Missouri Bar elects 2025-2026 officers

Athena Dickson, a partner at Siro Smith Dickson PC in Kansas City, was elected as 2025-2026 president of The Missouri Bar during the Sept. 17 Board of Governors meeting. She was sworn in Sept. 18 during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, held in Branson. Her oath was delivered by Hon. S. Margene Burnett.

Dickson succeeds Shelly Dreyer, of Joplin, as president of the 31,000-member Missouri Bar. Dreyer transitioned into the role of immediate past president.

During her term as president, Dickson aims to prioritize educating the public about the legal system and the role of courts; lawyer well-being; and using The Missouri Bar’s many member benefits.

“I plan to educate across the state during my time as president. And I hope you'll join me to empower informed citizenship,” Dickson told lawyers and judges on Thursday. “As a unified bar, our strength lies in continued commitment to our charge. Let's keep showing up for the profession, for each other, and for the citizens we serve.”

In addition to her time on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors, she has served as chair of the Standing Committee on Well-being in the Profession, as well as a co-chair of the board's Appointments Committee. 

Dickson earned her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 2003. Her practice focuses on personal injury and employment discrimination. 

Jennifer Matthew Crompton was elected as the new president-elect of The Missouri Bar. Crompton is a trial lawyer and operating as chief operating officer at Crompton Pancoast in St. Louis. Crompton has extensive civil and criminal litigation experience, having tried more than 40 jury trials and countless bench trials over her career. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the Saint Louis University School of Law teaching courses on mediation and trial advocacy.

Scott Robbins became vice president of The Missouri Bar. Robbins, a partner at Kennedy Robbins Yarbro & Henson LC in Poplar Bluff, focuses his practice on rural utilities, real estate, business and commercial law, workers’ compensation, and probate and estate planning. Robbins is a life fellow of The Missouri Bar Foundation, has served on numerous Missouri Bar committees and boards, and was elected to The Missouri Bar Board of Governors in 2017.

Learn more about The Missouri Bar Board of Governors here.