Deanna Scott

She recognizes, however, that most people have received some type of support from family, friends or mentors.

As the director of litigation for Legal Services of Southern Missouri, Scott offers support to others.

LSSM serves 43 counties through the efforts of more than a dozen staff attorneys and private-practice lawyers who lend their time and skills to helping low-income and elderly clients who could not otherwise afford counsel.

“Once their legal issues are resolved and that burden is lifted, I have seen clients ... go on to obtain education, then better jobs to help support themselves and their children,” Scott said.

When it comes to helping the less fortunate, Scott reiterates the Oath of Admission taken by new attorneys, which mandates that they practice law to the best of their knowledge and ability, with consideration for the defenseless and oppressed.

“I believe the oath is a gauntlet presented to every attorney practicing in Missouri, and that the oath makes it not only our moral duty, but our professional duty, to assist those less fortunate,” she said.

In 2000, Scott received the Missouri Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award and the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association’s Equal Access to Justice Award. Both recognize pro bono service.

In addition to providing information and support to staff members and volunteer attorneys, Scott’s LSSM duties also include networking with private-practice lawyers to encourage them to do more pro bono work, and public speaking engagements about issues such as elder law and other areas of law for which LSSM provides assistance. She also oversees continuing legal education projects.

In addition to her regular job, Scott serves as a speaker for Don’t Borrow Trouble, a collaborative program of Urban Neighborhood Alliance, Consumer Credit Counseling Service and local financial institutions and organizations. The program aims at informing the community about predatory lending and how to prevent it. She also serves as legal adviser for Women In Need of the Ozarks.

“WIN is a completely volunteer group helping working women in our area who need financial assistance with short-term needs,” Scott said.

Earlier this year, Scott was installed as secretary of the SMBA Board of Directors.

“Working with the SMBA board members and staff continues to be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, offering another way to work toward common goals shared with the private bar,” she said.

Personally speaking

As a young child, what did you hope to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a singer in a recording studio.

Please tell us about your family.

I have one grown son, Dustin, who lives in Springfield, and I am the only child of Maxine and Gayle Helterbrand of Cabool.

What book are you reading now?

“Final Judgment,” by Dina Kaminskaya. Mrs. Kaminskaya was a courageous defense and human rights attorney who defended Soviet dissidents. She somehow found the strength to take cases she might lose, do the right thing and fight for rights of Soviet citizens, although she was eventually forced from her own country to live her final years in the United States. She reminds us that one’s inner courage and strength can directly affect change in the world.

If you could go back in time, what one person would you most like to

meet?

President Harry S Truman, to observe in person his honest, no-frills, “the buck stops here” exemplary Missouri style. I’d like to hear him again say, “I never give them hell. I just tell the truth, and they think it is hell.”

Beyond The Golden Rule, what philosophy do you live by?

You reap what you sow, paraphrasing Galatians 6:7