Editor’s note: The applicants who passed the bar examination but had not yet completed all other requirements for admission are not included in this list, which the Missouri Board of Law Examiners originally published on April 8, 2026. Read more about the admission requirements under Rule 8 at MBLE.org.

Courtney Alesia Adkins 
Kimberly Dyane Alexis 
Mohammad Haitham Alkhatib 
Marian Amlalo 
Anika Karina Andersen 
Andrew Lee Apple 
Emily Clark Arauz 
Tiara Delane Arties 
Andrea Baca 
Gerren Keith Banks 
Bridget L. Beran-Netemeyer 
Jason Brent Boyd 
Shayna Leann Brazeal 
Jacob Bryan 
Charlene Roxanne Burton 
Hannah McClaigh Byassee 
Allison Rose Cichocki 
Klara Marie Cockrell 
Isabella Maclyn Crutchfield 
Kyle DiBernardo 
Andrew Michael Dincher 
Sarah Kay Dowler
Derricka Deshawn Drake 
Justin Thomas Dussold 
Jessica Ventura Esguerra 
Taylor Marie Flemons 
Bret A. Hart 
Gabriel Hawi 
John Daniel Herrman 
Teneisha Herron 
Annaleigh Thiessen Hobbs 
Andrew Hodges 
Alison Carrol Huff 
William N. Hurt 
Tara Ilges 
Latorrie Johnson 
Courtney Maurice Jordan 
Zoya Khan
Rene Lelesi Kina 
Clayton T. Larue 
Lauren Catherine Laughlin 
Jennifer Beatty Long 
Maria Manikatos 
Elizabeth McDowell Carpinone 
William Robert McIntyre 
Taylor Johna Bryana Meador 
Julie Von Meglan 
Chaz Michael Mercer 
Corey Ray Myers
Evelyn Nelson 
Kendal Margaret Nilges 
Winifred Nwaokolo 
Sarah Oldfather 
Allison Anne Paglisotti 
Deyanira Parra Lugo 
Faith Suzanne Pelton 
Vincent Anthony Pistone 
Amanda Poe 
Christine Rubai Sagwa 
Tyler Harris Syed Shah 
Alex Neil Smoller 
Clayton Williams Speidel 
Alexander True 
Lizeth Anahy Vargas 
Isabella Marie Villegas 
Katelyn Madison Wall 
Victoria Ann Weitkamp 
Adeli Maria Bonita Wickham 
Fletcher Wilson 
Thomas Andrew Wolff

From programs and member benefits to well-being and practice resources, tell us about your needs, wants, and perceptions of The Missouri Bar! Take the brief survey (10 minutes or less) at MoBar.org/Shape-Missouri-Bar by July 13.

The survey is part of the 2025-2026 Leadership Academy’s service project, which focuses on gathering information from lawyers who have been practicing 10 years or less regarding how The Missouri Bar can continue to serve them in a relevant, timely, and impactful way.

Your perspective will guide the Leadership Academy as it creates recommendations for how The Missouri Bar can even better support lawyers now and moving forward. The Leadership Academy will present its recommendations to The Missouri Bar Board of Governors at the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, Sept. 16-18. Based on those recommendations, the board will discuss future Missouri Bar projects, programs, and benefits.

About Leadership Academy

Since 2000, The Missouri Bar has welcomed over 290 new and young lawyers into Leadership Academy, a program designed to enhance recognized leadership potential and build knowledge about the bar's resources, programs, and mission to help lawyers even better serve their clients and communities. Each class contains about a dozen young lawyers (under the age of 40) and those recently admitted to the bar (no more than 10 years ago) who are diverse in terms of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability (e.g., neurodiversity, visible and invisible disabilities), geography, etc.

Leadership Academy members participate in various leadership and committee meetings and workshops, as well as plan, execute, and analyze a public service project that could focus on anything from civic education to lawyer well-being. Importantly, class members commit to serving the bar in an active capacity for two years following completion of the program. 

The Missouri Bar is currently accepting nominations for the 2026-2027 Leadership Academy class. If you know a new/young lawyer who has exceptional leadership abilities, nominate them by May 31.

If you know exceptional new and/or young lawyers who have shown outstanding leadership skills in their communities, nominate them for the 2026-2027 Missouri Bar Leadership Academy class!

Complete the online nomination form by May 31. Following the nomination period, each nominee will receive an application to complete. A selection committee will review the applications and nominations before selecting the next Leadership Academy class.

“One of the biggest lessons I took from Leadership Academy was how much growth can happen when you’re in a space with other thoughtful, motivated leaders who are all willing to show up fully,” said Brittany Chapman, a member of the 2024-2025 Leadership Academy class. “…The experience reinforced, for me, that with the right mindset and a supportive group, you can do hard things, execute well, and walk away feeling more confident in your abilities to tackle any challenges that come your way.” 

About Leadership Academy

Established in 2000, Leadership Academy encourages diversity among the bar’s leadership by recruiting and targeting young lawyers (under the age of 40) or those recently admitted to the bar (no more than 10 years ago) who have already shown leadership qualities. Each class contains about a dozen lawyers who are diverse in terms of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability (i.e. neurodiversity, visible and invisible disabilities), geography, etc. 

Leadership Academy members participate in The Missouri Bar’s Annual Meeting, Board of Governors and committee meetings, and workshops designed to help the class learn more about the bar, develop leadership skills, and create a public service project. At the end of the year, class members commit to serving the bar in an active capacity for two years.

Many Leadership Academy alumni have served on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors, on Young Lawyers’ Section Council, as committee and section chairs, and as presenters at popular Missouri Bar conferences like MOSOLO Small Firm Conference, Bernard Edelman DWI Law & Science Seminar, and Annual Meeting. View list of Leadership Academy alumni here.

Click here to read how a casual conversation at a restaurant created this 25-year-old Missouri Bar program.

If you have questions about Leadership Academy, contact program liaison Dr. Tony Simones at TSimones@mobar.org.

Testimonials

“I wanted to intentionally develop my leadership skills, connect with other driven and service-oriented lawyers across the state, and contribute meaningfully to The Missouri Bar. The practice of law can sometimes feel siloed, especially early in your career. Leadership Academy provides a platform to step outside of daily litigation and engage in broader conversations about the future of the profession.” - Des’Aire Taylor, 2025-2026 Leadership Academy class

“Being part of the Leadership Academy taught me several valuable lessons. It reiterated the incredible power of networking and building a support group of attorneys who can serve as a resource, guide, and mentor as you navigate practice. I learned the vastness of the services and value that The Missouri Bar provides to our members. Prior to my time in Leadership Academy, I had not realized just how much the bar is doing to support our members from programming to training to support; it’s just incredible.” - Cara Stuckel, 2018-2019 Leadership Academy class

“Lawyers participating in the Leadership Academy can learn, not just about our bar association, but also about the deeper commitment that we, as lawyers, have to service. The service project of each academy year provides time, structure, and resources to bring ideas to improve our profession to life. Sometimes the academy has provided information to people in our communities, and other times, it has created resources for lawyers themselves. Both are worthy opportunities for growth and expansion personally and professionally.” - Nimrod T. “Rod” Chapel Jr., 2001-2002 Leadership Academy class

Read more Q&As from current and past Leadership Academy class members here.

Vargas was one of more than 30 individuals who were sworn into the legal profession before judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners during the Spring Enrollment Ceremony in Jefferson City. Those lawyers were among the 70 people who passed the February 2026 Bar Exam. View photos from today’s enrollment ceremony on The Missouri Bar’s Facebook page.

“I wanted to cry [during the enrollment ceremony] and I was holding it in,” Vargas said, “but then I came out and my daughter was crying, so it’s making it really hard not to cry.”

Vargas’ three young children were so excited to see their mother’s swearing-in ceremony that they woke up at 4:30 a.m. to be there, she added.

After all the long hours attending the University of Missouri School of Law and studying for the bar exam, Vargas said she was proud of herself for persevering and accomplishing her goal.

“I was studying and doing this for them,” she said, nodding towards her children. “So, hopefully this will be a good experience, and they will remember that they can do it and achieve their dreams if they work hard enough.”

For new lawyer William Hurt, the enrollment ceremony opened a new, exciting chapter. A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Hurt hopes to one day utilize his law degree in the sports industry.

“There’s a world of opportunities that weren’t there a few months ago, and now I get to do what I want, where I want, and go after things I always wanted to,” Hurt said.

Nearby, new lawyer Courtney Maurice Jordan could be heard repeatedly saying, “I couldn’t have done it without you” to his family.

A graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Law, Jordan encouraged law students and those studying for the bar to have a strong support system and take each day at a time.

“One spoonful at a time,” he said. “Just a little bit. It might not be 100% today, but 10% or whatever you got each day, and eventually that adds up.”

The Missouri Bar is here to help lawyers in all stages of their careers. Enrollees can view the plethora of resources available to them at MoBar.org/New-Members. In addition, The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section sent welcome packets to the state’s enrollees.

“As you go through your careers, don’t hesitate to reach out to others — we want you to succeed and have the tools to even better serve your clients and communities,” said Athena Dickson, 2025-2026 Missouri Bar president.

You’ve completed all the steps to become a Missouri lawyer – and now it’s time to celebrate! Follow these tips to make the most of the Spring Enrollment Ceremonies, while also keeping stress levels low.  

The 2026 Spring Enrollment Ceremonies will consist of swearing-in sessions beginning at 9 a.m. April 24 at the Supreme Court of Missouri, located at 207 W. High St. in Jefferson City. If you passed the February 2026 Bar Exam and met all admission eligibility requirements, you and your immediate family are invited to attend the enrollment ceremonies and celebrate this amazing accomplishment.  

The enrollment ceremonies are an exciting event where you’ll take the oath of admission and be welcomed to the profession by the judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners.  

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the day:  

Park in the right spot. Meter parking is available on various streets downtown, which can be paid using coins or credit card via cell phone.. Do not park in the lot behind the Supreme Court building, which is reserved for Supreme Court of Missouri judges and personnel.  

Know where to go. Your first stop is registration on the fourth floor of the Harry S. Truman State Office Building, 301 W. High St., where you will check in; pick up your admittance card, license, and oath; and receive welcome materials. When you register, you will be assigned a time you must be in your seat for your ceremony at the Supreme Court building. This information will be listed on your admittance card. Registration opens at 7:45 a.m. 

Allow approximately 30 minutes to walk from the Truman building to the Supreme Court building, go through security, and be seated in your assigned courtroom.  

Be prepared for security. You and your guests must present photo identification, as well as your ceremony admittance card, at the security checkpoint in the Supreme Court building. Guests must comply with security procedures to enter the building, including passing through a metal detector. Cell phones are allowed in the building to take pictures and videos, but no voice calls are allowed on the second floor or in the courtrooms at any time. 

Consider attending the federal court ceremony. The United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri will have one ceremony at 10:20 a.m. in the House Chambers on the third floor of the Missouri Capitol building. This enrollment ceremony is for lawyers who wish to practice in the district courts.  

Register at the federal court table when you register for your Missouri Bar enrollment ceremony (the federal court table will be located near The Missouri Bar registration tables). You must be sworn in by The Missouri Bar before attending the federal court ceremony.  

Guests can sit in the fourth floor gallery.   

For more information about the federal court ceremony, click here. 

Remember to sign the Roll of Attorneys. Sign the Roll of Attorneys before or after the ceremony in the lobby of the Supreme Court building. These contain the names of all lawyers enrolled by the courts, and you should ensure your name is included. 

Look sharp. Enrollees are expected to dress in business attire for the enrollment ceremony. Revealing clothing and jeans are not appropriate. 

Mingle with Missouri Bar leaders. As a new lawyer, you have many great resources at your disposal. On enrollment day, the president, executive director, and staff of The Missouri Bar, as well as members of the bar’s Young Lawyers’ Section Council, will be available to answer questions. The bar also provides a host of information online at MoBar.org/New-Members.  

Take lots of photos. Your enrollment ceremony is a time to have fun! Missouri Bar staff will be on-site with photo props. Photos taken by Missouri Bar staff will be posted on the bar’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages. Share your images from the day on social media using #NewMOLawyers or by tagging @MoBarNews for the chance to be featured.  

For more information about the enrollment ceremonies, visit the Missouri Board of Law Examiners website.  

Welcome to the profession. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 

Every year, The Missouri Bar brings together a select group of new and young lawyers to serve on Leadership Academy. Each class completes a service project, engages in leadership workshops, networks with leaders in Missouri’s legal profession, and attends bar meetings. Following graduation, members continue to serve The Missouri Bar in an active capacity for two years. 

Taylor recently chatted with The Missouri Bar about her excitement surrounding Leadership Academy’s service project, her advice to new and young lawyers, and her two four-legged coworkers.

Why did you decide to apply for Leadership Academy?

“My mentor and boss, John Schultz, strongly encouraged me to apply, and I’m grateful he did. I wanted to intentionally develop my leadership skills, connect with other driven and service-oriented lawyers across the state, and contribute meaningfully to The Missouri Bar. The practice of law can sometimes feel siloed, especially early in your career. Leadership Academy provides a platform to step outside of daily litigation and engage in broader conversations about the future of the profession.”

This year's class service project centers around learning about new lawyers’ needs, wants, and perceptions of The Missouri Bar. How do you see this work shaping the bar’s overall ability to continue helping lawyers even better serve their clients?

“If we truly understand what new lawyers need — whether it’s mentorship, access to leadership, practical skills training, or a clearer ‘“on-ramp’” to involvement — we can build systems that support them earlier and more effectively. When young lawyers feel connected, supported, and seen, they are more confident and better equipped to advocate for their clients. Strengthening that foundation doesn’t just benefit individual lawyers; it elevates the profession as a whole. Sustainable excellence starts with intentional engagement.”

What are you most looking forward to about serving on Leadership Academy?

“I’m most excited about our service project focused on bridging the gap between young lawyers and engagement with The Missouri Bar. Early involvement can shape the entire trajectory of a lawyer’s career, and I love that we’re taking a thoughtful, data-driven approach to understanding what new lawyers actually need.

“Beyond the project itself, I’m truly looking forward to the relationships forming within this class. The connections we’re building already feel special, and I’m excited for the memories, collaboration, and continued service opportunities ahead. Being part of something bigger than your own practice is energizing.”

