Leadership Academy Alumni

From the inaugural class in 2001 to the 2019 class, Leadership Academy has graduated more than 200 alumni. Following graduation, nearly all graduates have actively participated in one or more bar activities:

Nine have been elected to the Board of Governors;
12 have been appointed by either the Supreme Court of Missouri or The Missouri Bar to a special task force or commission;
Seven have served on the Client Security Fund Committee;
Two are volunteers in the Fee Dispute Resolution program;
11 serve or have served on the Advisory Committee on Citizenship Education;
75 have participated as speakers, moderators or authors for CLE programs and publications;
25 have served as a committee chair or co-chair;
20 were or are elected in the Young Lawyers’ Section Council;
12 have participated or currently participate in the legislative review process;
15 currently serve or have served on the Annual Meeting Planning Committee;
Eight have been appointed to the Legal Education Committee;
Two serve as editors of the Courts Bulletin;
Two have served on the Lawyers’ Assistance Committee; and
Two have served as a Division Chair.

Leadership Academy Service Projects

Class of 2022-2023

Created public service announcements spotlighting two real, inspirational client stories. The project, known as “My Missouri Lawyer” demonstrates just how much lawyers can help those they represent.

Member
Quinn Patrick Benson The Benson Law Firm
Brenlee McPherson Buerge
Cailynn Danielle Hayter Shook, Hardy, & Bacon
Eusef Robin Huq
Shannon Camille King
Brendan Kottenstette
Erin Melissa Lueker Sedey Harper Westhoff, P.C.
Elizabeth Criswell McNulty The Simon Law Firm, P.C.
Brian Daniel Moody Kutak Rock, LLP
Samuel Nelson Sherman Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard, P.C.
Andrew Keegan Tinney Dreyer & Tinney
Molly Ritzheimer Wilson Pratt & Grisham, LLC

Class of 2021-2022

Created relevant resources and content to communicate with lawyers in their first three years of practice.

Member
Alicia Baumhoer Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Lauren Alyssa Dollar Dollar Burns Becker & Hershewe, L.C.
Joy Fears McAnany, Van Cleave & Phillips
Elizabeth Hope Fink Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
David Patrick Franklin Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard, P.C.
Benjamin Nelson Levin Stinson LLP
Elizabeth Mary Marden Polsinelli PC
Anthony Joseph Meyer Law Office of Anthony Meyer LLC
Natalie Dianne Pigg Thurman Law Firm
Casey Elizabeth Waughn Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Alexus Nicole Williams Texas Instruments
Curtis Wilson

Class of 2020-2021

Created a series of curriculum for middle school and high school classroom teachers to educate students on their First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, and Civil Rights in the school setting. The resources include PowerPoint presentations, audio recordings from Missouri lawyers, sample scripts, writing prompts, and more. These resources were also designed so that Missouri lawyers or judges can participate in the curriculum. The curriculum will be shared with the bar’s education partners and schools throughout the state.

Member
LaceShionna Niccara Cline Littler Mendelson P.C.
Bria L. Davis Surrhaus LLP
Emily A. Elam Citibank, N.A.
Bryon Jacob Haskins Lowther Johnson
Jenna Homeyer Law Offices of Dr. Brad Bradshaw
Khristopher W. Johnson-Deloatch Steptoe & Johnson LLP
Angela Belle Kennedy Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Grace Colato Martinez Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Opal Nicole Smith Langdon & Emison
Derek Spencer 17th Judicial Circuit
Courtney Marie Stout Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Syd Tippie Missouri Attorney General’s Office

Class of 2019-2020

Member
Whitney L. Fay Swanson Bernard
Elizabeth Diana Hatting U.S. Attorney's Office - Civil Division
Alexandra Hemphill Equifax
Tamar Elise Hodges Mallinckrodt
Jenna Homeyer Law Offices of Dr. Brad Bradshaw
Jesus Armando Osete Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Ashley Ray Maryland Attorney General's Office
Shelly Ann Rosenfelder Bass Pro
Russell Joseph Shankland Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP
Lesley Diana Smith Federal Public Defender- Western District MO
Hon. John Paul Torbitzky Missouri Court of Appeals
Robin Deneese Winn Winn Law Firm, LLC

Class of 2018-2019

Revised A Missouri Guide to Succession Planning, designed as a comprehensive resource for Missouri lawyers as they plan to transition out of law practice. The class chose this project to update a resource originally drafted in 2005, but not updated to include recent changes to Rule 5.26 regarding designation and appointment of trustees. The updated resource will also add checklists and forms to assist practitioners in planning for transitions in practice.

