About Ms. Colson and Staff

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Get to know the staff

It always helps to know a little more about the people that you are working with. How qualified are they? Will they be able to handle my case and provide me with the best possible outcome for my situation? These questions and more are always going to be in our minds. Take a few moments to read about the staff at the firm and decide for yourself.

Jill R. Colson

Jill R. Colson - Attorney

Jill R. Colson was born and raised in St. Francois County, Missouri and graduated from Farmington High School. She obtained her B.A. in 1984 from the University of Missouri - St. Louis and after working in sales for a Fortune 500 company for 5 years, she decided to follow in her father's footsteps and pursue a career as an attorney. Jill continued to work full- time while attending law school at night. She received her Juris Doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law in 1994, and began her law practice with her father's law firm in Farmington, Missouri, in April 1994. Her father practiced law for 56 years before passing away in October of 2011, and since that time, Jill has continued to operate her own law practice at the same location in Farmington, Missouri.

 

She is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, and the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. She is a member of The Missouri Bar and the 24th Judicial Circuit Bar Association.

 

She previously served on the St. Francois County Board for the Developmentally Disabled, the Board for Parkland Health Center and the Parkland Health Center Foundation Board.

Julia M. Sumpter

Julia M. Sumpter - Legal Secretary

Julia was born in Washington County, Missouri, where she has been a lifelong resident. Julia, her husband, who was a member of the Armed Forces for 9 years, and children traveled extensively in the 1980s and temporarily resided in Texas, Colorado, Germany and Kansas. Julia attended Mineral Area College from August 1992 until May 1994, where she received an Associate's Degree with a major in General Business. After receiving her degree, Julia was employed by St. Francois County Abstract, Mineral Area Office Supply, U.S. Census Bureau and Potosi Abstract Company. Julia began her career as a legal secretary with Colson, Wagner, Ray & Mackay, L.L.C., now known as Colson & Colson, L.L.C., in November 1998. Julia currently serves as full-time legal secretary to Jill R. Colson.

Rita A. Stam

Rita A. Stam - Legal Secretary

Rita A. Stam, formerly Rita Cole, was born in St. Francois County, and has continued to live and work in Farmington, Missouri. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1965 and attended Mineral Area College part time. Rita became employed as a secretary to David L. Colson in 1966 and continued to work as his secretary until his death in 2011. During that period of time she worked as a legal secretary in all general practice areas of law and also served as an administrative assistant. Since 2012 her primary areas of work have been Probate Estates and Estate Planning and assisting with administrative duties. She had 50+ years of experience as a legal secretary and June 2023.

Loretta Smith

Loretta Smith - Legal Secretary and Billing Clerk

Loretta Smith was born and raised in Sedalia, Missouri. She received an Associate of Science Degree in Accounting from St. Paul College at Concordia, Missouri, in 1984, and a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from St. John's College at Winfield, Kansas, in 1986. She worked 15 years in management for a major retail company while living in Kansas and Missouri. After getting married in 1999, she settled in Desloge, Missouri, and has worked for Colson & Colson since April of 2002 as the billing secretary.  She previously served as President and Treasurer for the Threads of Friendship Quilt Guild, President and Treasurer for the St. Paul Lutheran LWML, and Treasurer for Iron Mountain Zone LWML. Loretta has over 19 years of experience as a billing secretary.

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