The 21st Judicial Circuit Court of St. Louis County will have new leadership starting January 1, 2025, with Judges Bruce F. Hilton and Ellen Sue Levy appointed as Presiding Judge and Assistant Presiding Judge. These appointments were made during the October Court en Banc meeting, according to a St. Louis County Circuit Court news release.
Judge Hilton, appointed to the circuit court in 2017 and retained twice in subsequent elections, previously served as the Assistant Presiding Judge. "It is an honor to serve the citizens of St. Louis County," Hilton said in the same release. "I am humbled by the selection of my judicial colleagues to serve as presiding judge. I am grateful to them, as well as the dedicated staff at our court, who all understand our solemn duties and responsibilities to serve the public. All of us are committed to timely, compassionate, unbiased well-reasoned opinions and decisions for the parties in each case to further the administration of justice."
Hilton brings extensive experience in the legal field and has served on the Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association and the Kirkwood Library board. He is deeply connected to the community, holding both his undergraduate and law degrees from Saint Louis University and participating in several Missouri bar associations.
Judge Levy, set to become Assistant Presiding Judge, has been with the circuit court since 2008 and is currently the Probate Court Administrative Judge. She earned her B.A. and law degree from Washington University in St. Louis and previously practiced law privately. Together, she and Judge Hilton bring years of judicial and community experience to their new leadership roles.
