President's page: A commitment to civic education

Jennifer M. Crompton is 2026-2027 Missouri Bar president and trial lawyer and chief operating officer at Crompton Pancoast in St. Louis.

Dear colleagues, 

It is a tremendous honor to serve as president of The Missouri Bar during the coming bar year. 

Serving on The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section Council and the Board of Governors has given me invaluable insight into the important work the bar performs each day on behalf of lawyers and all Missourians. Leadership, public service, and a desire to give back are enduring tenets of our profession. They connect us to one another, strengthen our communities, and help sustain public confidence in the rule of law. 

One focus especially important to me is education, particularly civic education that informs and engages our fellow Missourians and communities. As lawyers, we have both the knowledge and opportunity to help Missourians better understand our government, our rights, and the role of the courts in our constitutional system. 

The Missouri Bar also has a strong commitment to education, from high-quality continuing legal education for Missouri lawyers to programs for students, teachers, and adults who want to deepen their understanding of our system of government. 

During an election year, education involving the judicial branch deserves particular attention. The future of Missouri’s courts depends on an informed public, and many voters seek guidance about the judges appearing on their ballots. 

Adopted by voters in 1940 and later placed in the Missouri Constitution, the state’s Non-Partisan Court Plan, also known as The Missouri Plan, is addressed in Article V, § 25. All voters have the opportunity to vote regarding retention of judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri and the Missouri Court of Appeals for their region. Six circuit courts — the City of St. Louis and Clay, Jackson, Platte, St. Louis, and Greene counties — also have retention elections for all associate circuit and circuit judges under The Missouri Plan. 

The Missouri Judicial Performance Review Committee — including lawyers, retired judges, and Missouri residents — completes an anonymous evaluation of each judge up for retention under The Missouri Plan to ensure they are meeting judicial performance standards. The committee reviews written opinions and surveys completed by lawyers who have appeared before the judge and, when applicable, jurors who have served in the judge’s courtroom. The committee then recommends whether a judge should or should not be retained, and its findings are publicly available online at YourMissouriJudges.org to help educate voters. 

Fifty judges under The Missouri Plan will be on the ballot in November, having gone through the judicial performance review process. 

In addition, to help the public even better understand the judicial branch and Missouri’s court system more broadly, The Missouri Bar Board of Governors recently created the Education Outreach Network, which connects volunteer lawyers with community organizations seeking informative, accessible presentations. 

The Missouri Bar provides participating lawyers with resources, including a presenter tool kit and audience handouts. The Missouri Bar offers both shorter and longer versions of the presentation, allowing each volunteer to tailor the program to the audience and the time available. Lawyers can present in classrooms, libraries, civic organizations, community centers, and many other settings.

You can sign up to present about civic education topics by completing the form at MoBar.org/EducationOutreach.

The bar’s goal is to give every Missouri lawyer an opportunity to serve as an educational resource in their community. Lawyers are uniquely positioned to advance civic understanding and provide reliable information. By encouraging thoughtful dialogue and sharing clear, accurate explanations, we help our neighbors appreciate the rule of law and the constitutional principles that guide our nation and our state. This service reflects the oath we took to uphold the Missouri Constitution and the U.S. Constitution. 

The Education Outreach Network needs lawyer volunteers throughout the state. A single conversation can help participants develop a stronger connection to their government and greater confidence in their role as citizens. 

I have seen the value of this outreach firsthand. During the spring, I spoke with American government high school students. This fall, I plan to present at the local library in conjunction with the area chamber of commerce and to a group of law students. Each audience brings different questions and perspectives, yet all share an interest in understanding how our system works and why it matters. These conversations

I invite each of you to consider volunteering. Whether you deliver one presentation or make outreach a regular part of your service, your participation will have a meaningful impact. Together, Missouri’s 31,000-plus lawyers can help build informed communities, strengthen confidence in our courts, and support the constitutional framework that serves us all. 

Thank you for the many ways you already lead and serve. I look forward to working with you during the coming year and to advancing The Missouri Bar’s mission.