Looking ahead with gratitude and enthusiasm

Mischa Buford Epps is executive director of The Missouri Bar.

It was great to connect with so many lawyers and judges to learn, collaborate, and celebrate. It was particularly fitting to host in the Gateway to the West – the same city where we held our first meeting of The Missouri Bar 80 years ago. So much has changed since the bar’s creation in 1944, but the collegiality and commitment to the rule of law that you demonstrate has certainly not. 

I want to take a moment to thank Megan Phillips, 2023-2024 Missouri Bar president, for the time, energy, and drive she poured into the bar during her term. In addition, I want to extend a warm welcome to Shelly Dreyer as she steps into the role as 2024-2025 president of The Missouri Bar. Shelly brings a wealth of knowledge as a small firm practitioner, and her passion for the profession will no doubt enhance the work she does as president. Don’t miss the profile of Shelly on page 202 of this Journal or at this link. 

It was such a delight to welcome Bill Bay to this year’s Annual Meeting. His leadership as president of the American Bar Association exemplifies his dedication to the continued improvement of the profession. His leadership here in Missouri – as a former Missouri Bar governor, Missouri Bar Foundation fellow and awardee, and co-chair of statewide commissions focused on increasing opportunities in the profession and procedural fairness in our courts – reminds us of the profound impact we can each have by offering our time and talents. 

If you’re interested in getting more involved in The Missouri Bar during the 2024-2025 year, we have a spot for you! Whether it’s joining a committee, speaking to students about the law, presenting a CLE, supporting MOLAP, networking at conferences, or participating in Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org, there are countless ways to engage and make a meaningful difference. This is your bar, and your involvement is essential to our continued success. 

As we’re all aware, this fall brings an important election. No matter your politics, I encourage you to vote in November and carry out one of the most important rights we have in our democracy. Please also take the time to share with your family and friends about The Missouri Plan – out state’s nonpartisan judicial selection process. The non-lawyer, lawyer, and retired judge volunteers of the Judicial Performance Review Committee have completed their anonymous reviews, taking into consideration the opinions, lawyer surveys, and juror surveys of all judges up for retention in Missouri. The Missouri Plan has served as a model across our country, with more than 30 states adopting it in some form. You can learn more at YourMissouriJudges.org. 

I look forward to working with each of you in the year ahead as we uphold the values that make our profession and The Missouri Bar strong. Let’s embrace the opportunities this season brings and continue building a brighter future for our profession, the rule of law, and legal services available to our fellow Missourians. 

Best, 
Mischa