Mark D. Molner receives MOLAP’s 2026 Warren Welliver Award

Mark D. Molner received the Warren Welliver Award in recognition of the way he has exemplified compassion and concern for lawyers in Missouri during the past year.

The Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program presented the award during its luncheon on Oct. 30 at The Missouri Bar Center in Jefferson City.

Molner focuses his practice on representing individuals and small businesses in a variety of litigation, both on the plaintiff’s and defendant’s side of the argument. He has been a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association’s Lawyer Well-Being Committee since 2020, acting as chair or co-chair for the past four years. He is also involved in several other KCMBA committees, is a member of the KCMBA CLE Advisory Board, and is appointed counsel to the KCMBA Board of Directors. He is a member of the Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City.

Molner said it was “incredibly humbling” to be recognized for the work he feels so strongly about and to bring attention to the good work the well-being committee does.

“Our profession is adversarial by nature, and whether or not we choose to admit it, that takes its toll on a person,” Molner said. “Finding ways to take care of oneself and taking the time to help others is what keeps this profession viable.”

Molner said his greatest accomplishment has been developing the ability to disagree vehemently with a lawyer in the courtroom and shake hands and talk after the time for arguing is over.

“Many of my friends today were prior adversaries in cases long past, and it’s those connections that I am most proud of,” Molner said.

He advised his fellow lawyers to follow their passions and bring others with them.

“However, when you do this, recognize that everyone you meet will be at a different place on the path you are walking, and that’s okay,” Molner said. “Make a space for them as they are and keep going.”

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.