Roger P. Krumm Family Law Award
The Family Law Section and The Missouri Bar present an annual award to honor a family law lawyer who has demonstrated an exceptional degree of competence, skill, integrity, commitment, and dedication toward the improvement and advancement of the practice of family law and the children and families involved in family law matters. The "Roger P. Krumm Family Law Award" is given in honor of Roger Krumm, a family law lawyer who possessed all the characteristics, skills, and integrity of those who receive this award.
You may use one of the following forms to make a nomination:
Nomination criteria should include:
- Demonstrated excellence in negotiation and trial practice;
- Participation and leadership in local and statewide family law related efforts; and
- Demonstrated commitment to those involved and affected by family law matters.
2022 Award Recipient - Karen M. DeLuccie (posthumously)
Prior to her death on April 12, 2022, Karen practiced family law on the Independence Square for 40 years after attending the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law. She was a partner in the firm Paden, Welch, Martin and Albano for 20 years. She then partnered with her husband in their firm, the DeLuccie & O’Hara Law Offices LLC, for her last 20 years.
Karen was a past president of the Eastern Jackson County Bar Association, a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, co-founder of the Independence Youth Court, and a mentor to numerous young lawyers. She was also a mediator and served as guardian ad litem for hundreds of children.
Karen helped author and pass the law that created the Family Court of Missouri, signed by then-Governor Mel Carnahan. The law transformed the Family Law Court system for the benefit of all parties by streamlining divorce and child custody cases.
Karen was a member of the City Council of Independence since 2014. She also served 17 years on the City of Independence Planning Commission before her election to the City Council and was a member of the Independence Square Tax Board, a trustee of Gold Bank, and for 8 years was the director of the Advanced Reading Program at her children's school.
Past Recipients of Award
2021 — Rebecca L. Leonard, Lee's Summit
2020 — James H. Young, Lee's Summit
2019 — Hon. Thea A. Sherry, St. Louis
2018 — Hon. Douglas R. Beach, Clayton
2017 — Anita Rodarte, Lee's Summit
2016 — Alan Freed, St. Louis
2015 — F. Richard Van Pelt, Springfield
2014 — Susan S. Jensen, Springfield
2013 — Ann Bauer, St. Louis
2012 — Patricia "Trish" Scaglia, Independence
2011 — Gary L. Stamper, Columbia
2010 — John S. Pratt, Jr., Springfield
2009 — Larry V. Swall, Liberty
2008 — Cary J. Mogerman, St. Louis
2007 — Allan F. Stewart, Clayton
2006 — Carla Holste, Jefferson City
2005 — Karen A. Plax, Kansas City
2004 — Michael J. Albano, Independence
2003 — Lori J. Levine, Jefferson City