Judge William R. Jackson, III: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. William R. Jackson, III is a family court commissioner for the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. He was appointed to the bench on June 19, 2015.

Prior to his appointment, Jackson was Juvenile Officer and Director of Legal Services for the 16th Judicial Circuit, a position to which he was named in 2013. In that capacity, he managed the civil prosecution of child dependency and delinquency matters, and he supervised the Case Assessment Unit.

Jackson earned a J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 1982. He is also a graduate of the National Center for State Courts’ Management Program.

Five years after graduating from law school, Jackson began his legal career with the 16th Judicial Circuit. He started as an attorney for the Juvenile Officer, rising through the ranks to become the Manager of Legal Services. Then, in 2002, he was named Assistant Director of Legal Services.

His memberships have included the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. He has also held assignments on the Sexual Abuse Task Force, the Jackson County Child Fatality Review Team, the Community Quality Assurance Committee, and the Safe Reduction of Children in Care Workgroup.