Jessica E. Courtway, 30

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Location: St. Louis

Practice Area: Construction

Law School: Washington University in St. Louis

Jessica Courtway advises young lawyers to keep in mind that failure often teaches you more than success and to remember it’s OK to make mistakes as long you learn from them.

Courtway’s first five years as a lawyer, however, are far more notable for her achievements.

At Greensfelder, she serves on the firm’s recruiting and associates committees. A construction attorney, she also founded the firm’s construction blog, Nuts & Bolts.

She leads outside the firm as well: She has served as the president of the Missouri Asian American Bar Association from 2017-2018 and as vice president of the Young Lawyers Division of The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.

In her free time, you can find her traveling or hanging out on the patio with her husband, her two dogs and a glass of wine (or two, she admits).

If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what profession would you have chosen?

My father is a retired meteorologist, which I think is such a fascinating field, so either that or something in academia.

What is the best career advice you have received?

Never get too high or too low on yourself. There will be good days and bad days (and, at times, stretches of each), so try to stay even-keeled.

What has been your favorite moment as an attorney?

Arguing in front of the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District.

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