The SMBA Distinguished Attorney Award recognizes a member of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association who has exhibited exemplary standards in the practice of law for 20 or more years, whose practice of law epitomizes the highest legal and ethical standards to which all attorneys should strive, and who has actively served both the legal and non-legal community. The Distinguished Attorney Award is the highest honor bestowed by the SMBA.

The minimum qualifications for the award are as follows:

• That the attorney be a member in good standing of the SMBA, the Missouri Bar, and any other state or federal courts in which the attorney is licensed.
• That the attorney exhibit high standards in the practice of law for 20 years or more.
• That the attorney be actively involved in service to both the legal and non-legal community.
• That the attorney exhibit exemplary ethical standards in the practice of law.

2025 Rick Schnake

2024 Rodney Loomer

2023 Clif Smart

2022 The Hon. Michael Cordonnier

2021 John Pratt

2020 Mark McQueary

2019 Jim Newberry

2018 Bill Hart

2017 Gary Cunningham

2016 The Hon. J. Miles Sweeney

2015 Bill Powell

2014 The Hon. John Holstein

2013 Leland Bussell

2012 Link Knauer

2011 Richard Owensby

2010 Virginia Fry

2009 Kenneth Reid

2008 Ray Whiteaker

2007 Glenn Burkart

2006 Ransom Ellis, Jr.

2005 Tom Strong

2004 Warren Stafford

2003 Andy Dalton

2002 John Hulston

2001 Fred Hall

2000 Jerry Redfern

1999 Bill Clampett

Nomination Information