Each event is worth 2.4 MCLE, 2.4 Ethics, and 2.4 Bias credits. Attendees must stay for the panel discussion to receive CLE credit.  

Columbia  

The Columbia event will be held Oct. 1 at the University of Missouri School of Law. There will be a reception at 5:15 p.m. The film will begin at 6 p.m. with the panel discussion following at 7 p.m. 

Panelists are University of Missouri professors Mike Jirik, S. David Mitchell, and Marcus Nevius. The panel also includes Joel Rhodes executive director of the State Historical Society of Missouri. 

Register today! 

St. Louis  

The St. Louis event will be held Oct. 8 at the Saint Louis University School of Law. There will be a reception at 5:15 p.m. The film will begin at 6 p.m. with the panel discussion following at 7 p.m. 

Panelists are Portia Britt, YLS Council member and American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division liaison; Lauren Collins, Missouri Bar Board of Governors member; Twinette Johnson, Saint Louis University School of Law dean; and Trez Quinn, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis immediate past president. 

Register today!  

About “The Milly Project” 

“The Milly Project” tells the story of an enslaved woman named Milly Sawyers who fought for and won her freedom in Springfield before the Civil War.  

The film adaptation of the original play is written and directed by Kendra Chappell and details the challenges and victories of Sawyers, as taken from handwritten court manuscripts only recently uncovered by local archivists. It has blossomed into a nationally recognized production, winning Best Screenplay and Best Social Justice Film at the New York International Film Festival in 2021.  

Click here to view a trailer of the film.  

Now a DWI and criminal defense lawyer and founder of Benjamin Law Firm in Belton, she wants to help other lawyers feel empowered and have the education they need to succeed.

Benjamin has been attending The Missouri Bar Bernard Edelman DWI Law & Science Seminar since the 2000s. She’s a member of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers board, and this year she was involved in planning the DWI seminar.

“… I always want lawyers to come here to learn how to win a DWI, to not feel so defeated, to have some hope,” Benjamin said.

The in-person and virtual seminar, July 23-24 in Lake Ozark, provided attendees with the opportunity to learn advanced techniques and the science behind DWI law.

Presented by The Missouri Bar and MACDL, this year’s seminar had topics covering jury selection, ethical issues surrounding AI, breath testing basics, blood test issues, THC-related DUI cases, and more. The seminar also had a basics/bootcamp track for lawyers and paralegals.

What’s unique about the seminar, Benjamin said, is that it focuses not only on law, but science, helping lawyers be more familiar with blood and breath testing.

In addition to gaining practical insights, Benjamin said attendees can also form new connections.

“Don’t be afraid to come and meet people, talk to people, find other people who do this, find mentors,” Benjamin said. “Everybody who has experience loves sharing their experience and teaching other lawyers, so come here to find those people.”

Attendee Tim Cisar, a lawyer with the Law Office of Cisar & Spier, has been involved in MACDL since about 1992. He’s been coming to the DWI seminar since about the time it started.

Cisar said the seminar provides a good opportunity to recharge and learn from other lawyers.

“It teaches me stuff every year,” Cisar said. “My rule of thumb is to learn one thing at a seminar, and I’ve learned four things I’ll be bringing away already.”

Speaker Michael Reid, a lawyer with M. Reid Legal Solutions, said he first came to the conference 27 years ago. His legal mentors took him under their wings and said the only thing they asked of him was to give back.

“And that's why I always say, ‘If anybody here has a question, or you want something I've got, reach out to me ...” Reid said. “That's our obligation, because if we're not helping, we’re hurting.”

Save the date for next year: July 22-23, 2027.

View photos from this year’s seminar here.

Attendees can meet industry professionals and connect with other lawyers and judges while learning about topics covering:

• Generational differences
• Effective trial preparation and advocacy
• Ethical AI usage
• Family pets
• Mediation tips and new standards
• Custody and guardianship
• Interviews involving children
• Orders of protection

Along with the numerous breakout sessions and plenaries, the Family Law Conference will include two judicial panels, a mental health panel, and four specialized tracks — Guardian Ad Litem, basics, paralegal, and business management.

Lawyers can earn 16.2 MCLE, 1.0 Ethics, 1.0 Bias, and 9.0 GAL credit at the conference.

Click here to register, view the agenda, and book a hotel room for the conference.

Secure your spot by July 19 to save $55 on your standard or virtual pass. Discounted passes are also available for law students, paralegals, legal aid lawyers, and public defenders and prosecutors. View registration details here.

Visit MoBarCLE.org for more information about upcoming Missouri Bar conferences and CLE programs.

Set July 23-24, and taking place virtually or in person in Lake Ozark, the Bernard Edelman DWI Law & Science Seminar is Missouri’s premier DWI conference, offering lawyers the opportunity to learn how to even better serve their clients in DWI cases from local and national lawyers. The seminar also offers a bootcamp covering the basics of DWI law for lawyers and paralegals throughout the second day of the conference.

CLE sessions will address steps for a reliable breath test, DREs and how to question them, considerations for THC-related DUI cases, and more. Participants can earn up to 16.5 MCLE and 2.0 Ethics credits. The conference is hosted by MoBarCLE and the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Types of passes

Standard: Standard passes cost $400 for MACDL members and $440 for non-MACDL members.

With standard passes, lawyers can:

• Attend CLE sessions, panel discussions, and plenaries.
• Receive breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday.
• Access program recordings for one year.

