Judicial Conference honors 19 awardees

The Judicial Conference of Missouri honored 11 judges, two lawyers and six legislators for their contributions to protecting and improving the effective administration of justice in Missouri.

The ceremony was held on Sept. 14 during the organization’s annual meeting, which was held alongside the annual meeting of The Missouri Bar in Kanas City.

Jackson County Associate Circuit Judge Janette Rodecap, who serves as vice chair of the Supreme Court’s civic education committee, received the civic education award.

The Honorable Clifford Ahrens Excellence in Technical Advancements Award went to Judge Jeffrey W. Bates of the Court of Appeals Southern District. Bates is a longtime active member of the Missouri Court Automation Committee, its case management oversight team and the state judicial records committee.

Judge Cynthia L. Martin of the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District received the judicial excellence award for appellate judges, while St. Louis County Circuit Judge Ellen Levy received the judicial excellence award for circuit judges.

There were two recipients of the judicial excellence award for associate circuit judges: Judge Daren L. Adkins of Daviess County and Judge W. Page Bellamy of Saline County. Carol T. Aiken, who recently retired after decades as a probate commissioner in Greene County, received the judicial excellence award for service as a commissioner.

Judge Lisa White Hardwick of the Western District received the judicial excellence award for access to justice, and Judge Michael E. Gardner of the Eastern District received the judicial excellence award for improving public trust and confidence.

Receiving the Chief Justice Special Award was attorney Bill Prince, the family court administrator and chief juvenile officer for the Greene County Circuit Court.

Lauren Tucker McCubbin, a shareholder with Polsinelli and the outgoing president of The Missouri Bar, was presented with the Maurice B. Graham Award, given in recognition of exemplary service to the Bar and judiciary.

The Theodore McMillian Judicial Excellence Award, which is presented by The Missouri Bar, went to St. Louis Circuit Presiding Judge Elizabeth Byrne Hogan and Judge Anthony Rex Gabbert of the Western District.

The Judicial Conference also recognized state Sens. Sandy Crawford, R-Buffalo; Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield; Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville; and Curtis Trent, R-Springfield; and Reps. David Evans, R-West Plains; and Rudy Veit, R-Wardsville, for their efforts in their efforts to further the administration of justice in service to the judicial system and the citizens of Missouri.

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