Diane C. Howard has been a member of the firm since 1984. Ms. Howard practices primarily in the areas of family law, personnel and employment law, and education law. She has been active in The Missouri Bar, as a member of the Young Lawyers Section Council from 1990 to 1992, member of the Board of Governors from 1995 to 1997 and chair of the Family Law Section from 1999 to 2001. Ms. Howard is also a member of the Missouri Council of School Attorneys and served as Chair from 2010-2011 and again from 2014-2015. She was also appointed as a Commissioner on the Missouri State Gaming Commission from 2012 until 2015, serving as Vice-Commissioner from 2014-2015.
Ms. Howard received her B.S. in 1976 from the Mississippi University for Women (summa cum laude) and her J.D. in 1979 from St. Louis University. Ms. Howard entered the United States Navy in 1980, Judge Advocate General Corp (JAGC) where she served on active duty from 1980 to 1984. She continued her service as a member of the Ready-Reserve from 1984 until her retirement in 2005, achieving the rank of Captain.
Ms. Howard has authored training materials and has presented nationally, regionally, and locally on various aspects of school law, personnel and employment law. She has served on boards and acted as a volunteer for many civic and non-profit organizations. In 2000, she was recognized by the Cape Girardeau Area Zonta Club as their “Woman of Achievement” and then in 2014 received the Zonta Club “Lifetime Achievement Award” for her professional and civic contributions.