click here to learn more about annual awards presented by The Missouri Bar, the Missouri Bar Foundation, and other entities. Read about other 2026 award winners here.