BIO
Judge Nancy Steffen Rahmeyer
Judge Nancy Steffen Rahmeyer, a trailblazing woman who made history as the first female appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, has joined RAH LAW as of counsel. With a wealth of experience in appellate practice, she previously served as a member and Chair of the Appellate Practice Committee for fifteen years. During her tenure, she authored over 600 judicial opinions, along with approximately 60 concurrences and dissents. Notably, her groundbreaking opinion on the jurisdiction of trial courts, adopted by the Supreme Court, reshaped the legal landscape.
Over her 20-year career as an Appellate Judge, Judge Rahmeyer held the position of Chief Judge twice and was a sought-after lecturer on appellate practice. She also had the honor of speaking at a Missouri State Commencement ceremony. In addition to her appellate work, she made history as the first woman to chair the Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges. Currently, she continues to serve as a member of the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness. Judge Rahmeyer was also a member of the Missouri Joint Commission on Women and played a pivotal role in establishing the Southern Missouri Women Lawyers organization in Springfield.
Judge Rahmeyer exceptional contributions to the legal field have been recognized with numerous awards. She received the Best Appellate Judge Award from Missouri Lawyer's Weekly and the Women's Justice Award for Public Service. The Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association honored her with the Judicial Excellence Award, and in 2017, she was presented with the Greater Missouri Leadership Civic Leader award by the Greater Missouri Leadership Alliance. In her spare time, Judge Rahmeyer generously volunteers as a judge for moot court competitions at the college and law school level, as well as trial competitions for high school students.
Judge Rahmeyer educational background includes an undergraduate degree from Iowa State University, a master's degree from Missouri State, and a law degree from the University of Arkansas, where she graduated with high honors. Prior to her appointment to the appellate court, she served as a provisional municipal judge, held the position of past president of the League of Women Voters, and actively participated in various educational committees for the Springfield School system.