Raising the Bar: Alumni Leaders Driving the Profession Forward
It is estimated that more than half of the attorneys practicing in the St. Louis region are graduates of Saint Louis University School of Law. That’s an extraordinary footprint of influence in the legal profession and in the civic life of our community. Grounded in a mission of service to others and the promotion of justice, SLU LAW alumni have long been called to leadership—not just in courtrooms and classrooms but also in the organizations that shape the profession itself. From bar associations to advocacy groups, our graduates are at the forefront of ensuring the law serves both justice and the public good.
The three alumni featured here are just a few of the many who have chosen to lead with conviction, purpose, and vision.
Untress “Trez” Quinn - The Inspired Leader
Untress “Trez” Quinn (’05) began his tenure as president of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) in May 2025, stepping into a role steeped in tradition. He follows in the footsteps of a long line of SLU LAW alumni leaders, including immediate past president Kevin Gunn (’96).
“The mission [of BAMSL] is to protect the rule of law and the integrity of the justice system,” says Quinn. “Oftentimes, when we speak of the rule of law, we speak in lofty terms. But most people don’t experience the rule of law in these grand moments; they experience it every day.”
A seasoned trial lawyer at Armstrong Teasdale, Quinn focuses on commercial and tort litigation across multiple industries. But before entering law, he spent more than a decade as a registered nurse. His career path reflects a deep care for people that still shapes his work today.
“That’s the thing I want to do here is restore trust in the justice system and the things we do,” Quinn continues. He sees the practice of law as a profound responsibility.
“Being a lawyer is being entrusted with the power to shape lives, communities, and the very fabric of society,” Quinn says. “It’s not a small thing. Don’t take it for granted.” Equally important to Quinn is protecting the well-being of his colleagues.
“This is a hard profession, and we want to foster a culture where mental health is a shared concern and not a stigma,” Quinn says. “Where lawyers are recognized and acknowledged and not just managed.”
Jennifer Crompton - The Quintessential Leader
Jennifer Crompton (’04) describes herself as “ever curious” with a “dorky nature” — traits that have propelled her into leadership from her earliest days in the profession. Now the president-elect of the Missouri Bar, her trajectory can be traced back to SLU LAW, where she served on the Student Bar Association executive board.
“I thought, this will be a great way to get to meet other people beyond the criminal law bubble,” said Crompton of her early decision to get involved.
After launching her career at the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, Crompton was elected to the Missouri Bar’s Young Lawyers Section Council. Over the years, she has built a reputation as a tenacious trial lawyer, having tried more than 40 jury cases. Today, she serves as chief operating officer and trial lawyer at Crompton Pancoast in St. Louis, bringing both courtroom experience and business leadership to her practice.
Beyond professional accolades, Crompton's north star has always been service.
“I have always felt that giving back, whether it is legal or otherwise, is very important and doesn’t always have to be because you are receiving a monetary payment for it.” she says.
That philosophy shapes her vision for the Missouri Bar, whose mission is to improve the lives of Missourians by providing for, promoting and protecting justice for all. For Crompton, one strategic goal stands out: ensuring public confidence in the role of judges and lawyers.
“A lot of us went to law school because we have this innate desire to help others, and to make the world a better place,” she says. “It is inherent upon us as attorneys to help, to use our brains, to help people, to help society, to make things better, and to question, because the way things currently are isn’t always the right way or the best way. That philosophy is ingrained in me as an individual.”
Monique Abby - The Uplifting Leader
Raised among strong women, Monique Abby always felt called to leadership. A first-generation college graduate and attorney, she charted her path with clarity and determination, earning her degree in political science from Howard University before returning home to St. Louis to attend SLU LAW.
Abby’s career began in juvenile defense as a public defender and later continued in the child-support unit of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, where she now prosecutes nonsupport cases. These roles gave her a window into the intersection of law and human experience.
“When one of us is experiencing something in the legal realm, it’s not just legal,” said Abby. “It also affects [people] in a human way, and it is important for us to be there for each other in a human way.”
Abby will soon begin her term as president of the Women Lawyers’ Association of St. Louis (WLA), an organization committed to promoting women into positions of influence within the profession and the community. For Abby, this mission is urgent and personal.
“But I want us all to remember that we are our sister’s keeper,” she says. “When one of us is affected, we are all affected. So we need to look out for each other and make sure we are protecting each other.”
“This is a bigger purpose,” she says. “It’s bigger than me.”
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Together, Quinn, Crompton, and Abby represent the breadth of SLU LAW’s alumni leadership. Their stories reflect not only professional excellence but also a shared commitment to justice, service, and the betterment of the legal community. They are just three of the many alumni carrying forward the law school’s mission of leading with purpose, compassion, and vision for the future.
This article was originally published the SLU LAW Brief alumni magazine issue 2025.