Why serve?

Serving on the Board of Governors is a unique way to get directly involved in the policy-making decisions of The Missouri Bar. The Board of Governors is a 45-member elected group of lawyers who represent the members in their districts. The board helps shape strategies to fulfill the bar’s goals of improving the profession, the law, and access to legal resources on behalf of all Missourians. 

Who is eligible to apply?

Any person who is in good standing and enrolled to vote in District 4 may apply. A lawyer must be employed or maintain their principal law office full-time in the county of District 4 to be eligible to apply for the board vacancy.

How will the selection process work?

Letters of application will be distributed to the members of the Board of Governors for review and consideration. At its next regularly scheduled meeting (July 17, 2026), the Board of Governors will select an applicant to fill the vacancy by a majority vote.

What is the duration of the term?

The applicant elected by the board shall serve for the remainder of the regular term, which will expire with the adjournment of the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar in September 2027. If eligible to be elected under Supreme Court Rule 7.07, the applicant can submit a nominating petition between Jan. 1 and June 21, 2027, for election to a full two-year term representing the district for which the petition was submitted.

What should be included in the letter of application?

Applicants should provide a brief statement as to their interest in serving on the board. Letters of application can be sent by mail or electronically by using the form below.

What is the application deadline? 

An individual’s letter of application must be received by The Missouri Bar no later than June 15, 2026.

Where should the letter of application be sent?

Interested lawyers can apply electronically using this online form or by mailing letters of application to the address below:

The Missouri Bar Attn: Executive Director
Re: Board District Vacancy
PO Box 119, 326 Monroe St.
Jefferson City, MO 65102

In addition to hearing financial summaries and reports from officers, board members will discuss a District 4 vacancy and learn about legislative developments related to the practice of law.

The board will also receive updates from the Client Security Fund Committee, Board Assessment Committee, and Appointments Committee, and hear about ongoing activities of the Young Lawyers’ Section Council.

The Missouri Bar's Board of Governors meets several times a year to conduct the business of The Missouri Bar and keep abreast of issues. See past meeting minutes, as well as future meeting dates, here.

Keegan Tinney was recently elected to represent District 5 on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors, encompassing Barry, Barton, Cedar, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Stone, and Vernon counties. The board is comprised of 45 lawyers elected by their peers to represent their respective geographical areas. 

Tinney is a partner at Dreyer & Tinney where he focuses on personal injury law. He earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law. 

Tinney answered the following questions to help constituents get to know him. 

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors? 

“After being involved in Leadership Academy and YLS, serving on the Board of Governors was the next step [in leadership at the bar].” 

What part of being on the board are you most excited about? 

“I am most excited about furthering the great work the board has done before me.” 

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know? 

“I want the lawyers to know that I will be there to help in any way I can.” 

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?  

“The Missouri Bar offers many different services for every type of lawyer and is here to help.” 

Why did you want to become a lawyer?  

“I became a lawyer because I wanted to help people solve problems. This profession allows me to do just that.” 

Learn more about the Board of Governors here. 

Lauren Horsman was recently elected to represent District 1 on the Missouri Bar Board of Governors, including Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Chariton, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Sullivan, and Worth counties. The board is comprised of 45 lawyers elected by their peers to represent their respective geographical areas. 

Horsman is the founder of Horsman Law LLC in Chillicothe, where she focuses on general practice with an emphasis on family law and civil litigation. She earned her J.D. from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law. 

Horsman answered the following questions to help constituents get to know her. 

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors? 

“The Board of Governors provides an opportunity to connect with attorneys from across the state and in varied practice areas. I appreciate how the board brings together attorneys to collaborate on ways to best serve our profession and the public.” 

What part of being on the board are you most excited about? 

“I am looking forward to meeting other governors from across the state as well as diving into issues facing our profession — especially those faced by attorneys practicing in rural Missouri.” 

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know? 

“District 1 is a varied area ranging from cities with many attorneys to counties with very few attorneys. Having first practiced law in the Kansas City area before returning to my hometown of Chillicothe, I can appreciate the aspects of practice encountered by both the urban and rural attorneys in my district. I want attorneys to know that I am here to listen to them and be a voice within the Board of Governors to better enhance the practice of law in our unique part of the state.” 

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?  

“It's incredibly important that The Missouri Bar has a goal of improving the profession for practicing lawyers but also improving the knowledge and understanding of the practice of law for the general public. The legal profession is often misunderstood or mischaracterized in the media, or simply from a lack of knowledge, and I appreciate how the bar is proactively looking to engage the public by speaking in schools and otherwise making the law accessible.” 

Why did you want to become a lawyer?  

“I wanted to become an attorney for many reasons. Every day, and every case, brings new challenges, and I enjoy the opportunity to tailor legal arguments to each one. I also appreciate the position that lawyers hold within a community and the ability to impact others in a meaningful way.” 

Is there anything else you would like members of the bar to know about you? 

“I enjoy and appreciate the collegiality of my colleagues in the legal profession, and I hope to continue to grow and foster those relationships.” 

Learn more about the Board of Governors here. 

Jeremiah J. Morgan was recently elected to represent District 4 (Cole County) on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors. The board is comprised of 45 lawyers elected by their peers to represent their respective geographical areas. 

Morgan is a deputy attorney general with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office focusing on civil trials and appeals. He graduated from Brigham Young University School of Law. 

Morgan answered the following questions to help constituents get to know him. 

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors? 

“I have long been involved in the bar, bar activities, and other legal organizations and felt like we needed the interests and concerns of the Attorney General’s Office and government lawyers, along with others, represented on the Board of Governors.” 

What part of being on the board are you most excited about? 

“I am especially interested in policy considerations on how to best help lawyers reach their potential and make legal services more accessible to Missourians.” 

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know? 

“I am always available to talk. My hope is that lawyers in the district will call, email, or visit with me. I am happy to go to breakfast, lunch, or meet anytime.” 

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?  

“The bar provides a wide variety of ways that lawyers can get involved in the practice, the legal profession, and in helping their communities. I really appreciate that the bar works to make those opportunities available.” 

Why did you want to become a lawyer?  

“I felt like becoming a lawyer opened lots of opportunities and options for me. Those include work as a lawyer, work in business, work in education, work in government, and work in the political arena, and in many other aspects of our society.” 

Is there anything else you would like members of the bar to know about you? 

“There is so much good about being a lawyer, and I am genuinely optimistic about life and the future!” 

Learn more about the Board of Governors here. 

Bharat Varadachari was recently elected to represent District 11 (City of St. Louis) on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors. The board is comprised of 45 lawyers elected by their peers to represent their respective geographical areas. 

Varadachari is a partner with HeplerBroom LLC focusing on transportation law and insurance defense.  

Varadachari answered the following questions to help constituents get to know him. 

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors? 

“I have gained so much personally and professionally by practicing in the state of Missouri for the past 26 years and would love the opportunity to assist the board in any way I can.” 

What part of being on the board are you most excited about? 

“I look forward to working with other board members from across the state and getting a bird’s-eye view of all the different matters that the board addresses.” 

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know? 

“I do not come in with any agenda and look forward to improving the ability to practice law in any way that I can.” 

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?  

“It is inclusive and truly strives to help attorneys in a way to better serve their clients and themselves.” 

Why did you want to become a lawyer?  

“I wish I could say it was more idealistic in nature, but the profession always struck me as one that is interesting and competitive. It was only later that I realized how much our clients depend on us to navigate their own personal situations.” 

Is there anything else you would like members of the bar to know about you? 

“It is an honor to serve the board.” 

Learn more about the Board of Governors here. 

Athena Dickson, a partner at Siro Smith Dickson PC in Kansas City, was elected as 2025-2026 president of The Missouri Bar during the Sept. 17 Board of Governors meeting. She was sworn in Sept. 18 during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, held in Branson. Her oath was delivered by Hon. S. Margene Burnett.

Dickson succeeds Shelly Dreyer, of Joplin, as president of the 31,000-member Missouri Bar. Dreyer transitioned into the role of immediate past president.

During her term as president, Dickson aims to prioritize educating the public about the legal system and the role of courts; lawyer well-being; and using The Missouri Bar’s many member benefits.

“I plan to educate across the state during my time as president. And I hope you'll join me to empower informed citizenship,” Dickson told lawyers and judges on Thursday. “As a unified bar, our strength lies in continued commitment to our charge. Let's keep showing up for the profession, for each other, and for the citizens we serve.”

In addition to her time on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors, she has served as chair of the Standing Committee on Well-being in the Profession, as well as a co-chair of the board's Appointments Committee. 

Dickson earned her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 2003. Her practice focuses on personal injury and employment discrimination. 

Jennifer Matthew Crompton was elected as the new president-elect of The Missouri Bar. Crompton is a trial lawyer and operating as chief operating officer at Crompton Pancoast in St. Louis. Crompton has extensive civil and criminal litigation experience, having tried more than 40 jury trials and countless bench trials over her career. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the Saint Louis University School of Law teaching courses on mediation and trial advocacy.

Scott Robbins became vice president of The Missouri Bar. Robbins, a partner at Kennedy Robbins Yarbro & Henson LC in Poplar Bluff, focuses his practice on rural utilities, real estate, business and commercial law, workers’ compensation, and probate and estate planning. Robbins is a life fellow of The Missouri Bar Foundation, has served on numerous Missouri Bar committees and boards, and was elected to The Missouri Bar Board of Governors in 2017.

Learn more about The Missouri Bar Board of Governors here.

Bay

A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Law, Bay has represented major corporations in high-stakes litigation for more than 30 years. He recently completed his term as 2024-2025 president of the American Bar Association.

Bay previously served on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors, is a past president of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, and co-chaired the Supreme Court of Missouri’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness. He was also a member of the ABA Board of Governors and is a past chair of the ABA House of Delegates, ABA Section of Litigation, and the ABA Board of Governors’ Finance Committee.

“Bill Bay represents the best of what it means to be a Missouri lawyer — excellence in practice, dedication to service, and strength in the face of adversity,” Dreyer said.

