2017 Trusted Advisers Up-and-Comer: Bryan Fisher

SBJ photo by WES HAMILTON

Resume Highlights

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, Southwest Baptist University; Juris Doctor, University of Arkansas School of Law

• Selected for the Missouri Bar Association’s 2015-16 Leadership Academy.

• Received the Davis, Clark, Butt, Carithers & Taylor PLC Appellate Advocacy Award.

Many of Bryan Fisher’s clients first approached him with small matters.

“One of my favorite clients was referred to me because the client needed assistance with a minor complaint filed by a neighbor with the city. I helped successfully resolve that matter with little fanfare,” says Fisher, an associate attorney for Neale & Newman LLP. “But several years after that small issue, I’m still representing that client – only most recently it’s been in the negotiation and drafting of several multimillion-dollar contracts.”

Fisher, who specializes in appeals, bankruptcy, and business and commercial law and litigation, says he approaches the small issues with the same professionalism and consideration as the large ones.

“It’s far easier for that client to trust you with more important matters that have a significant impact on the client’s business,” he says. “My clients know that they can trust me to provide candid, accurate advice.”

As a young attorney, Fisher wants to build on that reputation. He says there’s more to being an attorney than appearing in court, drafting a pleading or sending a letter.

“It’s already clear to me that the best attorneys do more than represent their clients – they counsel them,” he says. “This is what I work to be for each and every client – a counselor who advises clients, not only about the law, but about their business and how best to use the law and legal tools.”

Fisher is a member of the Missouri Bar Association and was selected for the bar’s 2015-16 Leadership Academy. At the time, he helped create the bar’s first social media campaign directed at young lawyers who had just passed the bar exam. “That campaign provided practical advice and tips for young lawyers on topics ranging from how to find the courthouse in certain counties to how to navigate Missouri’s electronic filing system,” he says.

Fisher also is part of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association and formerly served as chairman of the Young Lawyers Committee.

“I also speak as a member of a legal panel for the Springfield Apartment and Housing Association, which advises local landlords and housing developers about legal issues affecting their business and industry,” he adds.

Outside of law, Fisher was appointed in 2015 to the city of Springfield Board of Adjustment. The board hears appeals from administrative enforcement of zoning ordinances, addresses zoning district boundaries and considers requests for variances and special exceptions of zoning ordinances.

Fisher also worked as treasurer for Councilwoman Jan Fisk during her campaign. The only other campaign committees that raised more money than Friends for Jan Fisk were the committees for the mayoral candidates.

“I was pleased that at the close of the voting, the campaign ended with Jan receiving 70 percent of the vote, more than doubling the combined vote total of her two challengers,” Fisher says.

But Fisher says he works hardest in his role as a professional adviser.

“I want to be the person my clients call when they have any question or concern,” Fisher says.