When retired Judge Dan Scott heard that Judge Colleen Dolan is retiring from the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District on August 2, he was surprised.
“She doesn’t have to retire due to mandatory retirement because her age is not old enough,” said Scott who retired from the Southern District Missouri Court of Appeals on Dec. 31, 2020.
A constitutional provision encourages the judiciary to retire before their 70th birthday or face the prospect of forfeiting their pension.
“I saw her in June and she’s looking forward to having more time to follow her grandkids and do things with them,” Scott told the St. Louis Record. “That's certainly just as worthy an aspiration as to be a good judge.”
Dolan did not respond to requests for comment.
Like Dolan, Scott didn’t wait until the very end. He retired before the mandatory retirement age of 70 years old after 14 years of service.
“I got out five years before I had to for the same reasoning because there are only so many judge spots,” he said. “By stepping aside early, it gives some other good person a chance to serve. That's good and I think that's probably in Judge Dolan's mind too to give somebody else a chance. The same chance that we were given.”
Prior to being appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District in March 2016 by Democratic Governor Jay Nixon, Dolan served as an associate circuit judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit since 1994. She became chief judge in 1999.
“Judge Dolan is a tremendous judge,” Scott added. “She put in her time and did a great job on the Eastern District. I'm a big admirer of her work and she's leaving big shoes to fill but I'm sure the commission and governor will find somebody who will step in and with a little time be another great judge just like she's been.”
The due date for candidates to apply to replace Dolan is this week July 29.