Dreyer added Bay’s leadership is “even more remarkable” when considering his unwavering commitment to the profession following the death of his wife, Angela.

“Despite suffering profound loss, he continued to serve our profession with grace and determination, demonstrating the kind of character that defines the very best among us,” Dreyer said. “His ability to lead while grieving speaks to both his personal strength and his deep commitment to the legal community that has sustained him.”

Robbins

A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, Robbins said his practice has evolved to focus on rural utilities, real estate, business and commercial law, workers' compensation, and probate and estate planning.

“This specialization has allowed me to serve as more than just an attorney to my clients; I've become a partner in building the infrastructure that keeps rural Missouri communities thriving,” he said.

Robbins currently serves on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors and is chair of the Member Contact Information Review Committee and the Special Committee on the Impartiality of the Judiciary. He is also past chair of the bar’s Journal Editorial Board, Client Security Fund, and the Members Services Committee. He participated in the bar’s Leadership Academy and served on the Young Lawyers’ Section Council.

“If you make yourself available and serve with excellence, it's incredible the number of doors that will open,” Robbins said. “Don't wait for the ‘perfect’ opportunity or until you feel fully prepared — start where you are with what you have. Whether it's a local bar committee, a specialty bar, or an open enrollment committee, every form of service matters.” 

Dreyer commended Robbins for his instrumental role in co-chairing the Special Committee on the Impartiality of the Judiciary to help determine The Missouri Bar’s role in defending the judiciary and protecting Missouri’s Non-Partisan Court Plan.

“At a time when judicial independence faces unprecedented challenges, Scott helped navigate these complex issues with wisdom and dedication, ensuring our bar remains a strong defender of the constitutional principles that underpin our justice system,” Dreyer said.

The President’s Awards will be presented in Branson during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar and Judicial Conference, Sept. 17-19.

Click here to learn more about annual awards presented by The Missouri Bar, The Missouri Bar Foundation, and other entities. Read about other 2025 award winners here. 

Graham was president of Gray Ritter & Graham P.C. in St. Louis. Prior to that, he practiced law for several years in his hometown of Fredericktown. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1963.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

During his presidency, Graham was passionate about improving the public’s perception of lawyers and the justice system; expanding access to legal services; upholding the administration of justice; and encouraging mentorship opportunities for new and young lawyers.

“This is an exciting time to be a lawyer,” Graham wrote in the October/November 1988 Journal of The Missouri Bar. “We have traditionally been motivated by challenge. In that tradition, we as individual lawyers as well as an organized bar must continually find means to improve our noble profession and our American system of justice.”

Missouri lawyers can read more President’s Page messages from Graham in archives of the Journal of The Missouri Bar via HeinOnline.

Why serve?

Serving on the Board of Governors is a unique way to get directly involved in the policy-making decisions of The Missouri Bar. The Board of Governors is a 45-member elected group of lawyers who represent the members in their districts. The board helps shape strategies to fulfill the bar’s goals of improving the profession, the law, and access to legal resources on behalf of all Missourians. 

Who Is eligible to apply for the board vacancies?

Any person who is in good standing and enrolled to vote in either 

District 1 (Counties of Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Chariton, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Sullivan and Worth) or

District 11 (St. Louis City) may apply.

A lawyer must be employed or maintain their principal law office full-time in the applicable district to be eligible to apply for the board vacancy.

How will the selection process work?

Letters of application will be distributed to members of the Board of Governors for review and consideration. At a duly called meeting, the Board of Governors will select applicants to fill the vacancies by a majority vote.

What is the duration of the term?

The applicants elected by the board shall serve for the remainder of the regular term, which will expire with the adjournment of the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar in September 2026. If eligible to be elected under Supreme Court Rule 7.07, the applicant can submit a nominating petition between Jan. 1 and June 20, 2026, for election to a full two-year term representing the district for which the petition was submitted.

What should be included in the letter of application?

Applicants should provide a brief statement as to their interest in serving on the board.  Letters of application can be sent by mail or electronically by using the form below.

What is the application deadline?

An individual’s letter of application must be received by The Missouri Bar no later than Sept. 8, 2025.

Where should the letter of application be sent?

Interested lawyers can apply electronically using this online form or by mailing letters of application to the address below:

The Missouri Bar Attn: Executive Director
Re: Board District Vacancy
P.O. Box 119, 326 Monroe St.
Jefferson City, MO 65102

The newly elected and retained Board of Governors members and YLS Council members will take office at the conclusion of the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, which takes place Sept. 17-19 in Branson. 

Board of Governors

Six members were newly elected to the 45-member Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar and 16 incumbents were retained for new terms. Members of the Board of Governors are elected to serve two-year terms. Newly elected members or past members elected in different districts of the Board of Governors include: 

- District 1 (Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Chariton, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Sullivan, and Worth counties): Joseph A. Gagnon

- District 3 (Bates, Carroll, Cass, Cooper, Henry, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Ray, St. Clair, and Saline counties): Max E. Mitchell

- District 4 (Cole County): Jeremiah J. Morgan

- District 5 (Barry, Barton, Cedar, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Stone, and Vernon counties): A. Keegan Tinney

- District 10 (Greene County): Jacqueline Ledezma-Ruelas

- Missouri Court of Appeals-Southern District: Bethany R. Turner

The following members of the Board of Governors were re-elected to a two-year term: 

- District 5 (Barry, Barton, Cedar, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Stone, and Vernon counties): Hon. Charles D. Curless

- District 6 (Benton, Camden, Christian, Dallas, Douglas, Hickory, Laclede, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Ozark, Polk, Taney, Webster, and Wright counties): Andrew S. Lyskowski

- District 7 (Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Jefferson, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Ripley, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Scott, Stoddard, and Washington counties): Scott A. Robbins

- District 8 (Jackson [excluding Kansas City], Clay, and Platte counties): Kate E. Noland

- District 9 (St. Louis County): Michael P. Downey, J. Brent Dulle, and Amy Bender-Levy

- District 11 (City of St. Louis): Hon. Michael J. Colona and Matthew C. Casey

- District 12 (City of Kansas City within Jackson County): Scott S. Bethune, Phyllis A. Norman, Christa B. Moss, and Christopher D. Dandurand

- District 14 (St. Charles County): Eric J. Wulff

- District 15 (Boone and Callaway counties): Sander C. Sowers

- Missouri Court of Appeals-Western District: Lillian Mehler

YLS Council

Missouri lawyers elected five new individuals and retained 14 incumbents to serve on the 35-member YLS Council, the governing body of The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section. Council members are elected to serve two-year terms.

The newly elected members are:

- District 3 (Jackson County): Kelly St. John and Justin Shock

- District 9 (City of St. Louis): Brad Baker

- District 11 (Christian, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Ozark, Stone, Taney, Webster, and Wright counties): Brett Hodges

- Western Appellate District Diversity Seat: Darrell Smith

The incumbents retained for new terms are:

- District 2 (Adair, Audrain, Chariton, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby and Sullivan counties): Cassidy Johnston

- District 3 (Jackson County): Lauren Dollar, Sam Sherman, and Erica Frank

- District 5 (Boone, Callaway, Cooper, Howard, and Saline counties): George Brand

- District 6 (Cole, Moniteau, and Osage counties): Paige Wheeler

- District 8 (St. Louis County): Courtney Chen, Darrian Castro, and Vince Taormina

- District 9 (City of St. Louis): Katie Finnegan Krispin, Elizabeth McNulty, and David Wasserman

- District 12 (Benton, Camden, Dallas, Hickory, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Morgan, Pettis, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, and Texas counties): Danielle Drake

- Southern Appellate District Diversity Seat: John Boyer

YLS strives to enhance the professional growth and public service of new and recently admitted Missouri lawyers by sponsoring community service projects, CLE programs, and networking events. All Missouri lawyers 36 years old or younger and/or who have been in practice 10 years or less are automatically members of the section at no additional cost. Learn more about YLS at MoBar.org/YLS.

The Missouri Bar is a statewide organization that is dedicated to improving the legal profession, the law, and the administration of justice for all Missourians. Created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, it serves all 30,750 of Missouri’s practicing lawyers. The Missouri Bar provides a wide range of services and resources to its members, as well as the media, educators, and the citizens of Missouri. To learn more, visit MoBar.org. 

Correction: This article was updated at 11:05 a.m. on Aug. 18, 2025, to state there were 16 incumbents retained in the Board of Governors election, as well as include Lillian Mehler as the incumbent retained in the Missouri Court of Appeals-Western District race.

To cast your vote electronically for the Board of Governors election, click here. You must submit your vote(s) before Aug. 15. 

Meet the candidates 
While there are several districts with Board of Governors vacancies this year, Districts 5 and 9 are the only two with contested elections. Click here to see a list of candidates running for the 2025-2026 Board of Governors. 

Cast your vote 
To vote in the Board of Governors election, Missouri Bar members must complete an electronic ballot, which the Office of State Courts Administrator emailed July 18. You must sign in to the electronic elections portal using your Missouri Bar enrollment number and personal identification number (PIN). 

Lawyers are eligible to vote in the board election based on the district their primary work address corresponds with (and that is on file with The Missouri Bar). You can cast as many votes as there are vacancies in your district.  

Missouri lawyers have until Aug. 15 to cast their votes.  

Troubleshooting technical problems 
If you have technical issues accessing the board voting portal website, contact OSCA at 888-541-4894 or osca.help.desk@courts.mo.gov. If you did not receive a ballot or if you believe you received a ballot for the wrong district, contact the Office of Attorney Enrollment at the Supreme Court of Missouri at 573-751-4144 or mae@courts.mo.gov.  

The Board of Governors is a 45-member elected group of lawyers who represent the members in their districts. The board helps shape strategies to fulfill the bar’s goals of improving the profession, the law, and the administration of justice on behalf of all Missourians.  