The following individuals can receive in-person passes for $230:

• Law students
• Paralegals
• Legal aid lawyers and paralegals
• State public defenders
• Prosecutors
• Those with Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services

Virtual: MACDL members can receive virtual passes for $345. Non-MACDL members can receive virtual passes for $400.

With virtual passes, lawyers can watch CLE sessions, panel discussions, and plenaries, and can access program recordings for one year (available approximately one month after the conference).

DWI bootcamp: For just $155, lawyers and paralegals can purchase in-person or virtual passes solely for Friday’s programs. With the in-person and virtual bootcamp passes, individuals can view Friday’s basics/bootcamp sessions and the closing plenary session, as well as have access to program recordings for one year. Those with in-person bootcamp passes will also receive breakfast and lunch on Friday.

Click here to view the complete agenda and register for an in-person or virtual pass.

“It’s a great place,” Valentine said of MOSOLO. “You see a lot of people you know, you get all your CLEs in, and it’s just really convenient.”

Hundreds of Missouri lawyers gathered June 11-13 in Lake of the Ozarks to attend the 30th anniversary of the Missouri Solo & Small Firm Conference, where they could network with other solo and small firm lawyers and learn practical skills during timely CLE sessions covering AI, ethics, well-being, and more.

Last year, lawyer Cory Garr took over a practice based in Versailles. While he’s previously attended MOSOLO virtually, he came in person this year to meet and connect with other solo and small firm lawyers.

“There’s a lot of good sessions … the conference offers, but I also know that there’s a lot of valuable information you can learn in talking to other similarly situated practitioners, particularly people who have been doing it a while,” Garr said.

Jefferson City lawyer Tanya K. Alm recently transitioned from government practice to private practice and said the timing of MOSOLO was perfect. At the conference, she completed her MCLE credits and learned from the “Starting a law practice bootcamp” sessions, which covered everything from social media and trust accounting to common issues in civil hearings.

“People have been friendly,” Alm said. “I’ve met a lot of people; it’s been a good opportunity.”

If you missed this year’s in-person MOSOLO conference, you can still watch the sessions through the virtual MOSOLO conference June 24-26. Register here.

Genna Tlustos is the assistant editor of the Journal of The Missouri Bar.

For 30 years, The Missouri Bar Solo & Small Firm Conference has brought together lawyers from across the state to learn new skills, make connections, and receive important legal updates. 

After the second MOSOLO Small Firm Conference, an article from the July 1997 “Missouri Bar Bulletin” stated that there was “anticipation in the air on June 5, 6, and 7 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at the Lake of the Ozarks. Was it really possible to duplicate the success of last year’s Missouri Bar Solo and Small Firm Conference?” 

The answer that year, and every year since, has been a resounding “yes.” Each summer, hundreds of Missouri lawyers have returned or come for the first time to experience what MOSOLO has to offer. 

This year’s MOSOLO Small Firm Conference is June 11-13 at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach, and a virtual option will be held June 24-26. At just one conference, Missouri lawyers can fulfill all 15 MCLE hours for the reporting year. This year, attendees are participating in a workshop that will enhance their observation, perception, and communication skills, along with sessions about expungement, preservation, voir dire, and more. 

“Most CLEs for this many hours are far more expensive, and they don’t include networking, mentorship, or the opportunity to attend classes in shorts,” said Cassie Bugalski, chair of the Solo and Small Firm Committee. 

The 30th anniversary and the number of attendees each year show how important solo and small firms are to the legal profession, said Bugalski, managing member at Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, LLC in Moberly and Columbia. In rural areas, solo and small firms are essential in providing communities with legal services.

Some lawyers have come since MOSOLO’s inception in 1996 and are now bringing their associates, children, and other young lawyers, she said. 

“The legacy of mentorship created by this conference has proven to be invaluable,” Bugalski said. 

David Macoubrie, a Chillicothe lawyer with Cleaveland, Macoubrie and Cox, LLC, said he was on the planning committee of the first MOSOLO Conference in 1996. He enjoys the camaraderie of Missouri Bar conferences and said that getting involved in the bar helps you become a better lawyer and positively influence others. 

“I think we owe it to ourselves and to other lawyers to get involved, and you’ll be surprised, you might be able to contribute something,” Macoubrie said. “… Everywhere I go, I learn something. And also, I probably teach something at the same time.” 

These conferences can help lawyers discover that they are not the first to have experienced a particular situation or issue. They can discuss how they approached those problems with other lawyers, he said.

For Bugalski, networking at MOSOLO has bettered her and her law firm. 

“Being able to tell a client that you don’t practice in an area when they need help can be frustrating, but because of (MOSOLO), I can say, ‘But I know someone who will take care of you. Let’s give them a call,’” said Bugalski, who has attended the conference for eight years. “To see their faces soften and their load lighten because you’re able to continue to take care of them with referrals to good people with the same client care is pretty powerful.” 

Bugalski said she comes back to MOSOLO each year to continue interacting with lawyers who have the common goal of treating clients with the utmost dignity and respect while making their businesses the best they can be, in the good times and the tough times. 

This year, Bugalski said she hopes participants see the value of personal interactions and connections, expanding their knowledge together while having some relaxation and fun. 

Register for the in-person or virtual MOSOLO Small Firm Conference at MoBarCLE.org. 

Scroll through the carousel at the top of this page to view MOSOLO photos from the last 30 years!

The plenaries at this year’s MOSOLO Small Firm Conference, June 11-13 in Osage Beach and June 24-26 virtually, will teach you how to enhance these skills so you can even better serve your clients.

