He's been on the job since early May.
But on Friday, W. Brent Powell was installed formally as Missouri's newest Supreme Court judge.
Powell, 47, had served about nine years as a Jackson County Circuit judge when Gov. Eric Greitens appointed him in April to the state's seven-member high court.
"As most of you know, we put Judge Powell right to work," Chief Justice Zel M. Fischer said at the end of the hour-long investiture ceremony in the Supreme Court's main chamber. "And so, we've had a few months of him with us already.
"And I speak for the whole court - he is such a great person.
"He is so smart. He is so nice to everybody in this building, and we look forward to serving with him for many, many years."
Fischer's comments echoed similar comments made throughout the ceremony.
Jackson County Circuit Judge Kevin Harrell served as master of ceremonies for the program.
Around 250 people attended Friday's ceremonies - so many that some had to sit in the court's second courtroom and watch a video feed of the program.
"I challenge anyone in this room or the overflow room to find someone who is nicer or more honest than Judge Powell," Harrell said.
Jody Larison, a special assistant U.S. Attorney who once served as Powell's law clerk, added, as a circuit judge, Powell "treated every person who came before him with respect and attention."
She told of one case where a wife and a mistress of the same man faced off in court, and Larison thought Powell should have dismissed the case.
"He presided over it for a couple of days," Larison recalled, "and as I watched that trial and as I watched him come to a decision at the end, I realized what he had known all along - those parties needed somebody in a black robe to make a decision so that they could move on with their lives."
Greitens appointed Powell from a panel of three nominees selected by the seven-member Appellate Judicial Commission.
Powell, the governor said, "has had a distinguished career as a state and federal prosecutor and as a trial judge. He's known for his dedication to his community and his commitment to justice and to the rule of law."
Powell was Greitens' first appointment to the Supreme Court, but he's had several chances to name judges to trial courts in the state.
"Missourians deserve the best, the brightest and the hardest working judges," the governor said. "Missouri has a strong tradition of excellence in its judiciary.
"Yet today, more than ever, we often hear our fellow citizens questioning our justice system, law enforcement, the courts, the fair administration of justice."
Powell noted, after former Chief Justice Richard Teitelman died last November, "I was one of 30-plus applicants who applied for this current position."
The commission must choose three of those applicants, and the governor appoints one of those three.
Greitens noted Teitelman "was a trailblazer who dedicated his life to serving Missourians and, like Judge Powell, Judge Teitelman was known for his kindness and his warm spirit."
The governor said leadership is a key factor in the judicial appointments he'll make.
"I'm determined to appoint judges who are leaders, have a deep appreciation for the rule of law and a firm understanding of our state and federal constitutions," Greitens explained. "I also set out to appoint judges who will bring to the bench an understanding of the proper role and responsibility of a judge."
Powell thanked the audience for "taking the time (and) sharing this incredible, incredible day."
He grew up in a family where lawyers and the law were important - then married a lawyer whose family included other lawyers.
"The justice and the legal system mean so, so much to me," Powell noted. "This institution, this place means very, very much to me.
"So for this reason, I want to protect it, and I want to make it better."
As society shifts, Powell said, those in the legal system must work to remove barriers to the justice system, such as the costs of hiring lawyers and getting one's case into court.
"Justice isn't a result," he said. "It's a process.
"A just process requires a fair trial and a fair hearing (where) each side (can) present evidence, present their arguments and tell their side of the story."
Powell noted he wouldn't have had the opportunity to join the Supreme Court without Teitelman's death.
"I cannot begin to replace his void," Powell said. "I knew him well enough to recognize that he was a kind, caring and compassionate person."
He noted Teitelman "was everywhere" and always had a kind, encouraging word for the people he encountered.
"I hope and strive to be at least half the human being that he was," Powell said.