Rachel has served on Great Rivers’ Young Professionals Board since June 2017, assisting with event planning, writing guest columns for the Great Rivers blog, and drafting the Young Professionals Board’s initial by-laws. She joined the Young Professionals Board because she wanted to get more involved in environmental issues and the nonprofit sector. And she knew Great Rivers was a special place because of her time working with us in 2014 as a legal extern.

Outside of Great Rivers, Rachel is an attorney who represents nonprofits and businesses in a wide variety of litigation, compliance, tax controversies, and governance matters. Her first years of practice were spent representing victims injured by dangerous chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs with a leading plaintiffs’ firm downtown. Rachel also volunteers as a pro bono attorney with Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts and Legal Services of Eastern of Missouri, where she helps nonprofits obtain and keep tax-exempt status.

When she’s not at work or volunteering? You’ll most likely find Rachel at BARx CrossFit, where Rachel has been a member since 2012. “I consider it my form of a book club.”

Rachel received a technical writing degree from Missouri State University and a law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law. One of her favorite memories from law school is competing in the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition. She says her time spent interning with Great Rivers helped prepare her for tackling nuanced legal issues.

We asked Rachel a few questions so you can get to know her better:

What book is currently on your nightstand? Atomic Habits by James Clear

What book are you most likely to binge read? Harry Potter

What fictional place would you most like to go? Hogwarts!

What is the best park you have ever visited? Zion National Park

What is your favorite local trail? Glassberg Family Conservation Area in Jefferson County

What always cheers you up when you think about it? Puppies