Board of Governors to consider new diversity and inclusion programs

The Missouri Bar Board of Governors will consider seven program recommendations from the Special Committee on Lawyers of Color aimed at increasing the retention of diverse lawyers in the profession at its winter virtual meeting set for 9 a.m., Thursday, March 4, 2021. 

The board will also receive a report from the co-chairs of The Missouri Bar COVID-19 Response Task Force on its ongoing work and cooperative efforts to provide a coordinated bench-bar response to pandemic-related issues impacting legal practice or court operations. Throughout the past year, the task force has regularly issued recommendations for consideration by the Board of Governors and the Supreme Court of Missouri.   

The agenda also includes updates and consideration of whether the 2021 Annual Meeting, originally planned to take place at Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, will be held in-person, virtually or a hybrid of both. At its November meeting, the board voted to continue virtual only formats for all Missouri Bar events and meetings through August 2021 to protect the safety and well-being of Missouri lawyers and staff during the ongoing global pandemic. 

Additional topics for discussion include financial data, legislative procedures, and appointments to committees, boards, and commissions. The meeting will also include reports from the current officers of The Missouri Bar, including 2020-21 Missouri Bar President John Gunn.  

Missouri lawyers can stay informed of the policy-making body’s meetings and decisions through MoBar.org, MoBarNews articles, and the Dialogue e-newsletter from their board representatives. View the full agenda for the March 2021 meeting here.