80 years of lawyers working together

Many things have changed over the course of eight decades, but one hallmark remains unaffected: a unified group of lawyers dedicated to the bar’s mission to improve the legal profession, the administration of justice, and the law on behalf of the public. 

Since the bar’s creation, thousands of Missouri lawyers have contributed their time and resources to support bar work, including educational programs, publications, practice management resources, mental health services, online communities, and so much more. 

It’s been said that a photo is worth a thousand words. We’ve rounded up an assortment of images from throughout the bar’s existence that illustrate the impact Missouri lawyers have made on the profession and those it serves. 

As Charles Carr said in his opening Journal message as the first Missouri Bar president, “A united Bar of Missouri can accomplish many things.”

Lawyers gathered for the Midyear Meeting of all committees held at Missouri Hotel in Jefferson City on Feb. 1, 1947.

The cover of the first issue of the Journal of The Missouri Bar in January 1945.

Hundreds of lawyers gathered for the 6th Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar at Hotel Jefferson in St. Louis Oct. 5-7, 1950.

Lawyers gather for the 4th Annual Banquet of The Missouri Bar on Oct. 1, 1948, in Kansas City.

The Missouri Bar Annual Banquet was held in Kansas City on Sept. 28, 1951.

Missouri lawyers gather for The Missouri Bar “Bar-B-Q” on Sept. 26, 1951.

An ad encourages lawyers to reserve their hotel rooms early for the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar in Kansas City on Sept. 24-26, 1953.

Alvin C. Randall receives the inaugural Lon O. Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award, presented by Forrest M. Hemker (right), president of The Missouri Bar Foundation and former Missouri Bar president, in 1955.

The mayor of Jefferson City, Hon. Arthur W. Ellis, by proclamation designates Sept. 16-23, 1957, as “Law in Your Life Week” in Jefferson City. Also in photo (from left) are John L. Hearne, secretary-treasurer of the Cole County Bar Association; P. Pierre Dominique, president of the Cole County Bar Association; and Charles H. Howard, public relations chairman.

Members of The Missouri Bar Public Information Committee for District IX (St. Louis County) pose in the studios of KTVI, St. Louis, in 1959 after one of their weekly television programs. Seated left to right are: District Chairman James E. Dearing, William C. Honey, and Robert H. Mohme. Standing left to right are: Bernard C. Brinker, Edward L. Sprague, Richard M. Marshall, Albert Henry Hamel, and A. Wimmer Carr. In addition to the television program, the committee also initiated a new program, “Legal Analysis of The News,” on radio station KMOX.

Former President Harry S. Truman delivering his speech at the luncheon on Saturday, May 3, 1958, at Selinger Centre, Jefferson City, following the enrollment ceremonies of The Missouri Bar for the successful candidates of The Missouri Bar examination held in February 1958, and their guests, members of the Judiciary and other officials.

Harry Gershenson (left), 1957-1958 president of The Missouri Bar, hands president’s gavel to newly elected president Clarence O. Woolsey at the Annual Banquet on Sept. 26, 1958.

Clarence O. Woolsey, president of The Missouri Bar, receives a special Award of Merit from C. Harold Gurley, president of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, as A. Ronald Stewart, president of the Greene County Bar Association looks on. The presentation was made at the annual meeting of District 10 in Springfield, Feb. 9, 1959.

A gala celebration in honor of his 100th birthday was given to Hon. A. R. Alexandar, of Plattsburg, on Nov. 8, 1959, by The Missouri Bar, the Clinton County Bar Association, the District Probate Judges Association, and hundreds of his associations, friends, and neighbors.

New lawyers pose for a photo during the Enrollment Ceremony luncheon May 7, 1960.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Whittaker turns the first spade of earth during the groundbreaking for The Missouri Bar Center in Jefferson City in 1963.

Missouri Bar President Roy P. Swanson accepts chrome shovel for the groundbreaking ceremony of The Missouri Bar Center from Flavius B. Freeman, chairman of the Board of Trustees in 1963.

Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Henry I. Eager addresses a number of interested attendants at the ground breaking ceremony of The Missouri Bar Center in 1963.

Supreme Court of Missouri Judge Laurance M. Hyde (left) presents an American Bar Association plaque at the 1957 Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar to Kansas City’s municipal court judges for excellence in handling of traffic and police court dockets.

Several members of The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section answered calls from those in need of legal assistance during the group’s annual “No Bills Day” on May 3, 1986, at The Missouri Bar Center in Jefferson City. Callers were invited to ask legal questions at no charge.

Some recent law graduates were sworn in and received their law licenses in ceremonies before the Supreme Court of Missouri on Oct. 18.

Participants at the YLS 5K "Fun Run" take a breather after the race in 1988.

