Courtney M. Stout, 29

Associate, Williams Dirks Dameron, Kansas City

Practice Areas: Class action and complex civil litigation, wage and hour litigation, employment discrimination

Law School: University of Missouri

Inspired by her parents who are in the legal profession, Courtney Stout enjoys the challenge of her career as well as the opportunities she has to help people. If she hadn’t chosen law as a career, she probably would have become a therapist.

One of her favorite activities as an attorney is discussing case strategies with other attorneys in her firm. She continues to appreciate how each one of them can come up with different creative ideas to process the same case.

Stout encourages young lawyers to trust themselves and accept new opportunities. She will be the first one to tell them to let go of their fears and insecurities and give it a go.

“I believe that, as attorneys, we have a moral obligation to give back to our community,” Stout says. “Everyone can find a type of volunteer work that makes them happy. For me, I found a passion volunteering with rescue animals. This helps my community that has given me so much.”

What is the best career advice you have received?

One of my current supervisors told me that almost everything is “fixable.” That gave me the ability to take a breath, relax and let some of the pressure go.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?

I’ll be participating in my first trial. This fall, I’m getting married. 2021 is a milestone year for me.