In brief: September-October 2025

Utilize the forms bank to streamline your practice 

Whether you’re new to the profession, a solo practitioner, or a lawyer with decades of large firm experience, having the appropriate tools at your disposal can help you even better serve your clients. Through the forms bank on connect.MOBAR, Missouri Bar members can access no-cost forms, white papers, comparison charts, checklists, and articles related to various practice areas and stages of managing a law firm. Sign in to your MoBar.org account to access the forms bank and take advantage of the resources your membership has to offer.

Tech tip 

There are now AI tools and browser extensions that can analyze briefs as you write. They cross-reference cited cases, statutes, or regulations against current law, flagging overruled precedents or missing authorities. You can filter results by jurisdiction (e.g., “second circuit only”). This is faster than manual shepardizing and catches errors older citators missed. Most of these tools are available for a fee.

Lawyers present to schools for Constitution Day 

The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section and Citizenship Education department partnered together to present to over 40 schools during September to celebrate Constitution Day. These presentations showcased the importance of one of the nation’s most vital documents and the rule of law to hundreds of students.

Photo 1: Hon. Michael Randazzo gives a presentation at South Iron High School in Annapolis. Photo 2: 2025-2026 Missouri Bar President Athena Dickson, alongside Chief Justice W. Brent Powell, spoke with students at Branson High School for Constitution Day. Photo 3: Jared Welch presents at Nodaway R-V in Ravenwood to the second and third graders. 

Register for the MOLAP Conference Oct. 24 

No matter the practice area, all Missouri lawyers must balance working hard for their clients with their own well-being. At the virtual 30th Annual Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Conference Oct. 24, attendees will learn how to ethically set boundaries; embrace late-stage mental health diagnoses such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression; recognize secondary trauma; and avoid falling prey to commercial gambling. Register at MoBarCLE.org.

MoBar memory 

An ad encourages lawyers to reserve their hotel rooms early for the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar Sept. 23-25, 1954, in St. Louis.

Words of well-being: How do you foster a supportive and mentally healthy environment in your courtroom?

“I feel privileged to be in a position to set the tone in my courtroom and do my best to honor that privilege by ensuring that my courtroom is a place where all who enter feel seen and heard. 

“I understand the pressures the lawyers are facing and work to ensure that we are optimizing their time and offering them the opportunity to do their job in a setting that is respectful, curious, and kind. I also understand that litigants and families who enter my courtroom are often doing so on their hardest days. I (with the help of my staff and the attorneys) try to mitigate the overwhelm with patience, dignity, and empathy. 

“I am fortunate to have an incredible staff and work every day to honor their commitment to our court by being respectful of their time and grateful for their contributions. I know there are times and circumstances where I fall short on these goals, but it is my sincere hope that my courtroom is a place where people feel that they are respected, valued, and heard.” 

– Hon. Katherine M. Fowler, 22nd Judicial Circuit judge in St. Louis

Save the Date

Virtual Annual Meeting “Lunch & Learn” | Oct. 6-10 | MoBarCLE.org 
National Celebration of Pro Bono | Oct. 19-25 | Nationwide 
Estate, Trust & Elder Law Institute | Nov. 6-7 | St. Louis 
Fall Committee Meetings | Nov. 17-20 | MoBar.org

For more information, visit MoBar.org.