Jefferson City, Mo. – The ACLU of Missouri’s Tori Schafer has been named Lawyer of the Year by Missouri Lawyers Media. Schafer will be recognized alongside fellow attorneys Chris Grant of Schuchat, Cook & Werner, and Charles Hatfield of Stinson at the upcoming Annual Missouri Lawyers Awards scheduled for February 13.
Schafer, currently the Director of Policy and Campaigns at the ACLU of Missouri, played a pivotal role in ensuring the passage of Amendment 3. Her efforts involved not only leading successful legal battles to maintain the amendment on the ballot but also serving as a spokesperson and a founding member of the advocacy group Missourians for Constitutional Freedom.
During her recent efforts, Schafer stated, “Our campaign was rooted deeply in Missouri’s values, led and driven by a coalition of local organizations and volunteers. We faced extensive challenges including governmental obstruction, widespread misinformation, and resistance from entrenched political figures, yet our success in the Missouri Supreme Court, which secured the amendment’s place on the ballot, speaks volumes about our legal team’s commitment and expertise.”
The ACLU of Missouri took legal action on behalf of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom to counter attempts by certain politicians and a special interest group to preclude Amendment 3 from the ballot. The legal struggle reached a critical point when a judge from Cole County Circuit Court decided to exclude the amendment from the ballot just days before the deadline for ballot printing. In response, the legal team quickly appealed to the Missouri Court of Appeals in the Western District, which then transferred the case to the Missouri Supreme Court. The supreme court swiftly reviewed the case and issued a reversal that kept the amendment on the ballot, undermining the Secretary of State’s effort to decertify the initiative petition.
Chuck Hatfield, partner at Stinson LLP, praised his team’s determination, saying, “This team’s exceptional skill set proved vital in overcoming the significant challenges posed by the opposition, reflecting the impact of assembling a highly talented group devoted to safeguarding democratic rights.”
Schafer’s team included both ACLU attorney Jonathan Schmid and lawyers from Schuchat, Cook & Werner and Stinson, all of whom collaborated closely to secure the constitutional rights of Missourians.
The concerted campaign and legal efforts that Schafer led were instrumental in confronting and overcoming opposition maneuvers, ensuring that the voters’ right to decide on important constitutional changes remained intact.
These recognitions and the success of Amendment 3 reflect the ongoing impact of collaborative legal and advocacy strategies in upholding and advancing democratic processes and rights in Missouri. As these lawyers continue to navigate the complex interplay of law, policy, and public interest, their work not only sets legal precedents but also charts a course for future engagements in the public sphere.
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