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Linda M. Martinez
Bryan Cave
Banking, HealthCare, Public Finance, Real-Estate Law
"Through pro bono work, we recently challenged legislation in Valley Park that punished businesses that were hiring illegal immigrants. Under the Constitution, immigration is handled at the federal level, but they were trying to put the burden on local businesses. The effect of that legislation was so negative. The nation historically has gotten stronger when we open our borders and work together rather than being isolationist. For me — my father moved here from Mexico in the '50s to do his residency and met my mother at Barnes Hospital — it was kind of personal."
Civic Ties: Saint Louis Science Center
James G. Martin
Armstrong Teasdale
Corporate Governance and Compliance, White-Collar Criminal Defense
"My real passion is Big Brothers Big Sisters. Around Thanksgiving, I invited over my first Little, Scott — who's now 43 years old and was in my wedding — and my new Little, a 14-year-old named Dominique. When you spend enough time together, these guys show not only an appreciation, but also a sort of shift in their life view. It allows them to see a bigger part of the world and have goals of making a better life for themselves. I'm a true believer that if we're going to solve the world's problems, we're going to have to do it one person at a time. It's well worth your time."
Civic Ties: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, St. Louis Regional Crime Commission, CrimeStoppers, St. Louis Variety Club, Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics
Danica L. Mathes
Mathes Law, L.L.C.
Entertainment Law
"I like to be involved and stay connected to the needs of the community. Although I'm very passionate about my career, I know that I have been very blessed and have always had a strong desire to give back, even in high school. Volunteering keeps me grounded outside of what I typically do and reminds me what's really important. Sometimes I feel a little guilty because I get back so much more through my philanthropic efforts than I give."
Civic Ties: Volunteer Lawyers — Accountants for the Arts, Variety, Junior League of St. Louis, Civic Entrepreneurs Organization
Lawrence P. Katzenstein
Thompson Coburn
Nonprofit/Charities Law, Trusts and Estates
"People need to appreciate what a rich cultural environment we have here. We have one of the finest orchestras and one of the finest zoos in the country. I'm particularly involved with the symphony. I met my wife through the orchestra, and I conduct a private concert at Powell Hall once a year. We really shouldn't take these things for granted. I really hope these treasures will be here for the next generation."
Civic Ties: Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Saint Louis Zoo, American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri, Citizens for Modern Transit, St. Louis Beacon, St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts
Tracy Mathis
Lewis, Rice — Fingersh
Healthcare Law
"I have spent a lot of time in hospitals visiting loved ones, usually unexpectedly. It is difficult for people who work to be away from the computer and out of touch with the office. I have offered to help fund development of a business center at St. Anthony's Medical Center, to enable visitors without laptops to communicate with the office and the rest of the world. Fifteen minutes at a computer is often enough to take care of business for a while, and the ability to do it at the hospital can be a tremendous benefit."
Civic Ties: Youth in Need, St. Louis Area Health Lawyers Association
Robert H. Lattinville
Stinson Morrison Hecker
Sports Law
"We represent Ozzie Smith. I never realized until I began representing a guy like him just how many requests these athletes get for their time. They never stop. I'm constantly impressed by how accessible and genuine he is. If it's for our community, Ozzie will drop everything, and he's all in. He and my father have probably left the greatest impression on me, that when you're genuinely interested in assisting someone else, the returns are exponential to the effort."
Civic Ties: DePaul Hospital Foundation, St. Louis Sports Commission, State Games of America, Washington University Alumni Minority Mentor Program
Susan Nell Rowe
The Stolar Partnership
Labor and Employment Law
"It's such a privilege to work with the people in these organizations who get up day after day and try to help others. When you become an attorney and go to law school and learn the skill set, you have an asset that is so valuable to organizations that need you. And frankly, there's a certain status that helps you make a difference right out of the gate. Just to be involved in any way is inspiring."
Civic Ties: Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, The Deaconess Foundation, president of Washington University Law's Alumni Council
Joseph G. Nassif
Husch Blackwell Sanders
Environmental Law
"There's something you can never do as a lawyer: forget why you went to law school. I was interning as a legal aide, and the first client I ever had was a father who came in with his three daughters. They'd taken the bus because he'd saved to buy a car, he'd put down a $500 deposit at a dealership on Kingshighway and later decided he couldn't afford the car. He never even took possession of the car. When he went back to get his deposit, the salesman said he couldn't, which was a lie. I don't think I was ever as angry as when I made the phone call to that car salesman. Finally, the man agreed to give the money back. When I talked to the father over the phone, he was in tears. I've won million-dollar cases since then, but it doesn't get any better than that $500."
Civic Ties: Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Interviews by Jarrett Medlin