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?

“What I value most is the bar’s ability to unify such a diverse group of professionals under a shared commitment to competence, integrity, and service. At its core, The Missouri Bar strengthens lawyers so that lawyers can better serve their clients and communities. The profession demands a great deal from us, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically. The bar’s role in supporting lawyers through education, connection, and leadership development ensures we can meet that demand in a way that upholds public trust.”

Why did you want to become a lawyer?

“I was drawn to the intellectual challenge, the strategic thinking, and the ability to directly influence outcomes in meaningful ways. The law offers a blend of structure and creativity. You operate within defined rules, but how you analyze, argue, and advocate is uniquely yours.

“I also appreciated the flexibility of the career — the ability to pivot practice areas, build a business, lead organizations, and impact communities in different seasons of life. It’s a profession that constantly pushes you to grow, and I love that.”

What advice would you give to new/young lawyers?

“Be someone others enjoy working with. You never know who you’ll encounter again in a different role — opposing counsel today may be a referral source, co-counsel, or judge tomorrow. One of the best compliments I’ve received is that I am ‘easy to work with.’ In an adversarial profession, that means a lot to me … Professionalism and composure make this career far more sustainable and far less stressful.”

What is one interesting/unique thing in your home/work office that brings you joy?

“In my home office, I have two dog beds for my two furry coworkers. They wander in throughout the day and sleep peacefully while I’m on calls or drafting motions. Watching them nap without a care in the world while I work tirelessly is oddly grounding. Oh, to be a dog.”

Editor’s note: These answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness. Learn more about Leadership Academy here. 

These perspectives will help guide the class as it creates recommendations for how The Missouri Bar can even better support and meet the needs of lawyers now and moving forward in a relevant, timely, and impactful way.

The Leadership Academy will present its findings and recommendations to The Missouri Bar Board of Governors at the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, Sept. 16-18.

Registration

To register to participate in a focus group, first click on the link below for your preferred time and date. After registering with the link below, Leadership Academy will send you a confirmation email with a unique link. Use that link to join the focus group, not the registration link below. 

Due to limited availability, please register only if you are certain you can attend.

March 31, noon: https://mobar-org.zoom.us/j/85882764351?pwd=4jSj5I9aBgfXbIKfquTpXDbyhT95Qq.1

April 1, 5:30 p.m.: https://mobar-org.zoom.us/j/86846963894?pwd=hpb6gzayoXceU1etzbs8LDNrdD660n.1

April 7, noon: https://mobar-org.zoom.us/j/85022072858?pwd=kl0VOS1kobeJrrI5ML58498raKHbEL.1

April 8, 5:30 p.m.: https://mobar-org.zoom.us/j/88126299933?pwd=yYPHuMP0ChnRgIFH2aJMMGK0aMfNtA.1

April 14, noon: https://mobar-org.zoom.us/j/87513263689?pwd=wPbBshNIu1lIXy5Ib128VZrta5ydfa.1

April 15, 5:30 p.m.: https://mobar-org.zoom.us/j/85022816754?pwd=TbAkglXhsUX5eBjrrArqSu98e4WHVn.1

If you have questions or experience issues registering for one of the focus groups, please email LeadershipAcademy@mobar.org.

About Leadership Academy

Every year, The Missouri Bar brings together a select group of new and young lawyers to serve on Leadership Academy. Each class completes a service project, engages in leadership workshops, networks with leaders in Missouri’s legal profession, and attends bar meetings. Following graduation, members continue to serve The Missouri Bar in an active capacity for two years. 

Every year, The Missouri Bar brings together a select group of new and young lawyers to serve on Leadership Academy. Each class completes a service project, engages in leadership workshops, networks with leaders in Missouri’s legal profession, and attends bar meetings. Following graduation, members continue to serve The Missouri Bar in an active capacity for two years. 

Vanover recently chatted with The Missouri Bar about her invaluable experiences in Leadership Academy, her advice to new and young lawyers, and her love of sharing and reviewing books on social media.

Why did you want to become a lawyer?

“I have always known that I wanted to become a lawyer, but my time in undergrad at Webster University and working with Anne Geraghty-Rathert on the WILLOW Project truly solidified that desire. Through that experience, I saw firsthand how advocacy, empathy, and practical guidance can make a real difference in someone’s life. As cliché as it may sound, I wanted to help people, but I also wanted to do so in a way that felt genuine and human.

“I was drawn to the law because it gave me a platform to be a different mold of what a ‘typical’ attorney is perceived to be: approachable and focused on making the legal process less intimidating and more kind.”

Why did you decide to apply for Leadership Academy?

“A partner at my firm, Derrick Good, nominated me, I believe. I initially decided to apply for Leadership Academy to meet an expectation at my firm, as I was encouraged to be involved in a wide range of professional activities. However, over time, my perspective has completely shifted. While Leadership Academy is certainly time-consuming, I have come to see it as truly invaluable. The relationships, growth, and opportunities it provides are unlike anything else, and I now cannot imagine my professional development without being part of it.”

What are you most looking forward to about serving on Leadership Academy?

“I am most looking forward to the relationships that come from serving on Leadership Academy. I value the opportunity to make new friends, open doors to new connections, and build meaningful relationships with mentors who challenge and inspire me. I also genuinely love learning new things, and I am excited to grow alongside a diverse group of leaders while expanding my perspective and skill set (and reminding me that there is more to life in the legal field than just work and billable hours).”

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?

“What I value most is its commitment to professionalism, education, and service. The Missouri Bar plays a critical role in supporting attorneys at every stage of their careers while also protecting the public and strengthening trust in the legal system. I especially value the emphasis on continuing education, ethical practice, and leadership development, which ensures that lawyers are not only competent advocates, but thoughtful, engaged professionals who give back to their communities.”

This year's class service project centers around learning about new lawyers’ needs, wants, and perceptions of The Missouri Bar. How do you see this work shaping the bar’s overall ability to continue helping lawyers even better serve their clients?

“By intentionally focusing on the needs, expectations, and perceptions of new lawyers, this service project gives The Missouri Bar an opportunity to listen, adapt, and evolve. Understanding how newer attorneys experience the bar helps identify gaps in resources, communication, and support at the earliest stages of practice.

“When lawyers feel supported, informed, and connected from the beginning of their careers, they are better equipped to serve their clients ethically, competently, and confidently. This work strengthens the bar’s ability to remain relevant and responsive, ultimately benefiting both the profession and the public it serves.”

What advice would you give to new/young lawyers?

“My advice to new and young lawyers is to remember that you do not have to fit a predetermined mold to be a great attorney or advocate. Authenticity matters, and you can be highly competent, ethical, and effective while still being yourself.

“I would also strongly encourage new lawyers to lean on their mentors and build a support system early. Graduation does not mean your professors, supervisors, or mentors are off the hook — ask questions, seek guidance, and stay curious. The lawyers who grow the most are the ones who remain open to learning and willing to ask for help.”

What is one interesting/unique thing in your home/work office that brings you joy?

“One interesting thing about me at home is that I have a book-focused Instagram account, @life_law_literature, where I share and review books. Through that account, I have even had authors send me early copies of their books to read and review, which is something that truly brings me joy and lets me combine my love of reading with learning, connections, and community involvement.”

Editor’s note: These answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness. Learn more about Leadership Academy here. 

Nicholas Jain is Dunklin County prosecuting attorney and 2025-2026 Young Lawyers’ Section Council chair.

Note from Missouri Bar Executive Director Mischa Buford Epps: The mission of the Young Lawyers’ Section is to enhance the professional growth and public service of new and recently admitted Missouri lawyers. No matter where you are in your career, it is important to encourage and support others. With this in mind, I have invited YLS Council Chair Nicholas Jain to share about YLS and its latest initiatives. 

I’m proud to serve as chair of YLS Council and carry on the legacy of young lawyers before me. YLS is a community within The Missouri Bar comprised of lawyers who are 36 years old or younger, or who have been admitted to any state bar for 10 years or less.

My time on YLS began in 2016 while working as a prosecutor in southwest Missouri just a year out of law school. While I was surrounded by a strong network of lawyers there, YLS gave me an additional community of fellow young lawyers to learn from and grow with. I quickly learned that even though Missouri lawyers have a worldwide reach, being a Missouri lawyer and YLS member is a small group. 

During last year’s Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, I sat next to David Macoubrie, a lawyer from Chillicothe, at the Opening Lunch and Chief Justice’s Address. I learned that Macoubrie was on the inaugural YLS Council in 1967. 

Another member of the inaugural YLS Council was the late Maurice “Marcy” Graham, whom I was fortunate enough to meet when I was a law student with very little clue of what my future practice would look like. Simply based on the virtue of me wanting to be a lawyer and him being one, Graham generously shared his time to help me decide what type of lawyer I wanted to be. Graham’s legacy of guiding young lawyers continues to this day.

Knowing these inaugural members sparked an interest in learning more about the history of the YLS Council’s founding and its connection to today. 

YLS was created to solve what the bar identified at the time as its greatest challenge: obtaining “more and better participation by the lawyer in Bar activities,” according to a 1967 article in the Journal of The Missouri Bar.¹ Bar leaders recognized that educating new lawyers about the bar’s responsibilities early on would promote continued service throughout the lawyers’ careers. 

At its first meeting, the YLS Council adopted the following projects for its first year of creation: 

– Welcome new lawyers at the bar admission ceremonies 
– Educate students of the future dangers of a felony conviction 
– Undertake a study to locate areas in the state that had the largest need for lawyers 
– Share with high school and college students about the practice of law 
– Recognize outstanding contributions to the overall field of law²

Now, nearly 60 years later, I can report that YLS continues to carry that mission and passion. YLS members welcome new lawyers at enrollment ceremonies every year. YLS Council members continue to present to students about civic education throughout the year and even saw a massive success for last year’s Constitution Day when lawyers spoke to more than 2,000 students at more than 60 schools.³ The council continues to partner with law schools around the state to connect students to The Missouri Bar and YLS. The YLS Council also highlights lawyers and non-lawyers who are making a difference in their communities by presenting the annual Liberty Bell Award and Tom Cochran Community Service Award. 

YLS has expanded its mission greatly since its founding in 1967. YLS organizes and provides continuing legal education programs both around the state and virtually. YLS Council educates the public through ShowMeRights.org and publications about the courts. We help our communities through service projects and by answering Missouri residents’ questions on Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org. 

I am proud of the work The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section does for lawyers of all ages and for the individual communities we serve. I am certain YLS will continue to serve Missourians long into the future.

Endnotes 
1 Thomas D. Cochran, “Missouri Young Lawyers Section,” 23 J. MoBar 528 (1967). 
2 Id. at 529-31. 
3 “Former Missouri chief justice, 2025-26 Missouri Bar vice president present to students,” The Missouri Bar (2025), https://news.mobar.org/former-missouri-chief-justice-2025-26-missouri-bar-vice-president-present-to-students.

Every year, The Missouri Bar brings together a select group of new and young lawyers to serve on Leadership Academy. Each class completes a service project, engages in leadership workshops, networks with leaders in Missouri’s legal profession, and attends bar meetings. Following graduation, members continue to serve The Missouri Bar in an active capacity for two years. 

Sandoval recently chatted with The Missouri Bar about his unique journey to the legal profession, his advice to new and young lawyers, and the fulfillment of his childhood dream.

Why did you want to become a lawyer?

“I graduated from the University of Texas in 2017 with degrees in Neuroscience and Japanese, then worked in health IT and data analytics for a hospital system, writing reports that helped hospital leadership make evidence-based decisions.

“Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit our shores in early 2020, and everyone's life changed … With the time I saved commuting to the office every day, I contemplated what I was doing with my life. I (asked myself) … ‘Could I help make everyone's lives better with my skills? Could I become a part of the class of people who have some modicum of say over which direction our society goes?’

“So, I looked at my skills (thinking, asking, talking, reading, writing), and the logical conclusion was law school. I've only ever wanted to help people, so at the time I thought this choice made sense. I'm glad to report that I was completely right and that I have found my calling as an estate planning attorney. I am proud to help people and families plan for their futures with confidence and peace of mind.”

Why did you decide to apply for Leadership Academy?

“While at SLU Law, Adrienne Davis and Mary Pat McInnis both independently and in no uncertain terms urged me to apply. Their confidence in me, along with the overwhelming support I later received from colleagues, motivated me to pursue this opportunity. I strive to make them all proud.”

This year's class service project centers around learning about new lawyers’ needs, wants, and perceptions of The Missouri Bar. How do you see this work shaping the bar’s overall ability to continue helping lawyers even better serve their clients? 

“To learn about young lawyers’ needs, wants, and perceptions of the bar is to learn about the future of our profession and identify how we might deal with (various) issues. I see the work of the Leadership Academy’s project as having the potential to modernize and improve the bar’s current impacts.

“Based on our findings, we will be able to confidently recommend specific and germane changes in programming and policy rooted in the evidence and data that we will gather. Our recommendations will help guide the bar in prioritizing resources for Missouri lawyers that will help us meet future clients’ needs ethically and efficiently.” 

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?

“I deeply treasure the idea of improving the law for all Missourians. The law exists because we all believe in the power of some words on a piece of paper to structure and shape our shared society. The law belongs to ‘We, the People,’ not to any one person … [T]herefore, the law should serve us all and make our lives better.

“I appreciate all of the resources The Missouri Bar offers to attorneys across the state (to help achieve this mission). Insightful CLE programs, practice management resources, and MOLAP (Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program) are some of the many that immediately come to mind.”

What advice would you give to new/young lawyers?

“Realize (or remember) that you are part of a fraction of a decimal of the population who have the skills and education to be the architects of society. Wield your power, don't just profit from it. Wield it for the betterment of everyone, not just a few.

“Do not ‘wait your turn,’ do not ‘let somebody else do it,’ and do not ‘start small.’ Take charge and boldly lead the way with humility, because nobody is perfect and nobody's ideas are either. You will learn something new from everyone you meet along the way, and those friendships will take you to greater heights.”

What is one interesting/unique thing in your home/work office that brings you joy?

“A childhood dream of mine came true in 2020: I built my own computer from a bunch of individual parts. I still use this computer nearly every day I work from home. It is a beast of a machine that can handle the most cumbersome of PDFs with ease. On occasion, it also runs just about any video game you can imagine.”

