Gov. Nixon Appoints Ted Ardini to Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District

Press Release

Gov. Jay Nixon today announced the appointment of Edward R. (Ted) Ardini Jr., of Columbia, to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District. Ardini will fill the vacancy on the appellate court due to the retirement of the Honorable Joseph M. Ellis.

Ardini has served as Counsel to the Governor since January 2009. In addition to advising the Governor on legal matters, as Counsel he has conducted legal reviews on all legislation passed by the General Assembly, and also has had the responsibility of drafting veto messages, executive orders and other legal documents issued by the Governor. Ardini also has had a major role in planning and executing the Governor's response to natural disasters, including the Joplin tornado.

From 2003 to 2009, Ardini served as Counsel to the Attorney General, and from 1998 to 2003 as Chief Counsel of the office's Public Safety Division. The Public Safety Division was responsible for criminal prosecutions handled by the Attorney General's office and also provided legal representation to the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri Department of Public Safety. Ardini's trial experience includes capital litigation, cases against public officials, and a federal RICO action.

Ardini began working at the Attorney General's Office in 1992 after graduation from the New England School of Law in his native Massachusetts. In 2014, Ardini received the Patrick Henry Award from the National Guard Association of the United States, which is presented to those civilians in a position of responsibility who have distinguished themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to the U.S. Armed Forces or the National Guard.

"There are few people who possess as keen of an understanding of the executive, judicial and legislative branches of Missouri state government and of Missouri civil and criminal law as Ted Ardini," Gov. Nixon said. "He will be an outstanding appellate judge, and I am pleased to select him from the well-qualified panel presented to me."

Ardini was one of three nominees for this judgeship submitted to Gov. Nixon by the Appellate Judicial Commission for the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, under the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan.

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