Meet your new YLS District 3 representative: Eli Dodge
Eli Dodge was recently elected to represent District 3 on The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section Council, which encompasses Jackson County. 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.
Dodge is an assistant public defender who has worked with the Missouri State Public Defender System since his graduation from The University of Missouri School of Law in 2021.
Dodge answered the following questions to help his constituents get to know him.
What are you most looking forward to in your role as a YLS Council member?
“I am most looking forward to giving back to the community. I think lawyers have an obligation, and are in a unique position, to positively contribute to their community. Having specialized knowledge, connections, and resources can go a long way in helping grow and strengthen the community, and I want to use the YLS Council to encourage lawyers across Missouri to do so. I recently joined the council’s Community Service and Access to Justice committees, and I intend on using these committees to give back and encourage young lawyers to contribute to their community early in their career. I look forward to meeting, and working with, lawyers across the state to accomplish this goal.”
What do you want other young lawyers to learn about the YLS or The Missouri Bar?
“I want young lawyers to learn, first and foremost, that YLS exists. Many of the young lawyers I’ve talked to know of The Missouri Bar (at least for CLE reporting) but aren’t familiar with YLS, the Board of Governors, or The Missouri Bar committees. I want young lawyers to learn the importance of knowing about, keeping up with, and being involved in The Missouri Bar from the beginning, because it can have a lasting impact on their legal career.”
What is your favorite way to spend a day off?
“I am a big sports fan, so my favorite way to spend a day off is usually either watching, attending, or playing sports. Recently it’s been mostly football, but I always make time to attend Royals, Sporting, Current, Monarchs, and Mavericks games. If not at a game, then I enjoy spending a day off by grabbing coffee at the River Market and attending the many fairs, festivals, and events that the Kansas City area has throughout the year.”
Is there anything that you would like members of the bar to know about you?
“I have over 25 plants in my office and that number keeps growing. I’m almost out of space in my office, but I’m open to recommendations on which plants I should get for my apartment next!”
Is there anything you would like to add?
“I’m eager to work with young lawyers across the state and excited to get the opportunity to represent KC to The Missouri Bar.”