Nixon appoints Webster County judge

Gov. Jay Nixon appointed an attorney with Hosmer King & Royce LLC as associate circuit judge for Webster County.

James Owen was picked to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Donald Cheever, according to a news release.

Owen, who received his bachelor's degree from Drury University and law degree from the University of Kansas, currently serves on the board of the National Alliance of Mental Illness of Southwest Missouri. He also was a 2007-12 member and 2010-12 chairman of the Springfield-Greene County Environmental Advisory Board.

At Hosmer King & Royce, Owen focuses on estate planning, guardianship and real estate law, according to the company's website.

Hosmer King & Royce has two offices, one in Springfield and another in Marshfield. Firm senior partner Craig Hosmer serves as a member of Springfield City Council.