Gov. John Ashcroft shakes hands with Joseph T. Porter, chairperson of The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers' Section, following the governor's signing of a proclamation declaring May 1, 1988, as "Law Day in the State of Missouri." Others present for the signing ceremony included, from left, YLS members Craig Johnson, Tom Jones, and Jerry Short.

Missouri Bar Young Lawyers' Section member Hal Gibbs, facing camera at table, participates in the filming of a voter registration public service announcement in 1988.

The Bicentennial Singers, an ad hoc group of lawyers and judges, provide a humorous musical salute to the Bill of Rights during the President's Recognition Dinner at Annual Meeting in 1990.

Missouri Bar President Doreen Dodson acknowledges those responsible for the delicious fare served at the Past Presidents' Barbecue during Annual Meeting Sept. 26-28, 1991, in Kansas City.

The September 1993 Missouri Bar Bulletin features a photo of "The Great Flood of '93" and how Missouri lawyers worked to support their clients and communities during disasters.

On July 12, 1995, Gov. Mel Carnahan signed into law H.B. 1095, the Missouri Non-Profit Corporation Act, which was drafted by The Missouri Bar’s Business Law Committee. Joining the governor for the bill signing ceremony were (from left): M. Celeste Vossmeyer, of St. Louis, a member of the Business Law Committee who testified on behalf of the bill; Sen. Joe Moseley, who was the Senate sponsor of the bill; Catherine Barrie, The Missouri Bar’s director of services; Jefferson City lawyer Hallie H. Gibbs II, vice-chair of the Business Law Committee; Rep. Jason Klumb, who was the House sponsor of the legislation; and Delores Shepherd, assistant director of services/CLE for The Missouri Bar.

Missouri Bar President Dale Doerhoff was among the speakers who participated in a press conference at the Missouri State Capitol announcing the first-ever Bill of Rights Day in Missouri. The Dec. 15, 2002, celebration of the Bill of Rights was made possible by legislation, co-sponsored by Sen. John Loudon, of West St. Louis County, and Sen. Harry Kennedy, of St. Louis, passed during the 2002 legislative session. Behind Doerhoff are (left to right): Sen. Kennedy; Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt; Sen. Loudon; and Kent Ford of the Missouri Press Association. Both The Missouri Bar and the Missouri Press Association are active in efforts to ensure that Missourians recognize and value the individual rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

In unison with members of the Supreme Court of Missouri, recent law school graduates recite the oath of admission during the Fall Enrollment Ceremonies Sept. 27, 2002.

Participants on the Small Firm Internet Group listserv finally had a chance to meet their "cyber buddies" in person during a reception at the MOSOLO Small Firm Conference June 13-15, 2002.

2017-18 Missouri Bar President Morry Cole films a public service announcement in Columbia on Sept. 7, 2017, centered on the importance of having fair and impartial judges.

Lawyers attend the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar on Sept. 19, 2019 in Branson.

2018-19 Missouri Bar President Ray Williams films a public service announcement in Columbia in 2018.

The Missouri Bar Board of Governors meets May 9, 2019, at the Bar Center in Jefferson City.

Several Missouri Bar open enrollment committees met on Nov. 22, 2019, during the Fall Committee Meetings in Jefferson City.

Mira Mdivani, with Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm, records a video on July 22, 2019, regarding receiving the Pro Bono Publico Award in Kansas City.

The Missouri Bar Board of Governors meets Nov. 20, 2022, virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawyers are sworn into the legal profession during the Spring Enrollment Ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol on April 22, 2022.

Masked up due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lawyers take their oath of admission on the lawn of the Missouri State Capitol during the Fall Enrollment Ceremonies on Oct. 1, 2021.

Lawyers chat during the Family Law Conference on Aug. 4, 2022.

During the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, members of the Young Lawyer's Section Council offered Paws to De-Stress, where attendees could pet and hold dogs eligible for adoptions.

Lawyers are greeted with leis during the MOSOLO Small Firm Conference on June 9, 2022.

Lawyers listen to a session during the Bernard Edelman DWI Law & Science Seminar July 28, 2022.

Megan Phillips is sworn in as 2023-14 Missouri Bar president by Hon. Lisa Van Amburg, retired Missouri Court of Appeals-Eastern District judge, on Sept. 14, 2023, during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar in Kansas City.

Lawyers and their families enjoy arcade games during the 2023 MOSOLO Small Firm Conference.

Members of The Missouri Bar Young Lawyer's Section volunteer at Harmony House in Springfield in March 2023.

Missouri Bar officers and its Government Relations Committee met with state representatives and senators Feb. 7, 2024.

Individuals who passed the February 2024 Bar Exam take their oath of admission on April 26, 2024, before judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, Missouri Bar officers, Missouri Bar Law Examiners officials, families, and friends.