2026 Unsung Legal Heroes: Publisher’s Letter, honorees

Dawn Rippy was drawn to the legal field by its distinct environment — the rhythm, the confidentiality standards and the precision that define a law firm’s culture.

Lisa Huff came to the legal field with a personal conviction: everyone deserves fair representation and a voice regardless of their circumstances.

Kimberly Camarena was drawn to legal work by the opportunity to be a steady presence for people navigating some of their most difficult moments.

Micaela Staley supports three attorneys throughout every stage of litigation, from case intake through resolution.

Zack Zidzik came to the legal field through a friend’s recommendation and found that his background in technology, design and communication fit naturally into a role that blends all three.

Samantha Long spent years working in clinical settings at local hospitals before the realities of healthcare work — long hours, holiday shifts and the physical risks that come with patient care — led her to seek a new path.

Charniece Rollie was drawn to the legal field by a passion for helping organizations run efficiently while supporting professionals who make a meaningful difference for their clients.

Evan Johnson’s entry into the legal industry was personal: his wife and father-in-law are both attorneys who operate a law firm in Kansas City, giving him a firsthand view of the challenges law firms face daily.

Amber Darr did not set out to become a paralegal — she was studying to be a dental hygienist before law classes redirected her path entirely.

Brittney Kane spent nearly a decade in pharmaceutical finance before deciding she wanted work that felt more personal and directly impactful.

Jennifer Grzybowski was drawn to the legal field by a natural affinity for organization and critical thinking and an interest in both law and medicine — interests that converged in a career focused on medical malpractice and personal injury litigation.

McKenna Morris arrived at trademark law through journalism.

Lauren Gleason was drawn to litigation by its combination of problem-solving, organization and the opportunity to help people navigate high-stakes situations.

Anita Driscoll has spent 45 years in the legal field, a career that began when she applied for a secretarial scholarship while a high school student at Bishop Miege.

Amanda Mason was drawn to the law after her father died in a workplace accident, an experience that shaped both her reverence for the legal process and her commitment to education.

Beth Club spent years working in the dental field before an unexpected opportunity brought her to estate planning — a transition she made at 43, starting from the ground up with no legal background.

Maria Pisano was drawn to personal injury work by a belief that compassion and precision matter equally — and that her organizational skills and attention to detail could directly help people rebuild their lives after trauma.

Barbara Fox credits her career path to an unlikely inspiration: Della Street, the secretary on the television series Perry Mason, whose knack for anticipating her boss’s needs and staying a step ahead made the work look compelling.

Allicia Battles began her legal career with a childhood dream of becoming an attorney, a path that evolved into a calling as a paralegal after she earned her certificate and entered the workforce.

Nikki Krone stumbled into the legal field looking to escape retail and found a career she would spend decades in.

Keri Buchanan came to the legal field after a corporate career in human resources IT left her searching for work that better aligned with her values.

Madeline Moore began her career as a legal assistant in November 2025, supporting paralegals and attorneys on two teams with administrative tasks, file organization and coordination with insurance adjusters.

Kiely Phelan found her professional footing at the intersection of two disciplines — marketing and paralegal studies — and built a career in legal business development from that foundation.

Elizabeth Pierce’s path to the legal field began with a question.

Ja’nelle Herring found her way to the legal field through an opportunity in family law that arose while she was working in the service industry — a natural fit, she said, for someone who has always had a heart for people.

Michele Edstrom has spent 36 years building expertise in a specialized corner of civil litigation.

Elisa Moss spent 13 years at her previous employer before her department was eliminated during the COVID shutdown, a difficult transition that led her to join her current firm nearly six years ago.

Jim Baalmann’s interest in law firm management was sparked in the early 1990s when, while completing his graduate degree, he helped a solo attorney launch a practice.

Stacey Miller knew from childhood that she wanted a career in law, and the legal field has been her only professional home.

Rachael Leadbetter spent 10 years in Fire/EMS before a sudden medical emergency — a vertebral arterial dissection resulting in a stent placement and a stroke at age 29 — ended that chapter of her career.

Sydney England’s path to the legal field was shaped by a painful family experience: after her great-grandfather was murdered, her grandparents and other relatives navigating the legal system felt uninformed and unsupported by the attorneys involved.

Tonya Hearty entered the legal field at 18, transitioning from a healthcare role in admitting and medical records after deciding she wanted to put her medical knowledge to broader use.

Andee McGaughey was drawn to the legal field by the opportunity to help people harmed by dangerous products hold corporations accountable.

Tracy Tabb found her professional footing at the intersection of two lifelong interests — writing and the law.