Emily Little

Emily Little joined the Office of the General Counsel in 2018 and represents the University in multiple areas, including litigation.  Her legal career began at the Missouri Attorney General’s Office where she gained invaluable experience handling appeals in state and federal appellate courts, and defending state agencies in employment and civil rights cases.  In 2002, Emily joined the law firm of Ford, Parshall & Baker, LLC and became a partner in 2010.  During her sixteen years in private practice, Emily successfully tried civil lawsuits and defended professional liability claims in administrative proceedings.  In 2011, she received the Lon O. Hocker Trial Advocacy Award, which is presented by the Missouri Bar Foundation to attorneys who have demonstrated unusual proficiency in the art of trial advocacy.  In 2014, Emily received an AV preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell which signifies a rating at the highest level of professional excellence.  In the Columbia community, Emily serves on the Board of Directors for Heart of Missouri CASA.

Emily received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Rhodes College in 1997.  She earned her J.D. from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2000, where she was a member of the Moot Court Team and the Tennessee Law Review.  She is currently a member of the Boone County Bar Association, the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, and the National Association of College and University Attorneys.