Editor’s note: These answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness. Learn more about Leadership Academy here. 

Every year, The Missouri Bar brings together a select group of new and young lawyers to serve on Leadership Academy. Each class completes a service project, engages in leadership workshops, networks with leaders in Missouri’s legal profession, and attends bar meetings. Following graduation, members continue to serve The Missouri Bar in an active capacity for two years. 

Spangler recently chatted with The Missouri Bar about the class’s service project, her advice to new lawyers, and the fun of working with a two-year-old office mate.

What are you most looking forward to about serving on Leadership Academy?

“I am most looking forward to the people I will meet across the state. I believe that serving as the best attorney, and serving our community effectively, starts with a deep and genuine understanding of the people within our bar. That means listening to their life stories, struggles and triumphs, and learning from experiences that may be very different from my own. I am excited for the opportunity to broaden my perspective, build meaningful connections, and use those insights to better serve both the bar and our legal community as a whole.”

Why did you decide to apply for Leadership Academy?

“I was lucky enough to experience Leadership Academy second-hand through my husband, Cale Spangler, when he participated in the 2023-2024 class. I saw the connections he built as well as how much serving the bar impacted him and meant to him, and knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. Cale then went on to nominate me so I could share in that same experience he had.”

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?

“What I value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission is its recognition that it serves a truly diverse legal community and its commitment to meeting the needs of all its members. That diversity extends beyond age, race, and gender to include differences in geographic location, practice areas, and professional paths. By acknowledging and embracing this breadth of perspectives and experiences, The Missouri Bar strives to strengthen the profession and ensure that attorneys from across the state are supported, connected, and equipped to serve their communities effectively.”

This year's class service project centers around learning about new lawyers’ needs, wants, and perceptions of The Missouri Bar. How do you see this work shaping the bar’s overall ability to continue helping lawyers even better serve their clients? 

“This project has the potential to play a meaningful role in strengthening The Missouri Bar's ability to support the legal profession long term. By intentionally engaging new attorneys early in their careers, the bar gains valuable insight into the needs, expectations, and challenges faced by newer lawyers, and perspectives that can sometimes be underrepresented. This deeper understanding allows The Missouri Bar to better serve all of its members by developing targeted programs, resources, and support systems that address issues unique to new lawyers.

“As these attorneys feel more connected and supported from the beginning of their careers, they are more likely to remain engaged with the bar, strengthening the profession as a whole and ultimately helping lawyers better serve their clients across Missouri.”

Why did you want to become a lawyer?

“I grew up in a fairly rural area of Illinois where legal services were often inaccessible to many people in the community. Seeing that lack of access made me aware of how important lawyers are in ensuring fairness and opportunity. I was also deeply interested in government and how it should function to serve its constituents, and I believed that rural communities deserved strong representation just as much as urban areas.”

What advice would you give to new/young lawyers?

“Making mistakes is inevitable, and it is something that will occur throughout your career. It is not a mistake that defines you, but how you react, the accountability you take, and your actions in fixing the mistake. While uncomfortable, mistakes are some of our best learning opportunities.”

What is one interesting/unique thing in your home/work office that brings you joy?

“We are expecting a baby soon, so I had to relocate my home office into my two-year-old daughter's playroom. Whenever I need to get a couple things done at home, she drags her chair over to my desk so she can ‘work’ with me. She also brings me toys that she thinks are ‘work-related,’ which usually includes a princess crown or her Mizzou foam tiger paw.”

Editor’s note: These answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness. Learn more about Leadership Academy here. 

MOLAP will have in-person and virtual office hours for law students on the following days unless otherwise indicated.

University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law

Jan. 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Wellness Room 104A 

Feb. 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Wellness Room 104A 

March 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Wellness Room 104A 

April 22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Wellness Room 104A

University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law

Jan. 22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., virtual 

Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., virtual 

March 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., virtual 

April 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., virtual

Saint Louis University School of Law

Jan. 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., virtual

Feb. 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., virtual

March 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., virtual

April 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., virtual

Washington University School of Law

Jan. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Anheuser-Busch Hall Office of Student Life

Feb. 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Anheuser-Busch Hall Office of Student Life

March 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Anheuser-Busch Hall Office of Student Life

April 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Anheuser-Busch Hall Office of Student Life 

Come in during MOLAP’s office hours, schedule an appointment, or access services outside the scheduled office hours by calling 1-800-688-7859 or emailing molap@mobar.org.

Every year, The Missouri Bar brings together a select group of new and young lawyers to serve on Leadership Academy. Each class completes a service project, engages in leadership workshops, networks with leaders in Missouri’s legal profession, and attends bar meetings. Following graduation, members continue to serve The Missouri Bar in an active capacity for two years. 

Catlettstout recently chatted with The Missouri Bar about her goals for Leadership Academy, her advice to new lawyers, and the cinematic inspiration she keeps in her office.

Why did you want to serve on Leadership Academy?

“I wanted to challenge myself by stepping out of my comfort zone and participating in a program that will facilitate professional relationships and develop leadership skills that I would not otherwise pursue.” 

This year's class service project centers around learning about new lawyers’ needs, wants, and perceptions of The Missouri Bar. How do you see this work shaping the bar’s overall ability to continue helping lawyers even better serve their clients? 

“I think that this project will help new lawyers find their voice and empower them to take meaningful leadership roles not only in The Missouri Bar but across the state … Empowering new lawyers to be leaders will change the framework of our judicial and legislative systems across the state.

“Additionally, integrating new lawyers into The Missouri Bar at an early stage also strengthens retention, mentorship, and professional development. When lawyers feel supported, connected, and confident in their advocacy, they are better equipped to represent clients zealously, creatively, and ethically. Over time, that confidence and engagement contributes to a stronger legal profession and, ultimately, to a system that better serves the public."

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar? 

“I value The Missouri Bar because it … provides lawyers with the space, resources, and professional community to support one another and to confront the challenging realities of the practice in a constructive and ethical way. By fostering collegiality, education, and wellness, the bar helps lawyers care for themselves so they can better serve their clients.

“I also value the bar’s commitment to civic education: informing people of their rights, promoting fairness and justice, and explaining the processes through which meaningful legal change occurs. These efforts strengthen public trust in the legal system and empower communities to engage effectively.”

Why did you want to become a lawyer? 

“I started my professional career working in politics and saw firsthand how deeply our policies impact communities … I became a lawyer because I saw an opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to advocate more effectively for people and communities that are underrepresented across our systems … By working with my clients, whom are members of some of the most vulnerable communities in our state, I am better able to use my voice and influence to advocate not only for individuals, but for meaningful, systemic change.”   

What advice would you give to new/young lawyers? 

“Trust your professional judgment and intuition. Do not be afraid to claim your seat at the table. Your voice, perspective, and presence matter, particularly in a profession shaped by tradition and power. Find appropriate, respectful ways to be heard, and understand that the legal system is stronger when it reflects a diversity of experiences and viewpoints.” 

What is one interesting/unique thing in your home/work office that brings you joy? 

“One unique feature of my home and work office is my collection of movie references. As a teenager, my favorite job was working at a local movie theater, and I have carried that love of film with me ever since. Throughout my space are small, thoughtful nods to movies, including an office poster featuring the quote from 'The Shining': ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,’ which serves as a reminder of the importance of balance. I even named my dog Anakin Dogwalker.”

Editor’s note: These answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness. Learn more about Leadership Academy here. 

Editor's note: The applicants who passed the bar examination but had not yet completed all other requirements for admission are not included in this list, which the Missouri Board of Law Examiners originally published on Sept. 24, 2025. Read more about the admission requirements under Rule 8 at MBLE.org.

