Donnelly, Mathews, Schlesinger named 2025 exemplary trial lawyers
Kaitlynn M. Donnelly, Bryan Mathews, and John P. Schlesinger will receive this year’s Lon O. Hocker Awards for their commendable work as trial lawyers.
The Missouri Bar Foundation awards the Lon O. Hocker Award to three trial lawyers under the age of 40 who demonstrate zealousness, honor, strength, courtesy, confidence, and respect. Established in 1954, the award is named after Lon O. Hocker, a lawyer who practiced in St. Louis for more than 50 years and was a well-respected trial lawyer.
Donnelly, Mathews, and Schlesinger will receive their awards on Sept. 17 in Branson during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar and Judicial Conference.
Donnelly
Donnelly is an assistant prosecuting attorney in Platte County. A graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law, she previously worked with the Missouri State Public Defender System as a public defender.
Donnelly is passionate about providing a voice to crime victims, especially children.
“It's a privilege to be trusted to tell a victim's story, and I'm honored to carry that responsibility every time I step into the courtroom,” she said.
Donnelly said she seeks to be compassionate and effective in her pursuit of justice for victims.
“My goal is always to restore a sense of safety to victims and their families,” she said. “Knowing that the work I do on a daily basis can bring justice and closure to even one victim is what keeps me committed and driven.”
Mathews
Mathews is the family sexual violence prosecutor in Franklin County. He graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law and began his career as a criminal defense lawyer before joining the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in 2023.
He is driven by a desire to help survivors and build relationships with them over the course of their cases.
“Getting through a trial where you spend anywhere from three to five days with a family and you can look back at them at the conclusion of the trial and know you did everything you could for them, regardless of the outcome, there is a lot of pride in that,” he said. “To see the relief in the parent's eyes that this process is over, and in the fortunate cases where they tell me ‘thank you,’ I think of myself as a parent to two young girls and know I would want someone who takes this as seriously as I do to be the advocate for my own child.”
For Mathews, this award recognizes the work he and his team do to help survivors find justice.
“It is a reflection of our team's dedication, and it highlights decisions to spend long hours and sometimes weekends away from our families to make sure we are doing everything we can for our survivor,” he said.
Schlesinger
A graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Law, Schlesinger is the deputy chief trial attorney for the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
He has spent majority of his legal career as a prosecutor and said he is proud to represent victims.
“While the work can be challenging, it is a privilege to stand up for victims, seek justice, and help restore a sense of safety to those who have been harmed,” Schlesinger said.
Click here to learn more about annual awards presented by The Missouri Bar, The Missouri Bar Foundation, and other entities. Read about other 2025 award winners here.