Jefferson City, Mo. - Missouri Lawyers Media named ACLU of Missouri attorney Tori Schafer Lawyer of the Year. Schafer, along with Chris Grant (Schuchat, Cook & Werner) and Charles Hatfield (Stinson), will be honored February 13 with the award at the Annual Missouri Lawyers Awards.
Schafer, who serves as the Director of Policy and Campaigns at the ACLU of Missouri, was key in the passage of Amendment 3, not only as the lead attorney for several successful legal battles to keep the amendment on the ballot but she was also a spokesperson and a founding member of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom.
“Our campaign was Missouri-grown and Missouri-led, a true collaboration of organizations and volunteers across the state. Together, we faced significant opposition— obstruction from government officials, misinformation from adversaries, and out-of-touch politicians — all determined to block our right to vote on reproductive freedom,” said Schafer. “The victory at the Missouri Supreme Court, which ensured Amendment 3 remained on the ballot, was a testament to the talent and dedication of our legal team, who worked tirelessly to defend Missourians’ constitutional right to engage in direct democracy.”
The ACLU of Missouri intervened in the lawsuit on behalf of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom to fight a last-ditch effort by two politicians and a special interest group to deny Missourians their constitutional right to vote on Amendment 3. On the Friday preceding the Tuesday deadline to begin printing ballots, a Cole County Circuit Court Judge made the decision to remove Amendment 3 from the ballot. Over the weekend, lawyers for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom filed an appeal with the Missouri Court of Appeals in the Western District. Shortly after, the Western District transferred the case to the Missouri Supreme Court. The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday morning and issued an order hours later reversing the trial court, keeping Amendment 3 on the ballot, and nullifying the Secretary of State’s attempt to decertify the initiative petition.
"The greatest asset to a legal team is the individuals that comprise it and this extraordinary team exemplified all of the necessary talents to stand up and fight a hostile state and special interests hellbent on denying Missourians the right to vote on the issue," said Chuck Hatfield, attorney and partner at Stinson LLP. "It's an honor to work alongside organizations and like-minded attorneys who believe the legal system can continue to exemplify how the law can serve the greater good."
Schafer led a legal team that included ACLU attorney Jonathan Schmid, along with several attorneys at Schuchat, Cook & Werner and Stinson.
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