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Native Northlander appointed to judgeship
By Jeffrey M. Salem
Shane Alexander has made a career out of upholding the same set of laws at whatever job he has held in the past. And he’ll be doing the same in his newest job of circuit judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court.
“At every job I swore to uphold the laws of the United States Constitution,” Alexander said from his spacious and newly painted office at the James S. Rooney Justice Center in Liberty.
Alexander’s pledge to uphold the Constitution began with a four-year tour in the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer in the early ’90s after he graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia. The Constitution was there. After law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1997, another oath awaited him as assistant prosecutor in Buchanan County. In 1999 he moved to the same position in Clay County and was promoted to chief assistant prosecutor in 2004 — where he remained until his appointment to the bench. He took on extra duties as Excelsior Spring municipal judge in 2004 and then as Smithville’s municipal prosecutor beginning in 2006. Upholding the Constitution followed him to all job posts.
“That oath has been a constant theme in my life,” he said.
The native Northlander was appointed Aug. 7 by Gov. Matt Blunt to fill the Division 1 seat vacated when Judge Michael Maloney retired.
“I commend Shane Alexander for his continued service to Missouri and know that his legal experience will be an asset as he takes on new responsibilities,” Blunt said in a release announcing the appointment.
Alexander said his time in the Navy ignited his passion for criminal law. Much of his tour involved drug interdiction in the Caribbean off the coast of South America. Going in, he thought the Navy would be his lifelong career.
All criminal cases filed in the 7th Circuit go through Division 1. It’s a large reason Alexander applied for the post.
“I’ve never applied for any judicial vacancy until now,” he said. “I applied for Division 1 because of my experience with criminal law. It’s what I love to do.”
Alexander’s fondness for the county he grew up in runs deep. It’s what makes this appointment special. He was born at North Kansas City Hospital and was raised in Liberty. Alexander has been married to his wife, Amy, for 15 years. They have three children — Katie, 9, Laura Beth, 7, Jack, 4, and live in unincorporated Clay County near Smithville.
“To me, this is the dream job. I’ve been in public service my whole adult life, and Clay County means a lot to me,” he said. “I want it to remain what it was for me. It really shaped my life and my view of the world, and I want to maintain that for future generations.”
Staff writer Jeffrey M. Salem can be reached at 389-6653 or jeffsalem@npgco.com.
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“At every job I swore to uphold the laws of the United States Constitution,” Alexander said from his spacious and newly painted office at the James S. Rooney Justice Center in Liberty.
Alexander’s pledge to uphold the Constitution began with a four-year tour in the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer in the early ’90s after he graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia. The Constitution was there. After law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1997, another oath awaited him as assistant prosecutor in Buchanan County. In 1999 he moved to the same position in Clay County and was promoted to chief assistant prosecutor in 2004 — where he remained until his appointment to the bench. He took on extra duties as Excelsior Spring municipal judge in 2004 and then as Smithville’s municipal prosecutor beginning in 2006. Upholding the Constitution followed him to all job posts.
“That oath has been a constant theme in my life,” he said.
The native Northlander was appointed Aug. 7 by Gov. Matt Blunt to fill the Division 1 seat vacated when Judge Michael Maloney retired.
“I commend Shane Alexander for his continued service to Missouri and know that his legal experience will be an asset as he takes on new responsibilities,” Blunt said in a release announcing the appointment.
Alexander said his time in the Navy ignited his passion for criminal law. Much of his tour involved drug interdiction in the Caribbean off the coast of South America. Going in, he thought the Navy would be his lifelong career.
All criminal cases filed in the 7th Circuit go through Division 1. It’s a large reason Alexander applied for the post.
“I’ve never applied for any judicial vacancy until now,” he said. “I applied for Division 1 because of my experience with criminal law. It’s what I love to do.”
Alexander’s fondness for the county he grew up in runs deep. It’s what makes this appointment special. He was born at North Kansas City Hospital and was raised in Liberty. Alexander has been married to his wife, Amy, for 15 years. They have three children — Katie, 9, Laura Beth, 7, Jack, 4, and live in unincorporated Clay County near Smithville.
“To me, this is the dream job. I’ve been in public service my whole adult life, and Clay County means a lot to me,” he said. “I want it to remain what it was for me. It really shaped my life and my view of the world, and I want to maintain that for future generations.”
Staff writer Jeffrey M. Salem can be reached at 389-6653 or jeffsalem@npgco.com.