After more than 21 years of service, Judge Thomas H. Newton is retiring from the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District next week.
“Everyone who has been privileged to work with Judge Newton will tell you the same thing. Judge Newton’s imprint on our court has been of immeasurable value: his ever-present smile; his congenial, gracious and respectful manner; his commitment to fairness and neutral decision making; the seriousness with which he approached his work, aware that even routine issues were of the utmost importance; and his view of those who work at the court of appeals as part of his court family,” Western District Chief Judge Cynthia L. Martin said in a statement.
“These are hallmarks of the man who, not surprisingly, coined the nickname ‘Paradise’ to describe our court. Judge Newton named it so. And, Judge Newton made it so. We will miss him, terribly, though our hearts are lifted knowing that retirement will afford Judge Netwon the opportunity to focus his time and attention on his family.”
Newton will retire effective July 6, and he plans to make trips to North Carolina to see his children and grandchildren, according to a news release.
Newton, who served as the chief judge of the court of appeals for two years, has a penchant for mentorship, particularly in the Kansas City area where he lives. He’s worked with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program as well as the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime.
“Mentoring young people is near and dear to my heart,” Newton said. “As a lawyer and a judge, I have enjoyed meeting with young people, from the very young to aspiring attorneys. In my interactions with them, I have always stressed advancement in education, and if they are studying the law, I discuss the importance of seeking to improve the American Justice System.”
“Hopefully they will be inspired to assist in making this a better society and world,” he said.
Newton was an assistant prosecuting attorney for Jackson County before becoming an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri. Former Gov. Mel Carnahan appointed him to the 16th Judicial Circuit in Jackson County where he served for six years before joining the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District.
Newtown earned his law degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and clerked for the late Judge Lewis W. Clymer at the 16th Judicial Circuit.
“I really just feel so blessed and fortunate to be a member of the legal profession,” Newton said. “Then, to serve the citizens of Missouri as a judge was so humbling, meaningful, and joyful.”
Kaitlyn Schallhorn was the editor in chief of The Missouri Times from 2020-2022. She joined the newspaper in early 2019 after working as a reporter for Fox News in New York City.
Throughout her career, Kaitlyn has covered political campaigns across the U.S., including the 2016 presidential election, and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa and the Middle East.
She is a native of Missouri who studied journalism at Winthrop University in South Carolina. She is also an alumna of the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C.
Contact Kaitlyn at kaitlyn@themissouritimes.com.
