19 September 2024

Photos available below

ST. LOUIS – At an annual ceremony honoring service to Missouri and the state’s judiciary, 11 judges, two lawyers, 12 legislators and a team of staff members were honored for their contributions to protecting and improving the effective administration of justice in Missouri. The ceremony was held Thursday morning, September 19, 2024, as part of the annual meeting of the Judiciary Conference of Missouri, the organization of all the state’s judges, in St. Louis.

Chief Justice Mary R. Russell gave 10 chief justice awards to individuals “who serve the judiciary diligently and with integrity, who lead by example, and who provide Missouri citizens with the quality of justice they demand and deserve.”  She noted she received a “great many” nominations of many deserving individuals and found it “difficult” to choose who to honor.

Receiving the judicial excellence award for appellate judges was Judge Gary M. Gaertner Jr. of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. Russell noted all of Gaertner’s service – both on his court and on the Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline, an independent constitutional commission overseeing judicial ethics – has been marked by “valuable institutional knowledge, a historical perspective and concern for long-term stability, and a great love for the court and the people who comprise it.”

Next, Russell presented judicial excellence awards for two circuit judges.  The first was presented to Judge Jon E. Beetem, presiding judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit (Cole County), whom Russell praised for always “explain[ing] the law and the legal process in terms everyone who enters his courtroom can understand clearly,” as well as for his frank engagement in “robust” discussions on court policies and procedures. The second circuit judge excellence award was presented to Judge Jalilah Otto, presiding judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), whom Russell praised for her passion for justice, leadership, and teamwork, as well as her ability to unify people in difficult times – including when a longtime court employee in her circuit was killed earlier this year.

Two associate circuit judges also received judicial excellence awards. Russell presented the first to Judge Nicole Colbert-Botchway of St. Louis (in the 22nd Judicial Circuit), noting she is known for her “professionalism and kindness to all.” She said Colbert-Botchway “leads by example” and currently is overseeing the Judicial Legacy Project to bring public awareness to the Law Library of St. Louis and the lives and legacies of the circuit’s retired judges.  Russell presented the second associate circuit judge excellence award to Judge Joseph L. Hensley of Jasper County (in the 29th Judicial Circuit). She said Hensley’s work as the circuit’s presiding juvenile judge is “outstanding,” noting the “respect and affection for him” in the county is clear. 

Russell presented the judicial excellence award for service as a commissioner to Commissioner Sherrill Page Roberts, who has been a family court commissioner for nearly two decades in Clay County (in the 7th Judicial Circuit) and is a frequent presenter of continuing legal education programs. Russell explained Roberts’ colleagues and local lawyers describe her as a person with a “superior intellect and legal scholarship, who is well known for her depth of knowledge and who truly presents the trait of complete fundamental fairness and integrity,” repeatedly meeting the challenges of cases before her “with grace, skill, and respect for all involved.” 

Next, Russell presented the judicial excellence award for access to justice was Judge Jason Dodson, a circuit judge in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County). He currently serves as the administrative judge for the circuit’s family court, consisting of four juvenile divisions and 10 domestic relations divisions. Russell recognized Dodson for “the great work he is doing to guarantee meaningful access to justice for Missourians – in St. Louis County personally and statewide through his committee service” as a member of the Supreme Court of Missouri’s committee on access to family courts and new chair of the Court’s family law committee.

Receiving the civic education award was Judge Kurt S. Odenwald, a judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. The award was presented by the Supreme Court of Missouri’s civic education committee chair, Joseph L. Goff, Jr., who said Odenwald “has worked tirelessly to promote civic education during his time on the bench, allowing many Missouri students the rare opportunity to see a court of appeals  argument and visit with the judges and attorneys involved.”

Next, Russell presented the Honorable Clifford Ahrens Excellence in Technical Advancements Award to the employees of the data center response and recovery team at the state courts administrator’s office. Russell said, when a power surge affected the state’s case management system this summer, the team “work[ed] around the clock for days . . . to recreate and restore services throughout the state quickly and effectively.”

Receiving the judicial excellence award for improving trust and confidence was Beth S. Riggert, the Court’s longtime communications counsel. In addition to her work as communications counsel for the Supreme Court of Missouri, Riggert has also been a national leader as past president of the Conference of Court Public Information Officers.  Russell noted how “clearly and consistently communicating with Missourians” greatly improves “public trust and confidence in Missouri courts,” a public service which Riggert has consistently provided with “poise, patience . . . and perseverance.”   

Receiving the Chief Justice Special Award was David Dolan, who retired earlier this year after more than three decades of judicial service.  After serving six years as an associate circuit judge in Scott County, he was elected in 1998 as circuit judge for the 33rd Judicial Circuit (Mississippi and Scott counties), for which he also served as presiding judge.  In praising his “truly special accomplishments and contributions” to the state’s courts, Russell said, “From family courts to drug courts and beyond, Judge Dolan has been instrumental in so many things we in Missouri take for granted today, such as the national development of DWI courts . . . and the first juvenile drug treatment court in Missouri in 1995 . . . He seems to have chaired or served on every committee imaginable in the judiciary.”  

Finally, Russell presented St. Louis attorney Megan Phillips, outgoing president of The Missouri Bar, with the Maurice B. Graham Award, given in recognition of exemplary service to the Bar and judiciary. Russell said an emphasis of Phillips’ time as president of the Bar has been hope: “Megan is full of hope about our profession’s future, its potential, and its impact on the wider world around us. She seeks to draw out the best in others and exert the widest influence for good. … She has sparked conversations about the future of the profession, the law’s impact on Missourians, and the value of working together.”

Phillips then presented, on behalf of The Missouri Bar, its Theodore McMillian Judicial Excellence Award to Judge R. Craig Carter, presiding judge of the 44th Judicial Circuit (Douglas, Ozark and Wright counties), and Judge Lisa White Hardwick of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District. The award recognizes jurists who, by virtue of their integrity, leadership and diligence in the pursuit of the efficient administration of justice, inspire other members of the judiciary to similar noble purpose.

The Judicial Conference also recognized 12 legislators for their efforts to further the administration of justice in service to the judicial system and the citizens of Missouri:

Contact: Eric D. Jennings

Government Relations Counsel

Supreme Court of Missouri

(573) 526-4726

Chief Justice Mary R. Russell presents the judicial excellence award for appellate judges to Judge Gary Gaertner Jr. of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District (photo courtesy Supreme Court of Missouri)