Meet your new YLS members: District 3

The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section works to facilitate the professional growth and public service of newly admitted Missouri lawyers. Recent elections to the YLS Council have resulted in three new members in District 3, which serves the Kansas City area. Learn more about YLS at MOBarYLS.org. 

Danielle Atchison 

What are you most looking forward to in your role as a YLS Council member?  

I am looking forward to serving our membership and the public. Specifically, I enjoy civic education, so I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Show Me the Constitution competition and other civic education programs. 

What made you want to be a lawyer in the first place?  

Originally, I wanted to be a lawyer because my parents always told me I argued a lot and would be good at it; but eventually realized I wanted to be a lawyer because I wanted to help my friends who were immigrants have someone they could trust advise them. I ended up doing a different area of law, but I still hold transparency and trust with my clients in high regard for how I practice.  

What do you want other young lawyers to learn about the YLS or The Missouri Bar? 

I don’t think a majority of our membership knows all the great public service projects the YLS handles each year. My hope is all young lawyers get involved in their communities through YLS to get a first-hand look at all the fun and meaningful projects we have going on.  

Who is your personal hero?  

Gloria Steinem for her conviction, confidence and steadfast support in securing and advancing women’s rights.  

Amy R. Jackson 

What are you most looking forward to in your role as a YLS Council member? 

As a University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School liaison, I am excited to help connect law students with The Missouri Bar. Most law students are aware of The Missouri Bar, but are unaware of the role the bar plays in a lawyer’s life and, more importantly, they are unaware of the benefits and services offered by the bar. I look forward to educating students on these issues so they are better prepared as new lawyers in our communities across Missouri. 

What made you want to be a lawyer in the first place? 

As a criminal justice major, I became interested in the law. I worked as a paralegal for several years at a national litigation firm and saw, first-hand, the difference a well-trained and competent lawyer could make in an individual’s life. This experience encouraged me to work hard in law school and to continue working hard as a lawyer. 

What do you want other young lawyers to learn about the YLS or The Missouri Bar? 

The Missouri Bar and YLS are an invaluable resource. As stated on The Missouri Bar’s website, “Through educational programs, publications, and more, The Missouri Bar serves as a valuable resource for members—and for the citizens of Missouri.” Unfortunately, many lawyers are not aware of this, primarily because law students do not get much exposure to the bar while in law school. 

Who is your personal hero? 

My father. As far back as I can remember, my father was a hard worker and one of his frequent sayings growing up was “If you’re going to do a job, do it right or don’t do it at all.” I’ve never seen my father start a job and not finish it, nor have I seen him put anything more than 110 percent effort in any job he undertakes.  

Sammi Sader 

What are you most looking forward to in your role as a YLS Council member?  

I am most looking forward to connecting with people and other attorneys in my community that I wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to meet. 

What made you want to be a lawyer in the first place?  

Aside from Maury Povich, who I watched every day after school (it's no surprise that I practice family law), I always knew that I wanted to be in a helping profession that truly makes a difference in people's everyday lives. 

What do you want other young lawyers to learn about the YLS or The Missouri Bar?  

I want other young lawyers to learn that, at the end of the day, the relationships you build are what make you successful both personally and professionally, and that at the most basic level, the YLS and The Missouri Bar are all about building those relationships. 

Who is your personal hero?  

Without a doubt, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She has shown that you can be incredibly powerful without being loud, and that the written word really is the most influential instrument for change.