Meet your new YLS Council Member for Jackson County
The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section works to facilitate the professional growth and public service of newly admitted Missouri lawyers. A recent election has resulted in a new member representing District 3, which serves Jackson County. Kelly St. John has been selected to join the council from Lee’s Summit. Learn more about YLS at MOBarYLS.org.
Kelly St. John
What are you most looking forward to in your role as a YLS Council member?
I am most looking forward to encouraging my fellow colleagues to be proactive in their community and to give back in ways that are meaningful to them.
For me, I participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program for a number of years. Working in the program and with my ‘little sister’ proved to be both empowering and extremely enriching. Giving back to my community as a lawyer is essential to both personal and professional growth - it can be a means of self-discovery and it can be an amazing networking tool.
I believe that being involved in the legal community by helping new and young lawyers integrate into the legal profession can be a very rewarding experience for everyone involved.
What do you want other young lawyers to learn about the YLS or The Missouri Bar?
Both the YLS and Missouri Bar offer numerous resources that should be utilized as much as possible. Getting involved can really open a lot of doors for a young lawyer and the YLS and Missouri Bar provide many opportunities to do so. They offer access to MoBarCLE Deskbooks, assistance with job searches, participation in CLE seminars, great networking opportunities, and much more.
Who is your personal hero?
Answering this question definitely took more time than I would like to admit.
When asked this question growing up, I would say my mother, my father, my grandparents, or even a superhero. Although these people have all been incredible influences on my life, I would not say they are my heroes. My family always taught me to strive for more and because of that, I think that is why my personal hero would be myself. Better yet, it is how I picture my future self. Being a better person (even when it can be extremely challenging), giving back to the community as much as I can, following my dreams in life, going out of my way to help friends and family, that is what my future self does and that is what I try to do each and every day.