Boone County Community
Testimonials in Support of Bill's Campaign
"I have known Bill Ellis for over 30 years. I trust Bill. He has the legal knowledge, wisdom, and temperament that is required to be an excellent judge. He understands our community and the challenges we face. In order to meet those challenges, we need him on the bench. Bill has my full support and endorsement in his race for Associate Circuit Judge."
"I’m proud to endorse Bill Ellis for Associate Circuit Judge - Division 9 in Boone County.
As an attorney deeply committed to serving children and strengthening families in our community, I believe our courts require leaders who understand not only the law, but the real lives impacted by every decision. Bill has devoted much of his career to protecting and advocating for children and families — from his work in the juvenile justice system to guiding individuals through complex criminal and other challenging legal matters.
Bill understands that the courtroom is not just about legal outcomes — it’s about people, accountability, opportunity, and building a stronger community for the next generation.
Boone County deserves a judge with experience, compassion, and a genuine heart for service. Bill Ellis is that person."
"We are very lucky to have someone like Bill Ellis running for Associate Circuit Judge because he has the highest standards of honor and integrity. One of the titles we give to judges is “Your Honor.” I think it’s an important thing to call a Judge, to both remind them of and to reflect upon the status they hold in our society. We want people of honor making those decisions, we need people of honor making those decisions. We need people who have been in the trenches and who understand how those decisions can improve lives and improve our community. Bill has worked diligently on behalf of his clients, and he has done so with the highest degree of integrity. I know he cares for this community and I also know he will draw upon his experience as both a lifelong Boone Countian and also as a tireless advocate in making decisions from the bench. I hope you’ll join me in supporting Bill Ellis for Boone County Associate Circuit Judge."
"I have known Bill Ellis for approximately 15 years through my more than 30 years working within the court system. During much of that time, Bill served as a Guardian ad Litem representing youth in juvenile court matters. Throughout his service, he consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to ensuring that the voices of young people were heard and that they understood the court process and their role within it.
Bill was not only a strong advocate for the youth he represented, but he was also dedicated to improving the juvenile justice system as a whole. He carefully tracked data and case information to help others better understand the time and effort required to effectively serve as a Guardian ad Litem. His work provided valuable insight into how quality representation impacts outcomes for children and families. Based on my years of observing Bill’s work and dedication, I believe he would serve with integrity, fairness, and compassion as a judge."
"I don’t usually speak publicly about my past, but I feel like it’s important to share this. I had Bill Ellis as my Guardian ad Litem when I was a child, and my experience with him is something I’ve never forgotten. He was my GAL for almost five years. He was there to never forget a birthday or special occasion. He was always the one to fill in the new caseworkers what my life was about. He knew me more than most and used that to hand me so many opportunities to success. I am now a college graduate, have my own home, and have a beautiful little family.
Bill listened. He paid attention. And he made sure that what was best for me was actually being considered, not just what was easiest or quickest. At a time when I didn’t have much control or voice, he helped make sure I was seen and heard. That I will forever be grateful for. From someone who was once the child in the system. Bill Ellis is exactly the kind of person you want making those decisions."
"I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Bill since high school. He was smart, hard-working and an all-around great person. After we graduated from law school, I was privileged to learn more about Bill in a professional capacity in both the juvenile and family court arena. I observed him to be knowledgeable about the law, fiercely dedicated to his clients, and generous with his time. He regularly and enthusiastically participated in the court’s ongoing efforts to improve and expand the delivery of services to families in Boone and Callaway Counties. As a family and juvenile law practitioner of 25 years, I’ve been fortunate to practice in front of a long line of intelligent, compassionate, and diligent judges in the 13th Circuit. Bill’s years of experience and enduring commitment to families render him uniquely qualified to assume that mantle. He will be an outstanding addition to the bench."
"One of the things that distinguishes Bill Ellis from other candidates is his expertise in juvenile law. Prior to attending law school, Bill was employed as a deputy juvenile officer guiding juveniles who were under the supervision of the juvenile court. After graduating from the University of Missouri School of Law, Bill obtained certification as a Guardian ad Litem.