Richard James Ables 
Kitty Mae Adderholt 
Tiwaladeoluwa Adedunmola Adedibu 
Colby Ray Aldridge 
Emily Claire Allen 
Trevor Joseph Allen 
Trevor Hunt Amason 
Clayton William Anderson 
Brittany Archer 
Allee MaryElizabeth Armitage 
Clayton Arnold 
Gabrielle Leigh Aronson 
Kaitlin Ray Ashner 
John Shattuck Atherton 
Lauren Jane Atherton 
Grant Atwood 
Sidney Ann Bach-Norman 
Alyssa Hope Bacon 
Elaine Chanttelle Badr 
Cecilia Anne Bailey 
Ryan Alan Barber 
Elizabeth Ann Barnard 
Gabriel Cannon Barnes 
Jack C. Barry 
Luis Carlos Battista 
Melanie Batts 
Nathan James Beaver 
Rachel Beverly Barber Bell 
Stephanie Nicole Bell 
Olivia R. Benoit 
Alexa Marie Benson 
Rebekah A. Berardi 
Alyse M. Berger 
Sophia Berte 
Magdee Besharat 
Allison Bettlach 
Kendra S. Betz 
Sakina Bhatti 
William Kansas Bigbee 
Egan Biggs 
James Robert Bilhartz 
Anthony Louis Binaei 
Hailey Marie Black Danks 
Sebastian John Blitt 
Mackenzie Blodgett 
Vanessa Boese 
McKayla S. Bogda 
Emily Elizabeth Bomball 
Breanna M. Booker 
Clara Brand 
Colin Braun 
Austin Jack Breit 
Lauren Katherine Bretz 
Georgia Lillian Bronson 
Christa Broughton 
Nathan Alexander Johnson Brown 
Richard Groll Browne IV 
Mariel Stella Brunman 
Leslie Adam Bryson 
Claire Rose Burns 
Erika Lynn Burton 
Kaitlyn Renee Cairns 
Jason Michael Cantrell 
Tyler James Carmack 
Kevin Carpinone 
Rachel Stephanie Carr 
Caitlyn Mckenzie Carrigan 
Kaitlin Cosette Dowling Carroll 
Wyatt Jeffrey Carter 
Anahi Elizabeth Casas Perez 
John Clement Castello 
Corbin Avery Caston 
Tricia Rose Caucci 
Trevor Cernech
Ashley Cerrentano 
Zachary G. Chaney 
Stephen Chapman 
Emma Kay Chedwick 
Jacob Chinnery 
Stephanie Chisum 
Piper Christenson 
Jonathan Chu 
Lilijana Elizabeth Chufo 
Tyler Clevenger 
Hunter Michael Clouse 
Jack Henry Collins 
Molly Heather Cooke 
Sophia Maryanna Crain 
Page Caroline Cramer 
Marissa Anne Cripe 
Stephanie Crocker 
Karen Nash Crouch 
Kristen Marie Croucher 
Christine O’Donnell Crowell 
Ray Lee Cunneen 
Brianna M. Daniels 
Kate Allison Daus 
Tory Danielle Davidson 
Alexander William Davis 
Sabrina August Davis 
Ethan Schmidt Deimeke 
James Deister 
Laure Deltin 
Alexander Vincent DeLuca 
Chase Dembowski 
Charles Richard Dennert 
Emily Desbien 
Cody Daniel Deterding 
Isabella Marie Dixon 
Audrey Cecelia Dodds 
Audrey Doering
Michael Patrick Dolan 
Sofia Rose Dominguez 
Anna Donaldson 
Samantha Dovin 
Krupa Dudani 
Jay Parker Dunham 
Joseph Doan Duong 
Yara K. Duran 
Ethan Cole Dwyer 
Timothy De Ver Dye 
Ivana Easley 
Hannah Marie Eastland 
Manuel Alfredo Echeverria Vargas 
Amanda Marie Ellis 
Nathan William Elmer 
Amanda English 
Andrew Englund 
Noah Michael Fahnestock 
Maleah Alaine Fallahi 
Taylor Kate Farris 
Eloria Ruth Fedynich 
Henry August Feyh 
William Julian Fine 
Payton R. Flower 
Andres Fontg 
Sidne Elise Fonville 
Brian Ford 
Brendan Joseph Fowler 
Naomi Harrow Franklin 
Matthew Joseph Fuhr 
Jillian Grace Fusi 
Ryan Gallagher 
Isabela Andrea Gallegos 
Amaris Grace Garber 
Rachel Lynn Gardner 
Werthen Grace Gass 
Nathaniel Gatter
Sydney Tobin Gaughan 
D’Andre Jovan Gaye 
Matthew D. Gelfman 
Hallie Harrison Gibbs III 
Zayne Alexander Glatz 
Charles Woodson Goltermann 
Anna Marie Goodson 
Trinity Gore 
Sara Lynn Gottman 
Heidi Sierra Green 
Kinsey Rose Griffith 
Madison Griffiths 
Katherine Gundersen 
Anisha Venkata Guru 
Pablo Andres Haddock-Cruz 
Grant Rush Hahn 
Abbey Marie Hammack 
Elizabeth Morin Harper 
Kaia Harris 
Mary Paige Alexandra Hawkins 
Addison McKenzie Haynes 
Michelle Marie Haynes 
Charles Christopher Heinze 
Marlie Evelyn Heiser 
Matthew Craig Hellmann 
Catherine Mae Henne 
William R. Henrickson 
Izaac Anthony Herebia 
Emma Mae Herold 
Mitchell Thomas Herrick 
William Harrison Heusel 
Cooper Jae Hilton 
Alyssa Marie Hoedl 
Sydney Hoffman 
Clifton David Holly 
Henry Hong 
Nathan Thomson Horvit 
Wyatt Parker Hough 
Emily Elizabeth Howard 
Danica Howell 
Thomas Hubbard 
Darby Hull 
Eric Stephen Humphrey 
Sarah Anne Hunter 
Tasneem Huq 
Nathan Joel Isom 
Kaylee Elaine Jacobson 
William John James 
Tara Danielle Janowski 
Crosbie Jarrett
Logan Craig Jeffers 
Hank Jenkins 
Qi Jiang 
Latianna Johnson 
Morgan Johnson 
Noah Scott Johnson 
Jared Johnstone 
Alexandra Camille Jones 
Jarrett Robert Jones 
Jonathan Dee Jones 
Mikayla Susan Jones 
Natalie Dolores Jostes 
Alexandria Jacqueline Karbach 
Natalie Sophia Kay 
Joseph F. Kellogg 
Benjamin Kelly 
Madison Taylor Kennedy 
Lauren Ashley Kessler 
Avrye King 
Caitlin Rebecca King 
Kaylea King 
Christian D. Kinghorne 
Jessica Marie Kolditz 
Annie Kathleen Kreikemeier 
Carolyn Annmarie Kroenke 
Roger Kevin Krohn 
Adam Donald Kropf 
Luke David Kuhl 
Grace Elizabeth Lahr 
Thomas Riley Langdon 
Nicholas Carl Langsdale 
Mariana Larson 
Anna Joyce Laughlin 
Nguyen Phuong Le 
Hayley Frances Leach 
Phoebe Diane Leach 
Erika Madison LeFauve 
Julianna Chu Leung 
Jonathan Alexander Lewallen 
Michael Austin Lhotak 
Cody Allen Lightfoot 
Crystal Lindner 
Joseph Ryan Link 
Joseph Alan Lipham 
Lisandra Lopez Ravelo 
Bailey Lovett 
Caroline Lowe 
Rebecca Anne Lowell 
Lillian Lucas 
Ross Luinenburg
Christina Caroline Lutton 
Benjamin Thomas MacArthur 
Ilse Isabel Maloney 
Aubrey Kate Manculich 
Madeline Mann 
Anna Marchiony 
Sophia Caroline Marcolla 
Sydney Payton Marino 
Noah Wayne Marlar 
Abigail Jean Martin 
Bradley Michael Matteuzzi 
Marissa Dawn Mayfield 
Stewart Glendon Mayo 
Emma Suzann Mays 
Aidan Francis McAllister 
Margaret Mary Anne McAuliff 
Kathryn McCabe 
Mackenzie Nicole McCance 
Collin Joseph McDonough 
Connor Patrick McDonough 
Lauren McFail 
Trevion Devante Onique McGhaw 
Kennedy Leslie McGhee 
Danielle Elizabeth McGough 
Kasey Usher McGrath 
Michael McIntyre 
Andrew Miller McPike 
Christian Melhado 
Mary Ashley Mendik 
Nicole Christine Mense 
Katherine Lynn Miles 
Logan Reed Mitchell 
Latifat Adetola Moradeyo 
Jose Morales 
Dominic Moro 
Meghan Reese Morris 
Clark Thomas Moseley 
Christine Nicole Moser 
Ellie Marie Moser 
Darla Joy Mueller 
Benjamin Stuart Murphy 
Ayaan Musse 
Madelyn Jane Musson 
Mary Joyce Myers 
Winton J. Neal 
Delaney Patricia Nelson 
Israel Sebastian Nelson 
Brett Bernadette Newberry 
Carus William Newman 
Elizabeth Ngatia
Jacob R. Niemeyer 
Brendan Michael Noble 
Jessie Louise O’Brien 
Brian Robert O’Farrell 
Jonnette Marie Oakes 
Stella Obita 
Denisha Nandi Odie 
Halle Ellen Ann Oerly 
Michelle Nicole Onder 
Samuel Okechukwu Onwukwe 
Myriam JoAnne Ortega 
Kimball Hunter Pahl 
MacKenzie Yates Palmer 
Samantha Francis Palumbo 
Anjali Jaymin Patel 
Michael Anthony Patterson 
Juliana Payne 
Richard Benjamin Peacock 
Sara Jane Peal 
Janisha Pealer 
Karsen Layne Peppers 
Lisette Christine Perez 
Andrew Scott Perkins 
Autumn Bernice Perkins 
Jennifer Ann Perry 
Kegan Simone Peters 
Whitney Marie Peterson 
Kole Phelps 
Gabrielle Phillips 
Emma Piazza 
Morgan Kaeanna Marie Pirkle 
Alexis Marie Piskulic 
Carleton Plourde 
Francesca Pollina 
Addison Ann Prather 
Cody Tanner Preston 
Paola Carolina Prieto 
Leslye Carolina Quintanilla 
Kaleb Richard Rasmussen 
Peyton Lee Renard 
Gracie Ann Ricci 
Maximillian Xavier Richardson 
Caleb Ridings 
Emma Anne Ridings 
Jaylen C. Riley 
Jack Redmon Roberts 
Anderson Rogers 
Isabel Viviana Rojas Barbosa 
Oliver Davis Rolfe 
Mary Claire Rose
Katarina Maria Rosenberger 
Griffin Roster 
Grace Nichole Rowden 
Ramie Kate Ruble 
Taylor Madison Rumsey 
Aimen Salem 
Emily Anne Samisch 
Luke Lawrence Sanders 
Ryan James Sandifer 
Rafael Chandrasekhar Sanga 
Alyssa McKenzie Savage 
Wolfgang Alexander Schaefer 
Margaret M. Schmid 
Morgan Schmidt 
Olivia Almirudis Schneider 
Kloe’ Denise Schnell 
Sarah Ellen Schuermann 
Allison Leigh Schultz 
Jonah Albert Schwartz 
Ashley Dovi Segnibo 
Emily Catherine Sophia Seidl 
Madison Self 
Abigail Ann Sepich 
Keltin Petner Serio 
Yuvia Andrea Serna 
Erin Leigh Sexauer 
Jamie Finn Sgarro 
Max Truman Shapiro 
Meredith McKensie Sharp 
Cameron Shields
Austin Joseph Siener 
Donjayi T. Simmons 
Daniel William Simon 
Bradley Paul Simontacchi 
Hannah Jo Skaff 
Helene Katharina Slinker 
Kathleen Slone 
Abigail Mae Smeltzer 
Grayson Smith 
Kyle Andrew Smith 
Michael Isaac Smith 
Nicholas Andres Sondon 
Evan Thomas Spears 
Caitlyn Michelle Specketer 
Haley Spiewak 
Sarah Madeline Spond 
Matthew Robert Springer 
Nathaniel David Stachowski 
Sarah K. Stack 
Luke Ian Stange 
Leah Coleen Stein 
Joseph Steinbacher 
Kristina Michele Stevenson 
Bailey Marie Stewart 
Jason Patrick Sullivan 
Jennifer Lauren Sweeton 
Matthew Carl Swords 
Brooke Anika Teson 
Benjamin Louis Thal 
Taylor Kay Todd
Thomas Anthony Tolman 
Phillip Andrew Tomlinson 
Austin Townsend 
Haley Trammell 
Anthony Richard Tretter 
Nika Tsiklauri 
Edmond Howard Underwood IV 
Anirudh Vadlamani 
Alaina Marie Valdes 
Kevin Valleroy 
Anna VanBuskirk 
William Harlin Vance 
Rachel Ann Vande Kieft 
Nathan William Vanderheyden 
Clayton Hazlett Varley Jr. 
Kenneth Joseph Viehland 
John A. View IV 
Jacob Villarreal
Alexander John von Keudell 
Allison Ann Wachter 
Andrew Gregory Wachter 
Robert Wald 
Seth Patrick Walker
Vivian Washington 
Stephanie Nicole Waxman
Helen Sherman Webster 
Jacob R. Wendell
Addisyn Marie Wheeler 
Robert Matthew White 
Brennan Nicholas Whitt 
Alexandra Grace Widick 
Kayla Wilhelms
Jermeha Williams
Kaylynn R. Williamson 
Andrew James Wise 
Kevin Andrew Wise 
Ian Wiseman 
Christian Parker Witte 
Gabriel Thomas Wolff 
Jacob Harvey Wood 
Regan Marie Wood 
Colton J. Woodson 
Sara Elizabeth Worrell 
Christopher Jason Russell Yardley 
Drue Young 
Naya Young 
Adrien Garritt Zambrano 
Erin Rose Zimmerman 
Isabella Maria Zoog

Over 320 individuals were sworn into the legal profession before judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners during the Fall Enrollment Ceremonies. Those lawyers were among the 450-plus individuals who passed the July 2025 Bar Exam.

View photos from the day’s celebration on The Missouri Bar's Facebook page.

While the weather was rainy and cold, the energy in the Supreme Court of Missouri building was high as families and friends hugged and congratulated the new lawyers. In the corner of the lobby, new lawyer Drue Young smiled for several photos with various family members.

“I’m going to get choked up,” she said, fighting back tears. “I really couldn’t have done this without them.”

After taking a criminal justice class in high school and observing a murder trial her senior year, Young knew she wanted to be lawyer. A graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law, she is now working at Tim Lohmar in O’Fallon, which focuses on family and criminal defense.

“I want to give back to my community and help people … in the position that I’m in now,” Young said.

Meredith Sharp, a graduate from the University of Mississippi School of Law, said she was also excited to help people as a lawyer. Sharp plans to focus on estate planning in Kansas City.

“Working in trusts and estates is such an intimate part of people’s lives and stuff that’s really important to them and carrying on their legacies,” Sharp said. “So, being able to help with that is very fulfilling to me.”

Upstairs, Jonnette Oakes waited to enter the courtroom where she would take her oath of admission. A graduate of Washburn School of Law in Topeka, Kansas, Oakes now works as a research lawyer at the Kansas Court of Appeals.

“It’s always been my goal to be an attorney, but it wasn’t something that I thought was obtainable,” she said. “So, having the opportunity to be here today and say ‘I am an attorney,’ is something I’m proud of.”

The Missouri Bar is here to help lawyers even better serve their clients and communities. Enrollees can view the plethora of resources available to them at MoBar.org/New-Members. In addition, The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section sent welcome packets to the state’s enrollees.

Twelve young lawyers have been selected to participate in the 2025-2026 Missouri Bar Leadership Academy. Individuals selected for the program are:  

- Delaney Catlettstout, Missouri State Public Defender, St. Louis 

- Steven Ebert II, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Clayton 

- Kasey Ervin, Missouri State Public Defender, Kansas City 

- Abigail Fears, Shook Hardy & Bacon, St. Louis 

- Aleigh Flournoy, Seyferth Blumenthal & Harris LLC, Kansas City 

- Sierra Johnson, 22nd Judicial Circuit Family Court, St. Louis 

- José Sandoval, Sandoval Law Firm LLC, St. Louis 

- Natalie Spangler, Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, Jefferson City 

- Des’Aire Taylor, Franke Schultz & Mullen PC, Kansas City 

- Caitlyn Vanover, Thurman Law Firm, Hillsboro 

- Clayton Weems, Missouri Attorney General’s Office, St. Louis 

- Kennedy Womack, Mid-Missouri Legal Services, Columbia 

The Leadership Academy was developed in 2000 to encourage diversity among the bar’s leadership by recruiting young lawyers (those recently admitted to the bar under the age of 40 or those admitted for 10 years or fewer) who have already shown leadership qualities within their communities. Each class contains about a dozen lawyers who are diverse in terms of sex, race, ethnicity, practice area, and geography.  

Leadership Academy classes participate in The Missouri Bar’s Annual Meeting, Board of Governors and committee meetings, and workshops designed to help the class learn more about the bar, develop leadership skills, and complete a service project. At the end of the year, class members commit to serving the bar in an active capacity for two years, such as serving on the Young Lawyers’ Section Council or committees, presenting continuing legal education programs, or writing for the Journal of The Missouri Bar.  

The 2025-2026 class will officially launch its year-long program later this month.  

Learn more about Leadership Academy and the impacts its graduates have had on the profession here.  

The Fall Enrollment Ceremonies will consist of multiple swearing-in sessions beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 10 at the Supreme Court of Missouri, located at 207 W. High St. in Jefferson City. Everyone who passed the July 2025 Bar Exam and meets all admission eligibility requirements is invited, along with their families, to attend the ceremonies.  

Many lawyers look back fondly on their enrollment ceremony, and it’s a time to celebrate all your hard work. You’ll take the oath of admission and be welcomed into the profession by the judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers and staff of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners.  

Here are some important things to remember:  

Park in the right spot. There is a public parking garage on Madison Street, two blocks east and one block north of the Supreme Court of Missouri building. Meter parking is available on various streets downtown, which can be paid for using coins or a credit card via the mobile app Passport Parking. Please do not park in the lot located behind the Supreme Court building as it is reserved for judges and personnel.  

Please see this link for information regarding the location of designated parking areas for those with disabilities.  

Know where to go. Your first stop is registration on the fourth floor, room 400, of the Harry S Truman State Office Building, 301 W. High St., where you will check in; pick up your admittance card, license, and oath; and receive welcome materials. When you register, you will be assigned a tentative time for when you must be in your seat for your ceremony. This information will be listed on your admittance card.  

To reduce the registration lines, arrive at the time listed below based on the first letter of your last name. Registration times are staggered to control the number of people passing through security at any given time.  

A-D 7:45 a.m.  

E-K 8:15 a.m.  

L-R 8:45 a.m.  

S-Z 9:15 a.m.  

Allow approximately 15 minutes to walk from the Truman Building to the Supreme Court building, pass through security, and take your seat in your assigned courtroom. To help with crowd control, you and your guests should not get in line to enter the Supreme Court of Missouri building until the marshal calls your ceremony color and number.  

Each enrollment ceremony will take 20 minutes.  

Security at the Supreme Court of Missouri. You and your guests must present photo identification, as well as your ceremony admittance card, at the security checkpoint. Guests must comply with security procedures to enter the building, including passing through a metal detector. Cell phones are allowed in the Supreme Court of Missouri building to take pictures and videos, but no voice calls are allowed on the second floor of the building or in the courtrooms at any time.  

Federal court ceremony. The United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri will have two ceremonies, convening at 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., which will be held in the House Chambers on the third floor of the Missouri State Capitol Building.  

Register at the federal court table when you register for your Missouri Bar enrollment ceremony (the federal court table will be near the registration tables). You must be sworn in to the Missouri court before attending the federal court ceremony.  

Guests may sit in the fourth floor gallery.  

Remember to sign the Roll of Attorneys. Sign the Roll of Attorneys before or after the ceremony in the lobby of the Supreme Court of Missouri building. These contain the names of all lawyers enrolled by the courts, and you should ensure your name is included.  

Dress the part. Enrollees are expected to dress in business attire for the enrollment ceremonies. Revealing clothing and jeans are not appropriate.  

Mingle with Missouri Bar leaders. As a new lawyer, you have many great resources at your disposal. On enrollment day, the Missouri Bar president, executive director, Young Lawyers’ Section Council members, and staff will be available to answer questions. The bar also provides a host of information online at MoBar.org/New-Members.  

Take lots of photos. Your enrollment ceremony is a time to have fun! Missouri Bar staff will be onsite with photo props. Share your images from the day on social media using #NewMOLawyers or tagging @MoBarNews for the chance to be featured by the bar.  

