Gov. Nixon Appoints Associate Circuit Judge Fincham as Circuit Judge for Platte County

Press Release

Gov. Jay Nixon today appointed the Honorable Thomas Clark Fincham as Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit in Platte County. Judge Fincham, who is an associate circuit judge in Division III of the Sixth Circuit, will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Owens Lee Hull Jr.

Judge Fincham was appointed to the bench in Platte County in 2010. In that position, he has handled family law cases, orders of protection, cases involving the Department of Revenue and driver's licenses, and certain criminal matters, both felony and misdemeanor. Before becoming an associate circuit judge, he practiced law in the Kansas City area for almost 30 years, and argued cases before the Missouri Supreme Court and the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District. He also served as a municipal judge for several communities in the Kansas City area.

Judge Fincham obtained his law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and, from 1992 to 1997, he served as an adjunct professor of law teaching trial advocacy at the law school. His experience also includes serving on the board of directors for Northland Alternative Service Program, a not-for-profit organization which coordinates community service time for defendants who are placed on probation or diversion.

"Judge Fincham has a combination of experience both on the bench and previously in private practice for three decades, and his experience and legal knowledge are assets that have served the people of Platte County well," Gov. Nixon said. "I am pleased to appoint him to serve those citizens from the circuit bench."

Judge Fincham was one of three applicants submitted to the Governor for consideration by the Sixth Circuit Judicial Commission under the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan.

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