Plenary one: “The art of perception: See what matters”

Amy Herman, a lawyer and art historian, uses works of art to help others sharpen their observation, analysis, and communication skills. She leads sessions for a variety of organizations including the FBI, Fortune 500 companies, and the military. She has also written three books.

In her highly participatory workshop, lawyers will revisit the application of their perception skills and their ability to communicate concisely and effectively in a variety of legal contexts.

Participants will refresh their vision of existing resources to encourage creative problem-solving, reconsider the role of precise communication in messaging, vision, and strategy, refresh their sense of critical inquiry, and incorporate multiple perspectives in critical decision-making to broaden their vision and overcome cognitive bias.

Plenary two: "Communication breakdown - It's always the same (But it's avoidable)"

The second MOSOLO plenary, presented by Barron Henley, will cover communication breakdowns and how to avoid them.

A high percentage of malpractice practice claims and practice management problems are caused by communication breakdowns. These communication problems can create dissatisfied clients, decrease productivity, and cause conflict.

Henley, a lawyer and founding partner of Affinity Consulting Group, will explain technologies and techniques lawyers can use to improve communication, lower stress, improve service, generate happier clients, and lower malpractice risk.

Affinity Consulting group is a legal technology consulting firm focusing on automating and streamlining law firms and legal departments. Henley teaches classes for law firms, legal departments, and CLE providers throughout the U.S. and Canada covering a wide variety of topics related to law practice management, legal tech, and ethics. 

Register for MOSOLO

In addition to the plenaries, the MOSOLO breakout sessions will focus on a variety of topics solo and small firm lawyers need to know, including ethical AI use, how to execute a voir dire strategy, and more. Networking events and dinners will provide many opportunities to make new connections.

Attendees will be able to earn up to 15.4 MCLE credits, including 7 Ethics, 3 Elimination of Bias, and 3 GAL credits at the conference.

Register now to save your spot at MOSOLO! Unable to attend in person? Register for the virtual option June 24-26.

The film begins at 2 p.m., with the panel discussion immediately following at 3 p.m.  

The event is worth 2.4 MCLE, 2.4 ethics, and 2.4 elimination of bias credits. 

Attendees must stay for the panel discussion to receive CLE credit.  

Click here to register today! 

What is “The Milly Project”? 

“The Milly Project” tells the story of an enslaved woman named Milly Sawyers who fought for and won her freedom in Springfield before the Civil War.  

It was inspired by the 2017 discoveries of a local archivist, who unearthed handwritten court documents and manuscripts from the 1830s. Originally written as a play by teacher Kendra Chappell and her high school students, it has blossomed into a nationally recognized production.  

It was adapted into a film in 2021 that was nominated for three awards at the New York International Film Festival, including Best Screenplay (winner), Best Social Justice Film (winner), and Best Acting Ensemble.  

Click here to view a trailer of the film.  

CLE sessions span a range of practice areas, from probate and technology/innovation to elder and juvenile law, all to help you even better serve your clients and communities. They will offer timely and informative conversations including, but not limited to:

• AI impact on local government, intellectual property, and workers’ compensation practices
• Tips for successfully negotiating what you want
• Opioid disorder in senior lawyers

Committees will meet throughout each day, and lawyers can sign up for one or multiple meetings. There is no cost to register for the meetings, and committee membership is encouraged but not required.

View the full schedule and register here. Learn more and register for Spring Committee here.

Genna Tlustos is the assistant editor of the Journal of The Missouri Bar.

For 30 years, The Missouri Bar Solo & Small Firm Conference has brought together lawyers from across the state to learn new skills, make connections, and receive important legal updates.

After the second MOSOLO Small Firm Conference, an article from the July 1997 Missouri Bar Bulletin stated that there was “anticipation in the air on June 5, 6, and 7 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at the Lake of the Ozarks. Was it really possible to duplicate the success of last year’s Missouri Bar Solo and Small Firm Conference?”

The answer that year, and every year since, has been a resounding “yes.” Each summer, hundreds of Missouri lawyers have returned or come for the first time to experience what MOSOLO has to offer.

This year’s MOSOLO Small Firm Conference will be June 11-13 at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach. Registration is now open, and you can save $50 on a standard pass if you register by May 12.

At just one conference, Missouri lawyers can fulfill all 15 MCLE hours for the reporting year. This year, attendees will participate in a workshop that will enhance their observation, perception, and communication skills, along with sessions about expungement, preservation, voir dire, and more. See the full agenda here.

“Most CLEs for this many hours are far more expensive, and they don’t include networking, mentorship, or the opportunity to attend classes in shorts,” said Cassie Bugalski, this year’s chair of the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee.

The 30th anniversary and the number of attendees each year show how important small firms are to the legal profession, said Bugalski, managing member at Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, LLC in Moberly and Columbia. In rural areas, small firms are essential in providing communities with legal services. Some lawyers have come since MOSOLO’s inception in 1996 and are now bringing their associates, children, and other young lawyers, she said.

“The legacy of mentorship created by this conference has proven to be invaluable,” Bugalski said.

David Macoubrie, a Chillicothe lawyer with Cleaveland, Macoubrie and Cox, LLC, said he was on the planning committee of the first MOSOLO Conference. He enjoys the camaraderie of Missouri Bar conferences and said that getting involved in the bar betters both you and other lawyers.

“I think we owe it to ourselves and to other lawyers to get involved, and you’ll be surprised, you might be able to contribute something,” Macoubrie said. “… Everywhere I go, I learn something. And also, I probably teach something at the same time.”

These conferences can help lawyers discover that they are not the first to have experienced a particular situation or issue. They can discuss how they approached those problems with other lawyers, he said.

