Attorney Jill Kanatzar has been elected to the 16th Circuit Judicial Commission. The 16th Circuit Judicial Commission helps fill judicial vacancies, pursuant to the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan, in Jackson County, Missouri.
From her nominating website –
From when I first began practicing law in Jackson County, the caliber of our judges sitting on the bench has remained outstanding. I hope I can count on your support and I pledge to consider all areas of practice within the bar along with your input and consideration when nominating a panel to send to our Governor.
After over 25 years of practicing here in Jackson County across many different practice areas (prosecutor, criminal defense, civil defense and plaintiff), there is perhaps no more important job than screening the applicants who will ultimately assume the bench. I have handled every type of case Jackson County associate and circuit court judges preside over. I have witnessed first-hand the role our judges serve, what is required of members of the bench and the necessary skills our judges need to serve.
Judges are the cornerstone of our judicial process. The current political climate has made this even more evident. I have been a longtime proponent of the Nonpartisan Court Plan and strongly believe Jackson County is stronger because of it.
I have been fortunate to know and work with many members of our judiciary, in particular, in the 16th Circuit District Court. I have personally witnessed from behind the scenes how important the work this court does, and believe I am uniquely positioned for this role.
As a member of the 16th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, I would continue to select applicants who are qualified, fair and impartial. The most important criteria for a successful judge in my estimation is a sense of fairness and an earnest desire to make the right decision based on precedent and our state’s public policy. That coupled with unwavering integrity, which I try and emulate every day, is a recipe for continued success in selecting judges we can all be proud to appear before.
Her term began on December 31, 2021 and ends on December 31, 2027.
Read more about the 16th Circuit Judicial Committee and here is the Missouri Lawyers Weekly article on the announcement.