Attorney Anthony R. Jumper was selected to serve as an associate judge in the Third Judicial Circuit, filling the vacancy left by former Associate Judge Luther Simmons’ retirement.
Marcia M. Meis, director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced Jumper’s appointment to the Third Judicial Circuit on Monday, which includes Madison and Bond Counties.
Jumper was voted associate judge by the current circuit judges - which includes Barbara Crowder, Andreas Matoesian, William Mudge, Kyle Napp, Dennis Ruth, David Dugan, John Knight, Richard Tognarelli and Chief Judge David Hylla.
Jumper is tentatively slated to take the bench March 29. However, he said there are still some “hurdles to clear.”
He currently works in general practice with Callis, Papa & Szewczyk PC in Granite City and as an assistant attorney for the City of Madison.
Jumper said he is excited to be appointed associate judge.
“It’s an opportunity to serve the community I grew up in and have been a part of my entire life,” he said. “I’m excited to hopefully get to be a part of helping to rehabilitate the image of the Madison County judiciary.”
Jumper earned his undergraduate degree in political science and business from Illinois Wesleyan in 2000. He received his J.D. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2005.
During law school, Jumper was an editor for the SIUC Law Journal and the Journal of Legal Medicine.
Following graduation, Jumper said he began working for Thompson Coburn in St. Louis. He then became a trial attorney for Nationwide Insurance.
Jumper worked for Nationwide until three years ago, when he joined Callis Papa & Szewczyk.
Jumper is also a member of Mount Joy Baptist Church and serves as a board member for the Edwardsville YMCA.
Simmons retired from the bench Jan. 5 after serving for roughly two years. He began working with the Alton firm Simmons Hanly Conroy on Feb. 1.