Susan E. Long was appointed as the first Associate Circuit Judge of Division 34 in November 2015 by Governor Jay Nixon. Judge Long had served as a Family Court Commissioner from 2013-2015. Judge Long had been practicing law since 1989, with an emphasis on family law since 1991. She was most recently with the firm of Blessing & Long, L.L.C., which was formed in 2002. Her work included serving as a guardian ad litem, representing parents in parental rights cases, and representing minors in juvenile proceedings. She has served as a mediator and arbitrator in domestic relations cases.
Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Long was selected by the Missouri Supreme Court to serve on its Regional Disciplinary Committee for Region IV. She also served as a facilitator for the Missouri Bar Association in its Complaint Resolution Program since 2002, and on its Lawyer-to-Lawyer Dispute Resolution Program Committee as facilitator and arbitrator since 2008. Judge Long obtained her law degree in 1989 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School. She received her B.A. degree in 1987 in English from UMKC.
She has been an active member of the community, donating her time to the Salvation Army, Eastern Jackson County Youth Court, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), judging speech tournaments and speaking on career days at local schools. In addition, she is a volunteer and supporter of the Community of Services League.