Julia Chaney Faughn recognized for excellent legal writing
Julia Chaney Faughn will receive this year’s Missouri Bar Foundation W. Oliver Rasch Award for her article, “Working with neurodiverse children as a guardian ad litem,” in the January/February 2025 issue of the Journal.
Named after W. Oliver Rasch, the late longtime member and former chair of the Journal Editorial Board this award recognizes outstanding substantive articles appearing in the Journal.
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, Chaney Faughn’s article outlined best practices guardians ad litem should follow to continue helping neurodiverse children who often present with sensory input and output differences, communication challenges, emotional dysregulation, and motor skill delays.
Chaney Faughn, who works in private practice, encouraged lawyers to “follow your heart” and speak up for individuals.
“We have the opportunity to share stories and be a voice for those who seek justice,” she said. “The law should promote the common good of all including children, people of all abilities, and those who are marginalized by tradition and omission.”
Chaney Faughn volunteers with advocacy groups for disabled children and survivors of domestic violence. She is state chair of the National Council on Severe Autism, and volunteers on The Missouri Bar Fee Dispute Resolution Committee. She recently presented on the reform of Missouri's seclusion and restraint laws at the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates’ annual conference, which she said was “an honor.”
“Working with those in my community to connect clients with behavioral health services has also been a privilege,” Chaney Faughn said. “I am proud of my children who are both neurodiverse and the team of colleagues I collaborate with professionally on a daily basis.”
Chaney Faughn will accept the W. Oliver Rasch Award in Kansas City during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar and Judicial Conference, Sept. 16-18.
Lawyers interested in writing an article for the Journal can email Journal@mobar.org.
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.