LEGAL SERVICES OF EASTERN MISSOURI RECOGNIZES

With a large crowd on hand, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM) honored 17 local leaders of justice during the 2015 For the Common Good Annual Awards Reception on Thursday, August 3 at the Randall Gallery (999 North 13th Street). “Our 8th Annual Common Goods Award event was a special night and all the men and women we honored have been tremendously supportive of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and have shown a passion and commitment to helping the underserved in our community,” said Dan Glazier, LSEM executive director and general counsel. “They are truly deserving of recognition for the work they do on behalf of our clients.” Award recipients represented a cross-section of individuals and organizations from the legal, academic, business and nonprofit sectors who have shown outstanding support for LSEM's mission of providing civil legal services and equal access to justice for the low-income community. The 2015 honorees were: Ronald O. Schowalter (The Robert Walston Chubb Award). Schowalter was a partner at and retired from the former Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin, LLP and recently retired as Treasurer of the LSEM Board of Directors. This award is given to an individual who has made an exceptional commitment and significant contributions to LSEM programs. Gray, Ritter & Graham, P.C. (The Melton M. Lewis Equal Justice Award). Founded in 1946, the plaintiff law firm Gray, Ritter & Graham, P.C. serves clients in Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas. This award recognizes those who have shown outstanding commitment to providing equal access to justice for all. Green Jacobson, P.C. (The Melton M. Lewis Equal Justice Award). Green Jacobson, P.C. was a law firm located in Clayton, Missouri. This award recognizes those who have shown outstanding commitment to providing equal access to justice for all. Max G. Margulis. (The Melton M. Lewis Equal Justice Award). Margulis is the principal attorney at the Margulis Law Group. This award recognizes those who have shown outstanding commitment to providing equal access to justice for all. John S. Steward. (The Melton M. Lewis Equal Justice Award). Steward is the principal attorney at The Steward Law Firm, LLC. This award recognizes those who have shown outstanding commitment to providing equal access to justice for all. Representative Jeanne Kirkton (The Rory Ellinger Legislative Award). Kirkton is a Missouri State Representative for District 091. This award recognizes a public official for significant contributions to promoting equal access to justice for all. Bonita Cornute (Media Award). Cornute is a consumer reporter at KTVI-TV (Fox 2). This award recognizes a journalist who has made significant contributions to promoting equal access to justice in the community. Judy Edmonson (Eddie Mae Binion Community Service Award). Edmonson is the Executive Director of AVENUES, a Hannibal based agency which provides services for the victims of domestic and sexual violence. This award recognizes those who have demonstrated commitment and outstanding dedication and service to the community. Saint Louis County Department of Human Services for the Center for Youth on the Rise (The Ashley Award). The Saint Louis County Department of Human Services provides support, service and resources to help individuals of all ages live safely, productively, and independently, including the Center for Youth on the Rise program, which offers youth a variety of activities and services at no cost. This award recognizes those who have demonstrated commitment and excellence in advocacy for children. Brendan Roediger (The Edna M. Taylor Client Service Award). Roediger is a professor at Saint Louis University School of Law and is a supervisor for the Civil Litigation Clinic. This award is given to an individual who has displayed great commitment to serving indigent and disadvantaged in our community. Michael & Barbara Newmark Institute for Human Relations – The Jewish Community Relations Council Initiative at Casa de Salud (The Richard B. Teitelman Distinguished Service Award). Through the Michael & Barbara Newmark Institute for Human Relations, the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis conducts an initiative at Casa de Salud which provides clinical and mental health services for uninsured and underinsured patients, focusing on new immigrants and refugees. This award recognizes those who have provided exceptional service to the community through volunteer service. Monsanto Legal Department. (The Gerald R. Ortbals Outstanding Law Practice Award). Part of the Monsanto Company, the Monsanto Legal Department has partnered with LSEM on several pro bono initiatives. This award recognizes a law practice that has truly distinguished itself with an exemplary commitment to pro bono service. Jamie L. Hais (The John R. Essner Young Lawyer of the Year Award). Hais is an associate at Bryan Cave LLP. This award is given each year to a young attorney who has made a meaningful contribution to the lives of LSEM clients through their pro bono work. Deborah C.M. Henry (The F. Wm. McCalpin Pro Bono Award). Henry is an attorney at Stewart, Mittleman, Heggie, Henry & Albin L.L.C. This award recognizes attorneys who have exhibited an extraordinary dedication to pro bono work. William Taussig Euwer (The F. Wm. McCalpin Pro Bono Award). Euwer is a general practice attorney in St. Louis. This award recognizes attorneys who have exhibited an extraordinary dedication to pro bono work. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM) has provided high quality legal assistance in civil cases to the low-income community for more than 50 years. In 2014, LSEM helped more than 16,000 people (including clients and their household members) in 21 counties of eastern Missouri. LSEM is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, and as a private, charitable non-profit, receives and appreciates financial support from members of the public. If you would like to support our mission, please visit www.lsem.org and click on "donate now."