Northeast News
March 23, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — One of the most experienced and respected jurists in the 16th Circuit Court of Missouri has joined the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office as a senior adviser to the prosecutor.

In a recent press release, Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced former Jackson County Judge Edith Messina will focus on examining the office’s diversion programs, attorney training and special projects.

In 1984, Gov. Christopher S. Bond appointed Messina as a judge in the 16th Circuit, making her the first woman appointed as a circuit judge in Jackson County. Messina, a native of Kansas City, Mo., also was the first woman to serve as presiding judge of the Jackson County Circuit Court, 1998-2000. In 2008, she was honored with the “Dean of the Trial Bar” award by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association for her lifelong commitment to the profession. In April, Messina will be honored with a Public Officials Award as part of the 2015 Women’s Justice Awards, a signature event of Missouri Lawyers Media.

“The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office is adopting a number of innovative strategies to improve public safety and reduce violence in our community,” Messina said. “I’m very pleased to be part of those efforts.’