MoveMakers and NewsMakers for April 21, 2026

Other States | Springfield

Other states

The American Bar Association proudly announces the recipients of two of its premier honors recognizing excellence in legal ethics, professionalism and service: Thomas D. Morgan, professor emeritus of law, as the 2026 Michael Franck Professional Responsibility Award recipient, and Portia Britt, assistant prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County, as the 2026 Rosner & Rosner Young Lawyers Professionalism Award recipient.

The Rosner & Rosner Young Lawyers Professionalism Award recognizes a young lawyer who exemplifies the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and dedication to public service. Britt’s career reflects a sustained commitment to ethical advocacy, civility and the protection of vulnerable individuals within the justice system.

Britt currently serves as an assistant prosecuting attorney with the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where she prosecutes serious felony matters, including homicides and domestic violence cases. Since returning to the office in September 2025, she has also been appointed to the office’s executive staff, contributing to administrative leadership, personnel matters and public outreach. As intern coordinator, she has strengthened the office’s summer intern program through expanded educational opportunities and structured mentorship.

Earlier in her career, Britt served as an assistant circuit attorney for the City of St. Louis in the Special Victims Unit, focusing on survivors of domestic violence. She has also demonstrated excellence in civil and appellate advocacy as an associate county counselor for St. Louis County, arguing cases before the Missouri Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. Her service as a municipal court judge for the City of Cool Valley further reflects her commitment to fairness, accountability and the rule of law.

Beyond her courtroom practice, Britt has emerged as a national leader within the legal profession through her service in the ABA Young Lawyers Division. She has advanced initiatives promoting fairness, transparency and inclusion, and served as speaker of the Young Lawyers Division Assembly, where she acted as chief legislative officer and facilitated civil, informed debate on issues affecting the profession. Her service on the Missouri Bar Disciplinary Committee further demonstrates her dedication to ethical accountability.

“Portia Britt embodies the values this award is meant to honor,” said her nominator, Melissa Price Smith, prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County. “She models civility in adversarial settings, integrity in decision-making, accountability in leadership and service above self.”

Both awards will be presented during the ABA National Conference on Professional Responsibility, held May 27–29, 2026, at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center in Los Angeles.

Springfield

Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to welcome S. Jacob Sappington to the firm’s Springfield, Missouri, office as a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group.

Backed by more than two decades of legal experience, Sappington represents a diverse assortment of clients in complex and high-stakes commercial litigation – focusing on tort, business, and insurance matters – forming sound legal strategies to limit clients’ financial and operational exposure, advance their interests, and protect their reputations.

A prolific trial attorney, Sappington has achieved favorable outcomes in dozens of trials for both plaintiffs and defendants, as well as arbitrations and administrative hearings, with his total portfolio of work spanning hundreds of cases. He also boasts an extensive appellate practice in which he has prosecuted and defended a wide variety of appeals, including future damages under Missouri law.

“Jacob’s experience across multiple, often intersecting industries and successful management of high-exposure cases will be a valuable addition to our firm’s largest practice group – with agile decision-making and fierce advocacy at the core of their success,” said Jason C. Smith, office managing partner for Spencer Fane in Springfield. “As he joins a talented team of litigators collaborating across 33 national offices, we are excited to welcome his time-tested strategies here in Springfield.”

Sappington earned both his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude and his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri. He has been distinguished several times over the course of his professional career and community advocacy efforts, including as a Springfield Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyer, Leadership Springfield graduate, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks James Sutliff Legacy Award winner.