Diversity & Inclusion 2024: Syd Tippie

Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons

Syd Tippie believes a key to success is having role models, and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, he struggled during his youth in rural Missouri to find legal leaders to fill that void.

Today, he aspires to fill that gap for other young attorneys.

“The lack of role models in important leadership roles made it appear that my goals and dreams were not achievable,” he says. “My mother always told me to be the change you want to see, and I want other people to see a proud gay man serving in a position of leadership in the legal profession.”

Tippie is an attorney advisor with the U.S. Department of Justice in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He is a graduate of the Missouri Bar Leadership Academy and last year was elected to the Missouri Bar Board of Governors.

What goal remains unfulfilled for you as an attorney and advocate for Diversity & Inclusion?

My goal is to see a more diverse bench in Missouri. In communities, judges are powerful role models symbolizing that everyone has a right to a fair process as equals under the law. A community has confidence in a bench that reflects the appearance and values of the community it serves. A diverse bench is a structural safeguard against institutional bias and instills public confidence in the legal process.

How do you give back to your community?

One of the organizations that I am most proud of serving is the Southern Missouri Women Lawyers Association, where I am president. For the last three years I have served as the chair of the Harvest Party Planning Committee, a charity dinner where members of the judiciary and bar raise funds for our community. Each year, we have raised over $10,000 for various charities, including Ozark Food Harvest and Harmony House. The total amount of funds raised for Ozark Food Harvest in the last three years has provided over 100,000 meals to individuals in need.

Tell us something that most people don’t know about you:

I am a leap-year baby. About 362,900 Americans have a Feb. 29 birthday, according to the Social Security Administration. How many of those 362,900 Americans are lawyers?