Member
Portia J. Britt St. Louis County Counselor's Office
Branden Darrell Brooks Manning Gross + Massenburg LLP
Melissa Dawn Buchanan Boone County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Olenka Maria George Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
Amy Renee Jackson Siro Smith Dickson PC
Kristen Shively Johnson Missouri Attorney General's Office
Charles Taylor Lee Monsees & Mayer P.C.
Maurice Lamar Moss Kansas City Board of Public Utilities
Rachel Catherine Rutter Rutter Law Firm, LLC
Hon. Scott James Schrum
Cara Christine Stuckel A-B
Kimberly Nicole Turner The Law Office of Kimberly Turner, LLC

Class of 2017-2018

Created ShowMeRights.org, an online resource designed to help teenagers and young adults understand their rights and responsibilities as they enter adulthood. Topics covering questions about employment, immigration and citizenship, credit and consumer rights, drinking, selective service, cyberbullying, sex crimes, voting and others are outlines in a clear and easy online format. This information will be shared with the bar’s education partners and schools throughout the state.

Member
Nathan Matthew Atkinson U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons
Nicholas Austin Fax Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
Heather Jasmine Hardinger The Meyers Law Firm
Umo Orok Ironbar-Brandt
Carol Denise Jansen Missouri State Public Defender
Melesa Nicole Johnson City of Kansas City, Mayor's Office
Jacob Anthony Lewis Strong Law P.C.
Jacqueline Veronica Jimenez Mejia Missouri State Public Defender
Christina Amandla Peters U.S. Bank
Josephine Larison Stockard Greene County
Jacob William Thessen Dentons US LLP
Kevin Vincent Thompson
Abigail Leigh Twenter

Class of 2016-2017

Created an online civics education resource geared toward fourth and fifth graders in Missouri. The resource discusses the standard civic education materials, including the constitution and separation of powers, and also the role of lawyers--whether as litigators or transaction attorneys. This resource provides an overview of courts and judges, what lawyers do, as well as information about torts, contracts, and criminal proceedings.

Member
Eisha Ahmed Office of the Proscuting Attorney St. Louis County
Danielle Marie Atchison Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm
Sarah Beth Bernard Missouri State Public Defender
Shatrasha LeighAnn Butler Compass Group USA, Inc.
Matthew Edward DePaz Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP
Charles Nathan Dunville Neale and Newman, LLP
David Lee McCain, Jr. Missouri Attorney General's Office
Mohsen Paiam Khajeh Pasha U.S . Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri
Austin Jay Preston Carnahan Evans
Benjamin Allen Stelter-Embry Embry Law, LLC
Clayton Lehr Thompson Ford, Parshall & Baker, L.L.C.

Class of 2015-2016

Developed a 12-week social media campaign designed to link the bar with its newer members. The campaign – entitled So Now You’re a Lawyer – will provide tips, insights, and links to resources while serving as a point of connection for new Missouri Bar members. Each member of the Leadership Academy class developed blog posts and photos to answer common questions of news lawyers, such as how to find a job, how to file a document, or how to act in front of a judge. The content will be shared across social media platforms utilized by The Missouri Bar, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. Connect with and join the conversation using #NewMOLawyers. Although geared toward new lawyers, the project will also serve the bar’s overall communication strategy by providing information to new and seasoned lawyers alike about the services and information available from the organization.

Member
Kathleen Elizabeth Croker Russell House: Response To Domestic and Sexual Violence
Christopher David Dandurand Gorny Dandurand, LC
Damien Sepher Bhakti de Loyola
Matthew Paul Diehr Husch Blackwell, LLP
Bryan Dane Fisher Neale & Newman
Tiffany Tanae Frazier Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Amanda Nicole Johnson Donelan Law LLC
Catherine Allen Larrison
Steven Alan Ramsey The Ramsey Firm
Emma Ruth Schuering Polsinelli, PC
Laurie Alexa Washington O'Reilly Auto Parts

Class of 2014-2015

Public Resource Directory. This extensive online listing of resources available to Missouri citizens at the local, state and federal levels include contact information specific to each county in the state of Missouri. The directory includes information about how to find and choose a lawyer, resources for families in need, health care resources, help for victims of domestic violence, information about Social Security and disability, consumer protection, criminal law, employment law, housing issues, immigration, and a comprehensive list of contact information for government agencies at all levels. The Public Resource Directory is published under the “Public Resources” tab at missourilawyershelp.org.

