Judge R. Travis Willingham: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, Department 26

Appointed By: Gov. Michael L. Parson

Biography

The Hon. R. Travis Willingham is an associate judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Mike Parson on December 18, 2019.

Prior to his appointment, Willingham sat as the Chief Deputy County Counselor in the Jackson County Counselor’s Office. Before that, he spent time as an attorney in private practice, handling civil litigation, criminal law, civil rights litigation, and federal Indian law matters (2004 to 2011).

Willingham earned a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife management from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1999. He then completed a J.D. at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2004. As a law student, Willingham sat as the Note and Comment Editor for the UMKC Law Review.

His memberships have included the Diversity Section of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. He has also taught Federal Indian Law at the UMKC School of Law.

Raised in Wright City, Missouri, Willingham was a resident of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, at the time of his appointment.

Recent Cases by Hon. R. Travis Willingham

GFS II LLC V ASHLEY HILLIARD (E-CASE)

On July 14, 2026 an ac breach of contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Jul 14, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Circuit

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

AC Breach of Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 15, 2026

ROBERT M KEON V DIRECTOR OF REVENUE STATE OF MISSO (E-CASE)

On July 13, 2026 an ac refus breath 302.750/577.04 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

4 Files

Filed

Jul 13, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Jackson - Kansas City

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

AC Refus Breath 302.750/577.04

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 14, 2026

WINERFORD F HILL V RACQUEL L MCLEAN (E-CASE)

On June 1, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Jun 01, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Jackson - Kansas City

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2026

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. V DARRELL GOVERO (E-CASE)

On May 22, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

May 22, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Jackson - Kansas City

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

May 23, 2026

ANDY R CEFALU V JAIDEN CEFALU (E-CASE)

On May 6, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

May 06, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Jackson - Kansas City

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

May 07, 2026

MAYDEL RESO V NATASHA COOPER (E-CASE)

On May 6, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

May 06, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Jackson - Kansas City

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

May 07, 2026

FIRSTKEY HOMES LLC AGT CS V SHAUNA D CHOUCH ET AL (E-CASE)

On May 6, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

May 06, 2026

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Jackson - Kansas City

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

May 07, 2026

SW BLUE MOTOROLA CELLULAR PHONE (E-CASE)

On October 29, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Oct 29, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Circuit

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 30, 2024

SW DNA SAMPLE FROM THE BODY OF RODNEY HOLLMAN JR (E-CASE)

On September 30, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Sep 30, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Circuit

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 01, 2024

SW-BUCCAL SWAB GLENN D THOMAS JR. (E-CASE)

On August 15, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Aug 15, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Circuit

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 16, 2024

SW DNA SAMPLE FROM THE BODY OF DAVID NYAFOR (E-CASE)

On August 12, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Aug 12, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Circuit

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 13, 2024

SW BROWN COLORED CARDBOARD BOX 12x12x12 INCHES (E-CASE)

On August 9, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Aug 09, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Circuit

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 15, 2024

SW FIRST PARCEL BROWN COLORED BOX 18x12x10 INCHES (E-CASE)

On August 8, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Aug 08, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Circuit

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 09, 2024

SW THIRD PARCEL BROWN COLORED BOX 20x20x12 INCHES (E-CASE)

On August 8, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Aug 08, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Circuit

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 09, 2024

SW SECOND PARCEL BROWN 18x12x10 INCHES (E-CASE)

On August 8, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Aug 08, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Circuit

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 09, 2024

SW DNA SAMPLE FROM THE BODY OF RASHEDA MCDANIEL (E-CASE)

On June 12, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Jun 12, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Circuit

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 13, 2024

SW BROWN CARDBOARD BOX MEASURING 12 X 12 X 12 INCH (E-CASE)

On June 12, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Jun 12, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Circuit

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 13, 2024

SW DNA SWAB FROM THE BODY OF L.H. (E-CASE)

On February 1, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Feb 01, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Jackson County

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 02, 2024

SW STEVEN L SPRAGG BUCCAL SWAB FROM MOUTH (E-CASE)

On January 25, 2024 a search warrant/invst sbpna case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Jan 25, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

Jackson County

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Search Warrant/Invst Sbpna

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 26, 2024

43 ANTIOCH, LLC V CHARITA LOGAN

On August 22, 2023 an ac rent and possession case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

Filed

Aug 22, 2023

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

MO-Jackson - Kansas City

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

AC Rent and Possession

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 23, 2023

PIPER JEN INVESTMENTS, LLC V JOSEPH DIAZ (E-CASE)

On August 22, 2023 an ac rent and possession case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

7 Files

Filed

Aug 22, 2023

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

MO-Jackson - Kansas City

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

AC Rent and Possession

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2023

PEMBERTON PARK, L.P. V VERA EASLEY (E-CASE)

On August 22, 2023 an ac rent and possession case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

11 Files

Filed

Aug 22, 2023

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

MO-Jackson - Kansas City

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

AC Rent and Possession

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2023

SWOPE PARTNERS LLC V TEVON KING (E-CASE)

On August 22, 2023 an ac rent and possession case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

9 Files

Filed

Aug 22, 2023

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

MO-Jackson - Kansas City

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

AC Rent and Possession

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2023

PEMBERTON PARK, L.P. V SUE ELLA TURNER (E-CASE)

On August 22, 2023 an ac rent and possession case was filed in the jurisdiction of Jackson County. Judge R. Travis Willingham presiding.

8 Files

Filed

Aug 22, 2023

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. R. Travis Willingham 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Travis Willingham

Court

MO-Jackson - Kansas City

County

Jackson County, MO

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

AC Rent and Possession

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2023

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About

R. Travis Willingham
Current Appointment 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, Department 26	16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, Department 26
Education J.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law - 2004 Bachelor's degree, University of Missouri-Columbia - 1999	J.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law - 2004 Bachelor's degree, University of Missouri-Columbia - 1999

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	MO - 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri
Clerk phone:	+1 (816) 881-6593
Fax:	+1 (816) 881-1566
Judicial Assistant:	+1 (816) 881-3686

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Associate Judge	16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri	Jackson County, Missouri
Chief Deputy County Counsel	Office of County Counselor	Jackson County, Missouri
Attorney	Private Practice	None