Kasey Ervin finds connection through The Missouri Bar Leadership Academy
Meet Kasey Ervin, a member of the 2025-2026 Missouri Bar Leadership Academy class! A graduate of the Washington University School of Law, Ervin is an assistant public defender in the Kansas City trial office of the Missouri State Public Defender.
Every year, The Missouri Bar brings together a select group of new and young lawyers to serve on the Leadership Academy. Each class completes a service project, engages in leadership workshops, networks with leaders in Missouri’s legal profession, and attends bar meetings. Following graduation, members continue to serve The Missouri Bar in an active capacity for two years.
Ervin recently chatted with The Missouri Bar about the connections formed through Leadership Academy, her advice to new and young lawyers, and the collection of small, quirky items in her office.
Why did you decide to apply for Leadership Academy?
“As a public defender, I have seen how Missouri attorneys in public interest roles are often disconnected from organizations like The Missouri Bar and their local bar associations during the early stages of their careers despite their strong commitment to service. Early in my practice, I felt that same disconnect ... I was fortunate to find a mentor in Brendan Kottenstette, … [who] nominated me for Leadership Academy, and in doing so helped break down the barriers I perceived.
“Through that encouragement, I came to understand that Leadership Academy … serves as an opportunity for attorneys from all backgrounds to develop long-term leadership and engagement within the legal profession.”
What has been your favorite part about being on Leadership Academy?
“My favorite part of Leadership Academy so far has been meeting, hearing from, and building relationships with attorneys from different practice areas, backgrounds, and regions across Missouri. As a public defender, much of my day-to-day practice is naturally centered within my own office and courtroom community, so Leadership Academy has provided me with a unique opportunity to step outside of that environment and engage with attorneys whose experiences and perspectives differ from my own.”
This year's class service project centers around learning about new lawyers’ needs, wants, and perceptions of The Missouri Bar. How do you see this work shaping the bar’s overall ability to continue helping lawyers even better serve their clients?
“… By asking attorneys who are new … what would help them early in their careers, we are able to better identify gaps in mentorship, professional development, practical guidance, and community engagement. Once identified, those gaps can be meaningfully addressed through more targeted resources, programming, and opportunities for involvement that better support attorneys as they begin their careers … Attorneys who feel supported and connected are more likely to remain engaged in the profession, seek mentorship, collaborate with colleagues, and develop the skills necessary to effectively serve their clients. Ultimately, strengthening support for new lawyers strengthens the legal profession as a whole and improves the quality of representation and service provided to clients and the public.”
Why should new/young lawyers consider applying for Leadership Academy?
“When considering leadership opportunities, it is easy to assume that programs like Leadership Academy are intended for attorneys who already feel established, confident, or well-connected within the profession. In reality, Leadership Academy is designed, in part, to bridge that very gap. For new attorneys, Leadership Academy provides exposure to a broader legal community, access to mentorship, and opportunities to build relationships that are not always available in day-to-day practice. It also helps normalize early-career uncertainty by placing attorneys in rooms with others who share similar challenges and motivations, even if they come from different practice areas and experiences.”
What advice would you give to new/young lawyers?
“No matter the area you practice in, the practice of law can easily become isolating from the ‘real world,’ especially for young attorneys. Finding ways to connect with others helps build mentorships, friendships, and support systems that make the challenges of legal practice more manageable. Professional growth is important, but so is creating a sense of balance and community outside of the courtroom or office … And, if all else fails, it doesn’t hurt to get a dog (or three).”
What is one interesting or unique thing in your home or work office that brings you joy?
“I like to have a mix of small, quirky items that … always make me pause for a moment and smile. They tend to be things picked up over time — little desk objects, odd gifts from friends, or items that don’t quite match anything else in the space but still feel like they belong, like a framed cross-stitch flowers and a quote that reads ‘Everything is Everything,’ made by my mentor, Chelsea … It is a small reminder not to take everything too seriously all the time, and that there is value in humor, personality, and lightness in the middle of a demanding practice.”
Editor’s note: These answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness. Learn more about Leadership Academy here.