Law Office of Shawn D. Young welcomes Kimberly Carter

The Law Office of Shawn D. Young of Portageville recently welcomed Kimberly Carter as an associate attorney to their firm. Carter will be engaged in general legal practice with an emphasis in family law, divorce, child custody, criminal litigation and estate planning.

Mrs. Carter is a Kennett, Mo., native, but moved to Hayti when she was in kindergarten. She graduated from Hayti High School in 1994. After graduating from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, she moved to Kennett to work with Missouri Division of Probation and Parole as a probation and parole officer. She was later promoted to unit supervisor of the Community Supervision Center.

Carter also graduated Cum Laude from the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. “While in law school, I completed coursework to obtain the Certificate in Health Law, which I received with honors,” she explained. “I held the position of research assistant to the Director of the Legal Writing Department for one year while in law school. I also held the position of research assistant to the Director of Health Law Institute. In that position, I assisted with a project to seek Medicaid funding for programs in the Memphis, Tenn., area that addresses the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences.” She was also a member of the Mental Health Law and Policy Journal and was chosen to be Editor-in-Chief of that publication.

Credited with Carter’s decision to go into the law field are her husband, Bill Carter, Associate Circuit Judge of Pemiscot County, and daughter. “With my background in criminal justice, I have always had an interest in law. In my employment at probation and parole, I served as court liaison for the Division to the Dunklin County Circuit Court which allowed me to work closely with the court,” she stated. “I have always had an admiration for those in the legal profession. I have been very fortunate to work with some of the best in the business, including my husband.”

As for accomplishments Carter hopes to achieve, she says, “During my time in law school, what I missed the most was working with clients and helping to make their lives better, and that is what I hope to accomplish as an attorney. I will be engaging in general legal practice with an emphasis in family law, divorce, child custody, criminal litigation and estate planning.”

In her spare time, Mrs. Carter enjoys spending time with her husband, Bill, and their daughter, Amory, who is a senior at Caruthersville High School. She also enjoys running and has completed five half-marathons and several 5k races. From 2011-2014, she served as a member of the Delta Children’s Home Board. She currently is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Caruthersville, where she serves on the Parish Council. She is also a member of the Missouri Bar Association and the Memphis Bar Association. She is the granddaughter of the late Marceline Laster of Hayti, Mo.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to join The Law Office of Shawn D. Young,” she said. “I am excited to be working with Mr. Young to serve our community.”

The Law Office of Shawn D. Young is located at 64 East State Highway 162 in Portageville, Mo. The telephone number is (573) 379-3020.