Purcell Professionalism Award

This award was founded in honor of Mr. Martin J. Purcell by his daughter, Mary, to acknowledge outstanding professionalism in a Missouri lawyer who has consistently demonstrated an exceptional degree of competency, integrity and civility in both professional and civic activities.

Purcell was president of The Missouri Bar in 1968-69 with a reputation for being a highly professional and effective advocate.  Nominations for the award are made with these traits in mind by the Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar and the Board of Trustees of The Missouri Bar Foundation.

The Board of Trustees of the Foundation makes the final selection at its June meeting, and the award is presented at the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar.  The award includes a $500 stipend.

For more information, contact Mischa Buford Epps at The Missouri Bar.

Nomination Requirements/Form

Award Winners

Learn about the 2023 recipients – Lisa A. Weixelman and Raymond E. Williams

Past Award Recipients

2022
Dana Tippin Cutler, Kansas City
Doreen Dodson, St. Louis

2021
Hon. David C. Mason, St. Louis
Scott S. Bethune, Kansas City

2020
Michael D. Murphy, Cape Girardeau
Allan D. Seidel, Trenton

2019
Laurence R. Tucker, Liberty
Charles W. Gotschall, Kansas City

2018
R. Dan Boulware, St. Joseph
Michael J. Patton, Springfield

2017
Steven N. Cousins, St. Louis
David P. Macoubrie, Chillicothe

2016
Bill L. Thompson, Jefferson City
Spencer J. Brown, Kansas City

2015
John W. Kurtz, Kansas City
J. Michael Payne, Cape Girardeau

2014
Fred L. Hall, Jr., Springfield
Ira M. Young, St. Louis

2013
Cathy J. Dean, Kansas City
Alan D. Pratzel, Jefferson City

2012
R. Denise Henning, Kansas City

2011
James W. Tippin, Kansas City

2010
Joseph C. Blanton Jr., Sikeston
Jennifer Gille Bacon, Kansas City

2009
Stephen H. Ringkamp, St. Louis

2008
Loramel P. Shurtleff, Columbia   

2007
John C. Dods III, Kansas City

2006
Wade Hampton Ford Jr., Columbia
Newton C. Brill, West Plains

2005
Philip D. Heagney, St. Louis

2004
Robert C. Welch, Kansas City

2003
Ann K. Covington, St. Louis
Raymond C. Lewis Jr., Columbia

2002
Alan B. Gallas, Kansas City

2001
W. Dudley McCarter, St. Louis

2000
Maurice B. Graham, St. Louis

1999
F. Wm. McCalpin, St. Louis

1998
Donald R. Duncan, Springfield

1997
R. Lawrence Ward, Kansas City

1996
Eugene Buckley, St. Louis
James Newberry, Springfield

1995
Richard B. Teitelman, St. Louis