People You Should Know: Tom Schneider

Tom Schneider

Jones, Schneider and Stevens LLC

AGE: 59
YEARS LIVED IN MID-MISSOURI: 50
JOB DESCRIPTION: Trial lawyer
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Higginsville, Mo.
EDUCATION: B.S. and J.D. from the University of Missouri
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Current Boone County Bar Association president, previous Columbia Housing Authority commissioner
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Author of two articles published in the Missouri Law Review, one cited as the lead article in a national law encyclopedia called Am.Jur.2d.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: Tom Atkins for his beautiful renovation of the Strollway Center, not only for its historical restoration but also for once again making it a vibrant part of downtown Columbia. The same can be said about John Ott.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: Sometimes it is a day-to-day grind, but then you will make a big difference in someone’s life.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: Probably be playing in my band, which I got back together in 2005. Unfortunately, it paid better in 1968 than it does now.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: Not being hired as Columbia city attorney about 30 years ago. I then went into private practice, and it’s the best thing that could have happened. And the city got a great city counselor in Fred Boeckmann.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: The $100 million Boone Hospital patient tower will have its grand opening next month. I am proud of the small part I had in it.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: Consider being more proactive as a consumer of legal services. It can pay dividends to not wait until a problem is in full bloom or is inevitable.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: Read, travel and play guitar
FAMILY: Married to the Hon. Leslie Schneider. (associate Circuit Court judge). My daughter, Julia, is about to start law school in San Diego on a full scholarship (for which she and her parents are very grateful). My son, Scott, currently has a lead role in a play a few doors down from the Fox Theatre in St. Louis.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: The usuals: Booches, Shakespeare’s and The Blue Note
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Professionally, it would be representing the Boone Hospital Trustees for the past 13 years. Personally, it’s having such a wonderful family. I also have a great dog, Annie. I can’t walk across campus without hearing, “Hey, mister! Is that your dog?”
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I… first appeared in the Columbia Daily Tribune on July 27, 1964, when my Little League all-star team from Lafayette County beat the Columbia all-star team 16-2. The Columbia team was managed by Dr. George Fuchs, later a client and friend. I had four hits. They all stayed in the park.