Pro Bono Spotlight 2023: Scott Pierson

Staff Report//November 10, 2023//

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Twibell Pierson, Springfield

At the core of Scott Pierson’s career as a criminal defense attorney is his desire to help people.

“I don’t think anybody’s defined by the worst moments in their lives, and so being a criminal defense attorney is twofold,” he said. “You get to fight for people in court, which I enjoy doing. And you also get to put people in a better position going forward in life.”

Pierson has been donating his time to help expungement applicants who can’t afford to pay an attorney. Last year, he received a pro bono award from the Missouri State Bar for his volunteer work in Springfield’s Clean Slate Clinics.

His work helps individuals and lifts up communities.

“Expungement is just kind of a natural thing for me,” he said. “I think it’s important that people who have paid their debt to society are given the ability to start anew.”

Pierson earned his law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2009.