ACC STL Hosts Exclusive Screening of "Soul on Fire," about John O'Leary's Inspiring Life

St. Louis (Oct. 20, 2025) – The Association of Corporate Counsel St. Louis Chapter (ACC STL) continued its series of impactful member events by hosting an exclusive, private screening of the new film "Soul on Fire," which documents the incredible life of St. Louis native and inspirational speaker John O'Leary. The event, held for chapter members and sponsors on October 7, 2025, at the Missouri Botanical Garden, offered a powerful cinematic follow-up to O'Leary's in-person presentation to the group earlier this year.

The film chronicles O'Leary's journey of survival and thriving after suffering burns on 100% of his body in a childhood house fire—a story of profound resilience and hope that has inspired millions. This special screening builds upon the strong impression O'Leary made on chapter members during his moving presentation on July 22. At that event, also held at the Missouri Botanical Garden, O'Leary urged St. Louis’s top corporate attorneys to embrace adversity and live "radically inspired" lives.

O'Leary shared his personal story, telling the audience of in-house counsel, "The challenges in our lives are not there to stop us; they are there to show us what we are capable of. You don't move forward in spite of your challenges; you move forward because of them." His message about turning obstacles into opportunities for growth resonated deeply with the legal professionals.

"John's presentation in July was one of the most impactful events we've ever hosted. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive," said Barry Klinckhardt, Chapter Committee Chairperson who organized the event. "When we learned about 'Soul on Fire,' we knew we had to bring it to our members. It provided another profound opportunity to reflect on his message of perspective and purpose. These events exemplify our commitment to providing programming that enriches our members not just as lawyers, but as leaders and individuals."

The back-to-back events featuring John O'Leary's story underscore the Chapter’s reputation for innovative and meaningful member engagement, offering experiences that extend beyond traditional legal education to encompass personal well-being and inspirational leadership.

About John O'Leary:

John O'Leary is a nationally acclaimed speaker and the bestselling author of "On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life." His inspirational message of hope and resilience has been shared with hundreds of organizations and millions of people worldwide. He lives with his wife and four children in St. Louis, Missouri.

About the Association of Corporate Counsel – St. Louis Chapter:

The Association of Corporate Counsel - St. Louis Chapter, the premier bar association for in-house counsel, was founded in 1987. The Chapter has more than 650 members who represent over 175 organizations. The St. Louis Chapter’s commitment to its members and community has earned it an impressive list of accolades as a leader in the global network of chapters:

• Chapter of the Year 1995, 2012 and 2015
• Best Membership Strategy Award 2018
• Gold Chapter of Distinction designation in 2018-24
• Best Diversity Initiative Award 2020, 2022 and 2024
• Innovative Programming Effort Award 2023 and 2025, and
• Best Partnership Program Award 2023.