In addition to hearing financial summaries and reports from officers, board members will hear a report from the Special Committee on the Impartiality of the Judiciary and review The Missouri Bar’s strategic direction. They will also select the candidate slate for the Western and Southern Appellate District board seats and hold a forum for the 2025-2026 Missouri Bar vice president candidates.

The board will also learn about legislative developments and receive updates from the Appointments Committee.

View the full agenda for the July 14 meeting, as well as past meeting minutes and future meeting dates, at MoBar.org/BOG-agendas.

The YLS Council will hear reports from about a dozen YLS committees, as well as updates about the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar and Judicial Conference, the Board of Governors, The Missouri Bar Foundation, and legislative topics. The council will also review the candidates for the District 4 YLS vacancy and a potential bylaw change.

In addition to hearing financial summaries and reports from officers, board members will review The Missouri Bar strategic direction and hear updates from the Members Services and Resources Committee regarding potential additions to the list of available resources to help lawyers in their practice: the American Bar Association Retirement Funds Program and Smokeball Bill.

The board will also learn about legislative developments; receive updates from the Complaint Resolution Program Committee, Appointments Committee, and Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program; and hear about ongoing activities of the Young Lawyers’ Section Council.

The Missouri Bar's Board of Governors meets several times a year to conduct the business of The Missouri Bar and keep abreast of issues. See past meeting minutes, as well as future meeting dates, here.

Why serve?

Serving on the Board of Governors and YLS Council are unique ways to get directly involved in the policy-making decisions of The Missouri Bar.

The Board of Governors is a 45-member elected group of lawyers who represent the members in their districts. The board helps shape strategies to fulfill the bar’s goals of improving the profession, the law, and access to legal resources on behalf of all Missourians. 

The YLS Council is composed of approximately 35 young lawyers elected to serve their respective districts. Council members help enhance the professional growth and public service of lawyers who are 36 years old or younger and/or have been practicing law in any state for 10 years or less. 

What are the vacancies?

There are 22 upcoming vacancies on the Board of Governors. Vacancies include districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15, as well as the western and southern districts. Find your board district here. 

There are also upcoming vacancies on the YLS Council. Vacancies include districts 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12, as well as the diversity seats for the southern and western appellate districts. Click here to find your YLS district.

How do I get on the ballot? 

Nominating petitions for Board of Governors and YLS Council vacancies are due by June 20.

Click here to download a nominating petition for Board of Governors and review the instructions for gathering signatures and submitting a completed petition.

For YLS Council, click here to download a nominating petition and review the instructions for gathering signatures and submitting a completed petition.

How do I vote? 

Missouri lawyers will receive an email from the Office of the State Courts Administrator in late July containing an electronic ballot to vote in the Board of Governors election. Missouri Bar members are eligible to vote in the election based upon the current Board of Governors voting district that is on file for a member. The voting district is where the lawyer is employed or maintains their principal office.

YLS members will receive an email July 21 from The Missouri Bar containing an electronic ballot to vote in the contested elections for YLS Council.

Ensure your address and email are up to date with The Missouri Bar by logging in to the member portal at MoBar.org.

Moore is a lawyer at Moore Legal LLC, focusing on estate planning, probate, and juvenile law. She graduated from the Saint Louis University School of Law.

Moore answered the following questions to help constituents get to know her.

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors?

“I enjoyed serving as a representative on the Young Lawyers’ Section and wanted to continue my service to The Missouri Bar.”

What part of being on the board are you most excited about?

“I am excited to connect with more lawyers across the state and learn more about how the bar operates and how I can effectively represent the lawyers in my district.”

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know?

“That I am approachable and excited to represent them. If there is a question or comment, I want lawyers to feel comfortable contacting me to discuss it.”

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?

“What I value most about The Missouri Bar is its commitment to making resources available for all lawyers.”

Why did you want to become a lawyer?

“It sounds cliché but I became a lawyer to help people, specifically to advocate for juveniles. There is a lot of power in the law, and I wanted to leverage that power to advocate for individuals that may not always have access to legal advocacy.”

Is there anything else you would like members of the bar to know about you?

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to represent District 11.”

Learn more about the Board of Governors here.

Boyer is a staff attorney at Legal Aid of Western Missouri, practicing in family law, tenant defense, consumer defense, and public benefits. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma City School of Law.

Boyer answered the following questions to help constituents get to know him.

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors?

“I wanted to join the Board of Governors to meet other lawyers across the state and provide a voice for lawyers that work for Legal Aid organizations.”

What part of being on the board are you most excited about?

“I am most excited to meet lawyers from all backgrounds and work in all corners of our state. I’m excited for the opportunity to help improve our profession through the work I can do on the Board of Governors and the Young Lawyers’ Section.”

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know?

“I think lawyers all across the state should know all of the benefits we receive from The Missouri Bar. I also want any lawyer to understand that you are not alone, and you can always reach out for help, to vent, or for more information.”

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?

“I value the amount of care that the bar takes in making the lives of Missouri lawyers better. In law school, The Missouri Bar seems like this ominous, somewhat scary, entity. The Missouri Bar, however, strides to make lawyers’ lives better and empowers lawyers to not only take care of their clients but also to take care of themselves.”

Why did you want to become a lawyer?

“I honestly was not sure I wanted to be a lawyer until I was in undergraduate school. I thought I wanted to do public relations and informed my advisor that I was somewhat interested in law school. I fully realized that I wanted to be a lawyer while I was in law school and was able to help a client get a divorce from her abusive husband. The gratitude expressed by the client made me realize that I wanted to use my skills to help people who are often overlooked in our system. The day we received the judgment, and I was able to explain to the client that everything was over and she could start a new life, was my Elle Woods moment and made me realize I didn’t want to do anything else but practice law.”

Is there anything else you would like members of the bar to know about you?

“Honestly, I would like all members of the bar to just know they are not alone regardless of what part of the state you are in or what type of law you practice; there are people out there who will be happy to help in any way. Our profession is difficult enough and I think often times lawyers tend to isolate because we believe we have to have all the answer all the time. There are so many people here at The Missouri Bar who will help or point you in the direction for help. Always reach out and ask.”

Learn more about the Board of Governors here.

Hillery is a lawyer at Casey Devoti & Brockland, practicing in civil plaintiff litigation, mainly personal injury. She graduated from the Saint Louis University School of Law.

Hillery answered the following questions to help constituents get to know her.

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors?

“I wanted to get more involved with the Missouri legal community, and I was excited by the opportunity to represent lawyers who work in St. Louis.” 

What part of being on the board are you most excited about?

“Through the training and meetings we’ve had so far, I’ve already met so many new people. I’m excited to meet more board members and make meaningful connections.”

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know?

“I am always available to talk! If there are any ideas of ways The Missouri Bar can continue to benefit its members, or concerns about anything related to the legal practice, I’m happy to discuss and make sure that you’re well represented to the Board of Governors.”

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?

“I value that The Missouri Bar is concerned about not just the legal profession, but the people who are actually affected by the practice of law. Whether that be lawyers who receive mental health assistance or ensuring that there is access to legal services, in the end it’s about the people.”

Why did you want to become a lawyer?

“I wanted to become a lawyer to help people, and I thought the best place to start would be with the law.”

Is there anything else you would like members of the bar to know about you?

“I’m a first-generation lawyer, working and living in St. Louis with my fiancé Luke and our two dogs.”

Learn more about the Board of Governors here.

Cherba is a lawyer at Riezman Berger, P.C., practicing in commercial litigation, administrative law-professional licensing, contested probate litigation, and guardianships and conservatorships. He graduated from the Washington University School of Law.

Cherba answered the following questions to help his constituents get to know him.

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors?

“I have always been drawn to public service opportunities, so I take very seriously our duty as lawyers to give back to our communities through service of this sort. About 10 years ago, I served a term on the YLS Council, which was a good introduction to the role of the Board of Governors. In addition, I look forward to doing the work to represent the interests of lawyers in St. Louis County by aiding efforts to achieve equal access to justice, defending against attacks on the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan, in thoughtful deliberation regarding important issues such as fiscal responsibility and attorney wellness, and through advocacy with the Missouri Legislature.”

What part of being on the board are you most excited about?

“This may sound corny, but I am genuinely looking forward to digging in and doing the work of the board, while getting to know my fellow board members in the process.”

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know?

“I’m here to represent you, so I would like to encourage my fellow lawyers to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions regarding how we as a board address a situation, or if you have a particular concern.”

What do you value most about The Missouri Bar and its mission?

“We are very lucky that we practice in a state with a unified bar that provides great services to all of us. The Missouri Bar appears to me to do a great job of providing valuable services to us, such as the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program (MOLAP), tons of continuing education opportunities, and professional/practice advice. I also love the civics education efforts the bar provides to Missouri citizens.”

Why did you want to become a lawyer?

“Like many other lawyers I have spoken with over the years, I intended to become a doctor or do something else in the hard sciences or engineering until I was in college. I even promised my parents I would never become a lawyer. However, based upon my interests and after talking with several lawyers, this career seemed like the best fit to enable me to help people and do work that made sense to me.”

Is there anything else you would like members of the bar to know about you?

“I will strive to represent you and your interests as lawyers thoughtfully and ethically during my time on the Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar. Please feel free to contact me if there is something I can do to help.”

Learn more about the Board of Governors here.

Nicole Roberts-Hillen is editor of the Journal of The Missouri Bar.

With a legal career spanning 27 years, Dreyer aims to prioritize lawyer well-being, encourage bar involvement among new and young lawyers, and address the unique challenges faced by legal practitioners outside of major metropolitan areas.

A member of the groundbreaking all-women slate of officers, Dreyer is the first female president from Greater Missouri (not St. Louis or Kansas City). It has also been 30 years since a Missouri Bar president hailed from Joplin.

Meet Shelly

Dreyer knew from a young age she wanted to be a lawyer and help others. Her father, a union president, routinely represented employees during disputes and mediation to ensure a fair outcome, something Dreyer was instantly drawn to.