For more information about the Enrollment Ceremonies, visit the Missouri Board of Legal Examiners website.  

Welcome to the profession. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!  

The newly elected and retained Board of Governors members and YLS Council members will take office at the conclusion of the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, which takes place Sept. 17-19 in Branson. 

Board of Governors

Six members were newly elected to the 45-member Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar and 16 incumbents were retained for new terms. Members of the Board of Governors are elected to serve two-year terms. Newly elected members or past members elected in different districts of the Board of Governors include: 

- District 1 (Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Chariton, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Sullivan, and Worth counties): Joseph A. Gagnon

- District 3 (Bates, Carroll, Cass, Cooper, Henry, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Ray, St. Clair, and Saline counties): Max E. Mitchell

- District 4 (Cole County): Jeremiah J. Morgan

- District 5 (Barry, Barton, Cedar, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Stone, and Vernon counties): A. Keegan Tinney

- District 10 (Greene County): Jacqueline Ledezma-Ruelas

- Missouri Court of Appeals-Southern District: Bethany R. Turner

The following members of the Board of Governors were re-elected to a two-year term: 

- District 5 (Barry, Barton, Cedar, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Stone, and Vernon counties): Hon. Charles D. Curless

- District 6 (Benton, Camden, Christian, Dallas, Douglas, Hickory, Laclede, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Ozark, Polk, Taney, Webster, and Wright counties): Andrew S. Lyskowski

- District 7 (Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Jefferson, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Ripley, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Scott, Stoddard, and Washington counties): Scott A. Robbins

- District 8 (Jackson [excluding Kansas City], Clay, and Platte counties): Kate E. Noland

- District 9 (St. Louis County): Michael P. Downey, J. Brent Dulle, and Amy Bender-Levy

- District 11 (City of St. Louis): Hon. Michael J. Colona and Matthew C. Casey

- District 12 (City of Kansas City within Jackson County): Scott S. Bethune, Phyllis A. Norman, Christa B. Moss, and Christopher D. Dandurand

- District 14 (St. Charles County): Eric J. Wulff

- District 15 (Boone and Callaway counties): Sander C. Sowers

- Missouri Court of Appeals-Western District: Lillian Mehler

YLS Council

Missouri lawyers elected five new individuals and retained 14 incumbents to serve on the 35-member YLS Council, the governing body of The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section. Council members are elected to serve two-year terms.

The newly elected members are:

- District 3 (Jackson County): Kelly St. John and Justin Shock

- District 9 (City of St. Louis): Brad Baker

- District 11 (Christian, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Ozark, Stone, Taney, Webster, and Wright counties): Brett Hodges

- Western Appellate District Diversity Seat: Darrell Smith

The incumbents retained for new terms are:

- District 2 (Adair, Audrain, Chariton, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby and Sullivan counties): Cassidy Johnston

- District 3 (Jackson County): Lauren Dollar, Sam Sherman, and Erica Frank

- District 5 (Boone, Callaway, Cooper, Howard, and Saline counties): George Brand

- District 6 (Cole, Moniteau, and Osage counties): Paige Wheeler

- District 8 (St. Louis County): Courtney Chen, Darrian Castro, and Vince Taormina

- District 9 (City of St. Louis): Katie Finnegan Krispin, Elizabeth McNulty, and David Wasserman

- District 12 (Benton, Camden, Dallas, Hickory, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Morgan, Pettis, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, and Texas counties): Danielle Drake

- Southern Appellate District Diversity Seat: John Boyer

YLS strives to enhance the professional growth and public service of new and recently admitted Missouri lawyers by sponsoring community service projects, CLE programs, and networking events. All Missouri lawyers 36 years old or younger and/or who have been in practice 10 years or less are automatically members of the section at no additional cost. Learn more about YLS at MoBar.org/YLS.

The Missouri Bar is a statewide organization that is dedicated to improving the legal profession, the law, and the administration of justice for all Missourians. Created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, it serves all 30,750 of Missouri’s practicing lawyers. The Missouri Bar provides a wide range of services and resources to its members, as well as the media, educators, and the citizens of Missouri. To learn more, visit MoBar.org. 

Correction: This article was updated at 11:05 a.m. on Aug. 18, 2025, to state there were 16 incumbents retained in the Board of Governors election, as well as include Lillian Mehler as the incumbent retained in the Missouri Court of Appeals-Western District race.

Nimrod T. "Rod" Chapel Jr., founder of The Chapel Law Group LLC in Jefferson City and a proud alumnus of The Missouri Bar's Leadership Academy, has always sought opportunities for professional and personal growth. When the chance to apply for Leadership Academy came, he didn’t hesitate.

Founded in 2000, the Leadership Academy program brings together young lawyers to complete a service project, engage in leadership workshops, network with leaders in Missouri’s legal profession, and attend bar meetings.

In this Q&A, Chapel reflects on his experience in the 2001-2002 class, discussing the value of building a strong network and the lasting impact the program has had on his career and life.

Why did you want to be a part of The Missouri Bar Leadership Academy?

“The Missouri Bar Leadership Academy offered me an opportunity to learn more about my bar association. At the time, I understood that I would get to know young lawyers around the state, but I had no idea how important and long-lasting these relationships would be. Perhaps because of the in-depth introduction to our bar association, I was able to continue working in and outside of the bar with other lawyers from not only my class in the Leadership Academy, but also the years to follow. It’s been a highlight for me professionally and supportive socially.”

Why do you think Leadership Academy is a valuable opportunity for lawyers?

“Lawyers participating in the Leadership Academy can learn, not just about our bar association, but also about the deeper commitment that we, as lawyers, have to service. The service project of each academy year provides time, structure, and resources to bring ideas to improve our profession to life. Sometimes the academy has provided information to people in our communities and other times, it is created resources for lawyers themselves. Both are worthy opportunities for growth and expansion personally and professionally.”

What are some lessons you took away from being a part of Leadership Academy?

“That lawyers participating in the Leadership Academy have a chance to meet distinguished lions of The Missouri Bar — Dana Cutler, Erik Bergmanis, and so many others who demonstrate daily what it is to be a complete lawyer and excellent people. The lesson then is how we can chart a path to not just be experts in our areas, but the type of lawyer that brings respect to our profession.”

How has Leadership Academy helped you in your legal career?

“As a lawyer who practices in courtrooms from St. Joseph to New Madrid, from Republic to Pike County, knowing other lawyers in the area, in the courtroom, and sometimes even friends who are leaders in the legal community, makes a big difference. There are lawyers who would tell you that gaining professional connections will always be of assistance, and of course that’s true. But the reality is it’s the personal relationships that you develop over your career that hold all the value. The Leadership Academy helped me form so many that are dear to me today.”

How has Leadership Academy helped you get more involved in the legal profession?

“I had no idea that the bar association would not only be helpful and supportive, but also a foundation to decades of involvement in my profession. What started off as a single article in the Journal of The Missouri Bar led to a number of speaking engagements, participation in the Leadership Academy (which I see as a lifelong commitment), leadership positions on bar committees, and bringing products like Fastcase to lawyers in Missouri.

“For me, being involved in making presentations at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, which I’ll be doing again in September, is a valuable opportunity to combine work and play where I see friends, share information, and receive ideas. Hopefully when we return home, we’re all better lawyers for the experience.”

What was your favorite moment of being in Leadership Academy?

“In retrospect, some of my favorite moments are being able to go back and talk with some Leadership Academy classes! The lawyers are energetic, funny, and so smart. We have had formal and informal meals and kept in touch over the years. It does (go) back to my experience in the Leadership Academy, where in one of the first classes (of) young lawyers from around the state, sometimes with nothing in common, became fast friends.”

If a lawyer was hesitant to participate in Leadership Academy, what would you say to encourage them to join?

“As a young lawyer, I was deeply committed to working and demonstrating my ability as a lawyer. Some lawyers see conflicts between the hours we spend in the office working on cases or legal matters and those we spend developing ourselves in or through our profession. I am so happy that I took a chance on me and engaged in service to the public through the Leadership Academy. I have worked in and outside of The Missouri Bar to lift up not only our value in the various communities we serve as lawyers, but also to leave a legacy of service through the bar.

“When I applied for Leadership Academy, one of the questions was, ‘Do you have your full support from your employer?’ I didn’t ask my employer because I thought to myself that if I’m working somewhere that doesn’t value public service, would not afford me a few minutes here and there to participate in the Leadership Academy for the benefit of our profession and maybe even me, then I needed to work someplace else. Jobs are easy to come by; lives are harder to build.

“I’d rather be a part of building something great than a cog in the wheel, and the Leadership Academy opened up so many doors and opportunities. I’m eternally grateful and suggest that you take a chance on you too.”

Editor’s note: These answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness. Learn more about Leadership Academy at MoBar.org/LeadershipAcademy. 

The Missouri Bar and Smokeball recognize the important role solo and small firms play in every local community. By providing Smokeball Bill at no cost, all members of The Missouri Bar will now have access to a user-friendly software solution that ensures trust accounting compliance and simplifies billing.  

“By providing Smokeball Bill at no cost to all Missouri Bar members, we hope to assist them with running efficient and compliant law firms so they can even better serve their clients,” said Shelly Dreyer, 2024-2025 Missouri Bar president.

Manually managing trust accounting can lead to compliance errors and malpractice claims. Smokeball Bill makes it simple for members to easily comply with trust accounting regulations. The software also helps firms send and collect invoices and bills.

“By providing Smokeball Bill software, which typically costs $588 per user/per year, at no cost to Missouri Bar members, we aim to enhance the resources accessible to the legal community as a whole and to the clients they serve,” said Jane Oxley, CRO and co-founder of Smokeball.

This is Smokeball's 14th no-cost product partnership with a state bar, following the announcement of partnerships with state bars including the State Bar of Texas and the Oklahoma Bar Association. To learn more about Smokeball’s no-cost product offering with The Missouri Bar or to sign up, please visit www.smokeball.com/missouribill.

About Smokeball - Smokeball is your partner to drive your law firm into the future. As the industry's leading cloud-based legal practice management software, Smokeball empowers you to run your firm specific to your area of law. Our platform gives you all the insights and tools you need to work smarter, not harder: automatic time tracking and invoicing, streamlined workflows for your specific practice area, a library of over 20,000 standard legal forms and documents, and actionable reports. Smokeball is a member benefit of over 20 U.S. bar associations. Learn how to run your best firm at smokeball.com.

About The Missouri Bar - The Missouri Bar was created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri. Its mission is to improve the legal profession, the administration of justice, and the law on behalf of the public. Through educational programs, publications, and more, The Missouri Bar serves as a valuable resource for members — and for the citizens of Missouri.

Editor’s note: The applicants who passed the bar examination but had not yet completed all other requirements for admission are not included in this list, which the Missouri Board of Law Examiners originally published on April 9, 2025. Read more about the admission requirements under Rule 8 at MBLE.org.

The Missouri Bar Leadership Academy has offered networking and leadership development opportunities for young lawyers over the last 25 years, graduating more than 270 leaders in the legal profession. Now, it’s your turn to help nominate the next class of leaders. If you know exceptional young lawyers who have shown outstanding leadership skills in their communities, nominate them for the 2025-2026 Missouri Bar Leadership Academy class!

Complete the online nomination form by May 30. Following the nomination period, each nominee will receive an application to complete. A selection committee will review the applications and nominations before selecting the next Leadership Academy class.

Established in 2000, Leadership Academy encourages diversity among the bar’s leadership by recruiting and targeting young lawyers (under the age of 40) or those recently admitted to the bar (no more than 10 years ago) who have already shown leadership qualities. Each class contains about a dozen lawyers who are diverse in terms of gender, race, practice area, and geography. 

Leadership Academy members participate in The Missouri Bar’s Annual Meeting, Board of Governors and committee meetings, and workshops designed to help the class learn more about the bar, develop leadership skills, and create a public service project. At the end of the year, class members commit to serve the bar in an active capacity for two years.

Many Leadership Academy alumni have served on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors, on Young Lawyers’ Section Council, as committee and section chairs, and as presenters at popular Missouri Bar conferences like MOSOLO Small Firm Conference, Bernard Edelman DWI Law & Science Seminar, and Annual Meeting. 

Read from Leadership Academy alumni Hon. Jalilah Otto, Portia Britt, Scott Robbins, and Cara Stuckel about how the program helped them advance in their legal careers.

Click here to read how a casual conversation at a restaurant created this 25-year-old Missouri Bar program.

If you have questions about Leadership Academy, contact Dr. Tony Simones at TSimones@mobar.org.

About 50 individuals were sworn into the legal profession before judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners during Friday’s Spring Enrollment Ceremonies. Those lawyers were among the 

View photos from the day’s celebration on The Missouri Bar's Facebook page.

“On behalf of The Missouri Bar, it’s my great honor to welcome the newly enrolled lawyers,” said 2024-25 Missouri Bar President Shelly Dreyer. “Today marks a culmination of their hard work and dedication and the beginning of meaningful careers in the service of the profession and citizens of Missouri.”

Surrounded by her mom, dad, and fiancée, new lawyer Alleigh Fine was beaming following the enrollment ceremonies. She was one step closer to entering the health law practice.

“It kind of feels like a weight lifted off my chest, and I just feel so grateful because I have an incredible support system,” said Fine, a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law.

Fine’s fiancée, Aj Surrell, praised Fine for her “resilience” and encouraged Fine to continue to follow her heart as she becomes a lawyer.

“To watch her finish law school, pass the bar, go through the whole process, she is the strongest person I know, and it’s the greatest thing to be standing next to her during this,” Surrell said.

Having taken the bar exam twice, new lawyer Carson Klein said finally being able to take the Oath of Admission was like a dream come true. A graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law, Klein said she is excited for what this next chapter will look like.

Klein’s mother, Melissa Gordon, said it was “amazing” to watch her daughter officially become a lawyer.

“There’s nothing she can’t do,” Gordon said, fighting back tears.

Holding her oath, Amari Spraggins said the moment felt “surreal” and wouldn’t have been possible if not for the support of her family and friends.

“You need someone to help ground you outside of the legal field, so that’s what your family and friends are for,” said Spraggins, a graduate of Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Missouri Bar is here to help lawyers even better serve their clients and communities. Enrollees can view the plethora of resources available to them at MoBar.org/New-Members. In addition, The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section sent welcome packets to the state’s enrollees.

