Missouri In House Counsel Legal news, updates and analysis
The 2024 winners of the In-House Counsel Awards gather at the Clayton Plaza Hotel in St. Louis on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Photo by T.L. Witt)
Missouri Lawyers Media honored 17 attorneys from across the state on Nov. 1, presenting them with 2024 In-House Counsel Awards during a breakfast ceremony at the Clayton Plaza Hotel in St. Louis.
More than 100 people attended the event, which honors attorneys from a broad range of sectors such as public and private businesses and healthcare.
“Whether it’s a small, private company with a single in-house counsel or a staff at a large, public company with multiple lawyers, the legal issues presented all require quick, effective solutions,” said Missouri Lawyers Media advertising director and assistant publisher Johnny Aguirre.
In addition to the 16 in-house award honorees, Missouri Lawyers Media also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Nancy Inman, general counsel of ARCO Construction. She is retiring at the end of the year.
Inman joined ARCO in 2003, and during her tenure, the business grew from a $250 million enterprise to $6 billion. The legal team has grown to 37 people; when Inman joined, she was the only one.
“It has been a real privilege to be a lawyer. It’s been a hoot,” Inman said. “I loved being a part of the legal community, where we focus on facts … integrity.”
Inman added that being a lawyer was an ‘incredible’ thing for the role they play in society.
“It’s an incredible thing. We’re a part of a whole branch of the government that helps the separation of powers work. We’re not just bricklayers, we’re building a cathedral,” she said. “As lawyers, following those professional rules of conduct, treating people cordially … it is really an honor and a privilege to have been a part of all this.”
Nancy Inman, general counsel for ARCO Construction and winer of the Lifetime Achievement Award, chats with Bill Corrigan before the awards. (Photo by T.L. Witt)
Honorees included:
Health Care Organization:
Andrea Long, deputy general counsel, Cox Health
Elena Parker, associate general counsel, BJC Health
Cathi Ponciroli, vice president, general counsel of specialty generics, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
Dillon Strohm, senior general counsel, Blue Cross Blue Shield
Vikas Sunkari, assistant General Counsel, SSM Health
Private company with annual revenues over $500M:
Rodney Fourez, general counsel, ICL Group
Joseph Schneider, director of global contact administration, TTM Technologies
Brad Zaffiri, claims attorney, SECURA Insurance Company
Private company with annual revenues up to $500M:
Michael Miller, chief operating officer and general counsel, Mid-Missouri Bank
Melvin Sims, legal counsel, BlueScope Buildings North America
Mike Whittle, general counsel, St. Louis Cardinals
Public company:
Doug Brown, chief counsel, American Outdoor Brands
Julia Farrell, associate general counsel, Centene
Pamela Howlett, VP & associate general counsel, Bayer
Lisa Savoy, legal counsel, Experian
Janelle L. Williams, corporate counsel, Jack Henry
Lifetime Achievement
Nancy Inman, general counsel, ARCO Construction