For Bugalski, networking at MOSOLO has bettered her and her law firm.

“Being able to tell a client that you don’t practice in an area when they need help can be frustrating, but because of (MOSOLO), I can say, ‘But I know someone who will take care of you. Let’s give them a call,’” said Bugalski, who has attended the conference for eight years. “To see their faces soften and their load lighten because you’re able to continue to take care of them with referrals to good people with the same client care is pretty powerful.”

Bugalski said she comes back to MOSOLO each year to continue interacting with lawyers who have the common goal of treating clients with the utmost dignity and respect while making their businesses the best they can be, in the good times and the tough times.

This year, Bugalski said she hopes participants can see the value of personal interactions and connections, expanding their knowledge together while having some relaxation and fun.

“Our focus this year of in-person interactions and overall wellness within the profession makes (MOSOLO) a great fit for those of us that want something more than just CLE from a conference,” Bugalski said.

Join your colleagues and register now for MOSOLO!

The conference will be rebroadcasted virtually noon-3:54 p.m. Feb. 4 and April 3. 

Registration costs $50, and the program will be eligible for 4 MCLE, 4 Ethics, and 1 Elimination of Bias credits. Learn more and register at MoBarCLE.MoBar.org.

The conference will address relevant well-being topics, and attendees will learn tips that can help them even better serve their clients.

Presentations include:

— “The practicalities and ethics of balance, bias, and boundaries,” by Laurel Stevenson, director of the Mediation and Assessment Program, U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri, Kansas City

— Better late than never: Embracing late-stage mental health diagnoses as an attorney, by Karly D. Weigel, Flynn Group, Overland Park, Kansas

— The impact of secondary trauma, by Loretta Oleksy and Jill Carnell, Thought Kitchen LLC, Indiana

— “Commercialized gambling: An overlooked behavioral addiction affecting lawyers and their clients,” by Michael K. Fagan, Washington University School of Law, St. Louis

MOLAP Director Stacy Parmer will moderate the rebroadcast and be available online to answer participants’ questions in the chat.

MOLAP strives to reduce the stigma surrounding substance misuse and mental health, because The Missouri Bar believes that everyone deserves easy access to the support they need. Even successful lawyers need assistance at times. Missouri lawyers should feel empowered to ask for help without the fear of judgment or repercussion.

MOLAP services include: 

— Counseling. All Missouri Bar members have access to services by calling 1-800-688-7859. MOLAP also makes referrals to professional resources as indicated.

— Crisis intervention. MOLAP coordinates crisis intervention services for individuals and law firms.

— Education and prevention. MOLAP offers educational programs and articles on topics such as substance use, stress, depression, and quality of life.

— Substance misuse support. Get connected immediately to a clinically trained substance use clinician, quick access to peer volunteers recovering from substance misuse, and individualized recovery plans.  

Visit MoBar.org/MOLAP for more information.

There will be 28 sessions to choose from, spanning a range of practice areas from elder law to intellectual property and biotech law, all to help you even better serve your clients and communities. Committees will meet throughout each day, and lawyers can sign up for one or multiple meetings. Many of the committees will also offer CLEs.

There is no cost to register for the meetings. Committee membership is encouraged but not required.

The CLEs will offer timely and informative conversations about a variety of topics. Sessions include:

— The modern lawyer: AI and the changing practice of law
— An overview of the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act
— The evolving official immunity doctrine
— Representing vulnerable victims

View the full schedule here. Learn more and register for Fall Committee Meetings here.

“It’s been a good mix of CLEs,” said Smith, who is going into her second year of practice.

Smith was one of 203 legal professionals who attended this year’s Family Law Conference Aug. 14-16 in Branson. Ninety-one legal professionals attended online.

Nearly 60 speakers presented CLE sessions on a variety of topics, including custody modifications, business valuations, artificial intelligence, and more. The conference also featured a Guardian Ad Litem track and a paralegal track.

Attendees had the opportunity to earn up to 16.3 hours of MCLE credit, including 7.0 Ethics, 2.5 Elimination of Bias, and 10.5 GAL.

Kansas City lawyer David Lee Wells said he was most looking forward to the sessions about AI. He has attended the Family Law Conference since it began 25 years ago and enjoys the new perspectives he gains.

“The Missouri Bar is working so hard to modernize the practice of law, and I really appreciate that,” Wells said.

Smith said she particularly enjoyed the judicial panels and hearing the judges’ perspectives, particularly since they come from different areas of the state.

There were three judicial panels, one about evidentiary issues, one about resist/refuse dynamics, and the last about golden year divorces.

Allison Gerli has been practicing family law for 12 years. She has come to the Family Law Conference the last 12 years, except when it was canceled due to the pandemic. The conference provides members of her firm the opportunity to slow down and consider how they can improve their practice, she said.

Molly Wilson, Springfield lawyer and chair of the Family Law Conference planning committee, said her favorite part of this year’s conference was listening to her colleagues from throughout the state present on relevant topics.

“It was a good reminder of how educated and dedicated our family law professionals are, and how committed they are to staying on the cutting edge of developments in our field,” Wilson said. “My hope is every participant left with a sense of encouragement, fresh ideas, and the momentum to carry that energy back into their daily work on behalf of children and families.”

Wells said he enjoys reconnecting with other legal professionals he hasn’t seen in a while.

His mentor used to tell him that a conference was a success if you learn one new thing.

“And that’s very true,” Wells said. “And so, I always learn more than one thing at this (conference), because they get so many of the folks from all over the state who can interject a new thought about the way we do things.”

