Springfield Municipal Court names new chief judge

Provided by city of Springfield

Wendy Garrison is the new leader of the Springfield Municipal Court.

The Springfield Municipal Court has a new chief judge in place after the death earlier this year of its longtime leader.

Municipal court Judge Wendy Garrison was promoted to the role, according to a news release. She succeeds Todd Thornhill, who died in April after leading the court for three decades.

“Wendy was selected using a very thorough and competitive process,” City Manager Jason Gage said in the release. “She is very bright, experienced and has a terrific approach."

A municipal court judge for the city since early 2018, Garrison previously worked as an assistant public defender for the state of Missouri. She was a partner in the Springfield law firm of Twibell, Johnson, Johnson & Garrison 2002-10, and she also has past private practice experience in Neosho. Additionally in Neosho, she worked as an assistant city attorney.

“It is an honor to be selected as chief judge for municipal court,” Garrison said in the release. “We have a great team of employees, and it is a privilege to lead them.”

In her new role, Garrison's salary is $145,000, according to the release.