Meet #MOLawyers: Hon. Anne-Marie Clarke (ret.)

Hon. Anne-Marie Clarke is a native St. Louisan and graduated from the Saint Louis University School of Law. Clarke was hearing officer of the Family Court for the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court in St. Louis from 1986 until her appointment as family court commissioner in 1998, a position she held until her retirement in 2019. She was the chair of the Judicial Council Division of the National Bar Association. She is a member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Mound City Bar Association, where she served as president from 1981-1983.

What inspired you to become a lawyer? 

“My dad was a lawyer. I grew up knowing St. Louis’s legal legends including Judge Theodore McMillian, Margaret Bush Wilson (who was my father’s classmate at Lincoln Law School), and Frankie Muse Freeman, who grew up in a town near my mom in Virginia. I decided I would be a lawyer at 9 years old.” 

Why were you interested in becoming a Juvenile Division hearing officer? 

“My dad was an attorney at Legal Services (it was the Legal Aid Society then). His practice included representing children and families at the Juvenile Division. Judge McMillian had been the presiding judge at the Juvenile Court, and he always encouraged me to consider juvenile. An opportunity arose and I was selected as hearing officer, where I served over 12 years before being elevated to commissioner. I stayed in that position for more than 21 years. I loved what I did.” 

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer so far? 

“My proudest moment was being elected the 47th chair of the Judicial Council Division of the National Bar Association, but also being elected the first Black person to the Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar.” 

What is your favorite place you’ve visited?  

"Traveling is my passion. Almost everywhere I’ve gone is a favorite place to visit. I completed my fourth trip to Iceland in February on my Northern Lights hunt. I was successful seeing them on my second and fourth trips. I’ll probably go again as I’d like to see red lights. This past June, I was in Vatican Square and received a papal blessing from Pope Leo XIV on my birthday along with 49,999 others! But it still was an unforgettable occasion.” 

Answers have been edited for clarity, brevity, and style. Know a lawyer who you think should be featured in “Meet #MOLawyers”? Email Assistant Editor Genna Tlustos at gtlustos@mobar.org.