Joyce Award – named for Joyce Tsongas, former president and legend of
ASTC, for long-standing contribution to ASTC. No one is more deserving of this award than Patty. In her years of 30-ish years of membership in ASTC, she has served on committees, task forces, and the Board, and served as President TWICE. BY CHOICE (sort of).

She’s taken a lot of hits in her service to ASTC. She went to Townson, MD to help go through the ASTC files to transfer them from Ron Matlon, our fearless leader for 30 yrs, to the Firm in Springfield, IL. She’s always on call for ASTC, answering calls and emails, asking how she can help, scanning hundreds of documents for the ASTC archives, etc etc etc. All while running her own practice, and being an incredibly supportive mom and wife in a very active family.

She was supposed to get this award in 2020 but the pandemic happened. So we’re giving it to her now. And even now she’s not done giving to ASTC. She’s here, meeting new members, continuing to be the Patty we all know and love.

I reached out to a couple of her former BoG members, colleagues and friends.

Carol Bauss: I was fortunate to serve on the board of directors with Patty. I saw firsthand her dedication and leadership. She was always willing to roll up her sleeves and tackle the hard tasks required to keep ASTC on track. She stepped up to lead ASTC at a critical juncture when the organization was in transition. She always has a positive attitude and is such a gracious and warm person. I fondly remember her hosting a mid-year board meeting for all of us in the Chicago area where she went above and beyond.

Suann Ingle: Patty made my "tour of duty" on the ASTC board fun and meaningful. Her boundless energy and responsiveness were impressive.

Lisa DeCaro: In 2007, my partner Len and I were 4 months into an expected 15-month wait to adopt a baby. Against every odd, the birth parents of a 6-day-old, absolutely perfect baby chose us to be his parents. Since we were expecting another 11 months or so of notice, we had
multiple mock trials and other projects planned at just that time when we took our new child home. Fortunately, one of those projects included Patty Kuehn, who knew as much about mothering a new baby as she did about running a mock trial. She taught me a lot about both, gave me the proverbial “poop” about the best diapers, and literally held my hand. That baby is now almost 17, and I am still, and eternally, grateful to Patty.

Judy Rothschild: 1) She did an AMAZING job in transferring administrative (and other) management of ASTC from Ron to Mary et al, and then to the firm.  If I recall it required herculean (what is a feminist or gender neutral term) work on her part.  Trips to Ron’s location, organizing boxes and boxes of documents, negotiating new contracts, etc. etc. I am sure you have more of the details but I can’t think of anyone else who could have managed this while juggling her professional practice AND being a mom and wife.
2) Of course, I assume you will remember her presentation at an ASTC conference, where she appeared in a tuxedo (I think) and did a cartwheel cross the stage.  I doubt any other ASTC BOD member could do that then or replicate it now.  This might be a good memory to share.
One thing we always say to new members is you get what you put in. Get involved, and that’s how you make the most of being a member of ASTC. Patty has put in to ASTC far and beyond what I, or probably she, ever imagined. So get involved and one day you can be a Patty too!
She’s been an amazing friend and supporter of ASTC and its members. And for that, we give her this award.