St. Charles Times

The Honorable Rebeca M. Navarro-McKelvey of St. Charles is set to make history as the first woman from St. Charles and the first naturalized immigrant from St. Charles to sit on the court of appeals. Navarro-McKelvey, who was elected in 2020 as the Division 1 Circuit Judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit in St. Charles, will be sworn in on March 18.

Having previously served as an associate judge for Division 13 and as the chief legal counsel for the 11th Judicial Circuit Family Court, Navarro-McKelvey's appointment to the Court of Appeals is a significant milestone. St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann expressed his support for her appointment, highlighting her diverse legal experience and personal journey as an immigrant.

“Rebeca possesses a wide breadth of legal experience from civil litigation on behalf of corporate clients, trying felony cases to juries, and experience presiding over a large caseload of criminal and civil cases,” Ehlmann wrote. He also acknowledged the sacrifices Navarro-McKelvey and her family made to become Americans, noting that her background inspires her to strive for success through continuous learning and personal responsibility.

Navarro-McKelvey's academic qualifications include Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish and political science, as well as a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her upcoming role on the State Court of Appeals not only marks a personal achievement but also a significant step forward in diversifying the judiciary in St. Charles.