YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
In 23 years as associate circuit judge, Mark Powell had an example to guide him: his late father, Judge Jack Aton Powell.
“One of the many things my father taught me was when people place you in a position of authority, it is easy to know when to use that authority. But it is much more important to know when not to use that authority,” he says.
“As a judge, one has the power to do a lot of things, including the power to imprison a person. The ability to take away an individual’s freedom is a very serious responsibility. My father’s advice guided me every day of my 23 years on the bench.”
Mark Powell retired May 15 from his post in the 31st Judicial Circuit Court in Greene County, a position he was first appointed to by Gov. Mel Carnahan in April 2000. That November, he faced his only contested election and received 55% of the vote. He was elected twice more, in 2002 and 2006, and then was retained in office under Missouri’s nonpartisan court plan in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
“I am humbled by the support I’ve received from the citizens of Greene County throughout my judicial career,” he says.
Powell says he grew up at the Greene County Courthouse.
“My father instilled in me a keen sense of judicial responsibility,” he says. “I think I’ve made him proud in knowing when, and when not, to use the authority placed in me by the citizens of Greene County.”
The 31st Judicial Circuit Court is in the midst of substantial change. According to past Springfield Business Journal reporting, in less than a 12-month period, 10 of 18 of its judicial seats are set to change by September.
Before his retirement, Powell mentored and trained new judges in court processes.
“Even in retirement, I have answered questions from the new judges,” he says. “I also continue to make myself available to all of the new judges who believe I can provide some guidance.”
Throughout his career, Powell worked to help others in the profession.
“‘Be on time’ and ‘Be prepared’ were the two main rules when appearing in my court,” he says. “The young lawyers, especially new prosecutors, learned very quickly – you need to know the facts of your case and the law that applies to it.”
He acknowledges this was difficult at times, with a daily docket holding as many as 80 cases.
“I recognized this, but yet I demanded their very best,” he says. “At the time of my retirement, there were many of these lawyers who thanked me for teaching them and leading them to be better lawyers. My father always said, ‘There are a lot of lawyers, but there is always room for one more good one.’”
Becoming a judge meant the former attorney with Lathrop & Gage LLP had to give up not-for-profit board positions, including his work on the board of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri, which he served as president.
Once in the courts, he worked to found Springfield’s first truancy court with Springfield Public Schools. He also served on the state Circuit Court Budget Committee.
Powell now serves as a certified mediator through Mark Powell Mediation LLC, offering mediation, arbitration, evaluation and summary jury trials, according to its website.