“He would take people’s problems, and he would represent them and be a voice for them to solve those problems,” she says. “I was attracted to that. It wasn’t that I wanted to be in a courtroom or anything I saw on TV. It was helping people get to a resolution and be a voice for them.”

Despite being a first-generation college student who didn’t know any lawyers at the time, Dreyer was determined to be a legal professional. After graduating from the University of Missouri School of Law, she kicked off her career by working for an insurance defense firm but soon realized she “wanted to represent individuals,” she says.

Dreyer swapped tracks and became a personal injury plaintiff’s lawyer. She was a partner at a St. Charles County firm for 10 years, as well as a part-time municipal judge for five years in Dardenne Prairie. She relocated to Joplin and was a partner for seven years at a local firm.

In February 2023, Dreyer and partner Keegan Tinney opened their Joplin practice, Dreyer & Tinney.

“I am extremely proud of Shelly for all her hard work and dedication not only to the clients we serve but to the legal profession as a whole,” Tinney says. “She is a great mentor, friend, and law partner.” 

Looking back on her 27 years of plaintiff work, Dreyer says she loves helping citizens navigate the legal system during stressful and uncertain times.

“It’s very fulfilling because when I can tell a client, ‘You don’t have to worry, I’ll take care of this,’ you can see the relief on their face,” she says. “It’s nice to be able to take that pressure off of them so all they have to do is take care of themselves, and I can take care of them and relieve some of that stress.”

Focus on well-being, networking, and rural lawyers

Dreyer's dedication to helping others extends beyond her individual clients.

Immediate Past President Megan Phillips, who has known Dreyer since law school, says she admires Dreyer’s work ethic, kindness, and sense of adventure, making her not only an exceptional lawyer for her clients but also a leader of The Missouri Bar.

“Shelly is absolutely dedicated to the bar and its mission to support lawyers and serve the public,” Phillips says. “She's also a natural leader who builds consensus through careful reflection and respect for others. The bar is in supremely capable hands this coming year.”

Nearly 10 years ago, Dreyer decided to run for The Missouri Bar Board of Governors after noticing a lack of women on the board at the time.

She also saw this as an opportunity to be a voice for the rural legal community. Having practiced in Joplin and the St. Louis area, Dreyer says she understands the concerns and challenges of lawyers in large cities often differ from those of rural lawyers.

Now stepping into the role of 2024-2025 Missouri Bar president, Dreyer wants to chat with lawyers from all over the state – large cities to rural communities.

“I want to get out there and talk to lawyers from all parts of Missouri to see what their concerns are, what their clients’ concerns are, and what The Missouri Bar can do to help lawyers in their practices” she says.

The Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program is one valuable service Dreyer says she will highlight, continuing the focus on lawyer well-being. MOLAP offers free, confidential counseling and crisis intervention, as well as educational programs and articles about substance use, stress, depression, and quality of life. Visit MoBar.org/MOLAP to learn more.

“A key priority of The Missouri Bar is to help lawyers even better serve their clients and communities, and in order to do so, we need to take care of ourselves,” she says. “I want the bar to continue valuing lawyer well-being and provide resources for our members and their families.”

As a small firm practitioner, she also plans to promote the bar’s practice management resources – from checklists and white papers to product and service comparison charts. Lawyers can access these materials at no cost at MoBar.org/LPM.

When talking to new and young lawyers, Dreyer wants to encourage networking opportunities like The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers' Section and Leadership Academy. Thinking back on her time as a new lawyer, Dreyer says she was so focused on learning the law and avoiding mistakes at the time that she overlooked the value of getting involved in YLS and utilizing Missouri Bar tools. Now, she hopes to guide new and young lawyers to those resources.

“Those networking opportunities would have helped me by knowing other young lawyers were going through the same thing and there is comfort and resources there,” she says. “I want to reach out to as many young lawyers as I can this year to let them know that the bar is there for them for any issue they may face.”

View photos of Dreyer’s swearing-in ceremony at Annual Meeting on The Missouri Bar’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Who Is eligible to apply?

Any person who is in good standing and enrolled to vote in either the Southern or Western Appellate District may apply. A lawyer must be employed or maintain their principal law office full-time in the applicable appellate district to be eligible to apply for the board vacancy.

The Southern Appellate District includes the following counties: Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Greene, Hickory, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, Maries, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, St. Clair, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Wayne, Webster, and Wright.

The Western Appellate District includes the following counties: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Daviess, De Kalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Schuyler, Sullivan, Vernon, and Worth.

In accordance with Rule 7.03, members filling appellate district seats have unique experience and knowledge or represent diverse elements of the bar within the state of Missouri including, but not limited to, age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, geography, and areas and types of practice.

How will the selection process work?

Letters of application will be distributed to the members of the Board of Governors for review and consideration. At a duly called meeting, the Board of Governors will select applicants to fill the vacancies by a majority vote.

What is the duration of the term?

The applicants elected by the board shall serve for the remainder of the regular term, which will expire with the adjournment of the annual meeting of The Missouri Bar in September 2025. If eligible to be elected under Supreme Court Rule 7.07, the applicant will be able to submit a nominating petition between Jan. 1, 2025 and June 20, 2025, for election to a full two-year term representing the appellate district for which the petition was submitted.

What should be included in the letter of application?

Applicants should provide a complete description of their qualifications to fill the vacancy.  Letters of application can be sent by mail or electronically by using the form below.

What is the application deadline?

An individual’s letter of application must be received by The Missouri Bar no later than Oct. 15, 2024.

Where should the letter of application be sent?

Interested lawyers can apply electronically using this online form or by mailing letters of application to the address below:

The Missouri Bar Attn: Executive Director

Re: Board Appellate District Vacancy

PO Box 119, 326 Monroe St.

Jefferson City, MO 65102

Shelly Dreyer, a personal injury lawyer and partner at Dreyer & Tinney law firm in Joplin, was elected as 2024-2025 president of The Missouri Bar during the Sept. 18 Board of Governors meeting. She was sworn in Sept. 19 during the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, held in St. Louis. Her oath was delivered by Hon. Mary Sheffield.

Dreyer succeeds Megan Phillips, of St. Louis, as president of the 31,000-member Missouri Bar. Phillips transitioned into the role of immediate past president.

During her term as president, Dreyer aims to prioritize lawyer wellness; encourage bar involvement among new and young lawyers; and address the unique challenges faced by legal practitioners outside of major metropolitan areas.

Dreyer handles litigation involving personal injury, automobile accidents, workers' compensation, medical malpractice, and more. A Springfield native, she graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1997.

Athena Dickson was elected as the new president-elect of The Missouri Bar. Dickson is a partner at Siro Smith Dickson PC in Kansas City, where she focuses her practice on the areas of personal injury and employment discrimination. In addition to her time on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors, she has served as chair of the Standing Committee on Well-being in the Profession as well as a co-chair of the board's Appointments Committee.

Jennifer Matthew Crompton became vice president of The Missouri Bar. Crompton is a trial lawyer and chief operating officer at Unglesby & Crompton in Clayton. Her professional experience includes prosecuting sex crimes, homicides, and other serious offenses along with years of managing the alternative dispute resolution program of a privately held legal services company. Crompton most recently served on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors' Executive Committee.

Learn more about The Missouri Bar Board of Governors here.

The Board of Governors meeting will include financial summaries and reports from officers, committee reports, a presentation from the 2023-2024 Leadership Academy Class, and an election of officers and executive committee members. American Bar Association President Bill Bay will also address the board for an update on the ABA. 

The Young Lawyers Section Council meeting will include financial summaries and reports from officers and committees, reports from delegates and liaisons, presentation of the YLS Chair Awards, election of officers, and an introduction of new members.  

The Missouri Bar's Board of Governors and Young Lawyers Section Council meet several times a year to conduct the business of The Missouri Bar and keep abreast of issues. See past meeting minutes and future meeting dates here. 

- District 9: Michael R. Cherba

- District 10: Syd Tippie

- District 11: Ashley J. Moore and Alexa N. Hillery 

- District 12: Amy R. Jackson and Brandon L. Corl

The following members of the Board of Governors were re-elected to a two-year term: 

- District 1: John M. Spencer

- District 2: Hon. Corey R. Moon 

- District 4: Jason A. Paulsmeyer

- District 7: Mark J. Welker 

- District 8: Jason K. Rew and Patricia Scaglia 

- District 9: Robert E. Jones, Lauren C. Collins, and Joan M. Swartz

- District 11: Bryan Sanger 

- District 12: Mira Mdivani

- District 13: Carl M. Ward 

- Eastern District: Monique D. Abby 

The newly elected and returning board members will take office at the conclusion of the 2024 Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, which takes place Sept. 18-20 in St. Louis. 

The Missouri Bar is a statewide organization that is dedicated to improving the legal profession, the law, and the administration of justice for all Missourians. Created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, it serves all 30,750 of Missouri’s practicing lawyers. The Missouri Bar provides a wide range of services and resources to its members, as well as the media, educators, and the citizens of Missouri. To learn more, visit MoBar.org. 

Lawyers in Jackson County (District 3) and Cass, Clay, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte, and Ray counties (District 4) can also vote in the contested Missouri Bar Young Lawyers' Council races starting today.

To cast your vote electronically for the Board of Governors election, click here. To vote electronically in the YLS Council races, click here. You must submit your vote(s) before 10 a.m. Aug. 15.

Meet the candidates
While there are several districts which have Board of Governors vacancies this year, Districts 4, 11, and 12 are the only three with contested elections. Click here to see a list of candidates running for the 2024-2025 Board of Governors.

There are numerous upcoming vacancies on the Young Lawyers' Section Council, but only two districts – Districts 3 and 4 – have contested elections. Click here to see a list of candidates running in the contested YLS Council races.

Cast your vote
To vote in the Board of Governors election, Missouri Bar members must complete an electronic ballot, which was emailed July 19 from the Office of State Courts Administrator. You must sign in to the electronic elections portal using your Missouri Bar enrollment number and personal identification number (PIN).

