Board of Governors gathers in Jefferson City for fall meeting

Members of The Missouri Bar’s Board of Governors were in the capital city Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, to adopt the organizational operating budget for 2023 among other business to support Missouri lawyers in better serving their clients and communities.  

In addition to officer reports, the board heard updates from the appointments committee, judicial performance review committee, client security fund committee, and government relations department. Executive Director Mischa Buford Epps also shared the latest progress on plans for educating lawyers on expanded remote public access which takes effect July 1, 2023, and compliance with redaction requirements concerning confidential information in court filings, along with an introduction to the newest leadership academy and a reminder of key dates and benefits for the new bar year.  

The board also voted on a variety of matters, including the appointment of Cape Girardeau lawyer Nicholas A. Adkins as a member of the Board of Directors of Legal Services of Southern Missouri for a term beginning Sept. 1, 2022, and expiring Aug. 31, 2028.  

The group, after hearing recommendations from the client security fund committee, approved the payment of 30 claims totaling $164,476, the denial of two claims, and the deferral of three claims to seek more information. In addition, board members voted on how to allocate The Missouri Bar’s portion of the 2022 pro hac vice fees.  

The upcoming legislative session was also a point of discussion. The board determined by two-thirds vote that each of the following legislative proposals submitted by divisions or committees of The Missouri Bar concerned proper subject matter and adopted individual motions that the proposals be approved for introduction in the 102nd General Assembly:  

• Legislative Proposal 2023-04 (Attorney Fees – Agency Proceedings or Civil Actions Arising Therefrom)  
• Legislative Proposal 2023-03 (Electronic Wills and Estate Planning Documents)  
• Legislative Proposal 2023-05 (Trust Situs)  
• Legislative Proposal 2023-06 (Missouri Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act)  
• Legislative Proposal 2023-07 (Estate Planning Documents Executed During State of Emergency)  
• Legislative Proposal 2023-08 (Qualified Spousal Trusts)  

To learn more about the Board of Governors, including future meeting dates and past meeting minutes, visit MoBar.org.