Full Report - the Missouri Bar

Bar Activities
Meetings
Across the state, the work of The Missouri Bar is carried
out on a daily basis through the voluntary efforts of its
members who – by committee work or in other ways – develop
and implement the state bar’s programs and activities.
However, all of these efforts come into sharper focus
several times each year when members of the bar come
together to meet and share their knowledge.
Indeed, the various meetings of The Missouri Bar held
throughout the year are valuable opportunities for lawyers
and judges. By attending these gatherings, they gain access
to substantive educational programs, productive committee
endeavors, and enjoyable social events. Whether via
participation in these formal activities or by casual conversation
with colleagues, Missouri Bar meetings are a
personally and professionally enriching experience for all
who participate.
Annual Meeting
The bar year officially ends – and a new one begins
– with each year’s Missouri Bar Annual Meeting. This
meeting hosts a wide array of activities. Some are focused
on the business and governance of The Missouri Bar and
Judicial Conference, other activities focus on delivering
excellent quality educational programming for Missouri
lawyers, and still others offer opportunities for lawyers and
judges from diverse segments to gather in social settings
that foster camaraderie and community among the entire
legal profession.
Many years ago, The Missouri Bar and the Missouri
Judicial Conference began having their annual gatherings
at the same time and location. Both groups use the yearly
gathering to conduct business meetings focused on governance
and administration issues. Many judicial committees
meet early in the week and The Missouri Bar Board
of Governors meets mid-week. The Board of Governors
holds a business meeting that includes the election of officers
and an executive committee for the following year.
Educational activities take the spotlight during the last
two days of the Annual Meeting, typically featuring more
than 35 CLE programs. The educational program format
includes three plenary sessions to explore cutting-edge,
timely issues that affect the profession, administration of
justice, society and democracy at-large. In addition, 25
individual skill-building sessions in substantive areas of
law are presented in five different tracks each year. While
each track typically has one or more programs that focus
on professionalism/ethics related to a particular substantive
area of law, professionalism and ethics is the sole focus of
two early morning program slots. In recent years, the meet-
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ing has also featured a series of three programs specifically
designed to help young lawyers bridge the knowledge
and skills gap between law school and law practice. Other
programs are added year-to-year based on particular needs
facing the profession.
Evenings offer social events designed to support an
easily overlooked, but vital ingredient underlying a strong
profession, and one that is especially important as individual
practices become more and more specialized. Social
receptions on Wednesday evening and Thursday evening
offer an opportunity for lawyers across a wide diversity of
practice areas, firm sizes and backgrounds to gather in a
casual social setting, get to know one another, and reinforce
the value of all members of The Missouri Bar.
Attendees have an opportunity to share a meal and hear
from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri at
an afternoon luncheon. And the annual event ends with an
awards banquet to recognize individuals for their excellence
and leadership within the profession.
Attendees at the 2012 Missouri Bar/Missouri Judicial
Conference Annual Meeting in St. Louis also had the opportunity
to enjoy:
• A plenary session featuring an outstanding panel
of lawyers, judges and health law authorities addressing
issues surrounding implementation of the
Affordable Healthcare Act.
• Another plenary program – again with a stellar
group of presenters – exploring timely issues
related to the Citizens United decision and the
impact of money in the political process.
• A third plenary session focusing on the Dred Scott
decision and how issues similar to those raised in
this historic case apply to contemporary issues facing
national debate.
• The popular “Best of Missouri” Reception at the
newly-restored Peabody Opera House.
• A Young Lawyers’ Section-sponsored reception
at 360, the rooftop bar located atop the Hilton
St. Louis at the Ballpark, the host facility for the
meeting.
Ensuring that this gathering is affordable and accessible
to every lawyer is a very important objective. Registration
rates are kept very low, offering an affordable full registration
rate that includes tickets to all educational, social
events and meals (the awards banquet is a separately ticketed
item). An even more affordable educational programsonly
registration rate ensures that every lawyer can afford
to get a year’s worth of MCLE credit. Attendees can