Criminal justice professional Courtney Wachal, currently serving as a judge in Kansas City, Missouri's Municipal Court, to be keynote speaker at Park University's event honoring women who are shaping the criminal justice sector.
Courtney Wachal, a renowned expert in the fields of domestic violence and criminal justice, has made significant strides in her career, earning numerous accolades for her dedication to improving responses within the criminal justice system.
In 2015, Wachal was named Rising Star of Philanthropy by Nonprofit Connect, and her commitment to the cause was further recognised when she was appointed as a municipal court judge in Division 203, which has primary jurisdiction over all domestic violence cases filed in municipal court. Since then, she has presided over the Domestic Violence Court and Wellness Court in Kansas City, Missouri.
Wachal's academic contributions have been instrumental in shaping the understanding of domestic violence dynamics, legal responses, and systemic challenges. She has authored scholarly articles and research that emphasise the importance of victim safety, offender accountability, and the role of legal frameworks in shaping outcomes.
As a Juris Doctor (J.D.), Wachal's legal expertise underpins her work in both policy and practice related to domestic violence. She has been involved in legal advocacy aimed at reforming domestic violence laws and improving enforcement measures.
In addition to her academic and legal work, Wachal has participated in efforts to influence policy, helping to develop better tools and approaches for prosecutors, law enforcement, and other criminal justice actors handling domestic violence cases. She has also contributed to the training of criminal justice professionals, social workers, and advocates to enhance their understanding of domestic violence, trauma-informed approaches, and effective intervention strategies.
Notable achievements in Wachal's career include the Women's Justice Award for Public Service from Missouri Lawyers Media in October 2021, the Young Lawyers Section Pro Bono Publico Award from the Missouri Bar Association in 2014, and the Judge of the Year award from the Association for Women Lawyers in December 2017. In January 2019, she began presiding over the Kansas City Municipal Drug Court, and in January 2024, the drug court and mental health court programs were combined to launch Wellness Court, with Wachal presiding.
On March 5, 2025, Courtney Wachal will be the featured speaker at Park University's 3rd annual Women Transforming Criminal Justice event. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Jenkin and Barbara David Theater inside Alumni Hall on Park University's flagship Parkville Campus. The event will be livestreamed at ourumedia.com. Wachal will be accompanied by her domestic violence court team at the event.
Wachal's educational background includes a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kansas School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and serves as a mentor with the Association for Women Lawyers Foundation Denise Henning Connections Program. Wachal is also past president of the board of directors for Sheffield Place and currently serves on the organization's advisory board.
In her tenure as presiding judge, Wachal has led the municipal court in debuting its first-ever evening and weekend dockets and greatly enhancing warrant relief through community engagement and walk-in dockets. The goal of Wellness Court, which she presides over, is to meet participants where they are to provide treatment and support and serve the whole person. Wachal was recently recognised by the Missouri Lawyers' Assistance Program with the Dorothy Kaiser Award in November 2024, an award presented to a member of the Missouri Bar in recognition of pioneering contributions in the field of chemical dependency, recovery, and continuing compassionate care for lawyers in Missouri.
Courtney Wachal, in addition to her impressive career development in domestic violence and criminal justice, also focuses on education-and-self-development, as she has authored scholarly articles and research to contribute to the understanding of domestic violence dynamics and systemic challenges. Moreover, she continually engages in career-development opportunities, such as training criminal justice professionals, advocating for policy changes, and presiding over specialized courts like Domestic Violence Court, Wellness Court, and Kansas City Municipal Drug Court.
