Judge Katie A. Rooney: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Katie A. Rooney is a family court commissioner for the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. She was appointed to the bench on February 19, 2021.

Prior to her appointment, Rooney was counsel with the law firm of Lathrop GPM, where she litigated the family court appointments assigned to the firm. She represented juveniles in delinquency matters as well as parents in parental rights, abuse, and neglect cases.

Rooney earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2001. She then completed a J.D. at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 2004.

After graduating from law school, Rooney began her legal career as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office. She served in that capacity until 2006, at which time she became the attorney for the Juvenile Officer of the 16th Judicial Circuit. During her tenure there, she was tasked with representing the Juvenile Officer in arraignments, review hearings, permanency hearings, and felony and misdemeanor trials.

Her memberships have included the Junior League of Kansas City (Missouri), the National Association of Counsel for Children, and the Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City. She also sat on the Board of Directors of the Child Abuse Prevention Association and the Children’s Emergency Fund.