In an official announcement from the Southern District Missouri Court of Appeals, Judge Nancy Steffen Rahmeyer’s tenure has seamlessly transitioned as Judge Jennifer Growcock takes the helm, handpicked by Governor Mike Parson. The decision came after carefully considering three distinguished candidates, including Joseph L. Hensley, an associate circuit judge and presiding juvenile judge in Jasper County, and Laura J. Johnson, the presiding judge of the 38th Judicial Circuit in Christian County.
Jennifer Growcock, hailing from Oskaloosa, Iowa, and an alumna of the University of Iowa and Nebraska Law School has drawn praise from her predecessor, Judge Rahmeyer. Both originating from neighboring towns in Iowa, their shared background has fostered mutual respect. Rahmeyer attested to Growcock’s legal acumen and exceptional writing skills, emphasizing the confidence she has in Growcock’s abilities.
Rahmeyer, who had served as chief judge of the Southern District Missouri Court of Appeals during two separate periods, noted the evolving dynamics of the court. She highlighted the welcoming and collaborative environment among colleagues, asserting that Judge Growcock is well-suited for this collegial atmosphere. Rahmeyer stressed Growcock’s keen attention to detail and her ability to decipher the nuances of legal opinions, marking these qualities as essential for the court’s continued success.
Despite her recent retirement in October, Judge Rahmeyer has not rested on her laurels. She has found a new opportunity by teaming up with her son, Grant Rahmeyer, who is venturing into private practice. As a senior judge, Judge Rahmeyer will formally conclude her involvement in pending cases and fully embrace her new role as “of counsel” to her son. In this capacity, she will primarily focus on appellate work, meticulously examining trial transcripts for legal issues and grounds for potential appeals.
Although Judge Rahmeyer’s retirement is a recent development, she has swiftly embarked on an exciting new venture. She enthusiastically revealed, “I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be working alongside my son as ‘of counsel.’ He’s embarking on his journey in private practice, specializing in critical areas like catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and product liability litigation.”
For Judge Rahmeyer, this new chapter will primarily entail delving into appellate work, a niche that she’s poised to excel in. This role will grant her more precious time with her family while simultaneously allowing her to make a significant contribution to society. She will meticulously scrutinize trial transcripts to identify legal issues that could serve as grounds for appeals. This engaging and impactful role will keep her passion for the law alive and benefit the legal community.
You can read more at https://stlrecord.com/stories/617834425-retired-appeals-judge-to-join-lawyer-son-in-private-practice