Gov. Mike Parson today announced the appointment of Heather J. Hays as the 22nd Judicial Circuit’s newest associate circuit judge. She fills a vacancy left by the recent appointment of Circuit Judge Craig Higgins. Higgins was sworn in last month.

Hays has been a partner in the litigation section of the Rynearson, Suess, Schnurbusch & Champion law firm in St. Louis. She previously served as an appellate judge’s clerk in the Missouri Eastern District Court of Appeals. She is a past president of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Women’s Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis.

The 22nd Judicial Circuit is proud to welcome Judge Hays to the bench.