Lewis Rice Donates $25,000 to the Larry L. Deskins Sr. Scholarship Fund for Underprivileged Youth

Lewis Rice is pleased to announce it will donate $25,000 to the Golf Foundation of Missouri’s (GFM) newly formed Larry L. Deskins Sr. Scholarship Fund. GFM is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to teaching life skills such as sportsmanship, etiquette, and honesty to underprivileged youth in the City of St. Louis through the game of golf.

The donation is part of Lewis Rice’s ongoing commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion efforts in the St. Louis community, and honors the Firm’s longtime partner Larry L. Deskins Sr. who passed away March 22, 2020 at the age of 68. “Lewis Rice has always been, and will continue to be, a firm that values diversity,” said Ron Norwood, Chairman of Lewis Rice’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. “Supporting the Larry L. Deskins Sr. Scholarship Fund feels so right – honoring our partner and friend, and continuing our commitment to building an inclusive community where all are able to maximize their potential.”

A career attorney with Lewis Rice, Larry was a dedicated lawyer who made a name for himself in St. Louis counseling banking institutions, public school districts, business entrepreneurs and more. He was the first African-American to be elevated to partner by a major St. Louis law firm. An avid golfer, Larry was also a GFM board member and served as a mentor to the underprivileged children who participated in the organization’s summer camps. 

“Larry was a great lawyer, terrific partner and dear friend,” said Tom Erb, Firm Chairman. “All of us at Lewis Rice are proud to help continue Larry’s legacy of civic engagement with our contribution to the Larry L. Deskins Sr. Scholarship Fund. Larry believed that education and a tireless work ethic led to his success. Our hope is that this fund will provide the same opportunities to others for years to come.”

To underscore the Firm's commitment to GFM and to continue to serve this youth community that was so important to Larry, Firm member Robert J. Golterman has recently joined the GFM Board.

About Lewis Rice

Throughout the Firm's history, Lewis Rice attorneys have made excellence the foundation of their practice. Founded in 1909, more than a century of service gives the Firm the experience, resources, and tools to serve their clients' dynamic needs. A diverse team of more than 160 attorneys provides counsel and solutions for the challenges facing local, regional and national businesses, as well as individuals and families. Lewis Rice maintains offices in downtown St. Louis, suburban Town & Country, and Jefferson City, Missouri and Edwardsville, Illinois. The Firm also has offices in downtown Kansas City, Missouri and suburban Overland Park, Kansas.