President's Page: Missouri lawyers are better together

Lauren Tucker McCubbin

Over the past year, I have enjoyed the privilege of joining numerous Missouri Bar members as they’ve come together – both physically and virtually. But even with all the travel and events I have been able to attend, I experienced only a fraction of the myriad ways our members are connecting each day. Whether at Missouri Bar conferences, committee meetings, regional gatherings, CLEs, social events, volunteer activities, service projects, walks, runs, and even blood drives – our members have made time to connect with one another and their communities. We are all better for it.

These gatherings, whether they are focused on increasing our collective knowledge about our profession, serving the community, improving our well-being, or just enjoying one another’s company, enrich our lives in a way I truly only began to appreciate during the pandemic. When we connect with each other, we can help each other share ideas, get exposed to new viewpoints, make better decisions, build better relationships, feel less lonely, and even have fun while we’re doing it.

Your fellow Missouri lawyers are innovators, creative problem solvers, mentors, mentees, teachers, leaders, caregivers, and performers – and each opportunity we have to engage with one another is a chance to improve our practice, serve our clients and communities, and bring joy to our lives. Your Missouri Bar works hard to provide us all with many opportunities to connect with one another.

My favorite Missouri Bar event has always been Annual Meeting. Each year, this gathering provides three days of learning, socializing, networking and the opportunity to build upon our professional and personal relationships. These activities are essential to strengthening our profession and justice system. This meeting in particular provides a unique opportunity to connect with fellow lawyers and judges from all over our great state.

This year’s Annual Meeting is Sept. 13-15, 2023, at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City. The planning committee has really outdone itself putting together meaningful and pertinent plenary sessions focused on exploring wellness and the future of the profession. The first plenary centers on creating a life of balance, happiness and fulfillment in a demanding profession. The second plenary will look at innovations such as artificial intelligence and how they may affect the legal profession, as well as other tools to potentially provide greater access to justice. Your participation in these important conversations is incredibly valuable to all of us in attendance. In addition, each of the four CLE tracks offers our members valuable substantive education in areas relevant to their particular practices.

Beyond the opportunities to learn, our Annual Meeting will have fantastic social events.  During the Foundation and Public Service Awards Luncheon, we will recognize deserving members of the bench and bar. At the Opening Luncheon, we will hear from Chief Justice Mary R. Russell, who will provide an update on issues facing the bench and the bar, and we will recognize this year’s class of Senior Counselors. I hope also to see you at the President’s and Chief Justice’s Opening Night Reception and look forward to learning and playing together at the Best of Missouri Reception at Science City in Union Station. I know the Young Lawyers’ Section, affinity bars and law school alumni groups also look forward to seeing you at their various events.

I hope you can join us in Kansas City, if only so I can personally express my gratitude for your contributions to our profession and society. But also, I hope you will attend because we are better together, and we are best when everyone is included. I know life is busy, however, and that it may not be possible for all to attend in person. If you are not able to join us in Kansas City, you can register to enjoy the CLE programs virtually. Please visit MoBar.org/am2023 for the details and registration information.

Whether in person or virtually, please join me and your fellow Missouri Bar members at Annual Meeting. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the privilege of serving as your president this year. It has been the honor of my life.