Michael R. Roser Excellence in Bankruptcy Award

The Missouri Bar’s former Commercial Law Committee (now the Financial Services & Insolvency Law Committee) has established an annual award to honor the memory of Michael R. Roser, a prominent Kansas City bankruptcy lawyer. The Michael R. Roser Excellence in Bankruptcy Award is presented to an individual who manifests the highest standard of excellence in bankruptcy practice, who has contributed distinctively to the development and appreciation of bankruptcy law, and/or who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of bankruptcy administration or practice.

You may use our online form to make a nomination (available May 1- July 1).

Nomination criteria should include:

  • Demonstrated excellence in bankruptcy practice;
  • Contribution to the development and appreciation of bankruptcy law; and/or
  • Outstanding contribution in the field of bankruptcy administration or practice.

2024 Award Recipient — Dan R. Nelson

Dan R. Nelson, of Springfield, is a dean of the bankruptcy bar in the southern and southwest divisions and has served as a chapter 7 and chapter 12 trustee. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, Nelson was also a moderator at the Kroger Symposium for the judges’ panel. 		  

Recipients of Award

2024 — Dan R. Nelson
2023 — Michael A. Becker, St. Louis
2022 — Erlene W. Krigel, Kansas City 
2021 — Lee J. Viorel, Springfield 
2020 — Gary D. Barnes, Kansas City 
2019 — Eric L. Johnson, Kansas City 
2018 — Abigail Willie, St. Louis 
2017 — Mary G. Stingley, Kansas City (posthumously) 
2016 — Leonora S. Long, St. Louis 
2015 — Vicki Dempsey, Hannibal 
2014 — Wendell J. Sherk, St. Louis 
2013 — Sherri Wattenbarger, Kansas City 
2012 — John C. Reed, Jefferson City 
2011 — Mark V. Bossi, St. Louis 
2010 — Kathryn B. Bussing, Kansas City 
2009 — Rice “Pete” Burns, Sikeston 
2008 — Diana S. Daugherty, St. Louis 
2007 — Laurence M. Frazen, Kansas City 
2006 — Carol Chazen Friedman, St. Louis 
2005 — Steven N. Cousins, St. Louis 
2004 — Robert J. Blackwell, St. Louis 
2003 — Mendel Small, Kansas City 
2002 — Cynthia F. Grimes, Lenexa, KS 
2001 — Francis X. Buckley, Jr., St. Louis 
2000 — Mark A. Shaiken, Kansas City 
1999 — Paul H. Berens, Cape Girardeau 
1998 — Jerry W. Venters, Jefferson City 
1997 — Timothy Mullin, St. Louis 
1996 — Joel Pelofsky, Kansas City 
1995 — David A. Lander, St. Louis 
1994 — Paul E. Berman, Kansas City