10 questions with…Kameron W. Murphy
1. What drew you to GenNext?
I was looking for an organization that combined both social and service elements. Nikki Crawford told me about GenNext and suggested that I check it out. There are a lot of ways to get involved in interesting and substantive activities. Within my first couple of months of being involved with GenNext, I attended a happy hour, signed up for a grant allocation panel on microlending to women-owned businesses and attended a service event at a residential care facility for seniors. Not many organizations can offer that range of activities.
2. What has been your favorite GenNext event?
I attended the May service project at the Mary Ryder home, where we played balloon “volleyball” with some of the residents and helped serve afternoon refreshments to the residents. Afterwards, we had a welcome event at Culpepper’s in the Central West End.
3. Why do you think young professionals should be involved with their community?
Because it’s a win-win. You benefit from networking with your peers and from the satisfaction of doing something for someone else, and you provide a vital service to the community.
4. Where do you currently work? What is your job?
I’m a commercial litigation associate at Carmody MacDonald, a law firm in Clayton, which basically means that I work on business-related lawsuits. My job consists of writing lots of letters and court filings, drafting and answering requests for information from other parties in litigation, and working with other lawyers in the firm to prepare cases for trial. I’ve also been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work on several appellate cases, including two where I was part of a team of lawyers handling appeals before the Missouri Supreme Court.
5. What do you like most about it?
Helping clients resolve their problems. Generally speaking, when people go to see a litigation attorney, they already have a problem. So the client is counting on you to understand their business and help them resolve the problem the best and quickest way possible. I also like all the communication, both verbal and written, which in many ways is like what I did before as a reporter.
6. What sparked your interest in law?
Journalism. I got my undergraduate degrees in Spanish and magazine journalism at Mizzou. I worked as a newspaper reporter, first covering crime and courts for the Burlington (Iowa) Hawk Eye and then covering suburban city government and schools for the Kansas City Star. In both jobs, it seemed like I was always talking to lawyers or trying to understand some legal process. After working as a reporter for three years, I went back to Mizzou to get my law degree and MBA.
7. Do you have any brothers or sisters?
I am the youngest of six – three sisters and two brothers, one of whom passed away seven years ago. All my siblings’ names start with the letter “K.” My parents wanted to keep the K streak going, so that’s why I’m Kameron with a K instead of a C.
8. What is your favorite St. Louis restaurant to take an out of town guest to? Why?
The Scottish Arms in the Central West End. I like the Scot Arms because it’s got a good beer list and a nice, laid-back atmosphere. Plus, you can’t get good mince and tatties just anywhere.
9. What is the last good book you read?
1776, by David McCullough
10. What summer movie are you most looking forward to?
The previews for the new M. Night Shyamalan movie, The Happening, look really interesting. I have to confess that I also am looking forward to the new Batman movie.