Van Pelt Law

Firm News

November 15, 2007
Richard Van Pelt and Kay A. Van Pelt were named "Super Lawyers 2007" by Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, an annual publication of Law and Politics Magazine.

September 2007
Richard Van Pelt Listed in the Best Lawyers in America 2008, 25th Anniversary Edition, for Family Law.

November 1, 2006
Richard Van Pelt listed in Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers in the magazines 2007 Edition

September 1, 2006
Richard Van Pelt listed in the Best Lawyers in America, 2007 Edition, for Family Law

March 8, 2005
Richard Van Pelt awarded First Lifetime Achievement award by CASA of Southwest Missouri.

2004
Kay Van Pelt receives Faith In Action Award for her work in the field of Adoption, from Lutheran Family & Children's Services

August 2004
Richard Van Pelt elected to the Pittsburg State University Foundation, Board of Trustees

	Personal:	F.Richard Van Pelt was born in Joplin, Missouri, on June 26, 1958. He attended Webb City High School in Webb City, Missouri, where he was the first student in the school's history to be awarded the National Forensic League's highest award, the Double Ruby Award for Speech and Debate. He was elected State Treasurer of the American Legion's Missouri Boy's State in 1975.
	Education:	He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Pittsburg State University in 1980, as a double major in Pre-Law and Sociology. He was a student senator, Vice-President of the student body and President of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was named the Outstanding Senior man of Pittsburg State University in 1980. He received his Juris Doctor Degree in 1983 from the University of Missouri, Columbia Law School. He was elected Student Bar Association First Year Representative. He was named to the Dean's Honor Roll. He was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity. He received an Academic Achievement in Law Award in 1982.
	Experience:	He has practiced in Springfield, Missouri, since 1983, when he started his solo practice. He became a shareholder in 1984 in the Professional Corporation of Van Pelt and Van Pelt, P C., with Kay A. Van Pelt.
	Achievements/ Associations:	Listed Best Lawyers in America, Family Law 2001 - 2002, 2003 - 2004, 2005 - 2006, Springfield Catholic Schools, School Board member. He is a member of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association and the Missouri Bar Association. He has been named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is one of 37 fellows in the State of Missouri and 3 in Springfield. He has been named a Member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. He was named to the U.S. Registries Who's Who Among Outstanding Americans in 1995 - 1996. He was named to Who's Who in American Law 1996 - 1997. In 1997 he received Pittsburg State University's Outstanding Alumni Award. He is the former President of the Board of Directors for CASA (Court Approved Special Advocates for Children). He is a member of the Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast. He is the former President of the Board of Directors of the Pittsburg State University Alumni Association. He is a Trustee of the Board of Trustees of the Pittsburg State University Foundation.