Executive Summary: Reflect and Recharge

Mischa Buford Epps, Missouri Bar executive director

This year, we also celebrated the 80th anniversary of the creation of The Missouri Bar. 

As a unified bar, we have the unique opportunity to foster collaboration and professional relationships among lawyers from all walks of life across the state. This collaboration has been instrumental in shaping our legal landscape and increasing access to legal services for all Missourians. 

Amid the challenges and constant change, The Missouri Bar remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering an inclusive profession and equipping you, Missouri lawyers, with the resources you need to stay up to date on the law, meet your ethical obligations, and support your professional and personal growth. Among other resources, this includes a robust offering of CLE programs and conferences, access to discounted practice management tools, and a free, confidential counseling service in the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program (MOLAP) to assist with substance use, mental health, or other concerns. 

In 2025, you will see some exciting changes to your member benefits. Many of you have identified your no-cost access to Fastcase as an invaluable resource. In 2023, Fastcase merged with vLex, a global leader in legal intelligence, expanding its capabilities and adding substantial upgrades. A key feature of the enhanced service is the new Cert citator, which flags negative treatment and other citations to cases. Also included are alerts for developments in your chosen legal areas and advanced capabilities from Vincent AI, the award-winning research assistant from vLex, among other tools. For more details, please see page 248 of this Journal or visit MoBar.org.

Beyond vLex Fastcase, there’s a world of benefits waiting to be explored. Whether you require cybersecurity solutions, a virtual receptionist, health insurance for your team, or other practice necessities, The Missouri Bar offers a multitude of services through over 30 providers. Visit MoBar.org/MemberBenefits to discover the full breadth of these resources. 

As the spirit of giving takes hold, I want to remind you of the impactful work of The Missouri Bar Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to advance the administration of justice, elevate the legal profession, foster public appreciation of the rule of law, and strengthen our democracy through law-related community projects, scholarships, jurisprudential research, and recognition of exceptional public and legal service. To learn more and explore ways to contribute, please visit MoBarFoundation.org.

Speaking of giving back, National Celebrate Pro Bono Week in October provided an opportunity to acknowledge lawyers who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to pro bono service to low-income individuals and expanding equal access to legal services. The Missouri Bar’s 2024 Pro Bono Awards recognized Rina K. Edge, Jennifer Kornblum, Paul T. Krispin Jr., Onalee Yousey, and the Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner team handling child abduction cases under the Hague Convention (led by Jennifer L. Berhorst, Grace Colato Martinez, and Courtney Stout). Please join me in congratulating them! 

If you are inspired by these individuals like I am, The Missouri Bar offers numerous opportunities for lawyers to give back to their communities through initiatives like Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org. This platform helps Missourians facing legal challenges receive free answers to a wide range of questions. From your remote location, you can scroll through the questions raised and volunteer to answer one or more in areas with which you are comfortable. It is an easy way to give back, and it is so valuable to those who need guidance. 

As we look ahead to a new year filled with promise, let’s carry this spirit of giving and collaboration into 2025. 

Amidst the celebratory hustle and bustle of the year’s end, I hope that you are able to take a moment to pause, reflect, recharge, and celebrate all that we have accomplished and experienced – together. 

Best regards,
Mischa