Cacchio

Cacchio is a lawyer with Krigel, Nugent & Moore in Kansas City, representing individuals and organizations in a variety of legal disputes. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and started her legal career in public service.

Having served for four years in the YLS Council, Cacchio said she’s been part of many initiatives and noted that the YLS well-being and diversity committees have “really taken off” in the past few years.

“I decided to become a lawyer because I like finding solutions to problems,” Cacchio said. “Working with the YLS Council is an extension of that. We identify needs in the Missouri legal community, and we get to serve that need.”

Cacchio said her advice to fellow Missouri lawyers would be to express appreciation for each other.

“If you admire a quality in a colleague, or you notice that a coworker's hard work is going unrecognized, tell them,” Cacchio said. “Even telling opposing counsel that you enjoyed working with them can make someone's day, and it will help them remember you in the future.”

Britt

Britt graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and is an assistant prosecuting attorney in St. Louis County, handling primarily cases involving domestic violence. Britt previously worked for the St. Louis County Counselor’s Office, Maryville University, and the City of St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office.

Along with serving on the YLS Council, Britt is a Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates. She is a content coordinator for the ABA Section of State, Local, and Tribal Government Law and is on the Board of St. Louis Survivors Legal Support.

Britt said it was “truly an honor” to be recognized for her work over the last several years.

“The Missouri Bar has given me so much, and my goal through my work with the American Bar Association and other organizations has been to demonstrate that Missouri has a lot of great lawyers who are willing to put in the work to make the profession and the world better,” Britt said.

Britt said she encourages other lawyers to be involved in bar service, as it is important to the legal profession and the communities lawyers serve.

“Even small contributions of time and effort can make a meaningful difference, and being involved through The Missouri Bar was a steady reminder of how rewarding it is to give back,” Britt said.

Barnard

Barnard is a trial lawyer with Heath Injury Law LLC in Kansas City, where he represents injured persons in wrongful death, sexual abuse, medical malpractice, trucking accidents, and insurance bad faith cases. He was previously a prosecutor in Platte County, where he focused on violent felony offenses and created and supervised Platte County’s first diversion program.

He said his passion for the law is driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference in his community and the lives of the people he shares it with.

The award is an “incredible honor,” Barnard said, particularly because of the young lawyers who achieved it before him, whom he admires.

“To me, this award means so much more than the recognition,” Barnard said. “It shows the value of time and effort I’ve been able to devote to serving alongside the incredible talent on the YLS Council for several years. It’s truly a reflection of the people I’ve had the privilege to work with over anything I’ve personally accomplished.”

His advice to fellow lawyers, he said, is to be yourself.

“You don’t need to pretend to practice law like someone else or try to become something you’re not to earn respect,” Barnard said. “Find your voice, know your worth, and do good work.”

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.

The Tom Cochran Community Service Award recognizes a member of The Missouri Bar whose service and professionalism have enhanced their community. The award is named after Thomas D. Cochran, whose commitment and contributions to the practice of law and his community inspired generations of lawyers.  

Drake is a partner at Parks & Drake, Attorneys at the Lake, where she represents clients throughout Mid-Missouri in family law, real estate, civil litigation, and business matters. A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Drake is The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section Council District 12 representative, is co-chair of the YLS Council CLE committee, and is a member of several statewide initiatives focused on leadership and professional development.

Drake received this award in recognition of her commitment to community service and leadership as president of The Changing Table, Mid-Missouri’s regional diaper bank. Drake works closely with the organization’s board of directors and executive director to support daily operations, expand community partnerships, and further the nonprofit’s mission of ensuring that no child goes without an adequate supply of diapers.

She represents the organization at community events, educates local businesses and civic groups about diaper insecurity, and advocates for increased awareness of the challenges many working families face in accessing basic necessities. Her leadership has helped strengthen the organization’s visibility in the region.

Drake said she is dedicated to helping others navigate some of life’s most difficult circumstances with compassion and integrity. Through her legal career and volunteer efforts, she said she has “demonstrated that meaningful community impact is created through consistent leadership, advocacy, and a genuine commitment to serving others.”

Drake said she is motivated by knowing that every case, every client, and every opportunity to serve is a chance to make a positive impact.

“My passion for my work is not the law itself, rather my passion is solving problems for people when they feel like no one else can,” Drake said. “The law is simply the tool I have chosen to accomplish that work.”

She said she is motivated not by “winning,” but by “taking a chaotic, emotional situation and bringing clarity, direction, and a path forward to the client.”

She encourages every lawyer, especially new lawyers, to remember that the legal profession is fundamentally one of service.

“The most meaningful work you will do may never appear on your résumé or in a courtroom,” Drake said. “Don't underestimate the impact of small acts of service.”

Drake will accept the Tom Cochran Community Service 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.

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.