The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s "Advancing St. Louis" section profiles local leaders who “are impacting the St. Louis region by inspiring change and starting conversations.” Last week that leader was Pam Meanes.
The Q&A covers her career as a litigator and her leadership on civil rights issues, including her tenure as president of the National Bar Association.
Here are some excerpts from that interview, but read the full article here:
On becoming partner:
“As a native of East St. Louis, Ill., who was raised in a single-parent household, this accomplishment enabled me to demonstrate that great things can come from humble beginnings.”
On being president of the NBA:
“The prominent African American lawyer Charles Hamilton Houston once said, ‘A lawyer’s either a social engineer or … a parasite on society.’ … At the conclusion of my year, I had to face a few harsh realities. Chief among them was that the legal field doesn’t have enough social engineers.”
On her inspiration:
“My mother, Marion E. Malone. She was a maid by profession. Although she did not obtain a high school diploma, she is one the wisest and most insightful people I know.”
NOTICE.
Although we would like to hear from you, we cannot represent you until we know that
doing so will not create a conflict of interest. Also, we cannot treat unsolicited
information as confidential. Accordingly, please do not send us any information
about any matter that may involve you until you receive a written statement from
us that we represent you (an ‘engagement letter’).
By clicking the ‘ACCEPT’ button, you agree that we may review any information you transmit to us. You recognize that our review of your information, even if you submitted it in a good faith effort to retain us, and, further, even if you consider it confidential, does not preclude us from representing another client directly adverse to you, even in a matter where that information could and will be used against you. Please click the ‘ACCEPT’ button if you understand and accept the foregoing statement and wish to proceed.