St. Louis, MO estate & probate attorney Nikki Mitchell talks about her mentors in the practice of law as well as her scholarly work. She considers herself incredibly fortunate to have had many mentors throughout her legal career. Her first major influence came during law school, when she interned for a medical-legal partnership. The woman who led that program became a lasting mentor, teaching her how to advocate for herself as a woman in the legal profession and how to navigate career negotiations with confidence. Even now, she continues to turn to that mentor for guidance. Later, during her clerkship with a judge, she gained invaluable insight into the practical side of the law. He often reminded her to “look at the statute,” a lesson that has stayed with her throughout her practice. When she moved to St. Louis in 2015, she met Martha, another key mentor who has been instrumental in shaping her professional development. Martha’s dedication to mentoring young lawyers inspired her to do the same, supporting and guiding the next generation in her own work.

In addition to her legal practice, she maintains a strong scholarly focus through writing and speaking engagements. Each year, she sets personal goals for the number of presentations she aims to give, often connecting elder law with other practice areas such as family law and personal injury. She also contributes to several publications for the Missouri Bar, co-authoring a book on guardianships and conservatorships in Missouri with Martha, as well as chapters in the Missouri Bar’s Elder Law Guidebook on guardianships, conservatorships, and Missouri’s Medicaid program (MO HealthNet). In addition, she and Martha co-author an annual elder law treatise published by Thomson Reuters, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing legal scholarship and educating her peers.