It is with great admiration that Padberg Appelbaum Knepper (PC&A) congratulates associate attorney Nicole Burlison Knepper on receiving the 2018 Lon O. Hocker Award. Each year, the award is presented to three young lawyer members of the Missouri Bar Association who exemplify extraordinary proficiency, high ethical conduct and meticulous preparation for trial.
Established in 1954 after the passing of its namesake, Lon O. Hocker, the award represents the principal that lawyers should “uphold justice by searching for the truth and fighting for fairness for all.” Recipients are nominated by their peers and then selected by a panel of federal and state judges. The Trustees of the Missouri Bar Foundation affirm the selection.
“This is a richly deserved honor for Nicole, and the members of the Missouri Bar Association made a wise decision selecting her as one of this year’s recipients,” said PC&A Principal Attorney and Partner Matthew Padberg. “Nicole embodies the qualities that all trial attorneys should strive to possess and she demonstrates a natural skill and confidence in the courtroom.”
Nicole has dedicated her career to helping injured people. Since joining PC&A in 2015, she has successfully tried numerous cases that have resulted in jury verdicts favoring her clients.
“I am proud of Nicole and her achievements,” said Michael Corrigan, PC&A principal attorney and partner. “The professionalism that she shows toward her clients, opposing counsel and the legal profession, is evident. It is a true pleasure to have her on our team of attorneys.”
“Nicole’s passion to find justice for her clients is inspiring. She is a compassionate attorney both in and out of the courtroom,” said Theresa Appelbaum, PC&A partner.
Nicole’s achievement is shared by a long list of esteemed attorneys throughout the state of Missouri who have received the award over the years, including Padberg, who received it in 1993, and Corrigan in 2000. This makes PC&A one of, if not the only St. Louis firm with three Lon O. Hocker award recipients.
A plaque will be presented to Nicole at the Missouri Bar Foundation and Public Service Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, September 26. For more information about the luncheon, please visit the Missouri Bar website at http://www.mobar.org/am2018/awardees.htm.