How do I… get the most out of 2023 Fall Enrollment Ceremonies?

Congratulations! You’ve completed all the steps to become a Missouri lawyer – and now it’s time to celebrate! Follow these tips to take full advantage of the Fall Enrollment Ceremonies. 

The 2023 Fall Enrollment Ceremonies will consist of multiple swearing-in sessions beginning at 9 a.m., Sept. 29, at the Supreme Court of Missouri, located at 207 W. High St. in Jefferson City. Everyone who passed the July 2023 Bar Exam and meets all admission eligibility requirements is invited, along with their families, to attend the ceremonies. 

Many Lawyers look back fondly on their enrollment ceremony, it’s a time to celebrate all your hard work. You’ll take the oath of admission and be welcomed into the profession by the judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, officers and staff of The Missouri Bar, and members of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners. 

Here are some important things to remember: 

Park in the right spot. There is a public parking garage on Madison St., two blocks east and one block north of the Supreme Court of Missouri building. Meter parking is available on various streets downtown, which can be paid for using coins or a credit card via the mobile app Passport Parking. Please do not park in the lot located behind the Supreme Court building as it is reserved for judges and personnel.  

Please see this link for information regarding the location of designated parking areas for those with disabilities. 

Know where to go. Your first stop is registration on the south lawn of the Missouri Capitol Building at 201 W Capitol Ave. directly across from the Supreme Court of Missouri, where you will check in; pick up your admittance card, license, and oath; and receive welcome materials. When you register, you will be assigned a tentative time for when you must be in your seat for your ceremony. This information will be listed on your admittance card. 

Allow approximately 15 minutes to walk from the south lawn to the Supreme Court, pass through security, and be seated in your assigned courtroom. To help with crowd control, you and your guests should not get in line to enter the Supreme Court of Missouri building until the marshal calls your ceremony color and number.  

Each enrollment ceremony will take 20 minutes. 

Security at the Supreme Court of Missouri. You and your guests must present photo identification, as well as your ceremony admittance card, at the security checkpoint. Guests must comply with security procedures to enter the building, including passing through a metal detector. Cell phones are allowed in the Supreme Court of Missouri building to take pictures and videos, but no voice calls are allowed on the second floor of the building or in the courtrooms at any time. 

Federal court ceremony. The United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri will have two ceremonies, convening at 11 a.m. and 12:40 p.m., which will be held in the House Chambers on the third floor of the Missouri State Capitol Building. 

Register at the federal court table when you register for your Missouri Bar enrollment ceremony (the federal court table will be near the registration tables). You must be sworn in before attending the federal court ceremony.  

Guests can sit in the fourth-floor gallery. 

Remember to sign the Roll of Attorneys. Make sure to sign the Roll of Attorneys before or after the ceremony in the lobby of the Supreme Court of Missouri building. These contain the names of all lawyers enrolled by the courts, and you should ensure your name is included. 

Dress the part. Enrollees are expected to dress in business attire for the enrollment ceremony. Revealing clothing and jeans are not appropriate. 

Mingle with Missouri Bar leaders. As a new lawyer, you have many great resources at your disposal. On enrollment day, the president, executive director, members of the Young Lawyers’ Section Council, and staff of The Missouri Bar will be available to answer questions. We also provide a host of information online at MoBar.org/New-Members.  

Take lots of photos. Your enrollment ceremony is a time to have fun! Missouri Bar staff will be onsite with photo props. Share your images from the day on social media using #NewMOLawyers or tagging @MoBarNews for the chance to be featured.  

For more information about the Enrollment Ceremonies, visit the Missouri Board of Legal Examiners website.

Welcome to the profession. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!