KENT HALL: TOP PUBLIC DEFENDER IN MISSOURI

While some may scorn him for the work he does -- representing those accused of crimes who are too poor to hire an attorney -- Kent Hall enjoys his job and apparently knows it well.

The Missouri Bar Association believes Hall is the best at his job. It named the public defender who is headquartered in Cape Girardeau County as the top public defender in the state.

While most public defenders move on to better-paying positions after an average of three years, Hall has been a public defender for 10 years. He won't and doesn't expect to get rich at it. "I just had a desire to make a difference in people's lives," said Hall. "Corporate lawyers are certainly needed, but that wasn't for me."

It's nice to know there are people like Hall who care about doing a job that most lawyers would rather shy from.