On Mon. May 24, Governor Mike Parson held a press conference to announce his appointment of the Honorable Robin Ransom as the next Supreme Court Judge for the State of Missouri. She is the first Black woman to hold the position on the state's highest court.
The role’s vacancy was created after Judge Laura Denvir Stith announced her retirement from the position in early March.
Gov. Parson selected from a panel of 25 candidates, submitted by the Appellate Judicial Commission.
“I have no doubt that Judge Ransom will add valuable experience, perspective, and balance to the court,” said Governor Parson. “I am confident that she will continue to be a fair enforcer of the law, faithfully interpret the law as written, and reasonably consider decisions made at the trial and appellate level.”
In 2019, Judge Ransom was appointed by Gov. Parson to serve on the Eastern District Court of Appeals.
Previously, Judge Ransom served in the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as well as the St. Louis County Public Defender’s Office. For six years, Judge Ransom also served as a Family Court Commissioner in the City of St. Louis, and in 2008 she was appointed as a Circuit Judge for the City of St. Louis by Gov. Matt Blunt.
In the online press conference, Judge Ransom commented on her historic appointment.
“As a lawyer and a judge I’ve tried to be compassionate, and show kindness and patience to those who have appeared in front of me, I have tried to honor my oath to protect the constitution, to strictly construe it and follow the law as written, those are my obligations and that is what I intend to do as the newest member of this court,” said Judge Ransom.
Parson will get to make at least two more appointments to the Supreme Court before his term is up in 2024.
