When low-income people are entangled in the criminal justice system, they’re entitled to help from a public defender. The civil-justice system doesn’t come with that guarantee, but Karen Warren and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri are there to help. “Our ...

Tagged with: Associate Director of Administration Karen C. Nelson Warren Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Public Service WJA 2018

Growing up in a blue-collar family in North County, Monique D. Abby knew from childhood that one of only two career paths awaited her as an adult. “My mom and dad always said, ‘Lawyer or doctor,’” said Abby. “I would ...

Tagged with: Assistant Circuit Attorney Monique D. Abby Mound City Bar Association Public Service WJA 2018

She’d intended to be a doctor, until she realized as a college sophomore she “didn’t love it enough.” She switched her major to history and her goal to law school, aiming to work in criminal defense. Instead, Thea A. Sherry ...

Tagged with: 21st Judicial Circuit Circuit Judge Public Service Thea A. Sherry WJA 2018

A train route through some of Chicago’s poorest housing projects helped Susan McGraugh to choose the path she’s on today. McGraugh grew up in the suburban village of River Forest, Illinois, but in high school she started taking the train ...

Tagged with: Public Service Saint Louis University School of law Susan McGraugh WJA 2018

The cases Patricia Sullivan prosecutes might not grab headlines, but their outcomes are vital to her community. For 21 years, Sullivan has been the assistant prosecuting attorney for Springfield, where her cases focus on violations including traffic infractions, DWIs, peace ...

Tagged with: Assistant City Prosecuting Attorney Patricia Sullivan Public Service Springfield WJA 2018

As a prosecutor, Kimberly Fisher often has worked on some of the most disturbing cases that find their way through the justice system. Her cases often involve murders and rapes of children, something that is haunting but compelling. “It is ...

Tagged with: Kimberly Fisher Public Service WJA 2018

Kelly Broniec has always been ahead of the curve, and since 2006, she’s been at the head of the courtroom. Broniec, an associate circuit judge in Montgomery County, got her start in trial law before she’d finished law school. In ...

Tagged with: Associate Circuit Judge Montgomery County Public Service WJA 2018

As an associate circuit judge, Deborah Daniels was not content to merely rule from the bench. Her 11-year tenure was marked by her active presence on statewide committees, working as a judicial college instructor and engaging in continuing education. “I ...

Tagged with: Boone County Deborah Daniels Public Service Retired Associate Circuit Judge WJA 2018