Meet #MOLawyers: Hon. Joe Goff Jr. (Ret.)

After graduating from the Saint Louis University School of Law, Hon. Joe Goff Jr. served as an assistant attorney general before practicing with his father in 2012 at Reeves & Goff, P.C. in Farmington. In 2014, Goff began working for the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and in April 2015 was appointed associate circuit judge for St. Francois County in the 24th Circuit Court. In 2021, Goff entered private practice in St. Louis. Goff is chair of the Supreme Court of Missouri’s Civic Education Committee.

How has your time as a judge influenced the way you practice today?  
“As an associate circuit judge in rural Missouri, I was often talking to people who didn’t have lawyers representing them, so I worked hard to explain the concept of court, trials, service/notice, and fairness in terms they understood. I now find this experience helpful in talking to clients and witnesses who don’t have a legal background. Finally, and most importantly, my experience as a judge taught me that knowing when to be quiet during an argument is just as important as knowing the facts and law you’re arguing about – one sure way to alienate the court from your position is to interrupt the judge or opposing counsel trying to get the last word on an issue. I think it is important to trust the judge you’re in front of to know the law and issues in the case such that the last word or characterization of a legal argument by counsel isn’t going to change the outcome.”

What are the challenging and rewarding parts of working in litigation?  
“Litigation can be challenging because of the unpredictability and the multiple levels you work on with 1) your client, 2) opposing counsel, and 3) the court. Each one of these audiences has a different perspective, and, naturally, different expectations for the outcome of the matter. I find it rewarding to work through the different perspectives of each party to a case and find common ground of agreement or disagreement which gets submitted to the court for resolution. Though litigation is adversarial in nature, I find that it doesn’t often benefit the parties to disagree on every issue, which means you need to find some common ground with the opposing party to submit the issues that truly are disputed to the judge and/or jury.” 

Why is civic education important? 
“… It is important that we educate the public on the role of the courts in our government so they understand that it is not the job of the judge to make the decision that benefits the most people, but to make the decision that is right under the law as it applies to the facts of the case …. Our courts are meant to treat all sides equally. If we, as lawyers and judges, don’t take the time to educate the public, no one else is going to do it for us, and the public will lose trust in the courts and their ability to resolve disputes fairly in our society.” 

Who or what inspires you in your career? 
“I have always been inspired by the clerks, lawyers, and judges I’ve had a chance to work with and appear before. Their commitment to the practice of law and the court system remind me why I became a lawyer in the first place. I am particularly inspired by lawyers who do the difficult work of litigating cases while maintaining positive and professional relationships with opposing counsel. I believe that, in addition to serving the profession, these lawyers serve their clients more effectively by focusing on litigating the legal matter at issue rather than personal differences with opposing counsel.” 

What was your first job?  
“Roller hockey referee.” 

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