Guardian ad Litem representation often involves working with families experiencing crises, including mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, and other personal/societal issues. It is a child-centered practice but also requires collaboration with team and community members. Bill is smart; his decisions and recommendations are based on fact as applied to state law and agency policy and decades of experience. He is also responsive and even tempered. Bill is an excellent attorney and will be the perfect addition to Missouri’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit."
"I have had the privilege of knowing Bill Ellis on both a personal and professional level for the last 30 years. We first worked together as deputy juvenile officers at the Boone County Juvenile Justice Center, but later took different paths. Bill went to law school and worked to become a zealous advocate for his clients, most notably youth involved in the juvenile justice system for delinquency and child abuse and neglect concerns. I served as the Chief Juvenile Officer of the 13th Judicial Circuit from 2015 until my retirement in 2024. I believe Bill Ellis has the personal and professional qualities, as well as the necessary experience and knowledge, to serve the people of Boone County as Judge. Bill understands the court system and the needs of the people of Boone County. He is a person of honesty and integrity and will treat litigants with fairness, compassion, and decency. I wholeheartedly endorse him for Judge in Division 9."
"The Missouri YouthBuild Coalition is proud to endorse Bill Ellis, an accomplished attorney whose career has been defined by unwavering dedication to Missouri’s opportunity youth. For years, Bill has stood on the front lines advocating for young people facing some of the toughest barriers, ensuring they receive not only legal protection but meaningful pathways to education, stability, and success."
"I enthusiastically endorse Bill Ellis for judge. I have known Bill as an attorney for years and have only ever known him to be a thoughtful, competent attorney, who cares for his clients, strives for the best legal outcomes, and is always on his feet in the local courthouse. Most importantly, when one of my clients needs to talk to an attorney in one of Bill's practice areas, he has always been my first referral. That's important to me because my professional reputation is on the line when I refer a client to another lawyer. I know Bill will set the standard as a fair and empathetic judge. "
"Boone County friends, support and vote for Bill Ellis for Judge! Bill has been in the trenches, practicing in front of Judges in the Boone County Circuit Court's Family, Juvenile, Probate, and Criminal divisions for years. He's represented minors as their Guardian Ad Litem in juvenile court and family court, represented parents in custody actions, and represented the accused in criminal cases. Our County and its residents deserve and need someone with experience and integrity, and Bill has both of these things and more. Bill Ellis for Judge!"
"I worked with Bill when I was a CASA Supervisor and he was a GAL in family court under Judge Leslie Schneider. I know him to be conscientious, thorough, and fair - with a great sense of humor - which is always important in the stressful world of child abuse and neglect cases. I am certain he would be the same as a judge. "
"I have known Bill for nearly 20 years. Bill has the background and experience to serve as the Division 9 Judge in Boone County. For years, Bill has handled the types of cases the Division 9 Judge presides over. He will be ready to step into this role on day one when elected. Bill is a lifelong Boone County resident and he cares a great deal about our community. Bill is the right choice for Division 9 Judge."
"I am confident in saying Bill is the right person for this job, here are a couple of my reasons for voting for Bill on August 4: Bill is running for the Division 9 Associate Circuit Judge position. The judge retiring from that division was responsible for all the cases at the Court impacting juveniles (which is enough to keep a judge busy full time). I cannot imagine a more qualified individual than Bill to step in and handle these cases.
Bill has spent his 25-year career practicing law in Boone County with a focus on the juvenile justice system. Bill is one of the most caring individuals I've ever known. I have personally seen this in his work with juveniles as a Guardian ad Litem. In fact, Bill introduced me to the Columbia Foster and Adoption Project a few years ago. When I first learned Bill was thinking of running, I immediately told him I'd help in any way I could because I feel Bill is the best person for this job."
"I have had the distinct pleasure of collaborating with Bill, consistently witnessing his exceptional brilliance, unwavering, integrity, unrelenting passion, and strong advocacy for children and families. Bill's ability to establish rapport with youth while maintaining firm boundaries has been impressive. I have observed young people with complex backgrounds and strained relationships with authority figures hold Bill in high regard and trust him implicitly. Anyone familiar with this field recognizes the rarity and importance of these skills. Bill is an invaluable asset in this role, and I wholeheartedly endorse him without reservation."