How a First-Generation Lawyer Became a Missouri Judge | Missouri Law Matters

How does someone become a judge in Missouri? What role does civic education play in helping the public understand the courts? And what can students learn from a judge who did not start with every advantage? In this episode of Missouri Law Matters, Judge Matt Hamner chats with Judge Jeffrey McPherson about his path from a small college to the Supreme Court of Missouri, private practice and the bench. Judge McPherson shares what it was like to become the first person in his family to graduate from college and law school. He also reflects on attending a high school with limited opportunities, working hard in the classroom and building a legal career that included clerking for the Supreme Court of Missouri and nearly 30 years in private practice before becoming a judge. The conversation also explores the importance of civic education, why courts matter in everyday life and how students can begin to see a place for themselves in the legal system. This episode is a reminder that there is no single path to a legal career. Hard work, curiosity and public service can open doors, even when the starting point looks different than expected. Listen to Missouri Law Matters for conversations about Missouri courts, civic education, the legal profession and the people who help make the justice system work.