Danielle Drake, Sarah Ernst, Aaron Rankin honored with 2024 YLS Chair Awards
Each year at the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, the outgoing Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section Council chair presents the YLS Chair Awards. The awards are given to exceptional members who enrich the council and the message of The Missouri Bar and its lawyers. This year, 2023-2024 YLS Council Chair Cort VanOstran presented the awards to Danielle Drake, Sarah Ernst, and Aaron Rankin.
Drake and Ernst
Drake, of Lake Ozark, and Ernst, of Jefferson City, were chosen for their work with a recent change to the bylaws of YLS that affected eligibility requirements. Previously, lawyers who were 36 years old or younger or had been in practice for five years or less were eligible for YLS. Now, lawyers who are over 36 years old but have been in practice for 10 years or less are eligible.
Drake and Ernst said this change allows lawyers who did not follow the traditional law school path to spend more time in YLS.
“For me, this work was personal. I was able to share some of my experiences and challenges I have faced starting this profession as a nontraditional law school student,” Drake said. “We facilitated numerous conversations between other young lawyers helping them to not feel alone and be seen.”
Ernst added: “It has been an honor to help spearhead this change and be an advocate for non-traditional students.”
“Danielle and Sarah played the biggest roles in getting the bylaws change passed.” VanOstran said. “It was a big win for Council.”
Rankin
Rankin, of St. Louis, was presented with a YLS Chair Award for his work with the YLS pro bono committee.
“Aaron took over the pro bono committee at my request and has worked hard to give it purpose,” VanOstran said. “Aaron’s work and willingness to answer the call for help merits this award. I’m excited to see his efforts pay off.”
Click here to learn more about annual awards presented by The Missouri Bar, The Missouri Bar Foundation, and other entities. Read about other 2024 award winners here.