2020 40 Under 40: Shelly Rosenfelder, 31

Growing up on a farm in central Missouri, Shelly Rosenfelder never thought she’d become an attorney. But the idea took hold at a young age, and she made law school her goal.

Rosenfelder took it a few steps further by graduating first in the 2014 class at University of Missouri-Columbia. She quickly got hired on at Husch Blackwell LLP in Springfield, where Rosenfelder is a Level III associate.

Today, she might be defending a business against a wrongful termination claim in one case and in another a breach of contract matter. It’s all part of practicing commercial litigation at the state and federal levels. Rosenfelder also handles zoning issues, employment discrimination claims and defends businesses against consumer claims under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.

What was your first job? On the family farm, taking care of the animals, hauling hay, building fences and anything in between. I learned a lot of practical skills that have translated to my jobs outside the farm.

How many times do you hit the snooze button? I love the snooze button, but my corgi Hiram has learned that the alarm means it is time for his breakfast. He usually doesn’t let me hit snooze more than once.

What’s your most treasured possession? My Johnny Cash “Blood, Sweat & Tears” record, which is part of a collection of old country records that my parents had. Music was a huge part of my childhood.