Zel M. Fischer at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Court
- Supreme Court of Missouri
- Jurisdiction
- Missouri · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Zel M. Fischer
Judge · Supreme Court of Missouri
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- Upon graduation from law school, Fischer was admitted to The Missouri Bar and he served for one year as a law clerk for the Honorable Andrew Jackson Higgins of the Supreme Court of Missouri.
- Practitioner, 2007-2007
Judicial service
- Judge, Supreme Court of Missouri, 2008-present
- Judge, Missouri Court of Appeals, 2008-present
- He served as chief justice from July 2017–June 2019.
- Appointed to the Supreme Court by Gov. Matt Blunt on Oct. 15, 2008, Judge Fischer was retained by voters at the November 2010 and 2022 general elections for 12-year terms.
Education
- William Jewell College · BA
- University of Missouri-Kansas City · JD
- Rock Port High School
Personal record
Born April 28, 1963 · Hamburg
Courtroom rules and guidance
Media Equipment Advance Approval
Missouri Court Operating Rule 16 requires advance approval for media equipment used for courtroom coverage and allows the judge to control the number and setup of media personnel and equipment.
Failure to obtain advance approval for equipment may preclude its use in the proceeding.Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical ↗
Device Use In Courtroom
Missouri courtroom device use for media coverage is not generally permitted unless authorized by the operating rule, a local court rule, or the judge presiding in the proceeding.
No person may use any device capable of media coverage in a courtroom or court clerk's office unless specifically authorizedMissouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical ↗
Audio Video Recording
Missouri allows limited video and audio recording for media coverage under COR 16 technical limits, subject to judicial approval and courtroom controls.
Not more than one videographer, using a single device, shall be permitted in the courtroom during a judicial proceeding at any time.Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical ↗
Sources
Missouri Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked August 22, 2026
https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=219655CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · checked August 3, 2026
https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4932/zel-fischer/Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354