Judge
Nicole M. Carlton

Judge Nicole Carlton graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2005 with a BSBA in International Economics with a minor in Spanish, she then earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2009. She has practiced law in Jasper County her entire career.

She began her legal practice with Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien, P.C., Joplin where she had a general, civil, criminal, and family law practice. She was in solo practice from June 2023 until her appointment to the bench in January 2025, by Governor Mike Parson.

She is a member of the Jasper County Bar Association, having previously served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. She is also a past member of the Young Lawyer’s Council of the Missouri Bar. Judge Carlton serves as on a variety of non-profit boards including the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board and Vision Carthage Economic Development committee and previous member of her parish council. She is a member of the P.E.O Sisterhood and Carthage Rotary Club. She and her husband, Brock, live in Carthage with their four children.