Closing statements: Why are you passionate about being a lawyer?

“When my mother began showing signs of dementia, our family pulled together to try to figure out how to keep her in her home while making sure she had 24-hour care. I had a friend who specialized in elder care who met with all of us to discuss the ins and outs of Medicare and how to navigate the needs of a confused, debilitated, frightened older woman. My friend was a godsend, and I could not have been more grateful for her. It occurred to me that this is what I am here to do for my personal injury clients. I help them when they are at a low point in their lives and need help to navigate a frightening and confusing legal landscape to get the best possible outcome for them. It is a responsibility that I take seriously, and it brings me joy knowing that I can offer this assistance when people really need it.” 
– Christina Ingersoll, attorney at law at Ingersoll Law Office in Independence

“We get to help solve problems and uphold our democracy!” 
– Lauren Tucker McCubbin, shareholder at Polsinelli PC in Kansas City and 2022-2023 president of The Missouri Bar

“My mother at age 6, along with my grandparents and great grandfather, fled Nazi Germany in October 1938, days before Kristallnacht. My grandfather’s parents and siblings … [and] my paternal grandmother’s sisters and their families … were murdered at Auschwitz. The incredible annihilation of Jews by the Nazis and realizing the profound injustice propelled me to fight unlawful discrimination. The horror of the Nazis and the effect on my relatives drove me to be a champion for those who are victims of unlawful discrimination. I have witnessed such wonderful transformations of my clients when they prevail, and I feel that civil rights work and employment discrimination cases can benefit society.” 
– Lynne Jaben Bratcher, partner at Bratcher Gockel Law in Independence

“Becoming a lawyer gave me the tools to make lasting positive change for people.” 
– Danielle Atchison, corporate immigration lawyer at Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm in Overland Park, Kansas

“I’m passionate about being a lawyer because it gives me the necessary tools to help people proactively plan and prepare for the future and protect what matters most to them. I chose to specialize in estate planning because it’s a space where I can make a lasting difference in people’s lives by helping them navigate some of life’s most personal and important — and often difficult — decisions with clarity and compassion. Estate planning gives me a sense of purpose — it is an opportunity to create individualized plans that protect loved ones, preserve legacies, and bring peace of mind. I see this work not just as law, but as a way to serve and support each of my clients by empowering them through thoughtful preparation and comprehensive tailored solutions.” 
– Calleine A. Dobnikar, principal attorney at Inspired Estate Planning, LLC in Lee’s Summit

“I am passionate about being a lawyer because of the way lawyers help people. It is immensely rewarding to me when I educate people about their rights and responsibilities under the law and when I can help them mutually resolve their disputes through mediation. Knowing that I play a small part in a legal profession with a unique and important role to protect democracy and pursue justice is professionally and personally fulfilling beyond measure.” 
– Kristy A. Lambert, director of compliance/legal counsel at the Missouri Commission on Human Rights in Kansas City

Answers have been edited for length, clarity, and style.

We were wondering … What ways have you found to mentor other lawyers and why is it important to do? 
Share your answer by writing to gtlustos@mobar.org, or filling out a form visiting MoBar.Wufoo.com/forms/closing-statements.