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John Ross (Missouri)

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John A. Ross

Nonpartisan

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri

Tenure

2023 - Present

Years in position

Prior offices:

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri

Years in office: 2011 - 2023

Successor:Zachary Bluestone (Nonpartisan)

Education

Bachelor's

Emory University, 1976

Law

Emory University School of Law, 1979

Personal

Birthplace

St. Louis, MO

Contact

Official website

John A. Ross is afederal judge onsenior status with theUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. He was nominated by PresidentBarack Obama (D) in December 2010.^[1] Prior to becoming a federal judge, Ross was acircuit court judge for the21st Circuit Court inMissouri.^[2]

Ross assumedsenior status on June 9, 2023.^[3]

Early life and education

Allen received a B.A. from Emory University in 1976 and aJ.D. degree from Emory University School of Law in 1979.^[4]^[2]

Professional career

2000-2011: Circuit judge,Missouri 21st Judicial Circuit Court

2009-2011: Presiding Judge

2005-2009: Assistant Presiding Judge

County counselor, St. Louis County
1979-1991: Assistant county prosecuting attorney, St. Louis
1989: Special assistant attorney genera, St. Louis County
1984: Special assistant attorney general, Office of the Attorney General

Judicial career

Eastern District of Missouri

Nomination Tracker

Nominee Information
Name: John A. Ross
Court:Eastern District of Missouri
Progress
Confirmed 293 days after nomination.
ANominated: 12/1/2010
AABA Rating: Unanimously Well Qualified
Questionnaire:Questionnaire
AHearing: 5/4/2011

QFRs:(Hover over QFRs to read more)

AReported:
AConfirmed: 9/20/2011

Judge Ross was nominated to serve on theUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri on December 1, 2010.^[4]

Ross' nomination was returned to the President at the end of the 111th Congress.President Obama resubmitted the nomination on January 5, 2011.

Ross was rated Unanimously Well Qualified by theAmerican Bar Association. He had a hearing before theSenate Judiciary Committee on May 4, 2011 and you can find hisCommittee Questionnaire available here and hisQuestions for the Record available here.

Ross' nomination was confirmed by the Senate by a voice vote onSeptember 20, 2011.^[5] Ross assumedsenior status on June 9, 2023.^[6]

Opposition to nomination

CongressmanLacy Clay opposed the nomination, due to Judge Ross' decision (as a Missouri Circuit Court judge) to put the Northeast Fire District's finances under court control after the district allegedly made improper payments and violated Missouri's open meetings law.^[7] In a letter to President Obama, Congressman Clay accused Ross of "judicial activism and blatant unfairness" for this decision.^[7] Obama commented on the nomination, stating, "These outstanding candidates have shown an unwavering commitment to justice throughout their careers. They all have long and distinguished records of service, and I am pleased to nominate them to continue serving the American people on the District Court bench."

State Impeachment filed against Ross

In May 2011, Missouri RepresentativeRochelle Gray sponsoredHR 3102 to begin impeachment proceedings against Ross. He is accused of violating theMissouri Constitution. Specifically, he is charged with "judicial activism" and racial discrimination.^[8]