Regional leaders honored at Illinois-centered BAMSL award ceremony

The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis held its inaugural Illinois Region Legal Leaders Awards luncheon on Jan. 8 in O’Fallon, Illinois. 

Presented by BAMSL President Untress Quinn, the awards recognized the recipient’s commitment to justice, advocacy and mentorship. As the organization’s first Illinois-based president, Quinn said it was important to him to reach beyond the river to recognize these legal leaders.

“I’m very excited to build something very special here, and build a bridge that no river or state boundary can impede the progress and work together to foster a community of legal professionals who are equipped to handle the modern complexities of law and the challenges that we already are coming to face, and those challenges that we will continue to face,” Quinn said. “I always say that being a lawyer is being entrusted with the power to shape lives, communities and the very fabric of our society and that’s no small thing. Let’s not be numb to that power and casual to that trust. Though the law can be used as a tool for bureaucracy, it can also be a force for belonging.”

The honorees were:

For the Justice Award which recognizes “exceptional commitment to justice and public service.”

Chief Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel (Chief Judge, Southern District of Illinois)

Hon. Heinz Rudolf (Circuit Judge, 20th Judicial Circuit, St. Clair County)

For the Advocate Award which acknowledges “excellence in legal advocacy, particularly in rural or downstate Illinois.”

Hon. Veronica Armouti (Associate Judge, 3rd Judicial Circuit, Madison & Bond Counties)

Tom Keefe III (Keefe, Keefe & Unsell, P.C.)

For the Mentorship Award “to honor attorneys who have mentored the next generation of legal professionals.”

Jarred Reed (Lewis Brisbois)