Along with CLE and networking opportunities, attendees connected with more than 15 sponsors offering services including insurance, legal intelligence platforms, retirement plans, and alcohol monitoring.

View photos of the 2025 Family Law Conference here.

July 24-25, over 120 attendees gathered at the 2025 DWI Seminar in Lake Ozark to gain critical updates and strategies on DWI law.

Attendees had the opportunity to hear from 18 presenters on topics like suppressing chemical testing measurements in DUI cases, law on DWI by THC, biological impact from substance use, the role of artificial intelligence in the legal field, and more. A specialized bootcamp on the last day offered tailored sessions for those looking to expand their knowledge and skill set in DWI law.

One of the most-attended sessions featured Missouri Court of Appeals-Western District oral arguments with Hon. Gary D. Witt, chief judge, presiding; Hon. Thomas N. Chapman, judge; and Hon. Zel Fischer, special judge. The court of appeals session included three oral arguments on DWI topics, including expungement, high BAC levels, and THC use. The session allowed attendees to see firsthand the dynamics of appellate advocacy in action and how DWI cases are argued at the appellate level.

Attendees networked over lunch before hearing national speakers discuss the benefits and implications of AI and the biology of chronic stress in the legal profession.

Chris A. Stiegemeyer, with The Bar Plan Mutual Insurance Company, explained that generative AI can be of great assistance to legal work by providing support in research, drafting, summarizing evidence, helping with argument preparation, and more. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of implementing AI in the profession to shape legal efficiency and help develop future practitioners, all while being aware of the implications and risks of using AI.

Erin McClernon of Ogletree Deakins delved into the biology of chronic stress, sharing eye-opening statistics about the well-being of legal professionals. With many lawyers facing high-pressure workloads and demanding environments, some struggle to manage resulting stress. McClernon introduced a three-step process to mitigate the impacts of chronic stress and offered strategies to regulate negative emotions, encouraging attendees to thrive in their practices.

A major benefit of attending the DWI Seminar was the opportunity to connect in person with 10 sponsors and exhibitors with innovative tools to enhance law firm operations. Attendees networked directly with industry leaders in technology security, compliance solutions, legal services/consulting, accounting, case management, and insurance. These face-to-face interactions fostered meaningful discussions, enabling attendees to explore tailored technologies, build relationships, and gain insights to streamline their DWI practices.

Sponsors and exhibitors at the seminar included:

• Travis Noble PC
• LifeSafer Ignition Interlock
• Eastern Missouri Alternative Sentencing Services
• Intoxalock Ignition Interlock
• RoadGuard Interlock
• Smart Start
• Pearl Insurance
• REJIS – MoBar Net
• Legalfit
• Spectrum Accounting

The conference concluded with a specialized DWI bootcamp designed for teams of lawyers and paralegals to understand the basics of DWI law. The bootcamp covered essentials like case management, Department of Revenue hearings, and legal issue spotting. Teams had the opportunity to develop practical tools, such as client questionnaires and driving record analyses, to enhance case preparation and client advocacy.

Seminar programs qualified for up to 16.5 MCLE credits, including 2.0 Ethics.

Missed the in-person event? A virtual option is available Aug. 25-28! Earn up to 13.9 MCLE, including 2.0 Ethics) and learn from professionals in the comfort of your home or office. Learn more at MoBarCLE.org.

View photos of the 2025 DWI Seminar here.

The two plenaries, organized by the Annual Meeting planning committee, include:

The Darryl Burton story: lessons for lawyers & judges

Explore the intricacies, strengths, and weaknesses of the legal system through the story of Darryl Burton, an innocent man who was wrongfully convicted of a murder and spent 24 years in a Missouri prison before being exonerated. Hon. Richard Callahan, who oversaw Burton’s exoneration case, will also provide insights, and lawyer Liz Ramsey McIntosh will moderate the panel. After the plenary, lawyers will have a chance to speak with Burton.

Law in flux: navigating 2025’s legal and judicial crosswinds

Panelists Hon. David Dolan, 2024-2025 American Bar Association President Bill Bay, Professor Steve Leben, and lawyer Jenifer Placzek will address the impact on Missouri lawyers’ practices following 2025’s expansive, rapid changes to federal and state laws and agencies, as well as challenges to the independent judiciary and the ability to represent clients without repercussions. Dana Tippin Cutler will moderate the panel.

Annual Meeting will also feature four track sessions – business, family law, litigation, and probate – that will highlight timely and relevant educational programs designed to make a difference in lawyers’ practices.

There will be a YLS Series with three sessions developed by the Young Lawyers’ Section that are relevant to new and seasoned lawyers alike and an Ethics Series featuring two sessions that will give lawyers a chance to hear from Missouri’s chief disciplinary counsel and legal ethics counsel.

Click here for the full schedule of events.

Presented by MoBarCLE and the Family Law Committee, the conference will be held in Branson and virtually Aug. 14-16. Along with the numerous breakout sessions and plenaries, the Family Law Conference will highlight three judicial panels and two specialized tracks – Guardian Ad Litem and paralegal.

Click here to register, view the agenda, and book a hotel room for the conference.

