Bill Corrigan and David L. Steelman will receive the 2026 Missouri Bar Foundation Purcell Professionalism Award for their work and professionalism as Missouri lawyers.
The award, named after former Missouri Bar President Martin J. Purcell, recognizes lawyers who demonstrate high standards of competency, integrity and civility in their professional and civic work. The Missouri Bar Board of Governors and Missouri Bar Foundation Board of Trustees nominate attorneys, with the trustees selecting up to two recipients each year.
Corrigan, a principal at Carmody MacDonald, has handled business disputes involving breach of contract, non-compete agreements, fraud, trade secrets and product liability. He previously served as a circuit judge in St. Louis County and as a Missouri deputy attorney general.
A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, Corrigan served as Missouri Bar president from 2003-2004 and has held leadership roles with several professional and community organizations.
“I am very grateful and humbled to be honored by the Bar Foundation and have my name associated with so many pillars of our profession,” Corrigan said.
Steelman practices commercial and personal injury litigation, with a recent focus on complex litigation and class actions. Before entering private practice, he served in the Missouri House of Representatives, including as a floor leader.
Steelman said his approach to practicing law has centered on seeking justice and fair play, particularly for people “who have no voice.”
“I have never practiced law for recognition, but if this award reflects that I have served my clients well and treated my colleagues with respect, then I am truly honored,” Steelman said.
Steelman has served on numerous public and private boards, including the University of Missouri Board of Curators, the Supreme Court of Missouri Civil Rules Committee and the Missouri Law Foundation Board of Trustees.
He also offered a simple piece of advice to new lawyers, advice he received from his father: Be prepared.
“The recognition comes from a job well done for your client,” Steelman said.
Corrigan and Steelman will accept the award in Kansas City Sept. 16-18 during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar and Judicial Conference.
Jake Kroesen serves as the Editor of the Missouri Times. He hails from Independence, Missouri and enjoys all things Jackson County. A graduate of UCM, he obtained his degree in Political Science.
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