Parson appoints two 31st Judicial Circuit judges

SBJ file

Joshua Christensen

SBJ file

Kaiti Greenwade

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Gov. Mike Parson selected two local attorneys to fill vacant judgeships for the 31st Judicial Circuit Court in Greene County.

Joshua Christensen and Kaiti Greenwade were chosen for the roles of circuit judge and associate circuit judge, respectively, according to a news release.

Christensen, a Springfield resident who currently is a partner at Kutak Rock LLP, is taking over for Becky Borthwick, who vacated the post in September to become a judge for the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District.

Greenwade, of Willard, prosecuting attorney of Dade County and an attorney with The Greenwade Law Firm LLC, is succeeding Jerry Harmison Jr., who was promoted to circuit judge earlier this year.

The appointments mark the latest turnover in the 31st Judicial Circuit, which has seen vacancies brought on by retirements and promotions.

The circuit judge positions held by Calvin Holden, Thomas Mountjoy and Borthwick have been filled, respectively, by Harmison, T. Todd Myers and Christensen. Circuit Judges Michael Cordonnier and Jason Brown also have announced retirements, and David Jones is slated to reach mandatory retirement age in June 2023, according to past reporting.

Crista Hogan, the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association's executive director, said the 31st Circuit Judicial Commission is scheduled to meet today to select a panel of candidates for Brown's seat.

The commission has not yet met to choose panels for the seats held by Cordonnier and Jones, Hogan said via email.