Erin leads the Associate Competencies Engagement (ACE) Program for the firm's transactional associates.
Overview
Associate Competencies Engagement (ACE) Counsel
The ACE Program aims to support associates' timely development of legal and business competencies, ensure equitable access to career-enhancing work experiences, and empower associates in their own professional development.
As part of this effort, Erin regularly meets with assigned associates to discuss self-assessments, review progress on their development of core competencies, and identify professional and business development needs and opportunities. Where appropriate, Erin assists associates and their Division Chairs with developing action plans to accelerate skill development based on the associate's tenure and practice area. To better support associates and assigning attorneys, she participates in the annual review process and division meetings. To facilitate administration of the ACE Program, Erin works closely with Division Chairs, Practice Group leaders, and other ACE Counsel, and she also collaborates with multiple internal teams, including the Professional Development, Marketing and Business Development, Pro Bono, Diversity & Inclusion, and Well-Being Departments.
Experience
Prior to leading this associate-focused initiative as ACE Counsel, Erin advised employers on all areas of employment law compliance and human resources practices, including hiring and firing, wage and hour compliance, leaves of absence, accommodations for disabilities, and preventing discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
In addition to advising clients on day-to-day matters, Erin defended employers in a range of employment matters, including wage and hour collective and class action litigation, discrimination and retaliation claims, and violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Erin has successfully defended employers in matters before the EEOC, Missouri Commission on Human Rights, Kansas Human Rights Commission, and in federal and state courts.
Prior to joining the firm, Erin served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
News & Insights
News
Publications
"Law School's Missed Lessons: Be An Indispensable Associate," Law360, April 2025
"U.S. Supreme Court Issues Rulings on Challenges to OSHA ETS and CMS Interim Final Rule," Stinson Alert, January 2022
"No-Poach Agreements between Government Contractors May Violate Antitrust Laws," Stinson's Government Contracting Matters Blog, February 19, 2019
"Garnishments," 2014 Cumulative Supplement to MoBar CLE Creditors' Remedies Deskbook, Chapter 3, August 2014
Speaking Engagements
Financial Services Webinar - Developments in Employment Law, October 2023
"Employment Law Concerns of the New Normal: Remote Work", Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Workforce 2030 Conference, October 2022
Election Protection CLE, Stinson LLP, October 2022
"Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska Update," New Challenges for HR in 2022, February 2022
Recognitions
Recognitions
Named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America list, 2022-2025
Named a Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2019 - 2022
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
American Bar Association
The Missouri Bar
Cole County Bar Association
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Missouri, 2013
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
- U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Education
University of Missouri-Kansas City, J.D., cum laude, 2013
Columbia College, B.A., 2009
