Judge Holstein plans to retire

Judge John C. Holstein of Springfield will retire from the Missouri Supreme Court effective March 1, according to a release from Holstein's office.

In his nearly 27 years of judicial service, Holstein served at all levels of the state court system, including more than 12 years on the state high court and a two-year term as chief justice.

He was a trial judge for 12 years, be-ginning as a probate and magistrate judge in Howell County in 1975. Hol-stein was later elected associate circuit judge and, in 1982, was elected circuit judge of the 37th circuit (Howell, Ore-gon, Carter and Shannon counties).

After serving three years on the Court of Appeals, Southern District, Holstein was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 1989.

While an appellate judge, he participated in more than 1,500 reported cases and authored about 300 majority or separate opinions.

Holstein announced no specific plans after retirement from the bench, but said he is interested in continuing to practice law.