New Missouri lawyers sworn in during Fall 2022 Enrollment Ceremonies
More than 300 of the 379 individuals who passed the July 2022 Bar Exam took their oath of admission on Sept. 30 during a series of enrollment ceremonies at the Supreme Court of Missouri Building in Jefferson City. With their friends and families looking on, judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners welcomed the new lawyers into the profession.
Amidst the hundreds of beaming enrollees, we spoke with three about what the day meant to them - as well as any advice they had to share with current and future law students.
Sarah Rodgers, a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law, said she was ecstatic and proud of the accomplishment. Rodgers, who is launching her legal career at civil litigation defense firm Baker, Sterchi, Cowden & Rice with offices in St. Louis and Kansas City, said those still in law school should know that it gets better.
“It’s a grind that does not stop, but it’s worth it at the end,” Rodgers said. “Believe in yourself - and read the cases.”
Joe Paglisotti is with the Clayton location of RSM, an audit, tax, and consulting firm. Also a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law, he said being enrolled as a lawyer “feels really good.”
Paglisotti said law students need to “think about the end game” rather than focusing on the past.
“Exams are stressful, but at the end of the day it’s not a big deal how you did on that one exam,” Paglisotti said. “You’re going to move past it. Take the little wins and keep going.”
Heather Hicks will be an assistant prosecutor in Lincoln County and said taking this final step toward the profession is a relief. Hicks, also a SLU LAW graduate, noted family support and self-care, including rest, while studying for the Uniform Bar Exam was important for her as she was pregnant at the time. 
“Definitely lean on your support system and interview other people who have gone through it before so you can get more in-depth advice and see what specific things worked for them,” Hicks said.
Lauren Tucker McCubbin, 2022-23 president of The Missouri, congratulated the new lawyers while presenting each with their law license.
Tucker McCubbin encouraged new lawyers to get involved in The Missouri Bar to help them even better serve their clients and communities. Visit MoBar.org/Get-Involved to learn how you can participate in bar activities.
Enrollees are encouraged to view the New Member page to learn about the bar’s resources. In addition, The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section sent welcome packets to the state’s enrollees.
Click here to view photos from Friday’s enrollment ceremonies. Share your photos from the enrollment ceremony on social media using #NewMoLawyers.