Nixon appoints UM system curator

St. Louis attorney Don Downing is awaiting legislative approval.

By Krissy Tripp

Published March 12, 2009

Gov. Jay Nixon appointed St. Louis attorney Don Downing to the UM system Board of Curators last week.

Downing's law firm, Gray, Ritter and Graham, contributed $100,000 to Nixon's gubernatorial campaign in 2008.

If Downing receives the approval of the Senate, he will serve as a curator until 2015. Downing said he doesn't have a date scheduled to appear for confirmation at this time.

"I'm very honored to have been nominated by Gov. Nixon to this position," Downing said. "It's something I've always wanted to do since my graduation of the Missouri law school."

He said he wants to give back to MU because his seven years at the university changed his life dramatically.

"This is just another way I can serve and help make the university the best public university system it can be," Downing said.

At 51, and working as a partner at his law firm, Downing is looking forward to approval. Chancellor Brady Deaton expressed excitement to work with him.

"He's demonstrated his loyalty and support for the university," Deaton said. "He has vision and brings a strong background. We think he'll champion the university and bring us toward our mission."

Downing attended MU for his undergraduate degree, obtaining a bachelor's degree in economics in 1979. He graduated from the School of Law in 1982.

He said he was highly involved in student organizations like the Missouri Students Association. He was the first Homecoming king at MU during his junior year. Before that time, MU only voted for a Homecoming queen.

After graduation, Downing continued his involvement in the UM system. He has served on the MU Law School Foundation Board of Trustees, the Law Library campaign committee and the MU Jefferson Club.

In addition to MU organizations, Downing was Missouri Chief Deputy Attorney General.

He serves on the national board of directors and is chairman of the Legal Committee for Disciples Benevolent Services. Best Lawyers listed him in the category of commercial litigation.

St. Louis Magazine named Downing one of the best lawyers in St. Louis, and Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine named him a "super lawyer" in the area of complex business litigation.

Downing thinks the experience of being a lawyer as well as serving on various boards and management roles will come in handy as a curator if he is approved.

"I think a lot of this comes down to good judgment and common sense," Downing said. "You have to use the judgment you've gathered in the business world."

Deaton said he expects Downing to be the sort of curator who understands and supports the university, as all curators are expected to do.

One of Downing's goals if approved is to improve the university's budget. Downing said funding is a major concern right now for the UM system. He acknowledges it's a difficult time to improve funding, and he applauds both Nixon and UM system President Gary Forsee in their efforts. But he thinks a lot more can still be done.

"Anything I can do on the funding side, I plan to do," he said.