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Roberts Perryman
St. Louis, Missouri

The Missouri Bar's Annual Meeting and Judicial Conference, Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark Hotel, St. Louis, September 26-28, 2018

Chandler Atkins believes that all lawyers can make an impact through service.

While attending school, Atkins, a lawyer at Roberts Perryman P.C., and his wife, Laura, started the New Heights Tutoring & Mentoring Program to assist children and their families through The Crossings Church in Wentzville. With the help of volunteers and area organizations, New Heights has is now a nonprofit organization where children from Wentzville, University City, and Collinsville, Illinois, receive after-school instruction, mentoring and home-cooked meals. Kids also have an opportunity to serve in the community, and Chandler has seen some participants grow to become program volunteers and mentors.

“These children have broken cycles of addiction and abuse to become the first in their family to complete high school and college. It's inspiring to see these kids who are now giving back and offering hope to children and families in our community,” Chandler said.

In recognition of his work, The Missouri Bar’s Young Lawyers’ Section has selected Atkins as recipient of the 2018 Tom Cochran Community Service Award. The honor is designed to recognize a member of The Missouri Bar whose community service and professionalism have enhanced his or her community. It is named after Thomas D. Cochran (1934-1981). The award rotates between St. Louis, Kansas City and outstate Missouri areas, based on where the bar’s annual meeting is held.

Chandler will be formally awarded during The Missouri Bar Foundation and Public Service Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, Sept. 26, in St. Louis.

Chandler says he is excited to the news of the award with the kids in the program.

“I hope that students and young lawyers are encouraged to dream of how they can impact their profession and community through service as they grow in their profession,” Atkins said. “I believe providing children positive interactions with our profession is beneficial to our community, and I love helping to foster respect for our government through education and understanding.”

Chandler’s focus is on insurance defense in representing defendants in the areas of wrongful death, auto accidents, premises liability, legal malpractice, dram shop actions, slip and falls, product liability, worker’s compensation, and construction site accidents.