ST. LOUIS – George W. Draper III, a retired Missouri Supreme Court judge, has been chosen as the Chief Training Officer in the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office.

Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore announced the major addition to his team on Tuesday. Draper will take on a new position through the office, with his primary responsibility being to train new attorneys.

Draper is the 20th attorney to join Gore’s office since he took over for outgoing Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. Draper previously worked with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office from 1984 to 1994. He had served on the Missouri Supreme Court for more than a decade, starting in 2011.

“I welcome the opportunity to work with prosecutors on Gabe Gore’s team and share the
knowledge I have gained from my years in the courtroom – on both sides of the bench,” said Draper.

Draper had been retired from the Missouri Supreme Court for a few months but recently received a call on the new position and felt inspired to work with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office once again.

“This city is better when this office works,” said Draper. “I’m glad to be a part of that, and I want to be a part of that.”

Gore says Draper’s position is the first of its kind for St. Louis and represents an important step in rebuilding trust in the circuit attorney’s office.

“It is a rare honor to have a man of Judge Draper’s impeccable character and vast legal expertise
return to his roots in this office to train our team,” said Gore. “He will provide our attorneys with
an incomparable education that not only will promote excellence while they are in this office, but
also serve them well for the rest of their careers. I can think of no better role model for those who are drawn to the call of public service in the criminal justice system.”

Criminal prosecutions have reportedly more than doubled in St. Louis since Gore took over for Gardner. Gore says, in addition to adding Draper to his team, his office has made offers to several new attorneys out of law school.

Draper’s family also has deep ties to the judicial systems around the St. Louis area. Draper’s father was a chief trial assistant under Chief Thomas Eagleteon. His daughter is also a prosecutor in St. Louis County.