True Grit Award

The MATA Workers’ Compensation True Grit Award shall be awarded to the Missouri Attorney who best exemplifies the qualities of professionalism, ethics, character and courtroom success. (SUBMIT NOMINATION BELOW)

Criteria for nominees:
The trial lawyer who has exemplified and put into practice the philosophy of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys through his or her representation of victims and consumers in the courtrooms of Missouri.

Nominees will be judged according to:

• Results achieved in the courtroom given the nature and circumstances of the cases tried. The person with the single highest verdict is not necessarily the recipient of the award. The best advocacy skills may be shown by a relatively modest verdict in a difficult case, or one with minor injuries. Indeed, even a loss in an extremely novel or difficult case may be considered when excellent advocacy for the victim was displayed.
• The number of cases a nominee has tried. Sheer number of trials alone does not qualify one to win. However, a person who has been in the courtroom practicing our trade with some frequency should be given more consideration than someone who has not. The length and complexity of the cases tried should also be kept in mind.
• The degree to which a nominee promotes the organization as a whole by sharing of information and providing assistance to fellow trial lawyers.

Nominations:
Nominations for the inaugural award will be accepted through April 2, 2027. A letter describing the qualifications of the nominated attorney should be sent to the MATA office. 

Selection Committee:
The Selection Committee for True Grit Award shall be made up of the current MATA President, Vice President/President-elect, three members of the Executive Committee or Board of Governors (representing each St. Louis, Kansas City and Outstate Missouri as chosen by the MATA President). It shall meet once a year to select the recipient of the award, which shall be formally announced at the Annual MATA Convention.

Announcement of Award Recipient:
The nominee chosen by the Committee will be announced and the award presented at the MATA Annual Convention in June.

Previous Winners:
2023 – John B. Boyd & B. Michael Korte
2024 – Nancy Mogab
2025 – Jerry Kenter
2026 – Ellen Morgan