Classes of the 70s Show Out
An exciting upset against Tennessee wasn’t the only notable event in Columbia this Veteran’s Day weekend — Mizzou Law welcomed home alumni from the classes of the 1970s for a reunion on Friday and Saturday. The reunion featured a cocktail party, a tailgate, and walking tours of the law school’s former location, Tate Hall. Mizzou Law alumnus John Young ‘73, traveled to Columbia from Joplin, Missouri for the weekend. He said that he was excited to reconnect with classmates, especially given how long it’s been since the last reunion for his class. “It’s always fun to see people you went to…
Ben Thomas ’73 and John Shaw ’77 given 2023 Faculty-Alumni Awards
On Nov. 10, Ben Thomas ’73 and John Shaw ’77 were two of 13 winners of the 2023 Mizzou Alumni Association Faculty-Alumni Awards. Alumni are chosen for this award for outstanding professional achievement and loyal, devoted service to their community and alma mater. Ben Thomas ’73, has been a staunch supporter since — contributing funds for necessary staff, mentoring students at the clinic, and speaking on behalf of the program at events for both alumni and veterans alike. Additionally, he has inspired major clinical projects, most recently involving a team of students dedicated to challenging the VA’s handling…
Alumni Spotlight — Meet Skip Walther
Skip Walther’s attachment to Columbia and the University of Missouri began early — through selling carnations and cokes to Tiger fans on game days and watching his Uncle Butch preside over the Boone County Commission. So when it became time to choose a college, it was a no-brainer. “I never even gave it a second thought,” he said. “I just love this place.” Walther’s admiration for the practice of law, too, began in childhood. He frequently interacted with attorneys through his mother’s work as a legal secretary, through his uncle, who he describes as a “second father” while in junior…
Judge Ginger Gooch, ’00, named to Missouri Supreme Court
Gov. Mike Parson has appointed Judge Ginger Gooch, ’00, to the Missouri Supreme Court to replace retiring judge Patricia Breckenridge, ’77. With Judge Gooch’s appointment, Mizzou Law alumni now fill six of the seven Missouri Supreme Court bench seats, including Chief Justice Mary Russell, ’83. Judge Gooch began her legal career as a law clerk for Mizzou Law alumna Ann Covington, ’77, the first woman to serve on the Missouri Supreme Court. Judge Gooch worked in private practice in the Springfield, Missouri area until she was appointed as a judge in the the Court of Appeals Southern District last year.
Judge Kelly Broniec, ’96, appointed to Missouri Supreme Court
Judge Kelly Broniec, a 1996 Mizzou Law graduate, has been appointed by Gov. Mike Parson to the Missouri Supreme Court. At the time of the appointment, six of the seven judges on the Missouri Supreme Court are Mizzou Law alumni. To read more about this appointment, visit: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/parson-picks-former-montgomery-county-prosecutor-to-fill-missouri-supreme-court-vacancy/article_a3ce5022-517a-11ee-ab5c-53ee4da4cfc2.html.
Three Mizzou Law Alumni Named MAA Faculty and Alumni Award Winners
The Mizzou Alumni Association has announced the 2023 winners of the Faculty and Alumni Awards. Among the recipients, three Mizzou Law alumni have been recognized with awards, Ray Klinginsmith, ’65, John Shaw, ’77, and Benjamin Thomas, ’73. First celebrated in 1968, the Faculty and Alumni Awards highlight the contributions of exceptional individuals to the University’s growth and core mission, through their professional accomplishments, teaching and research excellence or service to the institution. Through the awards program, the Mizzou Alumni Association expresses its appreciation for these individuals and their service to higher education. It focuses attention not only on these…
Leveraging justice: Mizzou law sets the stage for women breaking boundaries in law school and beyond
The University of Missouri School of Law is driving forward equality in the legal profession by cultivating an ever-growing number of successful women lawyers. Out of 422 judges in Missouri, 138 are women. That’s just over 30%. Three of those women — all Mizzou Law graduates — sit on the bench of the state’s supreme court. Others serve on the court of appeals, circuit courts and as commissioners. Below the surface of their impressive pedigrees and titles, what many of these women have in common is they attended law school at a time when few women did. Last year, the…
Alumni Spotlight– Meet Judge-Elect Kayla Jackson-Williams
By Anna Sago With local and midterm elections coming up soon, the unopposed candidate for associate circuit judge in Boone County is already clear. When elected this November, Judge-Elect Kayla Jackson-Williams, an alumna of Mizzou Law, ‘16, will be the first Black Boone County judge in its more than 200-year history. “I didn’t realize how monumental that would be,” said Jackson-Williams. “I was at Roots & Blues with my daughter, and this little girl, maybe 8 years old, said, ‘Mommy, that’s that Black judge.’ and they walked over, and her mom said, ‘I’m sorry, we talk about you a lot,…
Professor Angela Drake Wins Distinguished Faculty Award
Professor Angela Drake, director of the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic, has been honored by the Mizzou Alumni Association (MAA) with the 63rd Annual Distinguished Faculty Award. This award honors one Mizzou faculty member each year for their exceptional contributions to the University’s growth and core mission, through their professional accomplishments, teaching and research excellence or service to the institution. Under Professor Drake’s leadership, the Veterans Clinic has assisted over 1,000 veterans and their family members with discharge upgrades and disability compensation claims, free of charge, and secured over $10 million in federal compensation benefits for those they represent.
Mizzou Law Alumni Now Hold All Chief Judge Seats in Missouri Appellate Courts
This summer, the judges of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, elected Hon. Gary D. Witt, ’90, as chief judge, and the Eastern District judges elected Hon. Michael E. Gardner, ’10, to serve as chief judge. Both began their terms July 1. The Hon. Jack Goodman, ’98, began his term as chief judge for the Southern District on June 16. With these elections, and with Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Hon. Paul Wilson, ’92, being a Mizzou Law graduate, a Mizzou Law alumnus is chief judge in every appellate court in Missouri.