Pass breakdown:

• $455 - Standard pass
• $400 - Virtual pass
• $230 - In-person law student/paralegal/Legal Aid
• $230 - Virtual law student/paralegal/Legal Aid

Plenaries

• Plenary 1 - Family law then and now: Intergenerational perspectives (qualifies for 1.5 ethics and 1.5 elimination of bias credit)
• Plenary 2 - Popcorn plenary (qualifies for 1.5 ethics credit)
• Plenary 3 - GAL track | Minimizing bias and premature closure: A rubric for the evaluation and adjudication of resist refuse dynamics (qualifies for 1.0 GAL credit)

Visit MoBarCLE.MoBar.org for more information about upcoming Missouri Bar conferences and CLE programs.

The distinguished faculty featured nine lawyers with practices spanning a range of civil and criminal issues, covering many aspects of trials, from motions to closing statements.  

“Very helpful for first-year lawyers still learning the ins and outs of trial,” one participant said. 

The Trial Skills Workshop is not just for young lawyers; it covers information that is helpful for all lawyers.  

“I am an older lawyer who wanted to brush up on jury trial skills, and this program was well balanced and hit on the important aspects of jury trial,” one participant said. 

If you missed the program, you can register for the rebroadcast on Sep. 4 here.  

In addition to the annual Trial Skills Workshop, YLS produces monthly hour-long programs as part of the Accelerator Series. Register for these upcoming programs: 

- July 2 – Record, post, win!: A fool-proof guide to social media networking success for your law firm 

- July 30 – Rules of evidence in action 

- Aug. 6 – I beg your pardon… Difficult opposing counsel and the duty to report 

- Aug. 21 – You’ve set up shop… now what?

Graves, a solo lawyer at Graves Law Office in Springfield, Illinois, said the convenience of completing all his continuing legal education credits for Illinois and Missouri at one conference keeps him coming back.

While Graves’ practice is focused on nursing home abuse and neglect, he said he enjoys learning about other areas of law at MOSOLO.

Graves, along with more than 410 virtual attendees and 300 onsite attendees, learned about a variety of topics at the annual conference, which is tailored to solo and small firm lawyers. Sessions covered small injury cases, motor vehicle insurance, developing your personal brand as an attorney, strategies for jury communication, and more.

“I like the diversity in what’s offered, especially that they are specifically looking at things that might be more difficult to find information on, like (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders). That’ll be worth the drive,” said first-time attendee Sarah Schiffer, with Warren Law in St. Peters.

MOSOLO Speaker Cassie Bugalksi is the managing member of Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, LLC, in Moberly. She first started coming to MOSOLO about 12 years ago when her firm wanted to diversify its practice.

“That was when I was actually still an associate, and through coming here, I really got a lot of opportunities for leadership,” Bugalski said. “(I) learned how to move up into those leadership roles and how to recruit new attorneys and how to diversify, so that’s what we did.”

Bugalski said she’s always interested to see what the hot topic is at MOSOLO. This year, there were several sessions about artificial intelligence, which she was interested in. She also enjoys networking and catching up with other lawyers she has met over the years.

MOSOLO is unique, she said. A lot of the same people attend each year, but there are also quite a few law students and young lawyers attending, creating opportunities for mentorship, she added.

“I think it’s a really good way to transition young and new attorneys into practice,” Bugalski said.

One of these law students was Bernt Walker, a rising third-year student at Saint Louis University School of Law. One requirement for his summer law practice management class was to attend MOSOLO.

“I really like how everybody comes from different practice areas, and everybody is really knowledgeable on their particular practice area that they’re specializing in,” Walker said.

As a law student, hearing about lawyers’ experiences and practical advice has been helpful, he said, instead of reading from textbooks.

Walker said he only knew a few people at the conference, but still found the experience beneficial.

“If you put yourself out there, you just never really know what opportunities are going to be given to you, because it’s right there,” Walker said. “Just put yourself out there the best way you can, and you never know who you’re going to meet.”

Vivek Puri, with Puri Law LLC in Columbia, compared MOSOLO to the watercoolers big firms have.

“It gives you an opportunity to decompress, because ... as a solo person, you don’t have anybody to say, ‘What do you think about this? Do you think I did the right thing? Do you think I should do this?’” Puri said. “You don’t get that opportunity to have that discussion, but you do here.”

Puri joined the bar’s Solo and Small Firm Committee in 2002 and has been attending the conference since.

The CLE aspect of the conference is excellent, and he enjoys the great speakers, Puri said. The conference provides the opportunity to network, connect, and grow.

“(There are) great friendships that last a long time, a lot of people here to support you, and once you develop those relationships, they never end,” Puri said.

View photos from this year’s MOSOLO on The Missouri Bar’s Facebook page.

Annual Law Update: June 13, 18, 23, 26

10.0 MCLE | 1.0 Ethics

7:40 a.m.-6:07 p.m.| Virtual

This virtual program covers key legal areas such as appellate, civil trial, employment, workers' compensation, family, bankruptcy, real estate, probate, torts, criminal law, and ethics. Industry professionals from prominent Missouri firms will provide updates and insights, making it an essential opportunity for lawyers to fulfill their MCLE needs. Register for 2025 Annual Law Update

CLE Express: June 11, 17, 21, 25

15.5 MCLE | 4.1 ethics | 1.0 Elimination of Bias 

7 a.m.-8:42 p.m. | Virtual

Lawyers can earn all 15 hours of MCLE for the compliance year in this one-day virtual program. Learn about updates to various areas of law, U.S. Supreme Court Highlights, and ethical dilemmas. 

Register for 2025 CLE Express

Ethics Express: June 12, 24, 28, 30

3.0 MCLE | 3.0 Ethics | 1.0 Elimination of Bias

9-11:44 a.m. (June 12, 24, 28, and first June 30 session); Second June 30 session: Noon-2:44 p.m. | Virtual

Need to complete your MCLE ethics requirements? This virtual program is the perfect opportunity to take care of your ethics credits in less than three hours. 

