JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon today announced the appointment of Family Court Commissioner Margaret T. Donnelly as Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit, which covers St. Louis County. The position became vacant through the appointment of the Honorable Colleen Dolan to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District.
Commissioner Donnelly has served as a family court commissioner for St. Louis County since January 2014. In that position, she presides over family law cases. Prior to being appointed commissioner, she was a health law scholar in residence for Saint Louis University School of Law. As commissioner, she continued to teach health policy as an adjunct professor at SLU.
From January 2009 through December 2012, Commissioner Donnelly was the Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. As Director, she oversaw a wide variety of programs and divisions, including public and community health, senior and disability services, vital records and emergency preparedness. Before becoming DHSS Director, she was in private practice for 20 years.
In 2002, Commissioner Donnelly was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives from District 73 in St. Louis, and she focused much of her legislative work on issues relating to families, seniors, and health care. The recognition given to her service in the General Assembly included the 2006 Lewis and Clark Statesman Award from the Regional Chamber and Growth Association; the 2006 Child Advocate of the Year Award from the Missouri Alliance for Children, Youth and Families; the 2005 Disability Rights Legislative Leadership Award from Paraquad; and the 2004 Child Advocate of the Year Award from the St. Louis Council on Child Abuse and Neglect.
Additionally, Commissioner Donnelly was a member of the Ferguson-Florissant School Board from 1986 to 1992, serving as president for one term. Commissioner Donnelly earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and law degree from Saint Louis University.
“Margaret Donnelly has had a distinguished and well-rounded career serving the people of Missouri, and I am very pleased to appoint her to serve on the Circuit bench from a well-qualified panel,” Gov. Nixon said.
Commissioner Donnelly was one of three applicants submitted to the Governor for consideration by the 21st Circuit Judicial Commission under the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan.
