Anthony Rex Gabbert at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Missouri · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Anthony Rex Gabbert
Biography
Professional career
- Judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, serving from April 3, 2013, until his retirement on July 31, 2026
- He was retained in 2014 and held the role of Chief Judge of the Western District from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024
- Before his appellate role, he had 19 years on the Clay County Circuit Court (1994–2013), including as Presiding Judge from 2008 to 2010
Education
- Mississippi College School of Law — J.D.
- He was also completing a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Duke University at the time of retirement
Additional information
- Appointed by Governor Jay Nixon in 2013 to fill a vacancy caused by the retirement of James Smart.
- Municipal Judge for North Kansas City (1993–1994)
- Before entering the judiciary, Gabbert worked in private legal practice and as assistant prosecuting attorney in Clay County and city prosecutor in Gladstone, Missouri
- Gabbert’s career spanned trial and appellate courts, municipal and circuit bench roles, and academic teaching.
- His tenure was marked by long service, leadership as Chief Judge, and contributions to Missouri’s legal community
- Gabbert held the role of an adjunct professor at multiple institutions, including Rockhurst University, Park University, William Jewell College, Ottawa University, Mid-America Nazarene University, and Penn Valley Community College
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Media Equipment Advance Approval
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.
Failure to obtain advance approval for equipment may preclude its use in the proceeding.Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical ↗
Device Use In Courtroom
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.
No person may use any device capable of media coverage in a courtroom or court clerk's office unless specifically authorizedMissouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
Missouri allows limited video and audio recording for media coverage under COR 16 technical limits, subject to judicial approval and courtroom controls.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical
Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. 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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Missouri Secretary of State Official Manual official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Missouri Secretary of State Official Manual official judicial roster ↗Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical ↗