Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District — Virginia W. Lay retention
Source: enr.sos.mo.gov
What does this office do?
- Deciding what state laws and the state constitution mean
- Setting rulings that lower state courts must follow
- Deciding major criminal and civil cases
Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Gun Control,
Virginia W. Lay
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Judge Virginia W. Lay serves on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. Previously a circuit and associate circuit judge, she holds degrees from Columbia University and Washington University School of Law.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 1 record
Wrote the appeals court opinion dismissing Starbucks's appeal in a suit by two St. Louis workers fired after fighting off armed robbers. The ruling kept their case in court instead of private arbitration.
March 3, 2026
Source: ott.law
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 1 favorable
Received a review from Missouri's Judicial Performance Review Committee finding she substantially meets judicial performance standards. The 2024 review covered her work as a St. Louis County circuit judge. Also did the same on September 22, 2020.
September 26, 2024Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: yourmissourijudges.org
Source: sos.mo.gov