Judge to return to private practice

Bill Francis, who recently retired as a judge for the Missouri Court of Appeals Southern District, is returning to private practice.

Francis, whose retirement from the bench was official July 31, said he is scheduled to join Springfield-based Carnahan Evans PC on Sept. 6.

"I felt like I was still productive," he said of his post-judgeship plans. "My health is all good, mentally and physically."

At Carnahan Evans, Francis will serve as senior counsel, a role through which he'll work as a mediator and arbitrator. He said he would be available for "any kind of disputes where the parties felt like a mediator would help them get to a resolution."

He's leaning on his work as a judge in the Missouri Court of Appeals, to which he was appointed in 2010, according to past reporting.

Specifically, he cited his ability to look at multiple sides of an issue and examine the legal precedence, as well as his ability to collaborate.

Carnahan Evans handles a variety of law cases, including corporate and general business, tax and estate planning, real estate and banking, according to its website.

Prior to becoming a judge, Francis worked in private practice at a few Springfield law firms: Miller, Fairman, Sanford & Carr; Miller & Sanford; and Placzek & Francis, according to past reporting.