YLS members can click here to access the ballot. They must sign in with their Missouri Bar enrollment number and password, which is the same information used to access all member features at MoBar.org. 

Lawyers are eligible to vote in the board election based on the district your primary work address corresponds with (and that is on file with The Missouri Bar). You can cast as many votes as there are vacancies in your district. 

Missouri lawyers have until Aug. 15 to cast their votes in The Missouri Bar Board of Governors and YLS Council elections.

Troubleshoot technical problems
If you have technical issues accessing the board voting portal website, contact OSCA at 888-541-4894 or osca.help.desk@courts.mo.gov. If you did not receive a ballot or if you believe you received a ballot for the wrong district, contact the Office of Attorney Enrollment at the Supreme Court of Missouri at 573-751-4144 or mae@courts.mo.gov.  

If you are experiencing difficulties voting in the YLS elections, please contact The Missouri Bar at 573-635-4128 or mobar@mobar.org. All other questions related to the election should be directed to Brett Rolwes, YLS staff liaison, at brolwes@mobar.org. 

The Board of Governors is a 45-member elected group of lawyers who represent the members in their districts. The board helps shape strategies to fulfill the bar’s goals of improving the profession, the law, and the administration of justice on behalf of all Missourians. 

The YLS Council is composed of approximately 35 young lawyers elected to serve their respective districts. Council members help enhance the professional growth and public service of lawyers 35 years old and younger and/or who have been practicing for five years or less. 

In addition to hearing financial summaries and reports from officers, board members will welcome University of Missouri School of Law Dean Paul J. Litton and University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law Dean Lumen Mulligan. The two will provide updates on their respective universities.

In addition, the board will learn about legislative developments, consider a proposed rule amendment to the Fee Dispute Resolution Committee, hear about ongoing activities of the Young Lawyers’ Section Council, and receive an update on a recent evaluation of the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program.

The Missouri Bar's Board of Governors meet several times a year to conduct the business of The Missouri Bar and keep abreast of issues. See past meeting minutes, as well as future meeting dates, here.

Monique Abby is a newly elected member of the Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar representing the eastern district. Abby, an assistant circuit attorney for the City of St. Louis’ Circuit Attorney’s Office, earned her J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law. Board members serve two-year terms.

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors? 

I became interested in serving on the Board of Governors after being a member of the planning committee for the Annual Meeting for a couple of years and witnessing the awesome work that the board does for our entire state. 

What part of being on the board are you most excited about? 

I am most excited about working with fellow governors to uphold the bar’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the profession by furthering our goal of having Missouri lawyers reflect the diverse populations that we serve. As a Black female lawyer, this is an issue that is near and dear to my heart, and I want to continue to provide pathways and access to the legal profession for those who look like me. 

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know? 

I am truly a public servant, and I am committed to ensuring that the lawyers, pre-law students, law students, and community are well-represented and informed. I also want them to know that I am knowledgeable regarding legal issues that may affect them directly and/or indirectly and that I am open and available to meet and speak with them about the issues that are important to them. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

I enjoy serving on many boards and volunteering my time with various civic organizations in the area. Also, 15 years ago I created Books & Bubbly Book Club wherein my friends and I meet once per month to patronize a local restaurant and discuss the book chosen by that months’ hostess.

Editor’s note: These responses have been edited for clarity and brevity. Do you know a lawyer doing exceptional work who should be highlighted in “Meet #MOLawyers?” Let us know by emailing nhillen@mobar.org.

Friends and family are invited to a life celebration and visitation Sunday, Jan. 7, from 4-7 p.m. at the James O'Donnell Funeral Home in Hannibal. Learn more about Briscoe and planned services in his obituary.

During his presidency, Briscoe was passionate about expanding mentoring opportunities; funding for legal services; and encouraging other lawyers to take part in bar activities.

“… the legal profession has allowed me to be contented with my chosen work. That is one of the reasons I felt it appropriate to show my gratitude by serving the bar to the best of my ability,” Briscoe wrote in the September/October 2000 Journal of The Missouri Bar.

Missouri lawyers can read more President’s Page messages from Briscoe in archives of the Journal of The Missouri Bar via HeinOnline, a member benefit. 

Syd Tippie is one of five newly elected members of the Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar. Tippie, assistant attorney general for the Missouri Attorney General’s Office in Springfield, was elected to the Southern District Appellate seat in August. Board members serve two-year terms, which begin with the bar’s Annual Meeting in late September.

Tippie earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. Here, he shares his goals for serving on the board.

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors?

A fellow governor: Ms. Erica Mynarich. Erica represents District 10, and although we serve in an adversarial system, we have become friends and colleagues in the law. She initially nominated me for The Missouri Bar Leadership Academy. After graduating from that program, I ran and obtained a position on the Young Lawyers’ Section (YLS) Council. I served The Missouri Bar in that capacity for a couple years until this position became available, with Gov. Moss reaching her term limit. Until filling my seat, I was always inspired by the people who currently serve or came before me. Now, I hope my service will serve as an inspiration to younger lawyers who want to become more involved.

What aspect of board service most excites you?

The ability to effectuate change and serve as a representative of a minority group. I would like to see things better than they were before. The legal community needs to be representative of the client base we serve—whether that means race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture, or socio-economic background. These broad and diverse experiences and backgrounds will lead to better representation and better results for the citizens of Missouri. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I never saw similarly situated individuals serving in crucial leadership roles. My appointment to the Board of Governors signals to me that we, as a profession, see, value, and capitalize on our differences.

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know?

That The Missouri Bar is an organization that has so many different resources available to its members and is truly invested in being of service. Through my exposure to programs, meetings, and staff, it has become very apparent how passionate those involved in The Missouri Bar are. Are you considering starting a solo or small firm? They have resources for you. Are you or someone you know struggling with substance-use issues? They have resources for you. Do you struggle with remote public access redaction requirements? They have resources for you. We are here to help.

What do you enjoy most about The Missouri Bar?

Being exposed to individuals from all over the state who I can call friends.

Meet your new Board of Governors: District 12’s Christopher Dandurand, Christa Moss, and Phyllis Norman 

Christopher Dandurand, Christa Moss, and Phyllis Norman were elected in August by Missouri lawyers to represent District 12, or Kansas City, on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors. 

Board members are elected to serve two-year terms, which begin with the bar’s Annual Meeting in late September. 

Chris Dandurand is an attorney with Gorny Dandurand, LC. He earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri School of Law. Below, Dandurand shares his thoughts on his representation of the Kansas City legal community: 

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors? 

I spent several years as a Young Lawyers’ Section (YLS) Council member. As a member of the council, I had the opportunity to interact with members of the Board of Governors on numerous occasions. I saw how much each of them valued the time they spent and connections they made on the board, and I wanted to continue my service. 

What part of being on the board are you most excited about? 

Helping the Board of Governors become more visible to attorneys that may not have had much reason to interact with the board up to this point in their career.  

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know?  

The Missouri Bar has endless opportunities for attorneys to get involved in ways that go beyond your day-to-day practice. If you want more out of your career as an attorney than showing up to work and going home at the end of the day, you should look at getting involved with The Missouri Bar. You will not regret it! 

What do you enjoy most about The Missouri Bar? 

The staff at The Missouri Bar go above and beyond to make our lives and practices better. If you have questions or need help with something, you can always count on them.  

Christa Moss is an assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri. She earned her J.D. from The College of William and Mary - Marshall Wythe School of Law. Below, she shares her goals while serving on the board: 

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors? 

I learned about the Board of Governors and the work of The Missouri Bar after participating in Leadership Academy. I was surprised to learn how much the bar did for the public. I started volunteering to present at Mini Law School and was eventually elected to the YLS Council. During my second YLS term, a mentor encouraged me to consider running for an open board seat. I was initially hesitant to step away from YLS because I deeply enjoyed the community service and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) work we were doing. I soon recognized that serving on the board would give me an opportunity to represent young attorneys, government attorneys, and attorneys of color, who were underrepresented on the board, while also allowing me to be involved in policy decisions and programming that impact both the legal community and the public.    

What part of being on the board are you most excited about? 

 I am most excited about continuing to work with attorneys from across the state to create and implement engaging programming that will help lawyers meet their CLE requirements. 

 What do you want the lawyers you represent to know? 

I am passionate about bringing diverse perspectives to everything I do. I love collaborating with others and planning programs and events.  

What do you enjoy most about The Missouri Bar? 

 I enjoy how committed the bar is to serving both lawyers and the community. I really appreciate how routinely we review our strategic direction and strive to make sure everything we continue to do or want to do aligns with our stated goals. After four terms in bar leadership, what I truly most enjoy about the bar is our Missouri Bar staff. They are innovative, committed, passionate, generous with their time, and work tirelessly to curate professional meetings for lawyers and civic education for the public, as well as maintain numerous resources and programming that facilitates access to justice for all Missouri citizens. Our bar would not be the same without them.  

Phyllis Norman is a lawyer with Norman and Graves, LLC. She earned her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. Below, she offers her thoughts on being elected to the board. 

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors? 

I have been involved in many bar organizations locally and on committees through The Missouri Bar, all of which have shaped and influenced my career in a wonderful way. The thought of serving on the board for the largest bar organization in the state is an honor and that is why I was interested. 

What part of being on the board are you most excited about? 

 I am most excited about getting involved with lawyers from across the state to work on goals to improve the state as a whole. The Missouri Bar will give me an opportunity to make a difference. 

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know? 

I want the lawyers I represent to know I am always in their corner and will fight big or small for them as it relates to their case. 

What do you enjoy most about The Missouri Bar? 

 So far, I have enjoyed the connections I am making and the camaraderie and shared purpose we all have in working for the lawyers across this state. 

Matt Casey, partner at Casey Devoti & Brockland in St. Louis, was elected as a District 11 representative to The Missouri Bar Board of Governors in August.

This summer, Missouri lawyers, voting in districts throughout the state, elected five new members to the 45-member Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar. Board members are elected to serve two-year terms, which begin with the bar’s Annual Meeting in late September.

