Hon. Courtney Wachal recognized with Kaiser award
The Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program awarded Hon. Courtney Wachal this year’s Dorothy Kaiser Award.
The Kaiser award is presented to a member in recognition of pioneering contributions in the field of chemical dependency, recovery, and continuing compassionate care for lawyers in Missouri.
Wachal, who serves as the municipal judge for the domestic violence court of Kansas City, thanked the Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City for nominating her for the award and thanked MOLAP for the work it does in the legal community. 
Wachal received the award in Jefferson City during the annual MOLAP Conference Nov. 1.
The AWL nominated Wachal because it believes she is doing lifechanging work for the Kansas City community, Kansas City lawyer Tracy Spradlin said.
Wachal has taken the responsibility to adjudicate fairly to heart, working to improve not only the court system, jail practices, and the quality of the municipal court, but to go above and beyond in providing alternative avenues to traditional punishment of defendants, Spradlin added.
“I have appeared personally in front of her with my clients many times and have always found her to be empathetic, kind, and thoughtful in her decision-making,” she said.
The Kansas City domestic violence court has a drug treatment track, Spradlin said, which is impactful because many of the participants in the domestic violence treatment court test positive for substances.
“I have found attending one of Judge Wachel’s graduation ceremonies for her participants in drug or mental health court very emotional,” Spradlin said. “She will make a speech, where it is very apparent that she gives personal happy anecdotes about each graduate and genuinely cares about their well-being and their accomplishments.”
Wachal pours her entire heart into what she does, Spradlin said, and believes the justice system has the power to make positive changes in the lives of those who come before it in creative and empathetic ways.
“I have personally known Judge Wachel for over a decade, when I was just a Rule 13 law clerk in the prosecutor’s office,” Spradlin said. “I have watched her take the bench, grow comfortable and confident in her role as a judge, and start advocating for real change and progress in the way our court handles the individuals who come before it.”
Outside of the courtroom, Wachal attends city meetings to advocate for court and jail needs, volunteers for boards, serves as a mentor for new lawyers and is “a pretty awesome tennis player” Spradlin said.
Wachal thanked Spradlin for her comments. 
“I have been working with you pretty much my entire judicial career, so it’s cool that our paths are still intertwining,” Wachal said.
Click here to learn more about awards presented by The Missouri Bar, The Missouri Bar Foundation, and other entities. Read about other 2024 award winners here.
MOLAP helps individuals overcome personal concerns such as substance use, depression, stress, and burnout through a variety of no-cost services. MOLAP provides a professional, confidential counseling program for members of The Missouri Bar, immediate family members who reside with them, and law students.
Services include:
— Counseling. All Missouri Bar members have access to services by calling 1-800-688-7859. MOLAP also makes referrals to professional resources.
— Crisis intervention. MOLAP coordinates crisis intervention services for individuals and law firms.
— Education and prevention. MOLAP offers educational programs and articles on topics such as substance use, stress, depression, and quality of life.
Visit MoBar.org/MOLAP for more information.