300-plus #NewMOLawyers sworn in during 2025 Fall Enrollment Ceremonies

“I’m so proud of her,” a mom whispered under her breath as she recorded her daughter signing the roll of attorneys during Friday’s Fall Enrollment Ceremonies at the Supreme Court of Missouri building in Jefferson City.

Over 320 individuals were sworn into the legal profession before judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners during the Fall Enrollment Ceremonies. Those lawyers were among the 450-plus individuals who passed the July 2025 Bar Exam.

View photos from the day’s celebration on The Missouri Bar's Facebook page.

While the weather was rainy and cold, the energy in the Supreme Court of Missouri building was high as families and friends hugged and congratulated the new lawyers. In the corner of the lobby, new lawyer Drue Young smiled for several photos with various family members.

“I’m going to get choked up,” she said, fighting back tears. “I really couldn’t have done this without them.”

After taking a criminal justice class in high school and observing a murder trial her senior year, Young knew she wanted to be lawyer. A graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law, she is now working at Tim Lohmar in O’Fallon, which focuses on family and criminal defense.

“I want to give back to my community and help people … in the position that I’m in now,” Young said.

Meredith Sharp, a graduate from the University of Mississippi School of Law, said she was also excited to help people as a lawyer. Sharp plans to focus on estate planning in Kansas City.

“Working in trusts and estates is such an intimate part of people’s lives and stuff that’s really important to them and carrying on their legacies,” Sharp said. “So, being able to help with that is very fulfilling to me.”

Upstairs, Jonnette Oakes waited to enter the courtroom where she would take her oath of admission. A graduate of Washburn School of Law in Topeka, Kansas, Oakes now works as a research lawyer at the Kansas Court of Appeals.

“It’s always been my goal to be an attorney, but it wasn’t something that I thought was obtainable,” she said. “So, having the opportunity to be here today and say ‘I am an attorney,’ is something I’m proud of.”

The Missouri Bar is here to help lawyers even better serve their clients and communities. Enrollees can view the plethora of resources available to them at MoBar.org/New-Members. In addition, The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section sent welcome packets to the state’s enrollees.