Below, Casey, who earned his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2000, shares his goals while serving on the board:

What made you interested in serving on the Board of Governors?

I believe that as a lawyer, it is not only our duty but our privilege to be actively engaged in our communities, both within the legal profession and beyond. I have always been interested in serving on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors because one of the best ways we can serve our community is by ensuring that justice is accessible to all. I see the Board of Governors as a platform to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote access to justice and make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

What part of being on the board are you most excited about?

I am most excited about getting to know and work with lawyers from different parts of the state. Up to now, most of my work and participation in bar associations has been centered in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know?

I believe strongly that upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism is a cornerstone of our profession. The general public will gain trust and confidence in all attorneys if we continue to work to maintain and enhance these principles within the Missouri legal community.

I am a fourth generation St. Louis attorney. But it was not always my plan to become a lawyer. I was a biology major in college and thought I wanted to get a doctorate in genetics. I did one year of genetics research after college and figured out pretty quickly that it was not for me. I guess it was fate.

What do you enjoy most about The Missouri Bar?

What I enjoy most about The Missouri Bar is the opportunity it provides to connect with and learn from lawyers from all corners of our state. The Missouri Bar is not just an organization; it's a diverse and vibrant community of legal professionals who bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table. One of the most rewarding aspects of The Missouri Bar is the chance to build relationships and collaborate with lawyers from different backgrounds, practice areas, and regions of Missouri.

Who Is eligible to apply?

Any person who is in good standing and enrolled to vote in the Eastern Appellate District may apply.  A lawyer must be employed or maintain their principal law office full-time in the Eastern Appellate District to be eligible to apply for the board vacancy. The Eastern Appellate District includes the City of St. Louis and the following counties: Audrain, Cape Girardeau, Clark, Franklin, Gasconade, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Osage, Perry, Pike, Ralls, St. Charles, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Scotland, Shelby, Warren, and Washington.

How will the selection process work?

Letters of application will be distributed to the members of the Board of Governors for review and consideration. At a duly called meeting, the Board of Governors will select an applicant to fill the vacancy by a majority vote.

What is the duration of the term?

The applicant elected by the board shall serve for the remainder of the regular term, which will expire with the adjournment of the annual meeting of The Missouri Bar in September 2024. If eligible to be elected under Supreme Court Rule 7.07, the applicant will be able to submit a nominating petition between Jan. 1 and June 20, 2024, for election to a full two-year term representing the Eastern Appellate District.

What should be included in the letter of application?

Applicants should provide a complete description of their qualifications to fill the vacancy. Letters of application can be sent by mail or electronically by using the form below.

What is the application deadline? 

An individual’s letter of application must be received by The Missouri Bar no later than Oct. 20, 2023.

Where should the letter of application be sent?

Interested lawyers can apply electronically using this online form or by mailing letters of application to the address below:

The Missouri Bar Attn: Executive Director
Re: Board Eastern Appellate District Vacancy
PO Box 119, 326 Monroe
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Phillips delivered the following remarks during the opening luncheon of the joint annual meeting of the Judicial Conference and The Missouri Bar following her Oath of Office. View the video or read the full text below. 

"Good afternoon, friends and colleagues, judges, and distinguished guests. It’s great to be back in my home town (although I haven’t been out of this building yet). 

First of all, I want to thank Judge Van Amburg for doing the honors today. I was her law clerk for several years on the Eastern District Court of Appeals, and now we teach together at Saint Louis University School of Law. Judge, thank you for your mentorship and friendship and for being here to support me today. And happy birthday! 

Next, I want to recognize Immediate Past President Lauren Tucker McCubbin and all the past presidents in attendance. I stand on your shoulders, and I have you on speed dial this year. I especially want to thank the women presidents who came before us. Before Lauren, there were only five in The Missouri Bar’s 79-year history. For the first time in the bar’s nearly 80-year history, all four officers are women. To my generation and those before us, it’s a big deal! Hopefully, for the younger folks, it’s totally normal, nothing to see here, and that’s a good thing! 

Thank you to my friends and colleagues on the Board of Governors for entrusting me with this profound honor and responsibility. I promise to give you my very best effort this year while making your service meaningful and fun. 

I was raised by a lawyer and a teacher. My dad, who is no longer with us, was a University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School grad and practiced here in Kansas City. Some of the senior lawyers here may have known him, Roger Phillips. I miss him fiercely today but have been showered with well wishes from many of his peers, telling me how proud he would have been. 

And I have a large cheering section here today! First and foremost my mom, Patricia Phillips. If you live the Kansas City area and have had children in the Johnson County school district, you probably know of her because she is a legend, having taught in elementary schools here for decades. She has educated generations. She is everyone’s favorite teacher, especially mine. With her are some of her closest friends, whom I’ve known all my life, and who supported my mom through the hell of my teenage years. These women demonstrate that friendship is the key to success and longevity. Thank you for being my role models in friendship, motherhood, and good trouble. Which brings me to my own squad. I am obnoxiously, filthy rich with the best of friends. My cousin and I were raised like sisters. She gave me a pixie haircut with my aunt’s sewing sheers when we were three years old. Several of my college and law school friends are here as well. These women have seen all versions of me, at all stages of life. These are friends who drop everything and run toward the crisis. But this time, thank you for being here to share this celebratory moment (and help me get through this speech). 

I’ve always been a joiner. In college, I joined a sorority founded in 1870 by women seeking equal access to education and the social support of a chosen family. They aspired to challenge themselves intellectually and effect the widest influence for good. My experience among these high-achieving women had a profound impact on who I am and why I stand before you today. 

I came up in bar service primarily through women’s advocacy. I led the Women Lawyers' Association of Greater St. Louis, through The Missouri Bar’s Leadership Academy I taught the law curriculum at the American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girls State for several years, and I chaired the Missouri Joint Commission on Women in the Profession. Meanwhile, for 17 years, I earned a living as a career law clerk in the state appellate and federal district courts. Along the way, I realized that, to advance the causes I care about – equality, justice, and civic education – The Missouri Bar is where I – and more importantly we – all of us here today, can do the most good. 

We know that, within the profession, The Missouri Bar provides CLEs, practice resources, and networking opportunities to help us thrive and succeed in our service to clients. 

Within our communities, The Missouri Bar is a conduit for public service and civic education. Next time you’re feeling burned out, go spend an afternoon at your nearest school presenting one of the bar’s lesson plans, or just log on to Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org from your computer and make someone’s day by simply answering a question. It feels good to do good. 

And within society at large, lawyers are the guardians of democracy and the rule of law. Our rules of professional conduct mandate truth, civility, and integrity because these qualities are vital to the public’s confidence in our justice system. 

Additionally, the bar collaborates with and serves the judiciary in furtherance of its critical role as the Third Branch in our democracy. I cannot fathom a wider influence than that. 

Unfortunately, disinformation abounds and fuels public distrust, undermining our courts and the rule of law. Lawyers are uniquely positioned to correct misconceptions and explain the principle of judicial independence. With the privilege of our profession comes this civic responsibility. 

Advances in technology, such as generative artificial intelligence and alternative models for the provision of legal services, are barreling toward us. Your bar is tracking these developments to identify best practices, to utilize new tools for efficiency and access while protecting the public from an unregulated emerging market. 

And friends, let’s normalize real talk about tough subjects. Many of us are struggling. Lawyers experience alarming rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, and even suicide. Lawyers of color leave the profession at twice the average rate. The bar strives to be a place of inclusion and belonging, where your lived experience is valued and celebrated, and your well-being matters. 

The Supreme Court of Missouri created our unified bar almost 80 years ago. Today, we enjoy the collective strength of nearly 31,000 members. Like siblings in a family, we may have our internal differences on any number of issues, but here we are united in our common goal to improve the profession, the law, and the administration of justice on behalf of all Missourians. 

Last year at this lunch, then Chief Justice Paul Wilson said something that stuck with me, and I bet it resonates with you, too:  “Commit yourself to a life of service, and the pursuit of happiness will take care of itself.” 

I couldn’t agree more. 

I am profoundly honored to serve as president of The Missouri Bar for the coming year. I look forward to us working together, unified, to effect the widest influence for good.  

Thank you."

Phillips also recognized Lauren Tucker McCubbin for her service as the 2022-23 president of The Missouri Bar before introducing Supreme Court of Missouri Chief Justice Mary Russell to deliver the keynote address. 

Learn more about the leadership of The Missouri Bar, including its officers, here.

Phillips was sworn in as president on Sept. 14 at the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, held at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City. 

Phillips succeeds Lauren Tucker McCubbin, who practices at Polsinelli in Kansas City, as president of the 30,750-member organization. Tucker McCubbin transitioned into the role of immediate past president of The Missouri Bar at the conclusion of the annual meeting.

“The bar strives to be a place of inclusion and belonging, where your lived experience is valued and celebrated, your well-being matters, and where you can find help without judgment,” Phillips said. “Like siblings in a family, we may have our internal differences, but we are united in our common goal to improve the profession, the law, and the administration of justice on behalf of all Missourians.”  

Phillips is a career law clerk with more than 15 years of public service in state appellate and federal trial courts. She is also an adjunct instructor at Saint Louis University School of Law. She graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1997. She served on the Board of Governors from 2008-2010 and again since 2017. She is also past co-chair of the Joint Commission on Women in the Profession.

Shelly Dreyer was elected president-elect of The Missouri Bar. An accomplished trial lawyer and partner at Dreyer & Tinney Law Firm in Joplin, she handles litigation involving personal injury, automobile accidents, workers' compensation, medical malpractice, and more. She also served as Dardenne Prairie's first judge. A Springfield native, Dreyer graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1997.

Athena Dickson was elected to serve as vice president of the bar. Dickson is a partner at Siro Smith Dickson PC in Kansas City where she focuses her practice on the areas of personal injury and employment discrimination. In addition to her time on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors, Dickson has served as chair of the Standing Committee on Well-being in the Profession as well as a co-chair of the board’s Appointments Committee.

