--- title: "Michael E. Gardner | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-e-gardner-judge-missouri-court-of-appeals-eastern-district-mo" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Michael E. Gardner Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District · Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District - State: Missouri - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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/michael-e-gardner-judge-missouri-court-of-appeals-eastern-district-mo", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-e-gardner-judge-missouri-court-of-appeals-eastern-district-mo", "name": "Michael E. Gardner | KnowJudges", "description": "Michael E. Gardner, Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. 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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 ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-b0a3408119d84bbcc3619511) — 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](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354). Collected 2026-07-26.