2012

Judge Lawrence E. Mooney has served on the Eastern District of the Missouri Court of Appeals since 1998. Prior to his appointment to the Eastern District, Judge Mooney served as assistant prosecuting attorney from 1975 to 1977 and as first assistant prosecuting attorney from 1979 to 1990 in St. Louis County. From 1991 to 1998, Judge Mooney held the position of executive assistant to the county executive of St. Louis County. 

While on the court, Judge Mooney has been a member of the Drug Courts Coordinating Commission, and has been the chair of the Missouri Judicial Finance Commission. Judge Mooney is a member of The Missouri Bar, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the St. Louis County Bar Association, the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, and Lawyers for Equality. Judge Mooney also serves as a member and secretary for the board of trustees of the Laumeier Sculpture Park.

Attorneys who responded to The Missouri Bar’s 2012 Appellate Court Evaluation Survey rated Judge Mooney on a scale of 1 to 5 on 10 judicial qualities, with 1 representing “not at all” and 5 representing “completely.” Judge Mooney scored highest for issuing his opinions in a timely manner (4.41), for treating parties equally regardless of race, sex, or economic status (4.37), and for writing opinions that are clear (4.37). Judge Mooney was not rated lower than 4.0 is any category.

The committee reviewed several opinions written by Judge Mooney. Judge Mooney’s opinions are well-reasoned and follow constitutional and statutory law. Judge Mooney employs straightforward and concise prose in his opinions, and he demonstrates strong analytical skills.