District representatives elected to serve on the bar’s executive committee for the 2023-24 bar year are Jennifer Matthew Crompton, Eastern District; Syd Tippie, Southern District; and Scott Bethune, Western District.  

The Missouri Bar Board of Governors will next meet Nov. 17, 2023. More information about the board, including minutes and agenda items, is available at MoBar.org. 

The Missouri Bar is a statewide organization that is dedicated to improving the legal profession, the law, and the administration of justice for all Missourians. Created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, it serves all 30,000 of Missouri’s practicing lawyers. To achieve its mission, The Missouri Bar provides a wide range of services and resources to its members, as well as the media, educators, and citizens of Missouri. To learn more about The Missouri Bar, visit MoBar.org and MissouriLawyersHelp.org.

• District 9: J. Brent Dulle, of St. Louis County 
• District 11: Hon. Michael Colona and Matthew Casey, of the City of St. Louis 
• District 12: Christa Moss, Christopher Dandurand, and Phyllis Norman, of Kansas City 
• Southern District Appellate Seat: Syd Tippie, of Springfield 
• Western District Appellate Seat: Amy R. Jackson, of Kansas City 

The following members of the Board of Governors were re-elected to a two-year term: 

• District 1: Hon. Tracey A. Mason-White, of Milan 
• District 3: Douglas Harris, of Warrensburg 
• District 4: Joshua Hill, of Jefferson City 
• District 5: Hon. Charles Curless, of Lamar 
• District 6: Andrew Lyskowski, of Camdenton 
• District 7: Scott Robbins, of Poplar Bluff 
• District 8: Kate Noland, of Liberty 
• District 9: Amy Bender-Levy and Michael Downey, of St. Louis County 
• District 10: Erica Mynarich, of Springfield  
• District 11: Jennifer Matthew Crompton, of the City of St. Louis 
• District 12: Scott Bethune, of Kansas City 
• District 14: Eric Wulff, of St. Charles 
• District 15: Sander Sowers, of Columbia 

The newly elected and returning board members will take office at the conclusion of the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, which takes place Sept. 13-15 in Kansas City. The new board is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Sept. 13, to elect officers and form its executive committee. 

The Missouri Bar is a statewide organization that is dedicated to improving the legal profession, the law, and the administration of justice for all Missourians. Created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, it serves all 30,750 of Missouri’s practicing lawyers. The Missouri Bar provides a wide range of services and resources to its members, as well as the media, educators, and the citizens of Missouri. To learn more, visit MoBar.org. 

Lawyers must cast their electronic ballots by 10 a.m., Aug. 15. Click here to vote in the Board of Governors election. Click here to vote in the YLS Council election.

Meet the candidates
While there are 15 districts which have Board of Governors vacancies this year, Districts 9 and 14 are the only two with contested elections. There are uncontested races in Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, and the Southern and Western district seats. Click here to see a list of candidates running for the 2023-24 Board of Governors.

There are 18 upcoming vacancies on the Young Lawyers' Section Council. Vacancies occur in  Districts 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12, as well as the diversity seats for the Southern and Western appellate districts.  Of those vacancies, only three districts -  2, 3, and 8 - have contested elections. View the candidates in contested elections here and the candidates in uncontested elections here. Click here to find your YLS district. 

Cast your vote 
To vote in the Board of Governors election, Missouri Bar members must complete an electronic ballot, which was emailed July 20 from the Office of State Courts Administrator. You must sign in to the electronic elections portal using your Missouri Bar enrollment number and personal identification number (PIN).

YLS members can click here to access the ballot. They must sign in with their Missouri Bar enrollment number and password, which is the same information used to access all member features at MoBar.org. 

Lawyers are eligible to vote in the board election based on the district your primary work address corresponds with (and that is on file with The Missouri Bar). You can cast as many votes as there are vacancies in your district. 

Troubleshoot technical problems
If you have technical issues accessing the board voting portal website, contact OSCA at 888-541-4894 or osca.help.desk@courts.mo.gov. If you did not receive a ballot or if you believe you received a ballot for the wrong district, contact the Office of Attorney Enrollment at the Supreme Court of Missouri at 573-751-4144 or mae@courts.mo.gov.  Missouri lawyers have until Aug. 15 to cast their votes in The Missouri Bar Board of Governors and YLS Council elections.

If you are experiencing difficulties voting in the YLS elections, please contact The Missouri Bar at 573-635-4128 or mobar@mobar.org. All other questions related to the election should be directed to Brett Rolwes, YLS staff liaison, at brolwes@mobar.org. 

The Board of Governors is a 45-member elected group of lawyers who represent the members in their districts. The board helps shape strategies to fulfill the bar’s goals of improving the profession, the law, and the administration of justice on behalf of all Missourians. 

The YLS Council is composed of approximately 35 young lawyers elected to serve their respective districts. Council members help enhance the professional growth and public service of lawyers 35 years old and younger and/or who have been practicing for five years or less. 

Marvin E. Wright, 1997-1998 president of The Missouri Bar, passed away on July 14, 2023, at 86 years old. Wright graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and was licensed to practice in Missouri in 1964. 

A celebration of life is planned for Monday, July 31. Learn more about Wright and planned services in his obituary. 

During his presidency, Wright spoke about the need for lawyers to share with one another. He discussed hostility and incivility in the profession and how lawyers should work to improve the image of the profession through service to each other. 

“Let us prove to one another that we possess that same concern and desire to assist and help one another, thereby strengthening our profession.” Wright wrote in May 1998. “We are all proud to be lawyers, so let’s show it with the attitude and assistance that we provide to one another in our legal profession.” 

Members of The Missouri Bar can read more President’s Page messages from Wright in archives of the Journal of The Missouri Bar via HeinOnline, a member benefit. 

Meet the candidates
While there are 15 districts which have Board of Governors vacancies this year, Districts 9 and 14 are the only two with contested elections. There are uncontested races in Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, and the Southern and Western district seats. Click here to see a list of candidates running for the 2023-24 Board of Governors.

There are 18 upcoming vacancies on the Young Lawyers' Section Council. Vacancies occur in  Districts 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12, as well as the diversity seats for the Southern and Western appellate districts.  Of those vacancies, only three districts have contested elections. They include District 2 which is composed of the following counties in Northeast Missouri: Adair, Audrain, Chariton, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby and Sullivan; District 3 which is Jackson County; and District 8 which is St. Louis County. View the candidates in contested elections here and the candidates in uncontested elections here. Click here to find your YLS district. Vote in the YLS Council election here.

Cast your vote
To vote in the Board of Governors election, Missouri Bar members must complete an electronic ballot, which was emailed July 20 from the Office of State Courts Administrator. You must sign in to the electronic elections portal using your Missouri Bar enrollment number and personal identification number (PIN).

YLS members can click here to access the ballot. They must sign in with their Missouri Bar enrollment number and password, which is the same information used to access all member features at MoBar.org. 

Lawyers are eligible to vote in the board election based on the district your primary work address corresponds with (and that is on file with The Missouri Bar). You can cast as many votes as there are vacancies in your district. 

Troubleshoot technical problems
If you have technical issues accessing the board voting portal website, contact OSCA at 888-541-4894 or osca.help.desk@courts.mo.gov. If you did not receive a ballot or if you believe you received a ballot for the wrong district, contact the Office of Attorney Enrollment at the Supreme Court of Missouri at 573-751-4144 or mae@courts.mo.gov.  Missouri lawyers have until Aug. 15 to cast their votes in The Missouri Bar Board of Governors and YLS Council elections.

If you are experiencing difficulties voting in the YLS elections, please contact The Missouri Bar at 573-635-4128 or mobar@mobar.org. All other questions related to the election should be directed to Brett Rolwes, YLS staff liaison, at brolwes@mobar.org. 

The Board of Governors is a 45-member elected group of lawyers who represent the members in their districts. The board helps shape strategies to fulfill the bar’s goals of improving the profession, the law, and the administration of justice on behalf of all Missourians. 

The YLS Council is composed of approximately 35 young lawyers elected to serve their respective districts. Council members help enhance the professional growth and public service of lawyers 35 years old and younger and/or who have been practicing for five years or less. 

Voting runs from July 20 through Aug. 15.

Missouri lawyers will receive an email from the Office of the State Courts Administrator containing an electronic ballot to vote in the contested seats on the Board of Governors. Missouri Bar members are eligible to vote in the election based upon the current Board of Governors voting district that is on file for a member. The voting district is where the lawyer is employed or maintains their principal office.

YLS members will receive an email on July 20 from The Missouri Bar containing an electronic ballot to vote in the contested seats for YLS Council.

What do the Board of Governors and YLS Council do?

Serving on the Board of Governors and YLS Council are unique ways to get directly involved in the policy-making decisions of The Missouri Bar.

The Board of Governors is a 45-member elected group of lawyers who represent the members in their districts. The board helps shape strategies to fulfill the bar’s goals of improving the profession, the law, and the administration of justice on behalf of all Missourians. 

The YLS Council is composed of approximately 35 young lawyers elected to serve their respective districts. Council members help enhance the professional growth and public service of lawyers 35 years old and younger and/or who have been practicing for five years or less. 

What are the vacancies?

There are 22 upcoming vacancies on the Board of Governors. Vacancies include districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15, as well as the Southern and Western Districts. Find your board district here. 

There are 18 upcoming vacancies on the YLS Council. Vacancies include districts 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12, as well as the diversity seats for the Southern and Western appellate districts. Click here to find your YLS district.

What do the Board of Governors and YLS Council do?

Serving on the Board of Governors and YLS Council are unique ways to get directly involved in the policy-making decisions of The Missouri Bar.

The Board of Governors is a 45-member elected group of lawyers who represent the members in their districts. The board helps shape strategies to fulfill the bar’s goals of improving the profession, the law, and the administration of justice on behalf of all Missourians. 

The YLS Council is composed of approximately 35 young lawyers elected to serve their respective districts. Council members help enhance the professional growth and public service of lawyers 35 years old and younger and/or who have been practicing for five years or less. 

