Laura Denvir Stith
Encyclopedia
Laura Denvir Stith is a judge on the Supreme Court of Missouri
.
Stith has been a member of the court since 2001 and from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009, she served as the court's Chief Justice. The Missouri Supreme Court selects its chief justice for a two-year term by vote of the members; Stith was the second female to hold the position. She graduated magna cum laude from Jackson College for Women (now part of Tufts University
) in 1975 and from Georgetown University Law Center
in 1978. Judge Stith served as a law clerk for Chief Justice Robert Seiler of the Missouri Supreme Court and then entered private practice in Kansas City, Missouri
. She served on the Missouri Court of Appeals
, Western District, from 1994 to 2000. On March 7, 2001, then-Governor Bob Holden appointed her to the Supreme Court of Missouri, and she was retained by a vote of the people at the November 2002 election.
Judge Stith is a founding director for Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance ("LEAP") in Kansas City, Missouri, where she lives with her attorney husband, Donald Scott, and their three children. Her father, Richard T. Stith, Jr., an insurance agent, served as mayor of Clayton, Missouri
, a suburb of St. Louis, from 1983 to 1987. He was a decorated Marine
pilot during World War II. Her late mother, Ann Carter Stith (November 21, 1920-November 24, 2005), was a longtime advocate of clean government, prison reform, and educational and family support services for children. Judge Stith's brother, Richard T. Stith, III, is a law professor at Valparaiso University
in Indiana
. Her sister Kate Stith
is a law professor at Yale University
, and the wife of Judge José A. Cabranes
of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals
. Her other sister, Rebecca Stith is an attorney with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
.
Supreme Court of Missouri
The Supreme Court of Missouri is the highest court in the state of Missouri. It was established in 1820, and is located in Jefferson City, Missouri. Missouri voters have approved changes in the state's constitution to give the Supreme Court exclusive jurisdiction- the sole legal power to hear -...
.
Stith has been a member of the court since 2001 and from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009, she served as the court's Chief Justice. The Missouri Supreme Court selects its chief justice for a two-year term by vote of the members; Stith was the second female to hold the position. She graduated magna cum laude from Jackson College for Women (now part of Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
) in 1975 and from Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
in 1978. Judge Stith served as a law clerk for Chief Justice Robert Seiler of the Missouri Supreme Court and then entered private practice in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. She served on the Missouri Court of Appeals
Missouri Court of Appeals
The Missouri Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court for the state of Missouri. The court handles most of the appeals from the Missouri Circuit Courts. The court is divided into three districts: Eastern The Missouri Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court for the state...
, Western District, from 1994 to 2000. On March 7, 2001, then-Governor Bob Holden appointed her to the Supreme Court of Missouri, and she was retained by a vote of the people at the November 2002 election.
Judge Stith is a founding director for Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance ("LEAP") in Kansas City, Missouri, where she lives with her attorney husband, Donald Scott, and their three children. Her father, Richard T. Stith, Jr., an insurance agent, served as mayor of Clayton, Missouri
Clayton, Missouri
Clayton is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis and the county seat of St. Louis County, Missouri. The population was 15,939 at the 2010 census. The city was organized in 1877 and is named after Ralph Clayton, who donated the land for the courthouse.-Geography:...
, a suburb of St. Louis, from 1983 to 1987. He was a decorated Marine
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
pilot during World War II. Her late mother, Ann Carter Stith (November 21, 1920-November 24, 2005), was a longtime advocate of clean government, prison reform, and educational and family support services for children. Judge Stith's brother, Richard T. Stith, III, is a law professor at Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. Her sister Kate Stith
Kate Stith
Kate Stith is the Lafayette S. Foster Professor of Law and the former acting-Dean of Yale Law School. Her appointment was announced on March 23, 2009 by Yale University President Richard Levin, when former dean Harold Koh was nominated to serve as Legal Adviser of the Department of State...
is a law professor at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, and the wife of Judge José A. Cabranes
José A. Cabranes
José Alberto Cabranes , is a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Formerly a practicing lawyer, government official, and law teacher, he was the first Puerto Rican appointed to a federal judgeship in the continental United States .-Background:Cabranes was born in...
of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is one of the thirteen United States Courts of Appeals...
. Her other sister, Rebecca Stith is an attorney with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is an independent federal law enforcement agency that enforces laws against workplace discrimination. The EEOC investigates discrimination complaints based on an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, perceived intelligence,...
.
External links
- Laura Denvir Stith on the Missouri Supreme Court Website