From first-generation college student to one of the youngest presiding circuit judges in Missouri history, Michael Randazzo has willingly embraced academic and professional opportunities to set a higher bar in life.
That can-do mindset took root at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where Randazzo graduated from the Criminology and Criminal Justice Program and the Pierre Laclede Honors College, laying the foundation for law school and the prolific legal career that has followed.
“At UMSL, I learned from and was mentored by world-class faculty that included Dr. Richard Rosenfeld, Dr. Bob Bursik and Dr. Tim Mahar,” Randazzo said. “I was uniquely prepared for law school by attending the Pierre Laclede Honors College and would have completed my education at UMSL had there been a law school to attend.”
Since earning a Juris Doctorate at nearby Saint Louis University in 2010, Randazzo has made his mark in private practice, the courtroom and the community. In 2015, when he owned his own law firm, Randazzo was recognized by The National Trial Lawyers as one of their top 50 Under 40. As a prosecutor, Randazzo worked more than 3,000 felony and 10,000 misdemeanor cases as an assistant prosecuting attorney and was later elected prosecuting attorney. In 2021, Randazzo moved to the bench, where he has since participated in more than 75 jury trials, first as Circuit Court Judge for the 42nd Judicial Circuit in Missouri, and a year later, as Presiding Circuit Judge.
Throughout his career, Michael Randazzo has been equally committed to community, serving several town and cities in his hometown region of East-Central and Southeast Missouri as a municipal judge, city prosecutor, city attorney and public defender. Randazzo also shares free legal counsel for local churches, nonprofits and fraternal organizations and educates Missourians about the court process through the statewide Court Enrichment Program. His community focus extends beyond courtroom to the bleachers, where you are likely to find Michael coaching up today’s youth in basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer and softball, just as he’s done for the past 20 seasons.
