Missouri Lawyers Weekly garners eight MPA awards

The Missouri Press Association honored Missouri Lawyers Weekly with eight awards at its Better Newspaper Contest held at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at Lake Ozark Sept. 17. 

Senior reporter Scott Lauck won a first place award in the Best Coverage of Government category with his “Slow Justice: Supreme Court Case.” The MPA judges wrote, “The old saying is: Justice delayed is justice denied. This story documents how the Missouri Supreme Court took over 700 days to deliver an opinion, part of a pattern of many delayed decisions. The photos of the justices showed which were the slow pokes. Story is a bit wonky but an important public issue showing lots of enterprise.”

Lauck also earned a second place award for Best News or Feature Obituary for his profile of noted Springfield attorney Dee Wampler, who died this year at the age of 81. 

Lauck and former staff reporter Jessica Shumaker won second place in the Best News or Feature Series category for “Filling a Missouri Supreme Court Vacancy.” The judges noted that “The replacement of a Missouri Supreme Court judge would be an important story in any event. But the appointment of the first Black woman to the state’s highest court — paralleling similar circumstances that would be to come in the U.S. Supreme Court — is particularly noteworthy. The reporters cover this series extremely well, with insights into both Stith and Ransom’s legacies and futures.”

Missouri Lawyers Weekly also won a third place award for Best Overall Design, which the judges called “Clean, simple but eye-catching color-use in header and throughout.”

Our 2021 issue of MOney earned a third place award for Best News or Feature Special Section. MPA judges wrote, “This section had a good, clean layout with a ton of information. Good job!” 

MOLW freelancer reporter Alan Zagier won a third place award for Best Feature Story with his “Lawyers lead remembrance project for Missouri lynching victims.” The judges noted it was “A heavily important and well-told story. The lede sets the tone well, showcasing how racist history continues to pervade racism of the present. From there, the story continues to unfold with well-selected quotes from community leaders. The story is structured smoothly and smartly.” 

Missouri Lawyers Weekly also received an honorable mention for Best Page Design for “Waiting for Judgment,” designed by former MOLW designer Ryan O’Shea. 

And our monthly columnist, Spencer Farris, won an honorable mention for Best Columnist-Humorous for his ‘With All Due Respect” series.