Sarah Phillips recognized for dedication to advancement of justice

Sarah Phillips, with the Missouri State Public Defender, will receive this year’s Liberty Bell Award, presented by The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section.

The Liberty Bell Award acknowledges a non-lawyer or non-legal organization engaged in public service activities that enhance the legal community or are dedicated to the advancement of justice.

Phillips is a manager for Holistic Defense Services with the MSPD, where she oversees a group of advocates placed in MSPD offices throughout the eastern part of the state. The HDS team works alongside lawyers to help clients through resource connection and mitigation, aimed at reducing incarceration and addressing client needs for housing, healthcare, behavioral health treatment, transportation, and more.

Prior to joining MSPD, Phillips established the first pretrial supportive services program in the City of St. Louis.

“I decided to pursue a career working with individuals in the criminal justice system after witnessing firsthand the incredible work that public defenders do every day,” Phillips said.

As a young social worker, working alongside public defenders opened her eyes to the daily injustices clients and the urgent need to protect their rights and promote public safety by addressing root causes. Once she started working in a public defender office, she never wanted to leave, she said.

“None of us do this work for recognition or riches, and our clients are always at the center of our work, rather than ourselves,” Phillips said. “It is humbling, unexpected, and wonderfully surprising to be recognized for showing up every day to work with the best people and the best clients.”

Phillips will accept the Liberty Bell Award in Kansas City during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar and Judicial Conference, Sept. 16-18.

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.