Murphy, Seidel selected as 2020 Purcell Professionalism Award recipients

The Missouri Bar Foundation presents Purcell Professionalism Awards each year to Missouri lawyers who have consistently demonstrated an outstanding degree of competency, integrity and civility in both professional and civic activities. The award was founded in honor of Martin J. Purcell, 1968-69 president of The Missouri Bar. This year, the foundation selected Michael D. Murphy and Allan D. Seidel for this honor.

As a trial lawyer, Murphy defends corporations and individuals in complex civil litigation. Over the past 25 years, Murphy’s trial practice includes the defense of product liability, toxic tort, medical negligence, and other actions involving alleged serious personal injuries in various venues across the country. In addition to his active litigation practice, Murphy leverages his experience as a partner at a large international law firm to counsel corporate clients and other professionals on how to avoid litigation.

“I think that there is no greater honor, and concomitantly no greater responsibility, than to have a client ask you to help them navigate the litigation process or some other legal issue confronting them,” said Murphy. “That client always deserves the very best that we have to offer, whether it is a small matter, a multi-million dollar dispute, or a court-appointed matter that a well-respected federal judge feels strongly enough about to appoint us to handle.”

Seidel attended Trenton Junior College from 1965-66 and completed his BS degree at the University of Missouri-Colombia and his JD at UMKC Law School. Following graduation, Seidel was an assistant attorney general in Jefferson City prior to returning to Trenton and joining the law firm of Miller & Humphreys. He still practices law in Trenton with the firm of Seidel, Havens & Dennis. Seidel was a member of The Missouri Bar Board of Governors from 2003-2011 representing 17 counties in Northwest Missouri.

Seidel was also recognized last December by the Missouri State Public Defender office for exceptional service. In 2019 alone, over 9,000 cases were assigned to just 360 lawyers, including Seidel. His award for excellence for defending cases in four rural circuits over the course of several years shows true dedication to the administration of justice in Missouri.

“My three terms on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors is probably the most rewarding experience professionally,” said Seidel. “My passion is to assist my clients in resolving problems, hopefully to a satisfactory conclusion, but even if we have not accomplished all they want, I have at least given them the opportunity to be heard and had their day in court.”

Click here to learn more about annual awards from state bar and Missouri Bar Foundation. View a full list of past recipients of this award here.