Tristin M. Estep, Elizabeth Kiesewetter Fax, and Hon. Abbie Rothermich will receive this year’s Lon O. Hocker Awards for their commendable work as trial lawyers.
The Missouri Bar Foundation awards the Lon O. Hocker Award to three trial lawyers under the age of 40 who demonstrate zealousness, honor, strength, courtesy, confidence, and respect. Established in 1954, the award is named after Lon O. Hocker, a lawyer who practiced in St. Louis for more than 50 years and was a well-respected trial lawyer.
Estep, Kiesewetter Fax, and Rothermich will receive their awards on Sept. 18 in St. Louis during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar and Judicial Conference.
Estep
Estep is the deputy chief of the public protection section at the Attorney General’s Office, where she represents the state in the prosecution of criminal cases statewide and in seeking commitment of offenders under the Sexually Violent Predator Act. Prior to that, she was a prosecutor in Cole County and a prosecutor of the Special Victims Unit of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office.
Estep’s trial work focuses largely on prosecuting child sexual assault cases. She said she views herself as a voice and advocate for the victims and family members of victims.
“Even though it is just another day in court or at work for me, I know that any given trial may be the most important days of a victim's life, and I carry that weight with me in the courtroom,” Estep said. “I feel privileged to carry that burden and use it as motivation every time I step into a courtroom.”
A graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Law, Estep said her passion for law comes from “a strong sense of doing what is right.”
“I get to show up to work every day knowing I am dedicating my time and my skills to pursuing justice. There is nothing more fulfilling than that,” she said.
Looking at the past recipients of the Hocker Awards, Estep said she is “extremely humbled” to receive this year’s award. She advised new lawyers to stay true to themselves both in and out of the courtroom.
Kiesewetter Fax
Kiesewetter Fax is the first assistant prosecuting attorney in the special victim’s unit of the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where she prosecutes child abuse cases, child endangerment, sexual assaults, and rapes. She has tried almost 50 felony cases in her career, most involving special victims.
“Advocating and giving a voice to vulnerable victims, like children, drives my passion for the work that I do,” she said. “Seeking justice does not mean winning the case; it is about standing up for what is right.”
Kiesewetter Fax said receiving one of this year’s Hocker Awards is meaningful as she constantly strives to be respectful of everyone involved in trying a case.
She advised new lawyers to not be afraid to try difficult cases: “Win or lose, it will make you a better attorney and person.”
Along with trial work, Kiesewetter Fax is an adjunct instructor at Missouri State University. She also serves on the board of the Springfield Child Advocacy Center and volunteers with the Junior League of Springfield. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, Kiesewetter Fax is the past chair of The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section Council.
Rothermich
Rothermich is an associate circuit judge for the 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County. She previously served as deputy chief of the Employment Litigation Division in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. She also worked as a lawyer with Legal Aid of Western Missouri, assisting clients in 13 counties with orders of protection, landlord-tenant cases, family law cases that involved allegations of abuse, and guardianships.
A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, Rothermich tried 15 jury trials while at the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, nine of which in the span of two years. She said she appreciates the cordial relationship she developed with her coworkers and opposing counsel during those trials.
“The art of advocating for a client while still maintaining professionalism in the courtroom is so important, and I have been met with support from others every step of the way,” she said.
Rothermich is driven by a true belief in the court system, particularly the trial process.
“What happens in a courtroom is essential to our society, and personally, I loved the personal challenge, the competition, and the advocacy for clients,” she said. “The best attorneys I have argued with and against embody a true sense of professionalism, and they advance the cause of justice in Missouri. I have learned so much from Missouri lawyers, so to be similarly recognized for my performance during trials is extremely special to me.”
Rothermich advised new lawyers to come to court prepared and be professional. She also encouraged lawyers to find their own voice and believe in the importance of their work.
Original source can be found here.