Danielle Atchison reflects on seven years of service to young lawyers in Missouri
At the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar in September, Danielle Atchison will attend her final meeting as a member of The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section Council. The occasion brings her both gratitude and sadness as she reflects on her time serving new and young lawyers in Missouri.
“I wish someone would have prepared me for the long journey and how abruptly it ends,” she said. “… I wish I could’ve prepared for how sad I’d be in leaving this wonderful group.”
YLS works to facilitate the professional growth and public service of new and recently admitted Missouri lawyers. The YLS Council is comprised of approximately 35 lawyers from districts across the state who are elected by their peers to serve two-year terms.
A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Atchison practices corporate immigration law at Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm in Overland Park, Kansas. She joined the council in 2019.
Atchison’s time on the YLS Council has helped her grow both personally and professionally. She has served on numerous committees, including the Citizenship Education and Outreach, Continuing Legal Education, and Young Lawyer Recognition committees. She has also held officer positions within the council. Outside YLS, she has served on the Missouri Bar Advisory Committee for Citizenship Education, Leadership Academy, and Immigration Law Committee.
“Council emboldens you to lead in committee work or as an officer, and I feel like I grew up there,” she said.
Her favorite part of serving on the council has been creating long-lasting professional and personal friendships with her peers. Having struggled with networking and feelings of inadequacy early in her career, running for YLS Council forced her to step outside her comfort zone and build connections.
“I am so grateful because I do now feel like I belong, and I’ve made it my mission to support anyone new who wants to grow, too,” Atchison said.
YLS District 1 Representative Maggie McConville has been mentored by Atchison and worked closely with her on many projects.
“I first met Danielle when I joined the Young Lawyers’ Section Council in 2023, and I could tell immediately that she was an incredibly passionate person who puts her all into programs and initiatives she believes will better society as a whole,” McConville said. “She not only invests her time in programs and initiatives, but she invests her time in people.”
One of Atchison’s favorite aspects of the council is how members have handled difficult debates and upheld the group’s mission. She praised their ability to challenge tradition and ensure they are doing what is best for Missouri’s young lawyers.
“This group is serious and fun,” she said. “Everyone who joins the council understands the mission and expectation[s], but … everyone also understands this is volunteer work and should be enjoyable.”
Atchison encourages all young lawyers to get involved with The Missouri Bar and the Young Lawyers’ Section.
“I think our Young Lawyers’ Section is such a benefit for new lawyers,” she said. “Joining the profession can be extremely overwhelming, but … please reach out to any of us and we will gladly walk you through what the bar can offer you and how to get involved.”
Click here to learn more about YLS and the YLS Council.