Judge Mary Russell, a seventh-generation Missourian, was appointed to the Supreme Court of Missouri in 2004. She was elected twice to serve as chief justice by her colleagues, with her last term ending in June of 2025. Russell previously served on the Missouri Court of Appeals and was also its chief judge. A native of Hannibal, Russell practiced law there prior to her appointment to the bench. She has received many honors and awards, including being named to the University of Missouri’s Hall of Fame; Ingram’s 50 Missourians You Should Know; USA Today Woman of the Year; Missouri Bar’s 2016 Theodore McMillian Judicial Excellence Award; and was recognized as the Missouri Lawyers Media 2014 Woman of the Year. Russell has served as a Society trustee since 2012.