MSPD RECOGNITION
Defender of Distinction
Tom Jacquinot, District Defender of Western Capital, is the 2024 Defender of Distinction. Tom joined MSPD as a Western Capital Associate Trial Counsel in 1997, became a Capital Lead Counsel in 2001 and District Defender of our Western Capital Team in 2003. In his twenty-seven years with MSPD Tom has represented clients facing the death penalty throughout the State of Missouri. The Defender of Distinction Award is presented to one attorney every year who: “exemplifies the ideals of public defense by tirelessly working on behalf of clients regardless of the strengths of the case or the severity of the crime; takes pride in knowing that the clients have received the best service possible; actively seeks out training to further enhance the service to clients; treats everyone with the same dignity and respect with which all of us wish to be treated; and does all of this without seeking public recognition for the services rendered.” Tom’s work on behalf of his clients and his leadership in capital defense clearly marks him as a Defender of Distinction.
Office of the Year
The Portageville Trial Office is the 2024 Office of the Year. This award is given to one MSPD office in recognition of its achievements in client representation and in furtherance of MSPD culture and values, including but not limited to: client centered practice, zealous representation, exceptional dispositions, office cohesiveness, morale and professional support, and a commitment to the values of the Missouri State Public Defender System. The office of eight had an extremely successful year in trials, dismissals, dispositions and client successes, and have created a collaborative, supportive and caring office atmosphere.
Outstanding Contract Defender Award
Each year a contract attorney is recognized for exceptional contributions to MSPD. In 2023, St. Louis attorney Kevin Whiteley was awarded the Contract Defender of the Year Award. Mr. Whiteley is based in Clayton and receives case assignments in the 20th Circuit, an area of continuous need for overload assistance. His experience with not only trial-level representation but also appeals and post-conviction cases make him a real asset to MSPD. Mr. Whiteley has a comprehensive understanding of the criminal law, including the impact immigration and mental health issues have on his clients’ cases. He has frequently accepted case reassignments involving sex offenses and cases set for trial when experienced attorneys leave MSPD employment. We are so grateful to Kevin and all our Special Public Defenders who all play an invaluable role in MSPD’s mission to provide excellent legal representation to the indigent accused of Missouri.
Excellence Award
Pamela Wilhite, paralegal in the Columbia Trial Office, is the recipient of this year’s Excellence Award. This award recognizes a MSPD non- attorney member who demonstrates outstanding work by consistently and enthusiastically assisting 
colleagues, exemplifying team building and leadership, and consistently furthers the ideals of public defense by: “Tirelessly working on behalf of clients and supporting colleagues in carrying out MSPD’s mission; Working to ensure that MSPD’s clients receive the best possible service; Actively seeking ways to further support clients and colleagues; and Treating everyone with the same dignity and respect with which all of us wish to be treated.” Pam joined the Columbia Trial Office in 2001 and Pam’s colleagues describe her work in the Columbia Trial Office as instrumental in the success of their office.
Charles Shaw Trial Advocacy Award
Attorneys Brian Horneyer and Kevin O’Brien received the Charles Shaw Trial Advocacy Award from the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. This annual award is presented to a select few lawyers who exhibit outstanding trial skills and a passion for trying cases involving the innocent accused. Brian and Kevin join the prestigious list of 28 previous honorees recognized over the years.
Women’s Justice Award
Ruth Petsch received the Missouri Lawyers Media Women’s Justice Award for Public Service. These awards recognize women across Missouri who have demonstrated leadership, integrity, service, sacrifice and accomplishment in improving the quality of justice and exemplifying the highest ideals of the legal profession. Ruth has made an extraordinary difference in improving the quality of justice serving as District Defender in our Kansas City Trial Office.
WashU Law Clinical Education Program 50th Anniversary Award
Beverly Hauber, St. Louis County Trial District Defender, is the recipient of Washin
gton University School of Law’s Clinical Education Program 50th Anniversary Award, which honors individuals who have made a significant impact on the Clinical Education Program, who have dedicated their careers to public service, and who have obtained a distinction in their professional or academic careers. Beverly was honored for her years of work hosting WashU Law Clinic Students in the Clayton Trial office.
David Dixon Award
Christian Lehmberg, a Senior Attorney in the Central Appellate Office, has been chosen as a 2024 David J. Dixon Appellate Advocacy Award winner. The David J. Dixon Appellate Advocacy Award recognizes three young lawyers who are under the age of 40 selected from different regions of the state: St. Louis, Kansas City and all other counties. The recipients are chosen based on their performance of outstanding appellate work. Those nominations are then sent to a selection committee of two appellate judges, a U.S. district judge and the chief justice of the Supreme Court, who makes recommendations to the Missouri Bar Foundation Trustees for final selection.
Director’s Award
Dan Viets, John Payne, and Jack Cardetti are the 2024 recipients of the Director’s Award. All three played instrumental roles in the legalization of recreational marijuana in Missouri. As a result of their advocacy, MSPD is the recipient of tax revenues from adult use recreational marijuana sales.
Dan Viets is a private practice attorney in Columbia, MO, concentrating on the defense of marijuana cases. Dan Viets was the recipient of the 1993 Martin Luther King Association’s “Keeping the Dream Alive” award. Dan was named High Times Freedom Fighter of the Month in March 2005 for his work helping to pass both a marijuana decriminalization initiative and a medical marijuana initiative in the 2004 election in Columbia. Dan co-authored Missouri’s medical marijuana law and chaired the Board of the 2018 campaign which passed that law, now Article XIV, Section 1 of Missouri’s Constitution. He co-authored Missouri’s law legalizing adult use, cultivation and sales of marijuana and Chaired the Advisory Board of the 2022 campaign which passed that law, now Article XIV, Section 2 of Missouri’s Constitution.
John Payne served as the Campaign Manager for both Legal Missouri 2022, the proponent of Amendment 3, and New Approach Missouri, the proponent of Amendment 2, which legalized medical marijuana in 2018. In 2019, he founded Amendment 2 Consultants (A2C), where he serves as the managing member. A2C works with many cannabis businesses in Missouri and beyond, providing compliance, marketing, and business strategy consulting services, in addition to lobbying and campaign services to a diverse range of clients.
Jack Cardetti has worked in Missouri for nearly two decades as a spokesman and strategist for state and federal elected officials. He’s served as the official spokesman for two Missouri governors and remains an oft-quoted expert in news stories throughout Missouri and among leading national publications. In the 2018 election cycle, Jack led the historic effort to approve medical marijuana in Missouri, steering 66 percent of the vote for Amendment 2 while defeating two other competing medical marijuana ballot initiatives.
Jack Cardetti (left), Dan Viets (center), and John Payne (right), receiving the Director’s Award at MSPD’s Annual Conference and Award Luncheon.
AmeriCorps Member of the Year (Central)
In April, HDS Holistic Advocate Sean Curd (Columbia), was awarded the Show Me Service Award – AmeriCorps Member of the Year (Central Region). The Missouri Community Service Commission recognizes a handful of AmeriCorps Members from Missouri who have shown exceptional dedication to service each year. Sean was selected by the Commission because of his exemplary leadership, the positive impact he has had on his clients, and his commitment to service and improving his community.
Warren Welliver Award
Matthew Mahaffey is the recipient of the 2024 Warren Welliver Award. Matthew serves as District Defender of the St. Louis City Trial Office. The Missouri Bar Lawyer’s Assistance Program honored Matthew for his outstanding contributions to well- being in the legal profession. Matthew’s background in social work as well as the law has brought unique strengths to his role as a manager and lawyer and he exemplifies compassion in everything he does.
