--- title: "Amanda Bundren McNelley | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/amanda-bundren-mcnelley-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Amanda Bundren McNelley Missouri 18th Judicial Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri 18th Judicial Circuit Court - State: Missouri - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Mike Parson Retained by St. Louis County voters in 2022 Appointed Circuit Judge in Nov - Appointments: Appointed Associate Circuit Judge (21st Judicial Circuit) in Nov - is a Missouri Associate Circuit Court Judge serving on the 21st Judicial Circuit, Division 8, and earlier Division 34 ### Education ### Additional information - The Missouri Judicial Performance Review committee’s 2026 evaluation recommends retaining Judge McNelley, citing her service on key committees and her judicial leadership - 2024 by Gov. - : November 2024 by Governor Parson - Amanda B. McNelley is a Missouri Associate Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit, appointed in 2019, retained by voters in 2022, and elevated to Circuit Judge in 2024, with a background in family law and active community service - : November 2022 Missouri General Election - 2019 by Gov. - : November 2019 by Missouri Governor Mike Parson - Washburn University School of Law, 2002 - Saint Louis University, 1998 - 21st Judicial Circuit in Missouri, presiding over Division 8 hearings. - Before joining the judiciary, Judge McNelley was - Counsel and Team Leader of the Family Law Group - B.S. in Business Administration - J.D., Dean’s Honors - She has also held leadership roles such as Presiding Judge of the Associate Bench and Vice Chair of the Commissioner Review Committee, and is appointed to the Supreme Court Commission on Combatting Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence. - Judge McNelley is a member of the Missouri Bar, Illinois Bar, Women Lawyers’ Association of St. Louis, St. Louis County Bar Association, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, and the Missouri Circuit Judges’ Association - Current role - : Presiding Judge of the Associate Bench, Vice Chair of the Commissioner Review Committee, and member of the Supreme Court Commission on Combatting Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence - : Handles family law, juvenile, and other circuit court matters in Division 8 of the 21st Judicial Circuit - at Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard, PC, practicing family law for 17 years in St. Louis County - St. Louis County Domestic and Family Violence Council St. Louis County Courts+1. - She resides in St. Louis County with her family - Official court website ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### media equipment advance approval Scope: statewide Missouri Court Operating Rule 16 requires advance approval for media equipment used for courtroom coverage and allows the judge to control the number and setup of media personnel and equipment. Evidence excerpt: Failure to obtain advance approval for equipment may preclude its use in the proceeding. [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### device use in courtroom Scope: statewide Missouri courtroom device use for media coverage is not generally permitted unless authorized by the operating rule, a local court rule, or the judge presiding in the proceeding. Evidence excerpt: No person may use any device capable of media coverage in a courtroom or court clerk's office unless specifically authorized [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### audio video recording Scope: statewide Missouri allows limited video and audio recording for media coverage under COR 16 technical limits, subject to judicial approval and courtroom controls. Evidence excerpt: Not more than one videographer, using a single device, shall be permitted in the courtroom during a judicial proceeding at any time. [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/bluebook/2025-2026/5_Judicial.pdf) - [Official roster](https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/bluebook/2025-2026/5_Judicial.pdf) - [Missouri Secretary of State Official Manual official judicial roster](https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/bluebook/2025-2026/5_Judicial.pdf) - [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/amanda-bundren-mcnelley-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/amanda-bundren-mcnelley-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "name": "Amanda Bundren McNelley | KnowJudges", "description": "Amanda Bundren McNelley, Missouri 18th Judicial Circuit Court. 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Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354). Collected 2026-07-26.