Governor Eric Greitens has appointed Mary Elizabeth Ott, of St. Louis, as Circuit Court Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit, which covers St. Louis County. The position became vacant due to the retirement of the Honorable Carolyn Whittington.
Mary Elizabeth Ott has served as an Associate Circuit Judge for St. Louis County since 2008. She is also an adjunct professor for the Washington University School of Law. Before her appointment to the bench, Judge Ott spent 22 years in private practice where she specialized in criminal defense work and family law.
While on the bench, Judge Ott has presided over hundreds of trials. In 2013, the Supreme Court of Missouri appointed Judge Ott to serve on the Committee on Criminal Instructions and Procedures. She is also the co-chair of the 21st Judicial Circuit E-Filing Committee. In 2014, Judge Ott received the highest percentage of votes of all judges standing for retention in the 21stJudicial Circuit.
Judge Ott received her undergraduate degree from Saint Mary’s College and her law degree from Saint Louis University. In the community, she is a parishioner at Immacolata Catholic Church and has served as a board member for Cardinal Ritter Institute, Friends of Heritage House, and the Progressive Youth Center.
“Judge Ott brings a decade of judicial experience to the State’s largest circuit court,” said Governor Greitens. “She is an experienced practitioner and a dedicated member of the St. Louis community. I am confident she will continue to serve with distinction and respect.”