Member
Louis Jared Boyd City of St. Louis Mayor's Office
Erin Devi Dark Mosaic Health System
Sarah Lynn Devlin Department of Social Services
Karma Quiana Edwards Law Office of Karma Q. Edwards
Danielle R. Kincaid The Elder Law Group
Summer Lane Masterson-Goethals Masterson Law
Michael Lee Miller Mid-Missouri Bank
Christa Barber Moss United States Attorney's Office
Tracy Leann Spradlin Spradlin Kennedy, LLC
Vanessa Marie Starke Starke Law Offices, LLC
Patrick Joseph Thornton Lewis Rice, LLC
Stephan Robert Tomlinson St. Charles County Counselor's Office

Class of 2013-2014

Developed content for two programs for expansion of Mini Law School for the Public. The first, Becoming a Lawyer, examines the intensive process from law school to the bar exam to continuing legal education and the ethical rules all attorneys must follow. The second, Civil versus Criminal, explains the differences between civil and criminal cases. The two presentations are available for use as part of a half-day program for attorneys or judges to offer to their local community, allowing the Mini Law School for the Public to expand to any corner of the state.

Member
Maureen Michaela Brady McShane & Brady, LLC
Laura Kathleen Bailey Brown Fisher & Phillips, LLP
Jose S. Caldera Smith Lewis, LLP
Jordan Leigh Force Force Law Office
Juan Alexander Gomez Rodriguez
Benjamin James Hodges Foster Garvey PC
Charnissa E. Holliday Scott Guin Mundorf, LLC
Ronald Nguyen The Law Office of Ronald Nguyen
Camille L. Roe Quarles & Brady LLP
Abbie Rothermich 16th Judicial Circuit
Michelle Feit Schwerin Neill Schwerin Boxerman, P.C.
Stephanie Leilani Wan United States Attorney's Office

Class of 2012-2013

Developed scripts and created a series of videos to provide information and raise awareness of The Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program.

Member
Tanya Katherine Alm MISSOURI STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE- DISTRICT 19
Adam A. Brown
Arimeta Renae DuPree A. DuPree & Associates, LLC
Elizabeth Veronica Grana
Lawrence William Hardwick William Hardwick Attorney at Law LLC
Lauren Anne Horsman Puckett & Horsman, L.L.C.
Andrea Rose Long CoxHealth
Justin LaMar Mason
Samir Ramesh Mehta MiTek Inc.
William Patrick Mobley
Daniel Francis Portnoy ATF
Ryan Christopher Turnage Schnuck Markets, Inc.

Class of 2011-2012

Developed The Internet is Forever, a collection of lesson plans, student assessments, PowerPoint presentations, and learning activities for teachers. The lessons are grouped into five categories. There is also an overview explaining the project, its purpose and goals to parents and school administrators.

Member
Goldie Tompkins Bockstruck Summit Utilities
Cassie Janae Carpenter Bugalski Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, LLC
Amber Hackett Crosby Latham & Watkins
Patrick Charles Edwards US Attorney's Office
Sara Weilert Gillette
Sheena R. Hamilton St. Louis City Counselor's Office
Christopher William Lebeck Greene County Prosecuting Attorney
Jessica Mari Mendez Energizer Holdings, Inc.
Erica Lynn Mynarich Cantin Mynarich LLC
Tara Lyn Walker TL Walker, LLC
Cassandra Joy Washington CJ Washington Law Firm
Candyce Irene Whitney

Class of 2010-2011

Developed Practical Aspects of Practicing Law: A Manual for New Missouri Lawyers, a manual for new Missouri lawyers to provide practical tips and guidance on handling issues and navigating situations frequently encountered by those new to the practice of law.

