M. Douglas Harpool
2014 - Present
11
M. Douglas Harpool is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Prior to joining the court he was a shareholder at the law firm Baird, Lightner, Millsap & Harpool, PC. In August of 2013, President Obama nominated Harpool for a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.[1] On March 26, 2014, Harpool was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a vote of 93-5.[2]
Early life and education
Harpool earned his B.S., graduating cum laude, from Missouri State University in 1977. He went on to earn his J.D. in 1980 from the University of Missouri Columbia School of Law.[3]
Professional career
- 2010-2014: Owner, BLMH Properties, LLC
- 2006-2014: Shareholder, Baird, Lightner, Millsap & Harpool, PC
- 2004-2006: Partner, Lathrop & Gage LLP
- 2002-2003: Partner, Cunningham, Harpool & Cardonnier LLC
- 1980-2001: Daniel, Clampett, Lilly, Dalton, Powell & Cunningham
- 1997-2001: Managing Partner
- 1985-1996: Partner
- 1980-1985: Associate
- 1983-1992: Member, Missouri House of Representatives[3]
Judicial career
Western District of Missouri
 |
| Nominee Information |
| Name: M. Douglas Harpool |
| Court: Western District of Missouri |
| Progress |
| Confirmed 237 days after nomination. |
 Nominated: August 1, 2013
|
| ABA Rating: Unanimously Well Qualified
|
| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
| Hearing: November 6, 2013
|
| QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported: January 16, 2014
|
| Confirmed: March 26, 2014
|
| Vote: 93-5
|
On August 1, 2013, President Obama nominated M. Douglas Harpool to the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri to fill the vacancy left by Richard Dorr.[1] Harpool was rated Unanimously Well Qualified by the American Bar Association.[4]
Harpool's nomination was returned by the Senate on January 3, 2014, and he was renominated on January 6th by President Obama.[5]
Harpool was advanced to the full Senate on January 16, 2014, after a voice vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee.[6] The U.S. Senate confirmed Harpool on March 26, 2014, by a vote of 93-5.[2]
Awards and associations
Awards
- 2013: Best Lawyers in America - Personal Injury Law
- December 2011: 417 Magazine Top Lawyers 2012 - law firm of Baird, Lightner, Millsap & Harpool, P.C.
- 2011: Meadowbrook Insurance Group "For the Defense" Award
- 2011: AM Best Directory of Insurance Professionals - Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys
- 2010-2013: Best Lawyers in America - Employment Law
- 2006-Present: AV Preeminent Rating Martindale-Hubble
- 1992: Legislative Service Award, Missouri Judicial Cofference
- 1987: Developmental Disability Awareness Award, Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities
- 1986: Legislative Service Award, Missouri Architect's Association
- 1986: Legislative Service Award, Missouri Court Reporter's Association
- 1986: Horace Mann Friend of Education Award, NEA
- 1986: Outstanding Young Springfieldian - Springfield Jaycees
- 1986: President's Award: Missouri Bar Association
- 1985: Legislative Service Award, Missouri Medical Association
- 1985: Legislative Service Award, Association for the Education of Young Children
- 1985: Legislative Service Award, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians
- 1985: Legislative Service Award, Missouri Hospital Association
- 1985: Legislative Service Award, Missouri Healthcare Association
- 1980: Academic Achievement Award-Creditor's Remedies, University of Missouri School of Law
- 1980: First place, ABA Appellate Advocacy Competition, Eighth Circuit
- 1980: Roscoe Anderson Award for Appellate Advocacy
- 1980: Thomas Deacy Prize for Trial Advocacy
- 1979-1980: Member of the Missouri Board of Advocates
Associations
- 2011-Present: Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
- 2011-2012: Chairman, Missouri Bipartisan Redistricting Commission
- 2004-2005: Springfield Area Baseball Association
- 2004-2005: President, Kickapoo Baseball Booster Club
- 1995-1996: President, Springfield Baseball Park Authority
- 1995: Springfield Stadium Task Force
- 1988-1992: Board of Directors, NOVA Center of the Ozarks
- 1987-1988: Board of Directors, Visiting Nurse Association
- 1986-1988: Board of Directors, Family Violence Center, Inc.
- 1986: Missouri Task Force on Liability Insurance
- 1981-1985: Southeast Lions Club
- 1964-Present: Deacon, South Haven Baptist Church[7]
Noteworthy cases
Morningside Church, Inc. v. Rutledge (2020)
Morningside Church, Inc. v. Rutledge: On August 27, 2020, Judge M. Douglas Harpool, of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, dismissed a lawsuit by televangelist Jim Bakker against four Arkansas and California attorneys who were investigating Bakker's sale of a silver-based product he claimed can cure COVID-19. In his complaint, filed against the Attorney General of Arkansas, the District Attorneys of Merced and San Joaquin Counties, and the City Attorney of Los Angeles, Bakker argued that he was "divinely inspired" to sell the product "to the world, and such offerings are an integral part of" his religious mission. Bakker sued to block the collection of names, addresses, and personal financial information, arguing it would amount to a violation of the freedom to exercise religion and freedom of speech. In his order, Harpool wrote that Bakker "cannot establish the minimum contacts required to invoke personal jurisdiction" over the attorneys in the Western District Court, a procedural requirement limiting the courts in which a defendant can be sued. Consequently, Harpool dismissed Bakker's suit. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (R) responded to the dismissal: "I will not tolerate illegal schemes used by Mr. Bakker that directly harm Arkansas consumers financially or physically." Former Governor of Missouri Jay Nixon (D), an attorney for Bakker, said: "It's extremely disturbing that this is happening in America."[8][9][10][11]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The White House, "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate," August 1, 2013 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "nom1" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Senate.gov, "Confirmation M. Douglas Harpool, of Missouri, to be U.S. District Judge," accessed March 27, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The White House, "President Obama Nominates Six to Serve on the United States District Courts," August 1, 2013
- ↑ American Bar Association, "Ratings of Article III Judicial Nominees 113th Congress," accessed March 27, 2014
- ↑ White House, "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate," January 7, 2014
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Judicial Nomination Materials: 113th Congress," accessed January 17, 2014
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Questions for Judicial Nominees," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, "Morningside Church, Inc. v. Rutledge: Order," August 27, 2020
- ↑ United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, "Morningside Church, Inc. v. Rutledge: Complaint," June 5, 2020
- ↑ KARK.com, "Attorney General Rutledge applauds court’s dismissal of ‘frivolous’ lawsuit by Jim Bakker," August 28, 2020
- ↑ Springfield News-Leader, "Judge dismisses Jim Bakker lawsuit against attorneys investigating sale of COVID-19 'cure,'" August 28, 2020
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri 2014-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Nominated | |||
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Missouri, Western District of Missouri • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Missouri, Western District of Missouri
State courts:
Missouri Supreme Court • Missouri Court of Appeals • Missouri Circuit Courts • Missouri Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Missouri • Missouri judicial elections • Judicial selection in Missouri
