--- title: "Mary Kathryn Hoff | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-kathryn-hoff-7716" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Mary Kathryn Hoff Missouri Court of Appeals · Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri Court of Appeals - State: Missouri - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Missouri Court of Appeals, 1995-present - In 2020, her peers elected her chief judge of the Eastern District, a role she held from January 1, 2021, until her retirement - Distinguished judge on the Eastern District of the Missouri Court of Appeals, serving from 1995 until her retirement on August 2, 2021 - Was appointed circuit judge in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (St. Louis city) in 1989 ### Education - University of Missouri-Columbia — B.A. ### Additional information - Hoff was appointed in December 1995 by then–Governor Mel Carnahan and retained in 1998 and 2010. - Her most-cited decision was Phillips v. - She was active in professional organizations, including the Metropolitan St. Louis Bar Association, Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis, and the National Association of Women Judges - The Appellate Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee rated her highly, with scores above 4.0 in all categories, including courtesy to attorneys (4.63), allowing parties to present arguments (4.49), and timely opinions (4.48). - Her opinions were noted for clarity, consistency with precedent, and alignment with constitutional and statutory law ## 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.courtlistener.com/person/7716/mary-kathryn-hoff/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7716/mary-kathryn-hoff/) - [Missouri Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7716/mary-kathryn-hoff/) - [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7716/mary-kathryn-hoff/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-kathryn-hoff-7716", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-kathryn-hoff-7716", "name": "Mary Kathryn Hoff | KnowJudges", "description": "Mary Kathryn Hoff, Missouri Court of Appeals. 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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.