Parson appoints two judges in 31st Circuit

Gov. Mike Parson announced the selection of two new local judges.

Kaiti Greenwade, of Willard, and Kirsten Poppen, of Springfield, were appointed as circuit judge and associate circuit judge, respectively, for the 31st Judicial Circuit Court in Greene County, according to a news release.

Greenwade, who last year was named a county associate circuit judge, is being promoted to succeed the retiring David Jones, according to Courts.mo.gov. Greenwade has experience operating her own law firm and serving as a prosecuting attorney in Dade County.

Poppen, an attorney with Neale & Newman LLP, was tapped to succeed the retiring Mark Powell in the associate circuit judge role, according to the Missouri courts website. With two decades of legal experience, Poppen has practiced in Springfield and Kansas City, handling business litigation and transactions, and family law cases.

As they step into the roles, Greenwade and Greenway will report to Jerry Harmison, who recently was named presiding judge of the 31st Circuit, according to past reporting.