MoveMakers and NewsMakers for December 3, 2024

St. Louis

On January 1st, 2025, The Honorable Bruce F. Hilton will take over as the Presiding Judge of the 21st Judicial Circuit Court. Judge Hilton was elected by a majority vote of the circuit and associate judges during the October Court en Banc meeting to his first term as Presiding Judge. He previously served as Assistant Presiding Judge. Also elected by majority vote was the Honorable Ellen Sue Levy to serve as Assistant Presiding Judge of the 21st Judicial Circuit Court. Both terms take effect January 1, 2025.

“It is an honor to serve the citizens of St. Louis County,” said Judge Hilton, “I am humbled by the selection of my judicial colleagues to serve as presiding judge. I am grateful to them, as well as the dedicated staff at our court, who all understand our solemn duties and responsibilities to serve the public. All of us are committed to timely, compassionate, unbiased well-reasoned opinions and decisions for the parties in each case to further the administration of justice.

Judge Hilton was appointed Circuit Judge in 2017 and retained in 2018 and 2024. Before his appointment to the bench he served in private practice. Judge Hilton previously served on the board of the Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association and the Kirkwood Library. He is a member of The Missouri Bar, the St. Louis County Bar Association, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, and the Women Lawyers Association. Judge Hilton received his undergraduate degree and law degree from Saint Louis University.

Judge Levy was appointed Circuit Judge in 2008 and currently serves as the Probate Court Administrative Judge. She received both her B.A. and law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Before her appointment to the bench, Judge Levy was in private practice.