Local Husch Blackwell partner picked as finalist for judgeship

Courtesy HuschBlackwell.com

Ginger Gooch is being considered for a seat in the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District.

Ginger Gooch, a partner at Husch Blackwell LLP's Springfield office, is being considered for a judgeship.

Paul Wilson, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri and chair of the Appellate Judicial Commission, in a news release announced Gooch is one of three candidates in the running for a vacant seat in the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District. The winning candidate will succeed Judge Bill Francis, who retired July 31, after 12 years in the position.

Gooch is under consideration along with Matthew Hamner, of Osage Beach, presiding judge of the 26th Judicial Circuit, and Joseph Hensley, of Joplin, an associate circuit judge and the presiding juvenile judge in Jasper County.

"The commission unanimously supports the three nominees," the release reads.

Gov. Mike Parson has 60 days to pick one of the three finalists for the judgeship.

Springfield Business Journal previously reported at least 17 applicants had thrown their hat in the ring for Francis' seat, including Greene County Circuit Court Judge Becky Borthwick.