News release
The Ellis County Bar Association has named Gene F. Anderson the recipient of the 2021 Willis K. Musick Professionalism Award. The award was created by the bar association to honor past and present members of the Bar who have, by their conduct, honesty, integrity and courtesy, best exemplified, represented and encouraged other lawyers to follow the highest standards of the legal profession. It was first awarded posthumously to attorneys Willis Musick in 2015 and Richard Coffelt in 2016. In 2020, the association named Joe Jeter as the award’s recipient.
The award is not given annually but, rather, is presented up to once per year when the members of the Ellis County Bar Association offer nominations. A confidentially appointed committee of association members reviews the nominations and selects the recipient it believes is most deserving among the nominees.
“Those who knew and worked with Gene remember him as someone who embodied the spirit of this award,” said Wendy Rohleder-Sook, bar president. “He joins a distinguished group of local lawyers who have been instrumental in maintaining the highest standards of the legal profession.”
Anderson was posthumously honored by his colleagues at the association’s recent annual gathering. Anderson’s former law partner, Ross Wichman, and former colleague and retired Judge Edward Bouker shared remarks at the event. Anderson’s wife, Dody, and son, Matt, were present to accept the award on his behalf.