You’ve completed all the steps to become a Missouri lawyer – and now it’s time to celebrate! Follow these tips to make the most of the Spring Enrollment Ceremonies, while also keeping stress levels low.  

The 2025 Spring Enrollment Ceremonies will consist of swearing-in sessions beginning at 9 a.m. April 25 at the Supreme Court of Missouri, located at 207 W. High St. in Jefferson City. If you passed the February 2025 Bar Exam and met all admission eligibility requirements, you and your immediate family are invited to attend the enrollment ceremonies and celebrate this amazing accomplishment. 

The enrollment ceremonies are an exciting event where you’ll take the oath of admission and be welcomed to the profession by the judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners.  

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the day:  

Park in the right spot. There is a public parking garage on Madison Street, two blocks east and one block north of the Supreme Court of Missouri building. Meter parking is available on various streets downtown, which can be paid using coins or credit card via the mobile app Passport Parking. Do not park in the lot located behind the Supreme Court building, which is reserved for Supreme Court of Missouri judges and personnel. 

Know where to go. Your first stop is registration on the 4th floor of the Harry S. Truman State Office Building, 301 W. High St., where you will check in; pick up your admittance card, license, and oath; and receive welcome materials. When you register, you will be assigned a time you must be in your seat for your ceremony at the Supreme Court building. This information will be listed on your admittance card. Registration opens at 7:45 a.m.

Allow approximately 20 minutes to walk from the Truman building to the Supreme Court building, go through security, and be seated in your assigned courtroom. 

Be prepared for security. You and your guests must present photo identification, as well as your ceremony admittance card, at the security checkpoint in the Supreme Court building. Guests must comply with security procedures to enter the building, including passing through a metal detector. Cell phones are allowed in the building to take pictures and videos, but no voice calls are allowed on the second floor or in the courtrooms at any time.

Consider attending the federal court ceremony. The United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri will have one ceremony at 10:15 a.m. in the House Chambers on the third floor of the Missouri Capitol building. This enrollment ceremony is for lawyers who wish to practice in the district courts. 

Register at the federal court table when you register for your Missouri Bar enrollment ceremony (the federal court table will be located near The Missouri Bar registration tables). You must be sworn in by The Missouri Bar before attending the federal court ceremony. 

Please allow at least 20 minutes to walk from the Supreme Court of Missouri, pass through security, and be seated in the House Chambers for your ceremony. You will not be allowed in once the ceremony has begun.

Guests can sit in the fourth-floor gallery. 

For more information about the federal court ceremony, click here.

Remember to sign the Roll of Attorneys. Sign the Roll of Attorneys before or after the ceremony in the lobby of the Supreme Court building. These contain the names of all lawyers enrolled by the courts, and you should ensure your name is included.

Look sharp. Enrollees are expected to dress in business attire for the enrollment ceremony. Revealing clothing and jeans are not appropriate.

Mingle with Missouri Bar leaders. As a new lawyer, you have many great resources at your disposal. On enrollment day, the president, executive director, and staff of The Missouri Bar, as well as members of the bar’s Young Lawyers’ Section Council, will be available to answer questions. The bar also provides a host of information online at MoBar.org/New-Members. 

Take lots of photos. Your enrollment ceremony is a time to have fun! Missouri Bar staff will be on-site with photo props. Photos taken by Missouri Bar staff will be posted on the bar’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages. Share your images from the day on social media using #NewMOLawyers or by tagging @MoBarNews for the chance to be featured.  

For more information about the enrollment ceremonies, visit the Missouri Board of Law Examiners website.

Welcome to the profession. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

This internship experience is designed to enrich the 2L and 3L law school experience and future opportunities in the law by matching the law student with an associate circuit or circuit judge who will provide an opportunity for the student to observe the justice system at work; meet judges, lawyers, clerks, and other legal professionals; and provide valuable exposure to the standards of professionalism within the legal industry.

How does it work?
The timing to complete the internship is flexible, with a goal of completing 80 hours between June and August 2025. Any specific schedule mutually agreed to by the judge and student (e.g., two concurrent 40-hour weeks; two 40-hour weeks separated as needed, 20-hour weeks over four weeks, etc.) is acceptable to fulfill the requirements.

While the goal is a total of 80 hours, internships with a shorter or longer total duration and/or a completion date later than August will be considered for approval on an individual basis. 

How do I apply?
The application deadline is April 7, 2025, for a summer 2025 internship. Students can complete the application online here.

When will I know if I was accepted for an internship?
Eligible law students accepted for an internship will be notified and matched with a member of the judiciary by May 5, 2025.

What are the requirements and expectations of law students and judges in the internship program?

The student's notification of acceptance will include contact information for the sponsoring judge. The law student will be responsible for contacting the judge within 10 days of receiving acceptance notification to develop and finalize a mutually acceptable schedule for the internship.

All interns will attend one of the Missouri Bar diversity judicial internship orientation sessions via Zoom. These dates, along with other important information, will be provided to interns in their acceptance packets.

All interns and judges must complete a post-internship questionnaire/survey about the experience by September 2025. 

Questions?
For more information, contact Elizabeth Reed, Missouri Bar diversity & inclusion director, at ereed@mobar.org or 573-635-4128. 

You can also register in advance for one of the following diversity judicial internship informational Zoom meetings listed below. If you can’t preregister, still use the link below to join us the day of the meeting.

Wednesday, March 12 at 4:30 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/XNV3AzRvQ1uFweFs_czs9A

Tuesday, March 18 at 1 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/WGo6pyyTS-qVWSTAfQ3QbA

Wednesday, March 19 at 12:30 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/RLtdbwm9SMu_jEiNhNKP-A

Thursday, March 27 at 5 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/768OdMo5QgmP5ZY-_qHkNg

To help lawyers discover ways to achieve this, the Journal of The Missouri Bar sought advice from members of the bar’s 2024-25 Leadership Academy class, a group of select new and young lawyers who have shown leadership qualities in their communities.

These emerging legal professionals shared their perspectives on the importance of work-life balance and the strategies that have helped them find harmony between the demands of the profession and their overall well-being. 

__________

Kelly “Koki” Sabatés, 
Lawyer at DeVaughn James, Overland Park 

“To maintain a healthy work-life balance, I’ve set clear boundaries, prioritized spending time with people outside of the legal profession, and have incorporated yoga into my life. When I work hybrid or take home work, I have a dedicated workspace that I only use for work-related tasks. I avoid working on my couch, living room, or in bed because those are my designated relaxation and rejuvenation spaces. If I associate work with these areas, I never truly get a chance to unwind. 

"Additionally, I make an effort to maintain relationships with individuals who are not lawyers. This helps me feel less inclined to discuss work-related matters with them. 

"Finally, I’ve dedicated time to practicing yoga which has truly brought peace and balance into my life. Once you make a commitment to be there in the studio and present on your mat, it does help melt away a lot of the stressors from your day.” 

Brittany Chapman 
Managing attorney with the administrative hearings unit, Missouri Department of Social Services / Division of Legal Services, St. Louis 

“Maintaining work-life balance … is vital for ensuring that we, as attorneys and professionals, can provide the best service to those we serve. Through trial and error, I’ve learned that taking care of myself isn’t optional – it’s necessary. By allowing myself the space to rest and recharge, I’m able to show up as my best self, both professionally and personally. We cannot pour from an empty cup, and taking the time to rest and recover helps us stay stable, functional, and effective in our roles.” 

Holly Weiss 
Assistant general counsel and policy director at the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg 

“I think, in general, work-life balance can be difficult because often everything in the legal practice feels like an emergency or a ‘needs done now task.’ That’s why I like using lists and tasks to keep me on track. I can get caught up in the sense of urgency and then any work-life balance goes out the window. So, just taking a breath, pulling up my calendar, setting the deadline, and working backwards with tasks and setting realistic timelines helps remind me that the problem, task, or request is not an emergency (maybe sometimes it is, but often even tight deadlines aren’t emergencies). 

"This is all a constant practice though. I was reminded this week that I did not need to pick up my pace because opposing counsel created a sense of urgency. So, I took a moment to just sit with it, came back, and proceeded to implement my process (the list, time allotments, and task completion). That was yesterday. Today, I am no longer feeling the need to work this weekend. Hooray!” 

Sean P. Connelly 
Assistant state public defender, St. Louis 

“I think work-life balance is hard and almost impossible in this profession. It should be less of a balance and more of a full thing for each. When you are at work, you are at work. When you are at home, be home. Be present with your loved ones, friends, kids, etc. Leaving the laptop at the office will not change anything because I guarantee that problem will still be there in the morning ... If you do not take time for yourself to do something you like, then you will burn out.”

Bethany Allen 
Risk management counsel at Thompson Coburn LLP, St. Louis 

“From a legal professional’s perspective, maintaining balance often starts with organization. Planning ahead can go a long way, especially with deadlines or end-of-year obligations. Communicating your availability early on helps set expectations with colleagues and clients. And, perhaps most importantly, don’t be afraid to actually unplug when you’re off – it’s okay to step away, recharge, and come back strong!” 

Courtney Klaus 
Commercial litigation lawyer at Polsinelli, Overland Park 

“I find compartmentalizing keeps me from feeling overwhelmed at work. I keep two phones – one for personal use and one for work. My phone for work has no apps aside from strictly necessary ones, and I use it for all my work email and phone calls. Keeping my work communications separate from my personal phone with all my leisurely apps and personal communications keeps me better organized and clear-headed.” 

__________

What is Leadership Academy?

The Missouri Bar Leadership Academy program was created in 2000 to encourage diversity among the bar’s leadership by recruiting young lawyers – those recently admitted to the bar under the age of 40 or those admitted for 10 years or fewer – who have already shown leadership qualities within their communities. Each class contains about a dozen lawyers who are diverse in terms of sex, race, ethnicity, practice area, and geography.  

Leadership Academy classes participate in The Missouri Bar’s Annual Meeting, Board of Governors and committee meetings, and workshops designed to help the class learn more about the bar, develop leadership skills, and complete a service project. At the end of the year, class members commit to serve the bar in an active capacity for two years, such as serving on the Young Lawyers’ Section Council or a committee or presenting continuing legal education programs. 

Since its inception, nearly 300 lawyers have participated in The Missouri Bar’s Leadership Academy.

To learn more about Leadership Academy or nominate a lawyer for the program, contact Dr. Anthony Simones at tsimones@mobar.org.

Jackson Hobbs 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.  

Hobbs is an associate with Lathrop GPM, where he counsels and litigates for corporate clients, chief executives, business owners, and other individuals involved in high-stakes government investigations and civil and criminal enforcement actions. 

He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri and his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. He was also a member of the 2023-2024 Leadership Academy class.  

Hobbs 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 working with and making connections with other members on the YLS Council, and young lawyers across the state.” 

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

“I think making other young lawyers aware of all the different committees and events that YLS puts on is important. I also want to emphasize that all young lawyers are invited to join in the events and initiatives of YLS.” 

Who is your personal hero? 

“One of my personal heroes is my adult special needs sister. I am constantly amazed by her desire to connect with others, her outstanding dedication to various sports teams, and her optimistic outlook on life and the experiences we have with members of our family and community. She is a great reminder and inspiration for me to be grateful for all that we have and for the opportunities to work and serve others.” 

What is your favorite way to spend a day off? 

“My favorite way to spend a day off is hanging out with my wife and our two French bulldogs, Paul and Dwayne.” 

Is there anything that you would like members of the bar to know about you? 

“I would like others to know that I am so grateful and excited for the chance to serve on the YLS Council and make connections with other young lawyers across Missouri. If you’re ever in KC, let’s catch up. Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you at a YLS event soon.” 

Editor’s note: The applicants who passed the bar examination but had not yet completed all other requirements for admission are not included in this list, which the Missouri Board of Law Examiners originally published on Sept. 11, 2024. Read more about the admission requirements under Rule 8 at MBLE.org.

700-plus lawyers and judges connect during Annual Meeting in St. Louis

There is still time to register for the Virtual Annual Meeting “Lunch & Learn” Oct. 7-11 

More than 700 lawyers and judges traveled to St. Louis Sept. 18-20 to attend the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, where they had a chance to attend insightful CLEs; meet new acquaintances and catch up with old friends; connect with the new bar officers; and celebrate colleagues leaving a positive impact on the profession. Click here to read more. 

More from Annual Meeting: 

• Missouri Bar elects 2024-2025 officers
• Congratulations to this year's Senior Counselors!

Meet the 2024-2025 Leadership Academy Class 

Twelve young lawyers have been selected to participate in the 2024-2025 Missouri Bar Leadership Academy. 

The Leadership Academy was developed in 2000 to encourage diversity among the bar’s leadership by recruiting young lawyers (those recently admitted to the bar under the age of 40 or those admitted for 10 years or fewer) who have already shown leadership qualities within their communities. Each class contains about a dozen lawyers who are diverse in terms of sex, race, ethnicity, practice area, and geography.   

Read the full article to learn more about the Leadership Academy and this year’s class. 

Nearly 200 #NewMOLawyers sworn in during Fall Enrollment Ceremonies 

The Missouri Bar celebrated 194 new lawyers who took their oath of admission and were sworn in to the legal profession today during multiple Fall Enrollment Ceremonies at the Supreme Court of Missouri building in Jefferson City. Those lawyers were among the 286 individuals who passed the July Bar Exam and met all other admission criteria. 

See photos from the day’s celebration here. 

Click here to learn more about resources for new enrollees. 

2024 awardees 

Each year, The Missouri Bar, The Missouri Bar Foundation, and The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section present awards to deserving lawyers, judges, and community members. This year’s awardees were recognized Sept. 18-20 during Annual Meeting in St. Louis. 

To learn more about the awards and recipients, click here. 

Most popular stories  

This month, the bar’s most popular articles continued to be The Missouri Bar’s weekly case summaries, followed by July and August “In Memoriam.”

View Supreme Court of Missouri and Missouri Court of Appeals hand-downs each week online, where there are headings and summaries for each case. These summaries are not part of the opinions of the Court and should not be quoted or cited.  

Those wanting to pay tribute to a Missouri lawyer can submit an obituary here.  

The Missouri Bar makes every effort to provide valuable information and resources through MoBar.org and MissouriLawyersHelp.org. To stay up to date, follow The Missouri Bar on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Spotify.

