Lawyers learn how to even better serve clients at virtual Fall Committee Meetings

Lawyers from across the state met virtually for this year’s Fall Committee Meetings. The event, held Nov. 16-20, 2020, attracted more than 1,200 Missouri lawyers who signed into Zoom for networking and CLE opportunities to help them even better serve their clients.  

While topics of conversation ranged from access to justice to workers compensation, many centered around the current pandemic and its impact on various areas of law.  

Charley Jensen, of Kansas City, chairs the Taxation Law Committee. During its meeting, he and fellow committee members learned more about the tax consequences of working remotely—something many professionals have done since March in light of COVID-19. Jensen says the committee plans to meet again in May and November 2021, in whatever platform is appropriate, to keep bar members informed on Missouri and federal tax issues. 

The Missouri Bar’s Elder Law committee tailored its digital meeting to feel like a collaborative workshop, coming together to create a practice checklist for disabling accidents. 

“With COVID affecting all our lives so dramatically, I think everyone misses the camaraderie of in-person meetings and talking with one another,” said Elder Law Committee Chair Julie Berkowitz of St. Louis. “There have been a lot of Zoom presentations going on, but I haven't seen a lot of Zoom meetings where people are working together.”

Innovation was also in the air while members of the recently organized Technology and Innovation Committee met to discuss its future plans, including CLE programs and events in conjunction with other committees.

“I plan to gain more member engagement and provide CLEs that promote the new ways to practice law effectively,” said St. Louis lawyer Anjali Dooley, who chairs the new committee. “Every Missouri Bar member should join this committee and gain insight into the future of law practice within Missouri.”

All members of The Missouri Bar are invited and encouraged to become involved in committee and section activities. Lawyers can choose from more than 40 free, open enrollment committees and sections, all with a purpose and activities related to a substantive area of law or practice setting. To explore them all and join, go to mobar.org.