Michael E. Gardner at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Missouri · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael E. Gardner
Biography
Professional career
- Michael E. Gardner is a judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, appointed in 2020 and re‐elected in 2022, with a career that includes service as a circuit judge and prior private legal practice
- Practiced law for nine years (2005–2014), including as a partner in Osburn, Hine, Yates & Murphy.
Education
- B.A. in Political Science from the University of Missouri–Columbia (2001) and a J.D. from the University of Missouri School of Law (2004).
Additional information
- In 2026, Gardner received the Theodore M. McMillian Judicial Excellence Award from the Missouri Bar for integrity, leadership, and diligence in the administration of justice
- Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, a position he assumed in 2020 after being appointed by Governor Mike Parson to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Hon.
- Served until 2020 and was the Presiding Judge for one year starting in 2017
- Before his appellate court appointment, Gardner was elected in 2014 to the 32nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, covering Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, and Perry counties.
- He clerked for Hon.
- He has been active in the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Cape Girardeau County Bar Association, and various civic groups, including the Knights of Columbus, Cape West Rotary Club, and Boy Scouts of America.
- He has also served on the Missouri Board of Law Examiners and the Missouri Bar Foundation Board of Trustees
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, Eastern 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 ↗