Keegan Tinney awarded for his community service

Presented by The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section (YLS), the Tom Cochran Community Service Award recognizes a member of The Missouri Bar whose community service and professionalism has left a positive impact on their community. The award is named after Thomas D. Cochran, a well-known lawyer who inspired lawyers through his contributions to the legal industry and community. The 2023 recipient, Keegan Tinney, will be presented the award Sept. 13, 2023, during The Missouri Bar Foundation & Public Service Awards Luncheon at the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar in Kansas City.

A 2017 graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Tinney is a partner at Dryer and Tinney in Joplin. His practice is focused on automobile accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, worker’s compensation, and premises liability cases. He also serves as a special prosecutor in Jasper County.   

Tinney said he is inspired to help others through his practice and community service. 

“I’m driven by the desire to help my clients when they’ve been wronged,” Tinney said. “My clients have often been through a traumatic and sometimes life-changing experience, the last thing they need to deal with is legal matters related to their accident. I want them to focus on themselves and healing.” 

In addition to his practice, Tinney serves as the District 10 representative on The Missouri Bar’s YLS Council and as a delegate for District 22 of the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Division. Tinney co-chairs The Missouri Bar YLS Council Disaster Relief Committee, which collaborates with statewide entities to develop and provide resources when disasters occur. This includes Tinney volunteering for the bar's Disaster Recovery Legal Assistance Hotline  where he provides free legal support to Missourians impacted by natural disasterse.  

Tinney also serves on the board of directors for Legal Aid of Western Missouri, is the president of the Jasper County Bar Association, and volunteers with the American Legion Missouri Boys State. 

“Showing up and being in the room where decisions are made allows you to shape those decisions in a way that benefits your clients and the broader community.” Tinney said. “Show up, be present in the room, and don’t throw away your shot to affect change.” 

Click here to learn more about annual awards presented by The Missouri Bar and its Young Lawyers’ Section.