See more photos from the day’s celebration here.

 The Missouri Bar is here to help lawyers even better serve their clients and communities. Enrollees can view the plethora of resources available to them at MoBar.org/New-Members. In addition, The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section will send welcome packets to the new lawyers.

Twelve young lawyers have been selected to participate in the 2024-2025 Missouri Bar Leadership Academy. Individuals selected for the program are:   

- Bethany Allen, Thompson Coburn LLP, St. Louis

- Brittany Chapman, Missouri Department of Social Services Administrative Hearings, St. Louis

- Sean Connelly, Missouri State Public Defender St. Louis City Trial Office, St. Louis

- Courtney Klaus, Polsinelli PC, Overland Park

- Craig Lowe, Missouri State Public Defender, Carthage

- John McKenzie, Missouri Attorney General’s Office, Jefferson City

- Mariajose Ortiz, Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis

- Jeremy Peissig, Sedey Harper Westhoff PC, St. Louis

- Kelly “Koki” Sabates, DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers, Kansas City

- Darrell Smith, U.S. District Court, Kansas City

- Monica Spier, Cisar Law Firm PC, Lake Ozark

- Holly Weiss, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg

The Leadership Academy was developed in 2000 to encourage diversity among the bar’s leadership by recruiting young lawyers (those recently admitted to the bar under the age of 40 or those admitted for 10 years or fewer) who have already shown leadership qualities within their communities. Each class contains about a dozen lawyers who are diverse in terms of sex, race, ethnicity, practice area, and geography.  

Leadership Academy classes participate in The Missouri Bar’s Annual Meeting, Board of Governors and committee meetings, and workshops designed to help the class learn more about the bar, develop leadership skills, and complete a service project. At the end of the year, class members commit to serve the bar in an active capacity for two years, such as serving on the Young Lawyers’ Section Council or committees and presenting continuing legal education programs. The 2024-2025 class will officially launch its year-long program in October. 

Learn more about Leadership Academy and the impacts its graduates have had on the profession here.  

Congratulations! You’ve completed all the steps to become a Missouri lawyer – and now it’s time to celebrate! Follow these tips to take full advantage of the Fall Enrollment Ceremonies.  

The Fall Enrollment Ceremonies will consist of multiple swearing-in sessions beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 27 at the Supreme Court of Missouri, located at 207 W. High St. in Jefferson City. Everyone who passed the July 2024 Bar Exam and meets all admission eligibility requirements is invited, along with their families, to attend the ceremonies.  

Many lawyers look back fondly on their enrollment ceremony, and it’s a time to celebrate all your hard work. You’ll take the oath of admission and be welcomed into the profession by the judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers and staff of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners.  

Here are some important things to remember:  

Park in the right spot. There is a public parking garage on Madison Street, two blocks east and one block north of the Supreme Court of Missouri building. Meter parking is available on various streets downtown, which can be paid for using coins or a credit card via the mobile app Passport Parking. Please do not park in the lot located behind the Supreme Court building as it is reserved for judges and personnel.  

Please see this link for information regarding the location of designated parking areas for those with disabilities.  

Know where to go. Your first stop is registration on the fourth floor of the Harry S Truman State Office Building, 301 W. High St., where you will check in; pick up your admittance card, license, and oath; and receive welcome materials. When you register, you will be assigned a tentative time for when you must be in your seat for your ceremony. This information will be listed on your admittance card.  

To reduce the lines for registration, arrive at the time listed below based on the first letter of your last name. Registration times are staggered to control the number of people passing through security at any given time. 

A-D 7:45 a.m. 

E-K 8:15 a.m. 

L-R 8:45 a.m. 

S-Z 9:15 a.m. 

Allow approximately 15 minutes to walk from the Truman Building to the Supreme Court building, pass through security, and take your seat in your assigned courtroom. To help with crowd control, you and your guests should not get in line to enter the Supreme Court of Missouri building until the marshal calls your ceremony color and number.  

Each enrollment ceremony will take 20 minutes.  

Security at the Supreme Court of Missouri. You and your guests must present photo identification, as well as your ceremony admittance card, at the security checkpoint. Guests must comply with security procedures to enter the building, including passing through a metal detector. Cell phones are allowed in the Supreme Court of Missouri building to take pictures and videos, but no voice calls are allowed on the second floor of the building or in the courtrooms at any time.  

Federal court ceremony. The United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri will have two ceremonies, convening at 10:20 a.m. and 11:20 a.m., which will be held in the House Chambers on the third floor of the Missouri State Capitol Building.  

Register at the federal court table when you register for your Missouri Bar enrollment ceremony (the federal court table will be near the registration tables). You must be sworn in before attending the federal court ceremony.  

Guests can sit in the fourth-floor gallery.  

Remember to sign the Roll of Attorneys. Make sure to sign the Roll of Attorneys before or after the ceremony in the lobby of the Supreme Court of Missouri building. These contain the names of all lawyers enrolled by the courts, and you should ensure your name is included.  

Dress the part. Enrollees are expected to dress in business attire for the enrollment ceremonies. Revealing clothing and jeans are not appropriate.  

Mingle with Missouri Bar leaders. As a new lawyer, you have many great resources at your disposal. On enrollment day, the Missouri Bar president, executive director, Young Lawyers’ Section Council members, and staff will be available to answer questions. We also provide a host of information online at MoBar.org/New-Members.  

Take lots of photos. Your enrollment ceremony is a time to have fun! Missouri Bar staff will be onsite with photo props. Share your images from the day on social media using #NewMOLawyers or tagging @MoBarNews for the chance to be featured.  

For more information about the Enrollment Ceremonies, visit the Missouri Board of Legal Examiners website. 

Welcome to the profession. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!  

Portia Britt, associate county counselor for the St. Louis County Counselor’s Office, recently received the

Leadership Academy, founded in 2000, encourages diversity among the bar’s leadership by recruiting young lawyers or those recently admitted to the bar who have shown exceptional leadership qualities. Each class completes a service project, engages in leadership workshops, and attends bar meetings.

Britt, from the 2018-2019 Leadership Academy class, talks with The Missouri Bar about how Leadership Academy ignited career growth through networking and listening.

Why did you want to be part of Leadership Academy? 

“My interest in the Leadership Academy was initially sparked by two of my mentors who previously participated in the program and informed me of its many benefits. After doing my own research, I was able to see the networking and leadership opportunities that come from participation in the program.”

Why do you think Leadership Academy is a valuable opportunity for lawyers? 

“I always give credit to the Leadership Academy for starting my interest in bar leadership. Through the Leadership Academy, I was able to learn more about the functions and processes of The Missouri Bar and that helped me to understand how decisions are made by bar leaders and the important role that young lawyers can play in shaping the practice of law in Missouri. Decisions made by bar leaders shape the everyday life and practice of lawyers, and all lawyers should want to participate and have their voice heard in that process.”

What are some lessons you took away from being part of Leadership Academy?  

Active listening

“During my year in Leadership Academy, I gained a deeper understanding of the role active listening plays in being a good leader. As lawyers we usually listen with the intent to respond, and not necessarily to understand. Also, just by nature of the program, Leadership Academy attracts lawyers who are used to speaking out and being leaders in their hometown, their law practice, and in other organizations they serve. When you put a group of leaders like this in a room to discuss topics or projects, it can be overwhelming because everyone has a point of view, a great idea, and the passion to support that idea.

This is where actively listening plays a role in leadership because when you are listening and giving consideration to the ideas of others, you have the opportunity to see that while your idea or position may be a great one, it might not be the best one at this time or might not be best suited for the needs presented.”

True networking

“I used to think that networking was all about talking to as many people as you can and having your face seen as much as possible. After participating in Leadership Academy, I better understood that networking is about making meaningful and lasting connections with people.

I might go to an event and only have a conversation with two or three people that I don’t know but during our discussion we form a real connection over the fact that we both love dogs or soccer or some other similarity. Now every time I see them in the future, I know them, and they know me, and we can share real updates on our lives and practices.

I have found this to be much more beneficial both personally and professionally than having a room full of people that vaguely recognize me from a brief interaction while we were both trying to work the room.”

How has Leadership Academy helped you in your legal career?

“Leadership Academy provided me the opportunity to get to know experienced lawyers across the state. I have lawyers who I contact for almost any scenario, and they can provide me with advice or recommend someone who can. Having this level of connection is invaluable to my growth as a lawyer and to my practice.”

What was your favorite moment(s) about being in Leadership Academy? 

“My favorite moments from Leadership Academy were definitely spending time with and getting to know my class. I always looked forward to our in-person meetings because we got along so well, and we had a lot of fun together. I will give a special shout out to our in-person meeting in Springfield and leave it at that.

But we truly enjoyed each other’s company and that was the best part of the program to me. I have been lucky enough to continue to see many of them through work and continued bar service, and every time I walk into a room that they are in, I instantly know I have at least one friend in that room."

If a lawyer was hesitant to participate in Leadership Academy, what would you say to encourage them to join? 

“Leadership Academy is an opportunity for new and young lawyers to learn more about the type of lawyer they want to be while also having the opportunity to serve their communities and the practice of law.

It’s an opportunity for you to have an instant connection with more than 200 lawyers and bar leaders from across the state. In getting to know the members of your class and Leadership Academy alumni throughout the year, you have a chance to learn about career opportunities and paths that you may not have previously had access to or of which you may not have been aware.

Participants are also able to better determine the extent to which they would like to be in bar service. After participating in Leadership Academy, I knew that I wanted to continue being actively involved in the governance of The Missouri Bar, so I applied for the first opening on the YLS Council that I saw in my district. This led me to getting involved in Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association and trying to help shape policy for young lawyers across the county.

Leadership Academy also offers a means to grow your leadership skills in an environment where you are supported and surrounded by other lawyers who have the same goals. Not only do you get to grow personally and professionally, but you also can assist in the needs of The Missouri Bar and your community through the annual service project.

If you have questions about the value of the program, contact any alumni and they will be happy to talk to you!”

Leadership Academy’s mission promotes lawyers from all different backgrounds to get involved in their state and local bars. Why do you think this is important? 

“Diversity of experience and thought are such important components in shaping the future of the practice of law, and Leadership Academy provides an opportunity and a safe space to further explore those topics.

For example, I first learned of the ever-increasing shortage of lawyers in rural areas of Missouri from one of my fellow classmates in Leadership Academy. Growing up in St. Louis and attending law school in Columbia, it never occurred to me that some Missourians might have to drive an hour away to seek representation or that lawyers who might want to return to their hometown to practice after graduation are hesitant to do so because of a lack of mentors near them to help guide them in their new practice.

Similarly, many lawyers have not experienced being a young, Black, female prosecutor in a large metropolitan area. It is only through sharing and understanding different perspectives that we can move the practice of law forward for all lawyers.”

Editor’s note: These answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness. Learn more about Leadership Academy here. 

Feras Abdulsalam Abualhayjaa 

Ahmmad Abuirqeba

Bailey M. Adamik 

Victoria Anderson 

Ethan Attebery 

Shawna Renee Austin 

Jack Quentin Berry 

Amit Vadilal Bhagat 

John Marshall Branch 

Julia Dayne Breukelman 

Henry Brown 

Mary Elizabeth Burgoyne 

Areli Elizabeth Cardoza 

Wendy M. Coleman-Irvin 

Joseph G. Conroy 

Nadia Helen Corona 

Christopher Scott Douglas 

Christopher Edwards 

Amanda Marie Cacy Erisman 

Henry Eruchalu 

Kristen Evans 

Paul Anthony Fagan 

Ashley Nina Flood 

Ryan Neal Frantz 

Rana Freeman 
Stephen Henry George 

Dustin Monroe Gleason 

Matthew Grimaldi 

Diamond Money Harris

Rebecca Mi-Young Ho 

Jacob Ellis Johnson 

Daniel Kim 

Jacob Oliver-Deane Langerot 

Albert Law 

Selina Lerma 

Dayna Leigh Linneman 

Gray Cooper Malkmus 

Khalfani Mar’Na 

Manuel Mayoral 

Nadia Danielle Molloy 

Chelsea Anne Murphy 

Alycenne Nguyen 

Amelia Rose Niemi 

Kirsten Marie Pryde 

Thomas John Raborg 

Ariel Nicole Rae Recalde 

Julia Elizabeth Reece 

Collin Jordan Roth 

Olga Shupyatskaya 

Emily Cameron Sinton 

Andrew Snively 

Nichole Louise Stewart 

Joel Dane Suarez 

Xiaohui Tandy 

Daniel Porter Volin 

Wendy Kaye Weber 

Bailey Lavell White 

Jarrod Lee Wiggs

Editor’s note: The applicants who passed the bar examination but had not yet completed all other requirements for admission are not included in this list, which the Missouri Board of Law Examiners originally published on April 10, 2024. Read more about the admission requirements under Rule 8 at MBLE.org.

Hon. Jalilah Otto, a circuit court judge and alumna of The Missouri Bar's Leadership Academy, remembers when her legal network barely extended beyond her own office. Now, she credits the Leadership Academy with fostering connections that have become the bedrock of her successful career.

The Leadership Academy, founded in 2000, encourages diversity among the bar’s leadership by recruiting young lawyers or those recently admitted to the bar who have shown exceptional leadership qualities. Each class completes a service project, engages in leadership workshops, and attends bar meetings.

The Missouri Bar is accepting nominations for the 2024-25 class through May 22. Submit your nomination here.

Otto, from the 2009-10 Leadership Academy class, talks with The Missouri Bar about her journey with the academy and the value of developing a network of lawyers and mentors along the way.

Why did you want to be part of Leadership Academy?

“I only knew the lawyers in my office, and I wanted to meet and network with different lawyers across the state.”

Why do you think Leadership Academy is a valuable opportunity for lawyers?

“As a young lawyer, I met so many lawyers from all over the state, those in different practice areas and stages of their careers. I gained so many unexpected mentors who I would not have ordinarily had the opportunity to interact with. The Leadership Academy also introduced me to the governing structure for lawyers in Missouri, and I had the opportunity to meet one-on one with presidents of The Missouri Bar and members of the Supreme Court of Missouri.”

What are some lessons you took away from being part of Leadership Academy?

“I learned to not be shy, and volunteer for new opportunities. Many things that I have encountered in this profession are far beyond what you learn in law school. Exposing yourself to new opportunities early in your career will help you become a more creative and intuitive lawyer.”

