650-plus lawyers gather to network, celebrate, learn at 2026 Annual Meeting

After passing the Missouri Bar Exam earlier this year, Esther Spooner walked into her first networking event as a new lawyer, eager to make connections but unsure of what to expect at the 2026 Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar. By the conference’s final day, those uncertainties were replaced by a sense of welcoming, support, and appreciation for the legal community she recently joined.

“Everyone is kind and sharing their perspective,” said Spooner, of Kansas City. “One girl gave me her business card and said we could get together for coffee or lunch, and then she said, ‘And I mean it.’”

Spooner was one of more than 650 lawyers and judges who came together last week to celebrate their colleagues, gain valuable insight, attend business meetings, and connect with others during Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, Sept. 16-18 in Kansas City. View photos from the event here.

Dozens of lawyers and judges were honored during the Missouri Bar Foundation & Public Service Awards Lunch for their work in improving the legal profession, the administration of justice, and the law on behalf of the public. The bar also recognized Senior Counselors, who reached the age of 75 or have been admitted to The Missouri Bar for 50 years, and welcomed its new bar president, Jennifer M. Crompton, of St. Louis, following her swearing-in ceremony on Sept. 17.

“I love being of service, so this is the ultimate way to give back,” Crompton said. “We’re going to do our best to move the bar forward and improve the lives of Missourians.”

Attendees also heard from Hon. W. Brent Powell, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri, on the continued promise lawyers make every day and the oath of admission’s enduring role across 250 years. Powell also led a reaffirmation of the oath of admission in celebration of Constitution Day.

Between the luncheons, many lawyers and judges learned practical skills from the various CLE programs. During the plenaries, attendees learned about why the rule of law matters now more than ever and how to ethically and effectively integrate AI in the legal profession. Lawyers also learned about topics ranging from judicial advice and ethics to emerging trends in law school and more during the CLE session tracks.

“If you’re an attorney and you have CLEs to do, I think it’s really responsible to come to this (Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar),” Spooner said. “I would add it to your ‘absolutely’ list.”

Krystal Weigl, a St. Louis lawyer, was one of the panelists during the Sept. 18 litigation track CLE program “Workplace investigations from initiation to trial presentation.” She said she enjoyed having conversations with other lawyers who are practicing or have questions about the same topics.

“The bar itself is a fairly unique community with people who … want to support and encourage and advance access to justice and outcomes that are equivalent to justice,” Weigl said. “Having those kinds of relationships with real people while we all have somewhat of a break from the … day-to-day is a pretty big deal.”

Outside of the luncheons and CLE programs, attendees also could get professional headshots taken, participate in sunrise yoga, or attend the evening receptions — the President & Chief Justice Opening Night Reception, sponsored by Davis Bethune Jones, The Bar Plan, and LearWerts LLP; and the Best of Missouri Reception, exclusively sponsored by Robb & Robb LLC for 20 years.

For many new lawyers, attending large conferences like the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar could be intimidating. But Spooner encouraged lawyers to “just show up” and not place undue pressure or expectations on themselves to connect with others in specific ways.

“I had the same reservations … because this is literally the first social, professional event I’ve done in years,” Spooner said. “Just do it because everyone is so kind and welcoming and interested.”

Weigl added Annual Meeting is the perfect place to “find a buddy.”

“There are lots of people here who want to support new members of the bar and each other,” Weigl said. “Show up, put one foot in front of the other, and you’ll find that this is a very supportive community.”

Missed the in-person Annual Meeting last week? There is still time to register for the virtual Annual Meeting “Lunch & Learn” Oct. 5-9, where you can watch the conference CLEs and plenaries from the comfort of your office. Register here