2025 Unsung Legal Heroes: Publisher’s Letter, honorees

Morgan has built a career in legal recruiting that spans decades and hundreds of hires.

Jasmine Barnes is a paralegal with Cofman Townsley whose exceptional empathy and kindness led her colleagues to nominate her for the Unsung Hero Award.

Aimee Orosco is a nurse paralegal who is described by her colleagues as a knowledgeable and diligent worker with excellent writing skills.

Rachel Buchholz has worked with the attorneys of DLM Law since 2008, balancing dual roles as a paralegal and the firm’s office manager.

Kristen Weese transitioned into legal work from managing a chiropractic office, finding the legal field to be a natural fit.

Kristie Walker began working at Thompson Coburn in 1993 as a legal secretary.

Kueny joined Levy Craig as chief operating officer in March 2020, just as the pandemic shifted workplaces across the country.

As legal operations and contracts manager at ICL Americas, Michelle Baugh plays an important role in managing the in-house legal team’s daily operations.

Bianca Rael is a receptionist with the Mutrux firm and says she chose to work in the legal field because she always knew she wanted to work somewhere that allowed her to help others.

Linde Bushong has spent her career working in office management roles where she’s known for thinking multiple steps ahead and keeping things running smoothly.

Jennifer Meyer is known across Swanson Martin & Bell as a highly skilled and dependable paralegal.

Stormy Couchman is the most senior paralegal at Grayson & Grayson, bringing nearly 30 years of legal experience to the firm.

Wendi Bridges has been a driving force at Baldwin & Vernon for years, playing a pivotal role in the firm’s most successful cases.

Senior Business Engagement Manager Don Harris is “a dedicated, hardworking individual who goes above and beyond no matter how big or small the project and truly embodies what an unsung legal hero is,” according to his colleagues.

Lauren Edghill began working for Mickes O’Toole as a paralegal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Krista Nance’s unwavering dedication to the Mutrux Firm’s clients makes her an invaluable team member and compassionate paralegal.

Paralegal Andrew Herr never seeks the spotlight, but he is always present in the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office ensuring that justice is carried out.

Litigation Support Supervisor Jay Colon is known for his attention to detail and calm, solutions-focused mindset.

Records Specialist Freida Edwards “Not only runs and maintains a very active and organized file center in the St. Louis office,” according to her colleagues, “but also continues to play a leading role in the firm’s ‘Paper-Lite’ project, which aims to reduce out-of-date records by scanning to create digital copies and shredding documents.”

Paralegal Dawn Renwick truly is the unsung hero of Haar & Woods. She has been with the firm ever since its founding 28 years ago.

Elaine Freeman has been the quiet force behind the success of Taryn Henry PC for 26 years.

Since joining Mutrux Firm in 2023, Alyse James has steadily advanced from intake to case management and now serves as senior case manager.

John Penberthy has supported Lathrop GPM’s Private Client Services and Real Estate teams for nearly 20 years, bringing more than 35 years of total legal experience.

Megan Herbert has built a career rooted in client advocacy.

Shelly Pegg serves as team lead for KCM Team 26, where she mentors legal administrative assistants, supports attorney workflow and helps shape the team’s collaborative culture.

With strong typing skills and attention to detail, Gebhart found her niche in legal support early on.

Legal assistant Victoria Fisher joined Turney LG in early 2023 and has quickly become an indispensable member of the team.

Sandy Hammer’s outstanding leadership as office administrator led to immediate impact at the Jones Family Law Firm, her nominators say.

Settlement Team Manager Jessica Rogers “is the kind of person whose impact is felt both in measurable outcomes and in the intangibles — like how a client feels heard for the first time, or how a team member feels supported during a stressful week,” her colleagues say.

Paralegal Rachel Claudius is an integral part of the Law Firm of Henry Tanner.

Leigh Inman serves as library & information services manager at Sandberg Phoenix, where she is recognized for her expertise in legal research and her forward-thinking approach to technology.

Carol Eiskant is a receptionist with Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice.

Julie A. Herl serves as paralegal/office manager for Forsgren Fisher McCalmont DeMarea Tysver. She “brings to the job a fierce combination of a strong work ethic and a friendly, approachable personality.”

Angie works as a regional office administrator with BCLP and first started with the firm in 1997.

Jill Sanders is the sole paralegal for the Jones Family Law Group — a busy family law practice.

Don Borgman became the business manager of Langdon & Emison after transitioning from a career in commercial banking.

As clinical education program operations manager, O’Flynn merges her interest in law and academia to support students and serve the community.

Presley’s career began with an unexpected job posting.

Kelli Strader left a large law firm to join Hinrichs & Scott as its sole paralegal at launch — a move that helped define the firm’s structure and identity.

As regional office manager for MG+M, Danielle Steiner is responsible for interviewing candidates, mentoring them, and streamlining operations within the firm’s many offices.

A recent graduate of the University of Missouri, legal assistant Morgan Brummer has quickly become a dependable member of the Mutrux team.

Chief Administrative Officer for Lewis Rice, Jami L. Boyles, is the embodiment of leadership, integrity, and effectiveness.

Sara Ream didn’t plan to work in law, but the values of the legal profession won her over.