Member
Jonathan Zachary Bickel The Robertson Law Group, LLC
Aarnarian D. Carey Lewis Rice LLC
Darryl Martin Chatman, Jr. United Soybean Board
Susan Brooks Henderson Moore Polsinelli PC
Kendra RoShelle Howard EEOC
Yamini Alamelu Laks Marel, Inc
Andrew Charles Lawson New Madrid County Prosecutor's Office
Jason Robert McClitis Blake & Uhlig, PA
Kate Elizabeth Noland Noland Law Firm
James Kendall Seal Center for the Rights of Abused Children
Angela Alvarez Simmons
Jonathan Sternberg Jonathan Sternberg, Attorney, P.C.
Hon. Jerri Jiarui Zhang 16th Judicial Circuit Court Div 3

Class of 2009-2010

Developed 21st Century Professional Perspectives, a video that addresses issues of ethics, civility, and professionalism. The class members wrote, directed, produced, and acted in the video, which is available from The Missouri Bar as an instructional aid for use in law school courses and continuing legal education programs.

Member
Ashley Helen Atwell Holman Schiavone LLC
Dianna Raynett Collins US DOJ
Robert Lee Hess, II University of Missouri
Bruce Edward Hopson Stange Law Firm, PC
Robert Stephen Kenney Xcel Energy
Fibbens Addo Koranteng Southwest Transplant A
Hon. Jalilah Otto 16th Judicial Circuit
Adam Pekelo Pihana Hall Ansley, PC
Christallyn McCloud Williams
Kerry Feld Wofford U.S. Title

Class of 2008-2009

Met with new attorneys at the spring enrollment ceremony to provide information and encourage involvement in bar activities. The class also produced a podcast series entitled We Are The Missouri Bar, featuring past and present Leadership Academy members and Missouri Bar leaders discussing their involvement in the bar.

Member
Melanie Daily University of Kansas School of Law
Ryan Todd DeBoef Hahn DeBoef Government Relations
James Edward Gore
Micah D. Hall The Hall Law Firm, LLC
Kirra Nicole Jones AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Lacy Michelle Fields Keune UB Greensfelder LLP
Jennifer Maureen McAdam ACLI
Kristol Whatley Simms Ameren Corporation
Stephanie Dawn White Thorn
Ronda Fay Williams Savvis, Inc.
Guillermo Gabriel Zorogastua University Health

Class of 2007-2008

Created a public service announcement to advance public awareness about the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan. The PSA was broadcast through The Missouri Bar YouTube channel. The class also presented to hundreds of college students about the Plan.

Member
Beth Katherine Anderson
Jacqueline Louise Blocker
Cyrus C. Dashtaki Dashtaki Law Firm, LLC
Amany Ragab Hacking Hacking Immigration Law, LLC
Aaron Michael House House Law LLC
Amy Veronica Hoyt Department of Commerce and Insurance
Jacki Janelle Langum ArchCity Defenders
Ebony Monika McCain Circuit Executive's Office- Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
Shahzad Naseem Berkowitz Oliver LLP
Robert Lee Ortbals, Jr. Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

Class of 2006-2007

Updated Missouri Bar pamphlet previously titled "Stepping Out." The title was changed to Turning 18: Some Things About the Law You Need to Know and covered topics ranging from leasing an apartment to drunk driving. The class also organized a group of attorneys to present information from the pamphlet to Missouri high school students.

Member
Joel Edward Anderson Division of Legal Services, Department of Social Services
Michael Edward Anfang Department of Veterans Affairs
Francesca Flynn Cheroutes US Dept of Labor
C. Michelle Coleman Administrative Hearings Section
Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi Spire Energy
Omar Duvial Davis Saxena White
Karlla Shevon Dozier Saint Louis Public Schools
Julia Sommer Grus Shelter Insurance - Claims Litigation
Kevin Scott Hillman
David McClain Slaby Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, PC
Albert Madison Swanegan, III
Lauren Elyse Tucker McCubbin Polsinelli

Class of 2005-2006

Organized a 5K race at the Missouri Bar's Solo and Small Firm Conference to benefit The Missouri Bar Loan Repayment Assistance Program.