How has Leadership Academy helped you in your legal career?

“The mentorship and network I developed from the Leadership Academy has been phenomenal!  I still talk to many of the people I met through the Leadership Academy on a regular basis.”

What was your favorite moment from Leadership Academy?

“I will never forget the lock-in at the bed and breakfast. We stayed up all night trying to agree on a service project. Eventually, we agreed to make an ethics video for law schools to use for first-year students. Unbelievably, I have had a few young lawyers come up to me and say, ‘Hey, weren't you in that law school video…’”

Leadership Academy’s mission promotes lawyers from all different backgrounds to get involved in their state and local bars. Why do you think this is important?

“Networking with your peers is critical in this profession. You never know how any one person may impact your life or help you develop as a person. Or how you may be able to help them. The legal community is not that big in Missouri so it is valuable (and fun) to have friends throughout the state.”

If a lawyer was hesitant to participate in Leadership Academy, what would you say to encourage them to join?

“Do not hesitate. Join the Leadership Academy and be open to new experiences. You will not regret it!”

Editor’s note: These answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness. Learn more about Leadership Academy here. 

Complete the online nomination form by May 22. Following the nomination period each nominee will receive an application to complete. A selection committee will review the applications and nominations before selecting the next Leadership Academy class.

Leadership Academy encourages diversity among the bar’s leadership by recruiting and targeting young lawyers or those recently admitted to the bar (under the age of 40 or those admitted for 10 years or fewer) who have already shown leadership qualities. Each class contains about a dozen lawyers who are diverse in terms of gender, race, practice area, and geography. 

Leadership Academy members participate in The Missouri Bar’s Annual Meeting; Board of Governors and committee meetings; and workshops designed to help the class learn more about the bar, develop leadership skills, and create a public service project. At the end of the year, class members commit to serve the bar in an active capacity for two years.

Many Leadership Academy alumni have served on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors, on Young Lawyers’ Section Council, as committee and section chairs, and as presenters at popular Missouri Bar CLE conferences like MOSOLO Small Firm Conference, Bernard Edelman DWI Law & Science Seminar, and Annual Meeting. 

Hesitant about being part of Leadership Academy? Read from Leadership Academy alumni Scott Robbins and Cara Stuckel about how the program helped advance them in their legal careers.

Click here to read how a casual conversation at a restaurant created this nearly quarter-of-a-century-old Missouri Bar program.

If you have questions about Leadership Academy, contact Dr. Tony Simones at TSimones@mobar.org.

As a kindergartener, Bailey Adamik-Moffett knew she wanted to be a lawyer. Now 20 years later, she took her oath of admission during the Spring Enrollment Ceremony April 26 in Jefferson City, turning a dream into reality.

“It was hard to keep the tears back during the ceremony,” said Adamik-Moffett, a University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law graduate.

Adamik-Moffett was one of nearly 50 individuals who were sworn into the legal profession before judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners during Spring Enrollment Ceremony. Those lawyers were among the 58 individuals who passed the February 2024 Bar Exam.

“This might be my favorite job as president, welcoming new lawyers into our bar and watching their families beam with pride as they take the oath,” 2023-2024 Missouri Bar President Megan Phillips said. “I can’t wait to see how this generation changes the profession and the world.”

Among the gray clouds and rain drops, the cheers of family and friends of recently admitted Missouri lawyers echoed off the walls of the Missouri Supreme Court building. The relationships and support the new lawyers received were not lost on them. Khalfani Mar’Na expressed gratitude to the individuals who encouraged and supported him throughout law school at Northern Illinois University.

“You have support with your classmates in law school, which is great, but it’s always nice to be able to pick up the phone and call home and have someone to listen to and talk you through those moments, especially around finals time,” said Mar’Na, smiling at his mother, father, and grandmother.

Ra’Chel’Ni Mar’Na described his son as his “greatest achievement,” expressing how pleased he was that his son “never lost sight of his goal.”

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of him, how he stayed true to himself, stayed true to the game, stayed true to his focus, and you know, here’s the end result,” he said.

Paul Fagan was left speechless after taking his oath of admission on Friday. A graduate from Charleston School of Law in South Carolina, Fagan said he was grateful for his friends from school.

“We’re all trying to reach the same goal, and that created a level of togetherness and just pushing each other to be a little bit better every day. It gave me that extra ambition to try and keep up with that,’ said Fagan, who plans to work with a friend in St. Louis to hang out their shingles.

Fagan, Adamik-Moffett, and Mar’Na advised law students to remain motivated and remember why they are passionate about law.

“You have to see the light at the end of this tunnel because sometimes it’s pretty dark,” Adamik-Moffett said.

 The Missouri Bar is here to help lawyers even better serve their clients and communities. Enrollees can view the plethora of resources available to them at MoBar.org/New-Members. In addition, The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section sent welcome packets to the state’s enrollees. See more photos from the day’s celebration here.

You’ve completed all the steps to become a Missouri lawyer – and now it’s time to celebrate! Follow these tips to make the most of the Spring Enrollment Ceremonies, while also keeping stress levels low.  

The 2024 Spring Enrollment Ceremony will consist of one enrollment ceremony at 9 a.m. on April 26 at the Supreme Court of Missouri, located at 207 W. High St. in Jefferson City. If you passed the February 2024 Bar Exam and met all admission eligibility requirements, you — and your immediate family — are invited to attend the enrollment ceremony and celebrate this amazing accomplishment.  

The enrollment ceremonies are an exciting event where you’ll take the oath of admission and be welcomed to the profession by the judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners.  

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the day:  

Park in the right spot. There is a public parking garage on Madison Street, two blocks east and one block north of the Supreme Court of Missouri building. Meter parking is available on various streets downtown, which can be paid using coins or credit card via the mobile app Passport Parking. Do not park in the lot located behind the Supreme Court building, which is reserved for Supreme Court of Missouri judges and personnel.  

Know where to go. Your first stop is registration on the 4th floor of the Harry S. Truman State Office Building, at 301 W. High St., where you will check in; pick up your admittance card, license, and oath; and receive welcome materials. When you register, you will be assigned a time you must be in your seat for your ceremony at the Supreme Court of Missouri building. This information will be listed on your admittance card. Registration opens at 8 a.m. 

Allow approximately 30 minutes to walk from the Truman building to the Missouri Supreme Court, go through security, and be seated in your assigned courtroom.  

Security at the Supreme Court of Missouri building. You and your guests must present photo identification, as well as your ceremony admittance card, at the security checkpoint. Guests must comply with security procedures to enter the building, including passing through a metal detector. Cell phones are allowed in the Supreme Court of Missouri building to take pictures and videos, but no voice calls are allowed on the second floor of the building or in the courtrooms at any time. 

Federal court ceremony. The United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri will have one ceremony at 10 a.m. on the 4th floor of the Harry S. Truman Building. This enrollment ceremony is for lawyers who wish to practice in the district courts.  

Register at the federal court table when you register for your Missouri Bar enrollment ceremony (the federal court table will be located near The Missouri Bar registration tables). You must be sworn in by The Missouri Bar before attending the federal court ceremony.  

Guests can sit in one of the chairs at the back of the auditorium and are allowed to take photos of the ceremony inside the Truman building. 

For more information about the federal court ceremony, click here. 

Remember to sign the Roll of Attorneys. Sign the Roll of Attorneys before or after the ceremony in the lobby of the Supreme Court of Missouri building. These contain the names of all lawyers enrolled by the courts, and you should ensure your name is included. 

Look sharp. Enrollees are expected to dress in business attire for the enrollment ceremony. Revealing clothing and jeans are not appropriate. 

Mingle with Missouri Bar leaders. As a new lawyer, you have many great resources at your disposal. On enrollment day, the president, executive director, and staff of The Missouri Bar, as well as members of the bar’s Young Lawyers’ Section Council, will be available to answer questions. The bar also provides a host of information online at MoBar.org/New-Members.  

Take lots of photos. Your enrollment ceremony is a time to have fun! Missouri Bar staff will be onsite with photo props. Photos taken by Missouri Bar staff will be posted on the bar’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages. Share your images from the day on social media using #NewMOLawyers or tagging @MoBarNews for the chance to be featured.  

For more information about the Enrollment Ceremonies, visit the Missouri Board of Law Examiners’ website.  

Welcome to the profession. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 

What do the Board of Governors and YLS Council do?

Serving on the Board of Governors and YLS Council are unique ways to get directly involved in the policy-making decisions of The Missouri Bar.

The Board of Governors is a 45-member elected group of lawyers who represent the members in their districts. The board helps shape strategies to fulfill the bar’s goals of improving the profession, the law, and the administration of justice on behalf of all Missourians. 

The YLS Council is composed of approximately 35 young lawyers elected to serve their respective districts. Council members help enhance the professional growth and public service of lawyers 35 years old and younger and/or who have been practicing for five years or less. 

What are the vacancies?

There are 19 upcoming vacancies on the Board of Governors. Vacancies include districts 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, as well as the Eastern District. Find your board district here. 

There are also upcoming vacancies on the YLS Council. Vacancies include districts 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 and 14, as well as the diversity seats for the Eastern appellate district. Click here to find your YLS district.

How do I complete a petition? 

Nomination petitions for Board of Governors and YLS Council vacancies are due by June 20.

Click here to download a nomination petition for Board of Governors and review the instructions for gathering signatures and submitting a completed petition.

For YLS Council, click here to download a nomination petition and review the instructions for gathering signatures and submitting a completed petition.

How do I vote? 

Missouri lawyers will receive an email from the Office of the State Courts Administrator containing an electronic ballot to vote in the board of Governors election. Missouri Bar members are eligible to vote in the election based upon the current Board of Governors voting district that is on file for a member. The voting district is where the lawyer is employed or maintains their principal office.

YLS members will receive an email on July 20 from The Missouri Bar containing an electronic ballot to vote in the contested elections for YLS Council.

Founded in 2000, Leadership Academy is a program that helps recruit, train, and retain Missouri lawyers who have been admitted for 10 years or less (or are younger than 40 years old) for leadership positions in The Missouri Bar. The academy class completes a service project every year and participates in the bar’s Annual Meeting, Board of Governors and committee meetings, and leadership workshops. Following completion of the program, the class members commit to serving The Missouri Bar for two years – such as serving on committees, the Young Lawyers' Section Council, or the Board of Governors, getting involved with Missouri Bar continuing legal education, and authoring articles for the Journal of The Missouri Bar. The Leadership Academy classes are diverse in terms of gender, race, practice area, and geography.

On Thursday, Leadership Academy members were introduced to Missouri Bar officers, department directors, Leadership Academy alumni, and the Board of Governors. They also discussed their annual project, which aims to encourage high school students from across the state to pursue a career in law.

Keya Reed-Redmond, member of the 2023-24 class and a lawyer in the Missouri State Public Defender System in Troy, said that one of her motivations for applying for Leadership Academy was to find ways to contribute to her Missouri community.

“I’m originally from Baltimore, Md., and I don’t know anyone here in Missouri,” she said. “But it’s important for me to give back in whatever capacity I can and wherever I can lend a helping hand.”

Reed-Redmond said getting involved with The Missouri Bar is helpful for better understanding the legal landscape of Missouri.

“I think that Leadership Academy is the first step for me to really understand where I fit in,” she said.

One of her goals for this year, said Reed-Redmond, is to not only grow as a leader, but to identify opportunities where she can give back to her community, such as pro bono or juvenile justice work.

“I would also tell other young lawyers to apply to Leadership Academy even if they don’t feel like they are on that pedestal yet, as some might say. We all have our own definition of leadership and we’re all leaders in our own right,” she said. “Just thinking about filling out the application makes you a leader. Stepping into law school makes you a leader. If you want to grow, then why not join Leadership Academy?”

Learn more about this year’s Leadership Academy class or the nomination process on MoBar.org.

“I am so very honored and delighted to be with you here on this joyous occasion. You have earned it,” said Megan Phillips, 2023-24 president of The Missouri Bar. “Our career paths seldom lead where we expect. But believe in yourselves and lean into the bar for support and mentorship. We are rooting for you to succeed, not only as a lawyer but also as a whole person.”

It was a day that will be treasured in the hearts of new lawyers and their families forever. Each enrollee chose to celebrate in their own way.  

Drake Buccellato was gifted a special item from his best friend's family to honor him during the ceremony – a traditional Hawaiian lei.  

The lei is given as a gesture of good luck and support on momentous occasions. It was important for Buccellato to be able to wear it during his ceremony and have the physical reminder of that support. 

“Its like having a part of them with me,” Buccellato said. “I met my friend Matthew in law school, and he really helped me get through and has been a huge part of my journey.” 

Matthew’s family joined Buccellato at the Supreme Court and were extremely happy to celebrate with him. 

Some enrollees took the time to look back on their journey and offer advice to those who are still in law school or are looking to go to law school. 

Abhijit Nair, a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law, stated that a health care compliance class ultimately led him to decide to practice medical malpractice defense in downtown St. Louis. He advises law students to take advantage of the network of lawyers that are always willing to help. 

“Make sure to reach out and don’t be afraid to ‘cold’ email any firms or lawyers for advice,” Nair said. “Most people are willing to help, so its always good to reach out.” 

Emma Stubner waited by the Capitol to take her oath with her partner proudly standing next to her. Stubner graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law and plans to practice criminal defense as a public defender in Colorado. She will be admitted to both the Colorado and Missouri bars. She said she had a lot of advice for those still in law school, but her top tips were to make use of office hours and to stay focused on your motivation for going. 

“I know it can be overwhelming with student loans and other things,” said Stubner. “But if you go into [law school] try to remember why you did it and hold on to that.”  

Kevin Wyatt graduated from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, IA, and plans to practice administrative law at the St. Louis County Counselor's Office. He hopes that those who are still in law school can find a way to mitigate the stress and enjoy the experience. 

“Try not to stress that much,” Wyatt said. “It’s a lot, but it’s really not that bad once you get through it.” 

The Missouri Bar is here to help lawyers even better serve their clients and communities. Enrollees can view the plethora of resources available to them at MoBar.org/New-Members. The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section also sent welcome packages to the state’s enrollees. The YLS Council also offered 10 tips to new lawyers from young lawyers. See more photos from the day’s celebration here.