Ozarks Profile: Virginia Fry

Tell us about your firm.

"Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin has a national reputation for providing top quality legal services."

The firm has more than 300 attorneys who specialize in 40 practice areas that encompass practically every aspect of business law.

"The firm's motto is to partner with our clients to clearly identify and define goals and strategies to achieve their ob-jectives."

In addition to its Springfield office, Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin also has of-fices in Kansas City, St. Louis, Omaha, Neb., Overland Park, Kan., Edwardsville, Ill., Wash-ington, D.C., and London, England. "The firm also has worldwide affiliate relationships with foreign law firms. We use state-of-the-art computer networking, videoconferencing and other technology to make all of the knowledge, experience and capabilities of the entire firm available to all of our clients regardless of their location. Because of the firm's size and experiences, we are able marshal the resources necessary to handle any matter. The advantage to me in Springfield is that all of this is available for me to utilize with my clients at Midwestern rates."

How did you come to choose law as your profession?

"It was a combination of several things. I grew up on a farm where there was little time for watching television; however, my parents did occasionally let me watch Perry Mason.' There was such drama in the way he always got the bad guy to confess on the stand." Her career decision also was influenced by former judge Al Turner. "When I was growing up, he was practicing law in Mountain Grove. He was one of the most respected members of our community, so I thought it would be nice to grow up and be like him. After I started college, I began to appreciate the unique opportunities that a law degree provided."

What's your educational background?

"I graduated summa cum laude with a (bachelor of science degree) in finance from Missouri State oops, I forgot! It is still SMSU. I also have an MBA from there. I attended law school at the University of Missouri at Kansas City where I was on the Law Review."

What are your areas of expertise?

"I practice in the litigation area with an emphasis in labor and employment, and commercial litigation. I also represent several educational clients who have unique issues that overlap several practice areas. "

What do you find most challenging about your work?

"Keeping up with the changing legal landscape."

Tell us about your family.

"My husband is John Pratt, who is a partner in Pratt & Fossard. We have two wonderful children. Brennan is a junior and Jordan is in eighth grade at Greenwood Laboratory School. Two beloved cats, Oreo and Growltiger, round out our immediate family, but we are very lucky to have many family members that live in the area."

What do you do in your free time?

"I love to spend time with my family. Both of my kids are involved in sports and extracurricular activities, so I spend a lot of time being a soccer mom. I also love to garden." Fry is also on the board of directors of Springfield Symphony.

by Maria Hoover