Learn from these topics:

- Shakira, secrets and scandals: Attorney ethics and the world of offshore deals
- The rise and fall of Rudy Giuliani: Lessons in legal ethics from a public scandal
- Harmony in justice: Using R&B to address bias and diversity in the legal profession

Register for 2025 Ethics Express

Pre-litigation investigations: June 11

1.1 MCLE

9-9:54 a.m. | Virtual

Refresh your knowledge and skills in this virtual program on an overview of what lawyers should consider investigating prior to filing suit or taking a case. This program will cover steps to take to set your client and case up for success when first receiving a potential claim, including saving evidence, securing witness information, determining expert needs, and defining a strategy early. Register for virtual program

Cognitive biases and their effect on negotiations and decision-making: June 16, 26

1.1 MCLE | 1.1 Ethics | 1.1 Elimination of Bias 

June 16: 10-10:54 a.m. and June 26: noon-12:54 p.m. | Virtual

As human beings, our brains are wired to make cognitive shortcuts based on our previous experiences and unconscious assumptions. Learn how implicit cognitive biases can negatively affect the ability of lawyers and their clients to effectively interpret information and make objective decisions in the mediation context, including way to improve decision-making abilities. Register for virtual program

YLS Trial Skills Workshop: June 20

8.0 MCLE

9 a.m.-3:49 p.m. | Virtual

Join this virtual program focused on essential trial skills! Whether you’re new to the profession or a seasoned pro, you’ll learn from a distinguished panel of speakers who will cover everything from voir dire to closing statements.

Register for 2025 YLS Trial Skills Workshop

Successful succession: Make a plan for your firm: June 25

1.0 MCLE | 1.0 Ethics

9-9:52 a.m. | Virtual

Plan ahead for your firm and safeguard your professional legacy. Without proactive planning, the abrupt sale or closure of a firm can have disastrous consequences — not only for your clients but also for your family and colleagues.

In this program, you'll learn:

- Ethical considerations surrounding proper client communication in the event of sale or incapacity
- Proper retention and destruction policies for client files
- How to designate a trustee in the event of incapacity or inability to continue practicing
- What to consider when you want to sell your practice

Register for 2024 Successful succession

Bots and boundaries: Ethical considerations in a world of rapidly evolving legal AI usage: June 27 

1.0 MCLE | 1.0 Ethics 

noon-12:50 p.m. | Virtual

Hear about the importance of carefully considering ethical rules and risks in making AI choices as it rapidly evolves in the legal industry. Register for 2025 Bots and Boundaries

Click here for a full list of MoBarCLE programs in June. Visit MoBar.org/MCLE to record your hours, file your My MCLE annual compliance report, and read frequently asked questions.

Karima Berkat Gilbert, chair of the Animal Law Committee, encouraged all lawyers to get involved in committees, whether related to their practice or an area of interest.

“It provides a forum for information sharing, networking, and can serve as a great resource for lawyers in general,” Berkat Gilbert said. “It doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment, but you can put as much into it as you like. You can be really active on the blog page (connect.MOBAR community) and have some interesting conversations with peers or just attend free CLEs and read email updates regarding that committee’s area of interest.”

For the Spring Committee Meetings, Berkat Gilbert helped organize the Animal Law Committee’s CLE on the intersection of animal law and veterans law in Missouri. Berkat Gilbert emphasized that “animal law is more than just ‘animal rights’” and hoped attendees learned how animal law ties to military dogs’ duties.

Also at the Spring Committee Meetings, the Juvenile Courts and Laws Committee hosted a CLE on working with neurodiverse children. Committee Chair Karen Bickel hoped lawyers became more aware of the resources and services available to practitioners and their neurodiverse clients.

Bickel also recommended lawyers join committees to stay informed about specific areas of law, adding that the Juvenile Courts and Laws Committee offers a platform for discussing questions, concerns, and resources that affect juvenile law practice in Missouri.

Enroll in the various open-enrollment committees here.

Stay tuned for information about the Fall Committee Meetings at MoBar.org.

The 30th annual MOLAP conference will be virtual Oct. 24. Past conference topics have included how trauma affects lawyers, how narcissism can appear in the legal profession, and how a holistic approach to practice can help lawyers reduce stress.

Selected speakers will receive complimentary registration and can receive MCLE credit. More information will be provided after presentations have been selected.

MOLAP helps individuals overcome concerns such as substance use, depression, stress, and burnout through a variety of no-cost services. MOLAP provides a professional, confidential counseling program for members of The Missouri Bar, immediate family members who reside with them, and law students. Call 1-800-688-7859 or visit MoBar.org/MOLAP for more information.

He’ll speak at The Missouri Bar’s MOSOLO Small Firm Conference June 5-7 in Osage Beach. MOSOLO is an annual, nationally recognized conference for solo and small firm lawyers.

Carter will present one of the plenaries, “Nice lawyers finish first,” along with a breakout session about the importance of client communication.

As a legal humorist, Carter travels the country presenting CLE seminars that blend substantive legal principles with humor and storytelling.

“My goal is to help lawyers remember the values that brought us to the profession — justice, service, and humanity — and to do so in a manner that is both informative and entertaining,” Carter said.

Since 2002, Carter has presented more than 1,000 seminars for more than 400 bar associations, law firms, and legal departments throughout the U.S. and Canada. He speaks on diverse topics including legal ethics, professionalism, substance abuse, and the incorporation of AI into legal practice.

