Emily F. Blinzig
Emily F. Blinzig,
Emily Blinzig is an experienced attorney who focuses her practice on Estate Planning, Asset Protection Planning, Special Needs Trusts, Probate, Trust administration, and Trust litigation. As part of her passion for Estate planning and its related areas of law, she has volunteered with the Missouri Attorney General in Veterans’ Will Workshops on multiple occasions, and was recognized for her service with 2 Pro Bono Service Awards in 2019. She has also presented at the National Business Institute in 2019 as a Faculty advisor on the topic of the Probate Process in Missouri. Emily has also enjoyed making presentations at Senior Centers and Assisted Living Facilities in Springfield and the surrounding area, educating seniors on their Estate Planning options.
In her Estate planning practice, she has specialized in complex Estate Planning, which may encompass planning for the care of a disabled child, an ailing family member, individuals with substance abuse problems; planning for asset protection in the event of declining health or a need for a nursing home in the future; or planning for the continuation of an individual’s business after their death.
Emily’s diverse background of legal experience has given her a unique skill-set to help clients navigate complex family dynamics, and has led to an excellence in developing creative and comprehensive Estate Plans for the unique needs of each individual, family or business.
Prior to joining Rooney McBride & Smith, Emily’s early career experience started in legal writing as an intern for a civil Judge in Oklahoma, writing legal briefs, summary judgements and other legal documents. In 2011, she worked as a research intern in London, writing legal analyses for Survival International, which is an organization that advocates for native peoples’ rights. In 2013, Emily moved to Springfield to become a Trial Attorney for the Missouri State Public Defender, giving her trial experience and familiarity with court proceedings. Later, as a court-appointed attorney representing parents in Juvenile Abuse and Neglect cases, she gained insight into complex family situations, and gained further experience in courtroom proceedings. Emily has also routinely represented clients seeking Guardianship or Conservatorship for a disabled child or for elderly parents who are no longer capable of caring for themselves. Drawing on her wide range of legal experience, Emily drafts wills and trusts with legal precision, keeping family dynamics in mind and an eye towards avoiding litigation after death. But if litigation becomes necessary, she is able to confidently and zealously advocate for her clients in the courtroom.
Emily enjoys donating her time and expertise to the community through various volunteer activities, such as serving on the Faith and Community Outreach Committee for Habitat for Humanity, volunteering at the Show Me Prosperity legal clinic preparing basic estate planning documents for low-income individuals, and volunteering at the Veterans’ Will Workshop, preparing basic estate planning documents for Veterans.
Emily is also active in the legal community, having served on the Board of Directors for Southern Missouri Women Lawyer’s Association from 2019-2022, and various committees developing programs for women lawyers in the Springfield and surrounding areas. In 2013 she served as an advisor for the Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition and provided feedback to the students on their trial skills. In January 2021, she was featured as a guest speaker to Washington University Law Students about their career development and the importance of networking. Emily is a member of the Missouri Bar Association, the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association and the Southern Missouri Women Lawyer’s Association.
Emily graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts, where she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, the Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society, and the
Golden Key Honor Society. She obtained her Law Degree from the University of Tulsa in 2012, where she was a Phi Delta Phi International Fraternity member and also served as the Secretary of the Hispanic Law Students Association and as the Secretary of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Although not a Springfield native, Emily now calls Springfield her home, and enjoys hiking, camping and kayaking in the Southwest Missouri and Arkansas area. She is married to Gary Collins, who is also a local attorney, and they have one daughter together. When not camping or hiking with her girlfriends, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, their daughter, Gwynnevere, and her step-sons, Patrick and Liam.
