Corrigan, Steelman receive 2026 Purcell Professionalism Award
For their exceptional professionalism as Missouri lawyers, Hon. Bill Corrigan and David L. Steelman will receive the 2026 Missouri Bar Foundation Purcell Professionalism Award.
Named after former Missouri Bar President Martin J. Purcell, the Purcell Professionalism Award recognizes Missouri lawyers who have shown a high standard of competency, integrity, and civility in professional and civic activities. The Missouri Bar Board of Governors and the Missouri Bar Foundation Board of Trustees nominate lawyers, and the board of trustees selects up to two award winners.
Corrigan
Corrigan is a principal at Carmody MacDonald and has tried business dispute cases involving breach of contract, non-compete agreements, fraud, trade secrets, product liability, and more. He previously served as a circuit judge in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County) and was a Missouri deputy attorney general and civil trial lawyer. He also assists law firms across Missouri in mediating complex cases.
A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, Corrigan served as 2003-2004 Missouri Bar president. He has been involved in several professional and community organizations including the Missouri Bar Foundation Board of Trustees, American Bar Association House of Delegates, St. Louis County Bar Association, St. Louis Regional Business Council, and Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation.
“I am very grateful and humbled to be honored by the [Missouri] Bar Foundation and have my name associated with so many pillars of our profession,” Corrigan said.
Steelman
Steelman practices commercial and personal injury litigation, recently focusing on complex litigation and class actions. After graduating from the University of Missouri School of Law, he was a Missouri representative and served as a floor leader before entering private practice.
Steelman said his passion for law is driven by seeking justice and fair play for those “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 said he would give new lawyers the same advice his father gave to him: Be prepared.
“The recognition comes from a job well done for your client,” he added.
He has been on several public and private boards, including the Supreme Court of Missouri Civil Rules Committee; the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Law Foundation; the Board of Directors of Town and Country Bank; the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri; and the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Public Employees Pension Plan.
He is also member of the American Bar Association, American Association of Justice, and the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.
Corrigan and Steelman will accept the Purcell Professionalism Award in Kansas City during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar and Judicial Conference, Sept. 16-18.
Click here to learn more about annual awards presented by The Missouri Bar, the Missouri Bar Foundation, and other entities. Read about other 2026 award winners here.