Quick Facts
Biography
Mark Douglas "Doug" Harpool (born June 7, 1956) is a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. He also has been a Democratic American politician, and a former member of the Missouri House of Representatives from southwest Missouri's 134th district. He served five terms from January 3, 1983 to January 3, 1992.
Biography
Harpool was born on June 7, 1956, in Springfield, Missouri. He received a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in 1977 from Missouri State University. He received a Juris Doctor in 1980 from the University of Missouri Columbia School of Law. From 1983 to 1992, he served as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives. From 1980 to 2001, he served at Daniel, Clampett, Lilly, Dalton, Powell & Cunningham. From 2002 to 2003, he served at Cunningham, Harpool & Cardonnier LLC. From 2004 to 2006, he served at Lathrop & Gage LLP. He ran unsuccessfully for the Missouri Senate from the 30th district in 2006. Since 2006, he is a shareholder at Baird, Lightner, Millsap & Harpool, PC, in Springfield, Missouri, where he handles a broad array of civil litigation. Harpool was the plaintiff's lawyer of a high-profile court case involving the Republic School District.
Personal
He married the former Cindy McCord in 1978 and they have six children, Ashley, Justin, Tyler, Kianne, Jonathan, and Elizabeth.
State senate redistricting
Harpool was the chair of the Missouri Senate redistricting committee. On August 18, 2011 the map submitted by the committee was turned down by the Republican members of the committee. While on the committee he focused on population growth and census data to redraw the district boundaries. Senator John Lamping and many in opposition voiced their concerns over the proposed map because it would eliminate his district altogether. Citing population trends and census data, Harpool argues that Saint Louis County must lose the seat in order for fair representation to the faster-growing areas like Greene, Stone and Barry counties.
Federal judicial service
On August 1, 2013, President Obama nominated Harpool to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, to the seat vacated by Judge Richard Everett Dorr, who died on April 24, 2013. His nomination passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee.
On Thursday March 13, 2014 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed a motion to invoke cloture on the nomination. On March 26, 2014, cloture was invoked in a 56-43 vote. He was later confirmed that same day by a vote of 93-5. He received his judicial commission on March 28, 2014.