In Brief: March-April 2024

Complete and file your 2023-24 MCLE hours 

Missouri lawyers must complete their minimum 15 continuing legal education hours by June 30 and file their online annual reports by July 31. Three of the 15 CLE hours must be devoted to ethics topics, with one of those hours covering diversity, inclusion, cultural competency, or elimination of bias. Remember to remove email filters on Missouri Bar communications and have an updated email address on file to avoid missing important reminders regarding MCLE compliance and requirements. To review MCLE requirements and file your hours, visit MoBar.org/MCLE. For a list of upcoming CLE opportunities, visit MoBarCLE.MoBar.org. 

YLS members volunteer at early childhood center 

Several YLS members gathered at the Southside Early Childhood Center in St. Louis on Feb. 23 to give back to their community. The volunteers toured the facilities before helping staff sanitize classroom equipment and chairs, clean strollers, and build furniture. The YLS members also visited with some children at the center. Read more about the YLS Council’s community service projects at News.MoBar.org.

2023 Annual Report now available 

From member benefits and civics education to CLE opportunities and legislative engagement, The Missouri Bar is here to help lawyers even better serve their clients and communities, while also improving the administration of justice on behalf of citizens. This mission is highlighted in the bar’s 2023 Annual Report, which outlines the organization’s activities and successes over the past year in support of its strategic goals. To read the full report, visit MoBar.org.

Lawyer-to-Lawyer Dispute Resolution Program helps facilitate solutions 

Under Rule 5.10, the no-cost Lawyer-to-Lawyer Dispute Resolution Program offers a mediation-like process and binding arbitration to resolve disputes between lawyers over money and property issues, as well as complaints about professionalism matters. Lawyers can volunteer as facilitators, while the Lawyer-to-Lawyer Dispute Resolution Committee oversees the program. Read more about the bar’s dispute resolutions programs at MoBar.org/Dispute_Resolution.

Tech Tip

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, are popping up everywhere. While these tools are very useful and show a lot of promise, they also pose new risks to law firms. AI remembers and shares what you feed it, posing potential for breach of confidentiality and proprietary information. To even better serve your clients, every firm and organization would be well-served to research and write an AI policy that covers acceptable and ethical use of such tools. Read a recent practice management piece about ChatGPT and how to navigate large language models here.

Save the date

• Spring Committee Meetings will be held virtually April 29-May 3. 
• Well-Being Week in Law will be held May 6-10. 
• The MOSOLO Small Firm Conference will take place June 6-8 in Osage Beach.