Posted by:
Zoe Linza
on Jul 2, 2024
BAMSL Distinguished Lawyer definition: the Distinguished Lawyer Award is the highest honor BAMSL awards. It is given annually to a lawyer who has made a great and lasting contribution to the St. Louis region in the area of law and community service, has motivated other lawyers to work in the public interest and who exemplifies lawyers as good citizens contributing significantly to the community. Note not just legal contributions and leadership, but also work causing community impact.
I met Lynn Ann when I applied for the position of Executive Director of BAMSL. Lynn Ann was part of the Search Committee and President of BAMSL. After being hired, the President becomes the Executive Director’s Boss and from there, she became a treasured Friend. We now are Business Partners. Thus, my knowledge of Lynn Ann is very diverse.
Two years ago, the Distinguished Lawyer Award was renamed under the leadership of Bob Tomaso as the Hon. Richard Webber Distinguished Lawyer Award. At the time of the newly named award, Bob had the following to say about Judge Webber, but I have edited the statement to say the same about Lynn Ann:
"{Lynn Ann} is always civil, polite and gracious, while still being strong. Few can match how much she cares about the public."
Maybe that should become the official description of the Hon. Richard Webber Distinguished Lawyer Award because it certainly is the description of Lynn Ann’s legal career and her multitude of contributions to the community.
Although I had years of association experience, I had never been a part of a bar association. Lynn Ann was president of BAMSL when I applied. Although we both have Jefferson City roots, I had never met her. Out of many candidates, I somehow made it to the top five. As Bill Bay, chair of the Search Committee said at that time, I was the dark horse in that I had no bar experience, not a lawyer and new to St. Louis. I did not check a lot of the boxes but somehow had the honor of being selected. As president of BAMSL at that time, Lynn Ann took the responsibility to introduce me to the St. Louis legal community. She was well known and included in every event, project and organization, and included me with everything, even social gatherings at her own home.
Once I began my BAMSL career, there were lots of decisions, a few crises and an abundance of opportunities for new trajectories for BAMSL. As my boss, Lynn Ann handled all the challenges with strength and grace.
I once asked her where she learned to stay calm and be gracious to everyone, even under challenging circumstances. She credited her parents and shared these stories.
“Everyone has a mentor, whether it is intentional or like me, born to wonderful parents who taught me by example,” Lynn Ann said. “Each of my parents contributed in distinct ways. My father was very active in politics, believing that you cannot complain about leadership if you don’t participate in the process. He focused on local offices and statewide campaigns. His other passion was the education of children. Through his drugstore, he sponsored youth athletic teams because sports contribute greatly to youth all-around development. After he passed, I learned that he was the ‘anonymous' creator behind a kindergarten program which took place at our church every day after school. It was developed to help those identified in the community as not being prepared for first grade, many of whom were from families that could not afford all-day school or nursery school. He preached the adage, ‘To much is given, that much should be returned.’
“And not to be outdone, my mother was the beacon of the community volunteer. For as long as I can remember, she was the president or treasurer of some organization while working full-time supporting the family business as the bookkeeper and produced the monthly bills for more than 500 customers. She was an elder in our church and was very touched when I followed her on that path. She sat on the board of a local hospital foundation, she was involved in starting the Jefferson City Public School Foundation and chaired the local United Way campaign. They taught me many life lessons but they never taught me how to say ‘no,’ only ‘how may I help?’
Lynn Ann went on to become president of the Missouri Bar and served on the Board of National Conference of Bar Presidents. We traveled together and soon became best of friends. She even steered me through some personal challenges. I was thrilled when given the opportunity to share my thoughts on a very distinguished lawyer.
A legal professional has the obligation to give back to his or her community. She has danced in a competition fundraiser Dancing with the Stars with the Independence Center and currently serves on their board; serves on the Boys and Girls Club Board, even traveling to Washington, D.C. to advocate; became a staunch advocate for the Freedom Suits sculpture, raising money and shepherding it through to completion; and served on the St. Louis Bar Foundation Board for more than 20 years, many as secretary. She chaired the Legal Services Justice for All Ball for two years and served on the Lawyers Association Executive Board. She was a member of the SLIP (St. Louis Internship Program) board, YPO and The Heritage Account, Inc., serving as a board member since 2009, just to name a few of her areas of community involvement. Lynn Ann has always been willing to give time, energy and financial support.
She began her career with the Missouri Department of Transportation, then worked with Spherion, a search firm, then a law firm before forming Vogel Law. Along the way, she has been a living example of the diversity of options that exist with a JD degree. Throughout her tour of the opportunities to serve with her law degree, she exhibited grace and kindness toward others. Since my retirement from BAMSL, I have had the pleasure of forming MORESTL with Lynn Ann. We have shared this new adventure into the consulting world.
In our early days of BAMSL together, faced with sometimes unforeseen challenges, we charted our course by always making decisions based upon whether it is “good, right and true.” If the decision was for the good of others, and the right thing to do, we could remain true to our mission and self. Lynn Ann is the embodiment of good, right and true, and is so deserving of the Hon. Richard Webber Distinguished Lawyer Award.
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