For 2002 Apollo grad, Jerri Zhang, writing and reporting quickly turned into a passion for the law. Zhang attended the University of Missouri-Columbia for both her undergraduate and law degrees, earning a Bachelor of Journalism degree in 2006 and a Juris Doctor in 2009. It was during her work in journalism that a professor pulled her aside and asked if she had ever considered law.
“You’re really good at arguing,” he told her.
With an interest in law and a new career path, she’s had no regrets since.
Zhang focused her career on public service and was appointed to the Missouri bench in the fall of 2016 as a Probate Commissioner for the 16th Judicial Circuit of Jackson County. Her cases involve adult and minor guardianships and conservatorships, decedent estates and involuntary civil commitments.
Zhang is grateful to have had two mentors in high school and believes it’s important to have mentors throughout all phases of life. Apollo High School teachers Deborah Bendix and Cynthia Kaercher (Ms. Larsen back in the day) left a profound impact on her.
“These two women worked tirelessly with the students on the Apollo speech team,” says Zhang. “Their support, advice and mentorship gave me the confidence and ability to succeed in the real world. Teachers like them are rare and don’t get enough recognition for their work and dedication to students.”
Zhang attributes her career success to their mentorship and guidance. In fact, she experienced a lot of her early success in original oratory and argumentative speech.
“I remember hanging out at Mrs. Bendix’s house editing our speeches on the weekends, the early Saturday morning bus rides to tournaments and speech practice after school most days of the week,” reminisces Zhang. “ I cannot count how many hours during the evenings, weekends and summers Mrs. Bendix and Mrs. Kaercher gave up to coach us. The speech team was like our family. I still think fondly of those days.”
Being active in high school carried over to her law career. Before being appointed to the bench as probate commissioner, Zhang was active in several state and local associations such as The Missouri Bar, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Asian American Bar Association of Kansas City, Association of Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City and the American Bar Association.
Looking ahead to the future, Zhang plans to remain on the bench.
“There are a lot of areas of the law that you don’t see or hear about in mainstream media,” she explains.
She advises upcoming lawyers, “Do your research and talk to practicing attorneys and judges. Make sure you really want to be a lawyer before you start law school. Law school is not for the faint of heart.”
But, she maintains, if it’s your passion, you’ll love every minute of it.