Missouri Lawyers Media honors 50 outstanding attorneys at Women’s Justice Awards | Photos

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WJA honorees pose for a group photo at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles. (Photo by T.L. Witt)

2023 WOTY Barbara Wallace introduced the 2024 Woman of the Year, Madeleine McDonough, chair of Shook, Hardy & Bacon. (Photo by T.L. Witt)

WJA honoree St. Louis County Associate Circuit Judge Mondonna Ghasedi and St. Louis County Circuit Judge Nicole Zellweger greet each other before the awards begin. (Photo by T.L. Witt)

WJA honoree Diane Robben (right) gets help with her name tag from her daughter Allison. (Photo by T.L. Witt)

Missouri Lawyers Media held its 26^th annual Women’s Justice Awards ceremony at the Ameristar Casino Resort & Spa in St. Charles May 16, honoring 50 of the top attorneys in Missouri as well as four women recognized for Service in the Law, a category honoring women in the legal field who may or may not be attorneys. The 2024 event included a second new category – Mentors, given to more experienced legal professionals who have played an important role in the development of those starting out in the profession.

Women’s Justice Awards recognize women across Missouri who have demonstrated leadership, integrity, service, sacrifice and accomplishment in improving the quality of justice and exemplifying the highest ideals of the legal profession. The awards reach out to women in various segments of the legal community, including the bar, the bench, public office, business, academia, nonprofits and the state at large.

Retired Circuit Court Judge for the 21^st Circuit Barbara Wallace, MLM’s 2023 Woman of the Year, introduced the 2024 Woman of the Year, Shook, Hardy & Bacon Chair Madeleine McDonough. Calling her “wicked smart,” Wallace noted McDonough reached the pinnacle of her career when she was elected Chair of Shook, Hardy & Bacon in 2017 and noted McDonough, now serving her second five-year term as chair, is in a very small group of women who manage major law firms.

McDonough, in taped remarks, said the legal industry had not achieved parity but hoped her award would inspire female attorneys to strive for positions of leadership in the legal industry.

RELATED: Attendee photos from the 2024 WJA event