SMBA Members Recognized by MLW

Twenty-five lawyers across the state will be honored by Missouri Lawyers Weekly on February 9, 2023 in St. Louis.  The event recognized lawyers who have made a significant impact over the past year. Four SMBA members are among the recipients.

Nick Smart and Jacob Lewis of Strong Garner Bauer are recipients in the Legal Champion category awarded to plaintiffs’ or defense lawyers, not based on the size of verdicts, but the importance of the principle or policy at stake.

Smart and Lewis took on the pro bono defense of an employee accused of embezzlement and won her acquittal.

Joe Passanise and Elizabeth Wente are recipients in the Law Firm Leaders category, awarded to chairpersons, managing partners or other law firm executives who demonstrated extraordinary vision, innovation and leadership during the year. 

Passanise,  of Wampler & Passanise, is recognized for leading his firm after the death of his law partner and the firm’s office manager.

Wente of Spencer Fane, chairs the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee.