BAMSL passes gavel, presents awards at ‘Law Day’

Summary

• BAMSL swore in Amy Rebecca Johnson as president for 2026–2027
• Multiple attorneys honored, including Bob Tomaso and Judge Anne-Marie Clarke
• Former ACLU president Susan N. Herman delivered keynote on legal unity
• Annual Law Day event held at Saint Louis Club with awards and leadership transition

The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis swore in its new president and incoming board of governors on May 1. It also presented several awards and hosted speaker Susan N. Herman.

BAMSL held the annual meeting and award ceremony at the Saint Louis Club on May 1 where in addition to the leadership changes, it honored several legal legends including retired Judge David C. Mason.

Among the honorees was Bob Tomaso of Husch Blackwell who received the Hon. E. Richard Webber Distinguished Lawyer Award. While Webber himself was presenting the honor, his speech was interrupted several times by Tomaso’s friends and colleagues who were given microphones to roast and compliment him.

One friend recalled a mishap at a restaurant they frequented together, another Tomaso’s mentorship advice that he buy a tanning bed and another described his eating habits which she likened to that of a teen girl.

“We know lawyer Bob, but there’s also Bob who hangs out in the pool at Bellerive,” said past BAMSL President Lynn Ann Whaley Vogel. “Bob actually has the eating habits of a 14-year-old girl. His first order is usually a virgin strawberry daiquiri topped with six inches of whipped cream camouflaged by sprinkles. If you don’t have that, don’t show up.”

On a more serious note, Herman — the president of the ACLU from 2008-2021 and the inaugural Ruth Bader Ginsburg Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School — spoke about finding similarities as “we the people” and focusing on the process of law rather than partisan outcomes.

Also, at the event the new board of governors was sworn in to serve the association from 2026-2027 and President Untress Quinn passed the gavel to incoming president Amy Rebecca Johnson.

The awardees included:

Bob Tomaso of Husch Blackwell received the Hon. E. Richard Webber Distinguished Lawyer Award.

Retired Judge Anne-Marie Clarke received the Ronda F. Williams Community Awareness Award.

Amy Diemer of St. Francis Community Services was honored with the Community Service Award.

Courtney Chen, Karen Jordan, Matt Reh, Hon. Jason Sengheiser and Mavis Thompson received President’s Outstanding Service Awards.

Receiving the Young Lawyers Division Awards of Merit were Zach Brand, Alex Pawlowski and Lucy Weilbacher.

Portia Britt received the John C. Shepherd Professionalism Award.