2014 Most Influential Women Honoree: Jennifer Growcock

Leadership means two things to attorney Jennifer Growcock: getting involved and being hands-on.

“I have learned that the best course to the top is achieved by digging in and getting involved, by listening well, communicating and following through, being positive, optimistic, future-focused, fair-minded and imaginative,” says Growcock, a shareholder at Polsinelli PC.

She began her law career at Husch Blackwell LLP in 2004 after graduating with her juris doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law. She joined Polsinelli in 2010 and focuses on civil trial law in commercial, business, employment, appellate and banking litigation.

Growcock’s approach to leadership is universal, whether dealing with another shareholder, fellow volunteer or her children.

 “Dictatorial I am not,” she says. “Once, after winning a significant hearing for a client where opposing counsel was overbearing and genuinely argumentative, my partner complimented me saying, ‘Quiet competence beats noisy bluster every time.’ That comment resonated with me, and I have come to understand that it is not about the noise you make that matters. It’s who listens to it.”

Growcock is active with her firm’s Women’s Initiative Committee, mentoring the newest female lawyers in her regional office as well as welcoming female attorneys to the firm across the nation.

“Mentoring these young women is critical to me,” she says. “Not only does it help the young women, but it helps our male-dominated profession, firms, communities and each other.”

Growcock was named a rising star by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers in 2013 and is a 2011 recipient of Springfield Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. She is a member of multiple professional organizations, including The Missouri Bar, Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, United States District Court, the Western District of Missouri and the National Association of Professional Women.

Believing “the sky is the limit when it comes to serving this community,” Growcock is a board member and parliamentarian for the Junior League of Springfield; is president of the board for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri; and serves the boards of Ozark’s West Elementary Parent Teacher Association and Kingswood Preschool.

“I also plan to serve the community by raising my children to be leaders as well,” she says. “I have already involved them in my civic work by taking them once a month to pack food backpacks for local schoolchildren in need, taking them to board meetings and fundraisers and to help serve Christmas dinner to the women and families of Harmony House.”

Mentoring other women remains a high priority.

“I will continue to advocate for women taking leadership positions within our business community and grow my current firm to be a commendable and diverse workplace that will also give back and support our community.”[[In-content Ad]]