Local names among state high court applicants

State Rep. Jay Barnes, Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem and Assistant Attorney General Shaun Mackelprang are three of the 31 Missourians seeking to be the next judge on Missouri's Supreme Court.

The Appellate Judicial Commission on Tuesday identified the 31 people who have applied to fill the vacancy created when Judge Richard Teitelman died last November.

The seven-member commission - which includes Chief Justice Patricia Breckenridge, three attorneys elected by members of the Missouri Bar and three non-attorneys appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon - plans to interview the 31 applicants Feb. 28 and March 1.

The interviews - 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday and 8:30 a.m.-2:20 p.m. Wednesday - will be in the Supreme Court building, 207 W. High St., and are open to the public.

Once the interviews are completed, the commission will meet in a closed session to nominate three of the applicants for Gov. Eric Greitens' consideration.

Under Missouri's Nonpartisan Court Plan, the governor has 60 days to appoint one of those three people.

The state Constitution says if the governor doesn't make that appointment, then the commission will fill the vacancy.

The Constitution also requires all applicants have been U.S. citizens for at least 15 years and qualified Missouri voters for at least nine years immediately preceding their selection, as well as be licensed to practice law in Missouri.

In its news release announcing the 31 applicants, the commission said two are women.

One is a minority applicant.

Fifteen are from outside the state's three metropolitan areas.

Sixteen applicants work in the public sector, while 14 work in the private sector - and one works in both.

Of those in the private sector, eight work in solo or small-firm practices.

Of those in the public sector, 12 are trial court or appellate court judges.

The applicants' mean age is 54.4 years.

While the commission named the applicants, it did not provide their work information.

This list of applicants is based on state court records and online searches:

Barnes, of Jefferson City, a private practice lawyer and state representative.

Beetem, of Jefferson City, a circuit judge since Jan. 1, 2007.

Alan M. Blankenship, Stone County associate circuit judge.

Dennis J. Capriglione, St. Louis County lawyer.

R. Craig Carter, presiding circuit judge for Douglas, Ozark and Wright counties.

Timothy S. Davis, a Branson attorney.

Kirk H. Doan, a Kansas City lawyer.

David A. Dolan, presiding circuit judge for Mississippi and Scott counties.

Steven E. Ehlmann, St. Charles County executive, former circuit judge and former state senator.

Richard A. Gartner, St. Charles County attorney.

Douglas D. Gaston, Texas County associate circuit judge.

Jack A.L. Goodman, presiding circuit judge for Barry, Lawrence and Stone counties, and a former state senator.

Lisa White Hardwick, appeals court judge (Kansas City) since May 2001 and former circuit judge.

Larry D. Harman, Clay County circuit judge.

Joseph L. Hensley, Jasper County associate circuit judge.

Michael D. Hodge, St. Louis County lawyer.

Benjamin A. Lipman, St. Louis attorney.

Gary W. Lynch, appeals court judge (Springfield).

Mackelprang, assistant attorney general.

Edward R. Martin Jr., St. Louis lawyer, former chief of staff for Gov. Matt Blunt.

Jeffery T. McPherson, St. Louis lawyer.

Terrence M. Messonnier, assistant Jackson County prosecutor.

John B. Morthland, Hannibal area lawyer.

Stephen J. O'Brien, St. Louis lawyer.

Timothy W. Perigo, presiding circuit judge for McDonald and Newton counties.

W. Brent Powell, Jackson County circuit judge.

Sherry A. Rozell, Springfield attorney.

Richard L. Schnake, Springfield lawyer.

Erwin O. Switzer III, St. Louis attorney.

Robert E. Tucker, St. Louis lawyer.

Paul N. Venker, St. Louis attorney.