Judges Atwell, Burrell, Gabbert honored with 2026 Spurgeon Smithson Awards
Hon. Charles E. Atwell, Hon. Don E. Burrell Jr., and Hon. Anthony Rex Gabbert will be recognized for their contributions toward increasing the quality of justice.
Established in 1976, The Missouri Bar Foundation Spurgeon Smithson Awards recognize judges, law teachers, and/or lawyers who have provided outstanding services toward the increase and diffusion of justice.
Atwell
With more than 40 years of litigation experience, Atwell currently practices mediation, arbitration, and master’s work at Jay Daugherty Mediation & Arbitration in Kansas City. He previously served as a circuit judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit and was a special judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Missouri. A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Atwell was also an assistant prosecuting attorney in Jackson County, was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Western District of Missouri, worked in private practice, and was an adjunct professor.
Over the last three-plus decades, he has lectured for several organizations including The Missouri Bar, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, and National Institute of Trial Attorneys. In June of this year, he finished six years as the Chairman for the Missouri State Public Defender Commission.
Atwell said he was “humbled and so very grateful” to receive this year’s Spurgeon Smithson Award.
“I think of all the wonderful people that have been graced with this award in the past and also the great work done by lawyers and judges within the State of Missouri,” he said. “The rule of law is the glue that keeps democracy together. Let all of us keep hope alive and make the glass always half full as opposed to half empty.”
Burrell
A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Burrell served as a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, and was chief judge in 2011-2013. He previously served as a circuit judge for the 31st Judicial Circuit and worked in private practice.
He has served on numerous professional boards and committees including as chair of the Supreme Court of Missouri’s Civil Rules Committee; former board member of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association; former chair of the Missouri Trial Judge Education Committee; former vice-chair of the Missouri Judicial Conference’s Legislative Committee; and a former member of the Supreme Court of Missouri’s Weighted Workload Study Committee.
Burrell said his passion for law is driven by the ability to “participate in the miracle that our ancestors created a system of government that acknowledges that all human beings are born with certain inalienable rights that are God-given, and I have been able to both enjoy and protect those rights as a member of the judiciary of the State of Missouri.”
Burrell advised new lawyers to continue to interact with and listen to lawyers who have excellent skills practicing law and are known for having good character and being honest.
“Don't ever burn any bridges with a lawyer who seems to be opposed to you,” he added. “You may be surprised about who may help you sometime down the line in furthering your career.”
Gabbert
Gabbert is senior counsel at the Accurso Law Firm, following a judicial career of more than 32 years. He previously served as a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, including as chief judge, and served as associate circuit judge and circuit judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit. A graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law, Gabbert worked in private practice, was Clay County assistant prosecuting attorney, was Gladstone prosecuting attorney, and served as municipal judge for the City of North Kansas City.
Gabbert is a past recipient of The Missouri Bar’s Theodore McMillian Award of Judicial Excellence and has routinely taught law-related graduate and undergraduate courses for 30-plus years at various universities and colleges. He has also participated in numerous professional committees and organizations including the Missouri Judicial Legislative Steering Committee and the Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association.
Gabbert said it is “deeply humbling” to receive the Spurgeon Smithson Award and the achievement is “among the greatest honors” of his professional career.
“Serving as both a trial and appellate judge, I have been fortunate to work alongside exceptionally dedicated judges, court staff, and attorneys whose professionalism and commitment to justice have inspired me,” he said. “… I remain deeply thankful for the opportunity to have devoted more than three decades to the administration of justice, and I will always cherish the friendships, experiences, and shared commitment to the rule of law that have made this journey so meaningful."
Atwell, Burrell, and Gabbert will accept the Spurgeon Smithson Awards 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.