Matthew Devoti has taken office as a lawyer member of the 22nd Circuit Judicial Commission. Matt was sworn in this past week by Judge Sherri Sullivan, Chief Judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. In December 2021, Matt was elected by his peers to fill the lawyer member opening on the Commission. Matt received 57% of the vote in the run-off election.
The Commission is a non-partisan group that vets lawyers interested in serving as judges in the City of St. Louis. After a public interview of each applicant, the Commission puts forward three qualified candidates for consideration by Missouri’s governor. The governor then selects one of those lawyers to become a judge.
Judicial commissions were formed in 1940 under the “Non-Partisan Selection of Judges Court Plan.” The plan is commonly known as the “Missouri Plan.” Despite its success, the Missouri Plan is routinely under attack in the Missouri General Assembly.
Matthew Devoti has been our partner since 2004, is a past-president of the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, tried over 40 jury cases to conclusion, and argued at least 15 appellate cases. Matt and his family live in the City’s Hill neighborhood. He is a member of St. Ambrose Church, serves as a Director for Hill 2000, chairs that group’s Safety & Security Committee, and frequently presents the End Distracted Driving program to high school students. Matt also served his community as a board member of St. Martha’s Hall, a domestic violence shelter, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Gateway Chapter.