What are the vacancies?

There are 22 upcoming vacancies on the Board of Governors. Vacancies include districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15, as well as the Southern and Western Districts. Find your board district here. 

There are 18 upcoming vacancies on the YLS Council. Vacancies include districts 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12, as well as the diversity seats for the Southern and Western appellate districts. Click here to find your YLS district.

How do I complete a petition? 

Nomination petitions for Board of Governors and YLS Council vacancies are due by June 20.

Click here to download a nomination petition for Board of Governors and review the instructions for gathering signatures and submitting a completed petition.

For YLS Council, click here to download a nomination petition and review the instructions for gathering signatures and submitting a completed petition.

When and how do I vote? 

Voting runs from July 20 through Aug. 15.

Missouri lawyers will receive an email from the Office of the State Courts Administrator containing an electronic ballot to vote in the board of Governors election. Missouri Bar members are eligible to vote in the election based upon the current Board of Governors voting district that is on file for a member. The voting district is where the lawyer is employed or maintains their principal office.

YLS members will receive an email on July 20 from The Missouri Bar containing an electronic ballot to vote in the contested elections for YLS Council.

Why do you think Leadership Academy is a valuable opportunity for lawyers? 

During my time with Leadership Academy, I learned about the rich heritage of Missouri lawyers and their example of leadership, not just with the bar, but in their local communities and around the world. I was inspired to give back to the profession that was giving me the opportunity to make a difference for my family and my community.

What are some lessons you learned from being part of Leadership Academy? 

The importance of generosity in terms of time, talent, and finances. So many fabulous lawyers – like Dana Tippin Cutler, Doreen Dodson, and Maurice Graham – were generous with their talent, showing us how to handle difficult situations with grace and understanding. I was reminded that differences of opinion were a good thing, so long as the discussion was focused upon solving a problem and not putting down another.

How do you think the lessons and skills you learned from Leadership Academy have translated to your leadership roles and career since? 

Leadership Academy taught me to be more inclusive as a leader, making sure that everyone on the team felt valuable and that their opinion mattered. I’ve used this skill at work, with Missouri Bar committees, and with committee work at church. There is great value in a simple phone call, text, or handwritten note of encouragement and gratitude.

What would you say to encourage lawyers to apply for Leadership Academy? 

Give it a try. There are very few opportunities in life as rewarding as the Leadership Academy. The skills learned transfer to every part of the legal profession and of life. Who doesn’t want to be a better lawyer and person?

Why do you think it’s important for lawyers to get involved in their state and/or local bars? 

The legal profession is stronger when there are more involved. Geographical diversity is as important as racial and gender diversity. There are fantastic lawyers in rural Missouri who have a lot to contribute, both locally and statewide. The local bars and The Missouri Bar provide a great opportunity to become a bigger part of the profession.

Editor’s note: These responses have been edited for clarity and brevity. Do you know someone who should be featured in Meet #MOLawyers? Let us know by emailing nhillen@mobar.org.

The board – which is comprised of Missouri lawyers elected by their peers to represent their respective geographical areas – will discuss a range of matters, including financial updates, new committee and commission appointments, government relations, and the client security fund. 

The meeting will also include updates on Missouri Legal Aid Programs funded by Legal Services Corporation, along with information about expanded remote public access to legal documents, The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section activities, and Board Assessment Committee decisions.  

Finally, Board of Governors’ officers will report on their recent actions in representing the bar at the local, state, and national level, as well as their participation in various bar activities. 

The Missouri Bar's Board of Governors meet several times a year to conduct the business of The Missouri Bar and keep abreast of issues. See past meeting minutes, as well as future meeting dates, here.  

The board, which is comprised of Missouri lawyers elected by their peers to represent their respective geographical areas, will discuss a range of matters, including financial updates, review and approval of the 2023 operating budget, and new committee and commission appointments. The Board of Governors’ officers will report on their recent actions in representing the bar at the local, state, and national level as well as their participation in various bar activities.

The meeting will include presentations about the Judicial Performance Review Committee’s work and ongoing efforts to educate Missouri lawyers and the public about expanded remote public access to court documents, which will be implemented July 1, 2023. Missouri Bar General Counsel and Government Relations Director Eric Jennings will present a 2022 post-election report, as well as preview the 2023 legislative session. The board will also consider bar-initiated legislative proposals. MCLE Director Shannon Briesacher will discuss the Client Security Fund and present recommendations which will conclude action on fund claims processed in 2022. 

See the agenda for the meeting at MoBar.org.  

The meeting, which will take place at The Missouri Bar Center, will be followed by a Lawyers as Leaders luncheon at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, featuring remarks from Judge Robin Ransom, of the Supreme Court of Missouri.

This summer, Missouri lawyers, voting in districts throughout the state, elected four new members – Bryan Sanger, Michael L. Miller, Hon. Corey Moon, and Mark J. Welker – to the 45-member Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar. Collins was appointed to fill a District 9 vacancy from earlier this year.

Board members are elected to serve two-year terms, which begin with the bar’s Annual Meeting in late September. 

Here, Collins shares what she hopes to accomplish while serving on the board.

What made you interested in joining the Board of Governors?

I served on The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section from 2015 until this year. I wanted to continue my service with the bar and was fortunate that there was an open vacancy at the same time I was aging off of YLS.

What part of being on the board are you most excited about?

I am most excited continuing the work I started while on YLS. I am eager to get to work.

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know?

I want the lawyers that I represent to know that I am here for them! If there is anything that they are concerned about regarding the practice of law or related to bar activities, they should always feel free to contact me.

What do you enjoy most about The Missouri Bar?

I most enjoy meeting and networking with lawyers from all over the state. I have made some invaluable connections being active with The Missouri Bar, and I am forever grateful for that.

This summer, Missouri lawyers, voting in districts throughout the state, elected four new members – Sanger, Michael L. Miller, Hon. Corey Moon, and Mark J. Welker– to the 45-member Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar. Board members are elected to serve two-year terms, which begin with the bar’s Annual Meeting in late September. 

Here, Sanger shares what he hopes to accomplish while serving on the board.

What made you interested in joining the Board of Governors?

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe that we have an opportunity as a profession to learn from the accommodations and changes to the practice of law due to COVID-19 restrictions. Implementing some of these changes permanently will increase the quality of life of lawyers, and I believe it’s important that we not miss this opportunity. I hope that I am able to advocate for changes that make the practice of law more efficient and more enjoyable.

What part of being on the board are you most excited about?

I am most excited about meeting members from across the state and making new friendships.

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know?

I want them to know that I will advocate and support changes that make the practice of law more equitable, effective, efficient, and enjoyable. Quality of life for Missouri lawyers will be top of mind with me.

What do you enjoy most about The Missouri Bar?

Speaking from my prior experience as a member of The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers Section, I very much enjoy the relationships and time spent with lawyers from across the state. Learning perspectives from lawyers with different backgrounds and locations is informative, and I believe that helps me be a better leader.

This summer, Missouri lawyers, voting in districts throughout the state, elected four new members – Welker, Michael L. Miller, Hon. Corey Moon, and Bryan Sanger – to the 45-member Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar. Board members are elected to serve two-year terms, which begin with the bar’s Annual Meeting in late September. 

Here, Welker, of Cape Girardeau, shares what he hopes to accomplish while serving on the board.

What made you interested in joining the Board of Governors?

I spent four years serving on the Young Lawyers Section Council of The Missouri Bar. During that time, I was able to observe the impact that The Missouri Bar has on not only lawyers, but also the community. Because of that experience, I wanted to continue to serve in a bigger role and seek a spot on the Board of Governors. 

What part of being on the board are you most excited about?

I am excited about the opportunity to effect change in the profession. The Missouri Bar’s history is full of great people accomplishing great feats, and to be one of the few to get serve on the governing board of The Missouri Bar is what excites me the most. 

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know?

I am currently serving as the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney, a position that I have held for four years. Prior to being elected prosecutor, I was in general practice. My experiences allow me to serve all the constituents of my district and not just one specific area of the practice of law. 

What do you enjoy most about The Missouri Bar?

I enjoy working with lawyers from all over the state and different areas of law that I ordinarily would not have the opportunity to work with in my daily work life. 

This summer, Missouri lawyers, voting in districts throughout the state, elected four new members – Moon, Michael L. Miller, Mark J. Welker, and Bryan Sanger – to the 45-member Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar. Board members are elected to serve two-year terms, which begin with the bar’s Annual Meeting in late September. 

Here, Moon, of Monticello, shares what he hopes to accomplish while serving on the board.

What made you interested in joining the Board of Governors?

One of the most fun experiences I had as a lawyer was representing my district on The Missouri Bar's Young Lawyers Section Council. When I went off the council in 2021, I knew I still wanted to be involved in bar activities. Joining the Board of Governors became a possibility, and I knew it would be a good fit for me with my prior YLS Council service. I strongly believe in serving in my profession and trying to make it better. Serving on the Board of Governors gives me the opportunity to do just that.

What part of being on the board are you most excited about?

I am most excited about interacting with my colleagues from around the state on a more regular basis. It is truly a great group of folks who are working hard for our profession and all lawyers across Missouri. I'm also excited to be able to represent and advocate for the rural areas, who are in desperate need of lawyers.

What do you want the lawyers you represent to know?

The lawyers I represent should know that I truly care about the profession, about them, and about the issues they face as practitioners. I may not know what all of those issues are right now, but my door is always open. I'm here to listen at any time. I'm here to advocate for them.

What do you enjoy most about The Missouri Bar?

I think what I enjoy most about The Missouri Bar is the sense of camaraderie surrounding it. There is a real feeling of being part of a team. We have a tough profession that is mentally and emotionally demanding, but being part of the team allows me to get an inside view of how The Missouri Bar is helping improve lawyer well-being. I also love the encouragement and resources The Missouri Bar provides in helping me do my job as a judge to educate the public on our court system and its history through the Citizenship Education Program.