Heather Bub

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Heather Bub has been a successful litigator at SmithAmundsen for years, and has brought that success to her leadership positions with the Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis and The Missouri Bar. Her determination in the courtroom is also reflected in her drive to promote change within the legal profession.

What are your proudest career accomplishments?

I am particularly proud of the opportunity I have been given to serve as president of the Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis.  I am also very proud of the recent change to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 6.06, the rule that sets forth the procedural requirements for returning one’s law license to active status after having gone “voluntarily inactive” for a period of time. Megan Phillips, as co-chair of Missouri’s Joint Commission on Women in the Profession, spearheaded the commission’s efforts to amend the rule after I brought to her attention how difficult and burdensome the process had been for me when I reactivated my law license after taking three years off from practicing to raise my young children. I felt that Missouri’s reactivation process had a disparate impact on women, who were more likely to assume voluntary inactive status in order to care for young children or aging family members. The commission researched the issue further and confirmed my suspicion. The commission then worked with the Missouri Supreme Court and the OCDC to propose and adopt an amended rule, which substantially streamlined the reactivation process. I am grateful to all who worked to bring about this positive change.

What inspired you to get involved in the public service or justice system?

From the age of 7, I knew that I wanted to be a lawyer. While I did not understand what being a lawyer meant at that age, nor did I know what lawyers actually did, I believed that lawyers had the ability to make a difference in the world, which is what I wanted to do.

What is something that would surprise people about you?

During college and law school, I was a league and tournament bowler in my spare time.

What has been your favorite part of your job?

I love the thrill of the courtroom. Of course, the greatest moments for me personally are when I can help someone while doing what I enjoy.