W. Brent Powell at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Missouri · State
- Judicial service
- Active
W. Brent Powell
Judge · Supreme Court of Missouri
Biography
Professional career
- Powell became Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court on July 1, 2025, succeeding Mary Rhodes Russell
- On April 25, 2017, Governor Eric Greitens appointed him to the Missouri Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by the death of Judge Richard B. Teitelman
- In 2008, Powell was selected as a circuit judge in Jackson County by Governor Matt Blunt
- In 2001, he began working as an assistant United States attorney for the United States attorney’s office in Kansas City
- Supreme Court Judge Elwood Thomas — intern
Education
- University of Missouri–Columbia School of Law — 1996
- University of Missouri School of Law — J.D. (1996)
- Bachelor of Arts in political science, magna cum laude, from William Jewell College in 1992, where he also played varsity football.
Additional information
- Powell was officially sworn in on May 2, 2017, and retained by voters in 2018 for a 12-year term
- Date of birth: 1970
- Began his legal career at the Lathrop & Gage law firm in Kansas City, working in the real estate department.
- Appointed to the Supreme Court of Missouri by Gov.
- During his tenure there, he served as the chief of the General Crimes Unit and executive assistant United States attorney.
- During this time, he tried over forty jury trials, gaining extensive courtroom experience
- He then transitioned to public service, becoming an assistant prosecutor in Platte County and later serving as an Assistant United States Attorney in Kansas City, where he was Chief of the General Crimes Unit and Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney.
- He served on various committees and task forces
- focusing on improving the administration of justice.
- Birth place: Springfield
- Student Bar Association — president
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
Supreme Court of Missouri
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 August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Missouri Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Missouri Courts 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 ↗