Member
Jane Christine Drummond Missouri Hospital Association
Michael James Hackworth Hackworth Ferguson & Thompson, L.L.C.
Scott Allen Hamblin Brydon Swearengen & England, PC
Jamica Dionne Johnson Wells Fargo
Julia Diane Kitsmiller United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Ms. Kemba Niambi Logan
Nicole Leanne Sublett Healthcare Services Group
Jennifer Lea Hackworth Thompson Hackworth Ferguson & Thompson, L.L.C.
Gretchen Lea Yancey 13th Judicial Circuit Court

Class of 2004-2005

Translated the bar’s domestic violence public information brochure into Spanish. The class also developed a list of shelters and organizations to assist in distributing the brochures to Spanish-speaking Missourians.

Member
Phillip Calvin Boyd
Adam McCaffry Burkemper
Adriane Dixon Crouse Secretary of Senate
Lenin Vicente Guerra Lenin V. Guerra, LLC Attorney at Law
Wendy Michelle Hickey
Rolanda Johnson
Lynn Weddle Judkins J.D. Law, L.L.P.
Teresa R. Keller
Kimberly Jan Shields LexisNexis
Leslie Tolliver St. Louis Public Schools
Karen Cherese Warren Legal Services of Eastern Missouri

Class of 2003-2004

Created a website to provide young people with information about legal issues they are likely to encounter (e.g. family and domestic, labor and employment, juvenile, criminal, etc.).

Member
Koriambanya Sana Carew Bridge 68 LLC
Hon. Suzette Carlisle-Flowers Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation
Tamara Jameson Fox Fox & Gary LLC
Hon. Jason Harris Lamb Circuit Judge 12th Circuit
Amy P. Maloney Maloney O'Laughlin PLLC
Nelson Valentin Munoz Office of City Attorney
Elizabeth A. Ortmann-Vincenzo Cigna
Robert Daniel Paredes, II Paredes Law, LLC

Class of 2002-2003

Revised and presented an 8-hour legal curriculum for Missouri Girls State ("MGS"). Prior to the class's involvement, students at MGS did not receive college credit for their law course. The 2002-2003 class revamped the MGS law program and submitted it to Central Missouri State University for accreditation. Members of the 2002-2003 class then spent a week in Warrensburg and taught approximately 175 MGS students. Some members of the class enjoyed the project so much that they still teach law at MGS every year.

Member
Kimberly Renee Hicks Franks
Gwendelyn Garcia Garrison Law Office
Nancy Jo Morales Gonzalez Federal Government
Hon. Joseph Lee Hensley Jasper Co. Courts Bldg., Div 5
Hon. Matthew Michael Krohn
Phebe Ann La Mar Smith Lewis, LLP
Megan Elizabeth Phillips Law Office of Megan Phillips
Tracy Lee Powell
Thomas Bradford Snider Bandre Hunt Snider, LLC
Andrea N.L. Zimmerman Zimmerman Law, LLC

Class of 2001-2002

The class project focused on the importance of jury service. The class prepared a teaching curriculum and a video titled "We the Jury." The curriculum and video aimed to teach high school juniors and seniors about the jury selection process and the role of the jury in the court system. The class then used the curriculum and video to make presentations in schools.

Member
Nimrod Thomas Chapel, Jr. The Chapel Law Group, LLC
Matthew Joseph Devoti Casey, Devoti & Brockland
Christian L. Faiella Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, LLC
Holly Erin Joyce Maynard & Joyce, LLC
Jolie Lynne Justus University Health
Maylin Wong Mahoney
Victoria Mauck Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
Brent Daniel Newman
Katharine Shepherd Porter Attorney at Law
Scott Andrew Robbins Kennedy, Robbins, Yarbro & Henson, LC

Class of 2000-2001

Service Project aimed to provide senior citizens with information about resources available to them from the Missouri Bar. The class accomplished this by integrating public service information available from the Missouri Bar into one format.

Member
Hon. James David Beck Lincoln County Justice Center
John Eberhart Cozean Cozean Law Firm, LLC
Danelle Carter Duffy Duffy Law Firm, LLC
Kimberley Cox Fournier Missouri Attorney General's Office
Vanita Ransom Massey
Hon. Katherine Hardy Senkel
Timothy Jeremiah Smith Rudman & Smith
Michael Anthony Williams Williams Dirks Dameron LLC