Meet your re-elected YLS District 3 representative: Jennifer Cacchio
The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section Council recently re-elected Jennifer Cacchio to represent District 3 (Jackson County).
YLS works to facilitate the professional growth and public service of new and recently admitted Missouri lawyers. The YLS Council includes approximately 35 lawyers from districts across the state who are elected by their peers to serve two-year terms.
Cacchio graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. After a judicial clerkship with Hon. W. Brent Powell at the Supreme Court of Missouri, Cacchio joined the Department of Mental Health. She currently works at Krigel Nugent + Moore in Kansas City.
Cacchio answered the following questions to help his constituents get to know her.
What are you most looking forward to in your continued role as a YLS Council member?
“The YLS Council has been the incubator for so many Missouri Bar programs, including Constitution Day, diversity initiatives, and well-being programming. The YLS Council is a fearless bunch, and serving alongside this group of leaders for the past four years has been an honor.”
What made you want to be a lawyer?
“When I was working on my master's degree, I spent about 20 hours a week working with Medicare beneficiaries who sought help navigating their health insurance. Even when the puzzle was frustrating, at the end of the day I always left the office knowing I had helped someone.”
What advice would you give to a lawyer in the first few years of their practice?
“No one achieves anything alone. Every successful person that you look up to has gotten there with help, mentorship, and grace from those with more wisdom and experience. Accept help when it's offered and offer help when you have the knowledge and capacity to do so.”
What is a moment or piece of advice that has stuck with you as a lawyer?
“Many years ago, Professor David Achtenberg at UMKC told me that the audience can tell when you're uncomfortable, so you might as well own who you are. In other words, being genuine is more important than fitting into an ideal. That advice has served me at nearly every crossroads in my career so far.”
What is your favorite way to spend a day off?
“Well, I have two young kids who wear me out. My answer should probably be that I enjoy spending it with them. My actual favorite way to spend a day off is napping on the couch with my dog — a rare occurrence these days!”