Submit nominations by Feb. 15, 2026, for the David J. Dixon Appellate Advocacy, Lon O. Hocker awards

The Missouri Bar Foundation is seeking nominations for the David J. Dixon Appellate Advocacy and the Lon O. Hocker awards. Nominate the individuals you think deserve these prestigious awards by Feb. 15.   

The David J. Dixon Appellate Advocacy Award was created by the Missouri Bar Foundation to recognize outstanding achievement in appellate practice by young Missouri lawyers. The award identifies and acknowledges lawyers who have displayed exceptional advocacy skills in court.   

One lawyer from each district of the Missouri Court of Appeals will receive the award, which comes with a $750 stipend. Nominees must be younger than 40 years old as of Sept. 30, 2026, to be eligible.   

Nominate a deserving lawyer here.  

The Lon O. Hocker Award is given to three young Missouri lawyers who exemplify the qualities of a trial lawyer, including professionalism and high ethical conduct. The awards, established in 1954, are presented at The Missouri Bar’s Annual Meeting, and the recipients receive a $750 stipend.   

Three lawyers selected from St. Louis, Kansas City, and all other counties in the state will receive this honor. Nominees must be younger than 40 years old as of Sept. 30, 2026, to be eligible.   

Nominate a deserving lawyer here.  

Each nominee for the awards will receive an application form to be completed and returned to the Missouri Bar Foundation by March 15. A selection committee will then review the applications and recommend nominees for consideration by the trustees of the Missouri Bar Foundation, who make the final decision.   

Click here to learn more about annual awards presented by The Missouri Bar, the Missouri Bar Foundation, and other entities. Read about past award winners here.