2023 Up & Coming Awards: Heather M. Morris, 38

Partner, Spencer Fane, Kansas City

Practice Areas: Banking and Financial Services, Commercial Lending

Law School: University of Missouri at Kansas City

Heather Morris credits her father with shaping her career. He is an attorney involved in estate planning, and she thought she would follow him into that practice area. But along the way, her mission changed and today she focuses on banking and financial services.

“I appreciated the way he was able to build personal relationships and help people in a positive setting,” she says. “My career so far is not at all what I had planned during law school, but I would not change it.”

The lessons Morris learned mapping her own career is good advice to other young lawyers.

“Find the career path that works for you and be willing to change course along the way,” she says. “Being willing to switch practice groups early in my career has given me a unique perspective that allows me to better serve my clients.”

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

My undergraduate degree is in accounting, and for a short time, I thought I might be a CPA.

What is the best career advice you have received? 

Remember that we all go through different seasons of our lives and that you must do the best you can. It helps keep things in perspective and allows you to work and live a balanced life.

What is your favorite thing to do away from work? 

I love to travel with my family. Finding new experiences and learning about different cultures is something my husband and I have always prioritized, and we enjoy sharing those adventures with our two children.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?

I am the co-chair of my firm’s summer associate program. We had the largest summer class in our firm’s history this year, so we are celebrating the conclusion of a successful program!

What has been your favorite moment as an attorney?

I always appreciate it when a client indicates how grateful they are for my help. In one case I had a client tell me I am “a lighthouse in the stormy seas of loan documentation.” That was some high praise and made me laugh.