His plenary “Nice lawyers finish first” will explore the “radical” idea that kindness, courtesy, and professionalism are not liabilities in the legal practice, but competitive advantages. The session will examine the “seven virtues of good lawyering,” Carter said.

“As it turns out, being a zealous advocate does not require being a zealot,” Carter added. “In fact, the most effective representation requires just the opposite. Nice lawyers finish first ... and so do their clients!”

Carter said he enjoys traveling to conferences and helping educate lawyers in a humorous and memorable way.

“[W]hen all goes well, I get to bask in the roar of laughter,” Carter said. “Sometimes, the attendees even learn something. This is the greatest job ever; provided that you don’t need employer-sponsored health insurance, retirement benefits, or the approval of parents who mortgaged their home twice to pay for a Harvard Law degree that you’re not really using.”

Other plenary speakers include Catherine Sanders Reach from the North Carolina Bar Association and Barron Henley, of Affinity Consulting Group, who will cover 2025’s best legal tech tips, tricks, services, gadgets, and websites.

Learn more about MOSOLO and register to attend in-person or virtually here.

Between April 28-May 1, nearly 35 committees and divisions will meet virtually to discuss committee business, with the majority also hosting CLE programs. Three committees are hosting CLEs about AI in practice areas, while other committees will offer CLEs regarding:

- cognitive bias,

- aligning lawyer well-being with client satisfaction and firm risk management,

- protecting people with opioid use disorder in Missouri,

- paths to retirement for Missouri lawyers,

- usage of psychological evaluations in custody matters,

- the intersection of animal law and veterans law,

- high-profile defamation cases to watch for in 2025,

- and many more.

Registration is of no cost to Missouri Bar members, and lawyers can attend multiple meetings. Committee membership is encouraged but not required.

Click here to view the full schedule and register for committee meetings and CLE programs.  

The Missouri Bar encourages lawyers to stay up to date on the law by enrolling in the various open-enrollment committees and sections. Click here to join. 

Hon. Zel Fischer, of the Supreme Court of Missouri; Hon. Gary Witt, of the Missouri Court of Appeals-Western District; Hon. John Torbitzky, of the Missouri Court of Appeals-Eastern District; and Hon. Matt Hamner, of the Missouri Court of Appeals-Southern District, provided insight into ways lawyers can even better improve their appellate practices.

The Missouri Bar Appellate Practice Committee arranged the panel, which was moderated by Cale Spangler, of Spangler Ward LLC in Sedalia.

The panel discussed what appellate lawyers might do that limits their position from the outset.

Torbitzky said he can tell when a lawyer’s brief lacks a clear argument. This can happen when a brief is overwritten — the pieces are painstakingly formatted and arranged but lack structure — or when it is underwritten, essentially a transcript with no overarching idea.

When going through a statement of facts, stating what each witness said is not as effective as telling the story of your case and citing where those parts are in the record, Witt added.

It should be clear to the judge that a lawyer thought about what they are trying to get out of a brief and what they want the judges to do, Torbitzky said.

Lawyers should also concisely draft their briefs and make it easy for a judge to find in your favor, Torbitzky said.

Witt encouraged lawyers to be upfront about information that might hurt their cases.

Lawyers can also make briefs shorter with a summary of arguments, Witt suggested.

Like Torbitzky, Witt encouraged brief writers to, “focus on what you need to get to the answer you want.”

Organization not only improves arguments but helps keep briefs short, Fischer said. If three out of five points in a brief have the same standard of review, for example, they can be grouped together and rely upon the same standard of review discussion.

Fischer also discussed amicus briefs, acknowledging that many organizations produce professional briefs on even narrow issues of Missouri law, and it can be worth the appellate lawyer's time to work with these organizations.

While they don’t see amicus briefs often, the panelists said, they can be effective if done well. The judges emphasized that amici that provide topical legal analysis are more effective than amici that aggressively rely on policy arguments.

The judges also provided advice on ways lawyers can improve their oral arguments.

A good oral argument is a conversation, Torbitzky said.

“I personally would love it if every oral argument started with somebody coming up and saying, ‘These are the weakest parts of my case and this is why that doesn’t matter,’” he said, “because if we’re going to ask you questions at the oral argument, it’s always going to focus on the weakest parts of your case.”

Good oral arguments can be effective, Witt said, adding he has heard oral arguments that have changed his and other judges’ minds in previous cases.

The panelists also discussed new rules, or old rules that aren’t always followed, that appellate lawyers should remember. Fischer explained new rules 81.045 and 82.05, along with recent revisions to 83.04 and 83.05.

Other topics included mediation, local rules, livestreaming, why some opinions are not published, and abbreviations.

The panel will be rebroadcasted at a future date, to be announced.

Join us June 5-7, 2025, at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach and take advantage of this chance to refresh your practice both practically and socially. Lawyers can also attend virtually with access to CLE sessions, panel discussions, and plenaries post-conference. Register by May 6 at MOSOLO.org and save $50 on in-person and virtual passes.

MOSOLO provides the unique opportunity to connect with lawyers at all stages of their practices. Whether you’re just starting out or have decades of experience, the conference is the perfect setting to step away from the day-to-day tasks and connect with other lawyers in your focus area.

MOSOLO isn’t just for networking with other lawyers. Design a conference experience fit to your firm’s needs with over 50 breakout sessions in 12 time slots to choose from. Each session qualifies for CLE credit just in time for the June 30 deadline.

Register at MOSOLO.org and check back later for more information on social activities, specific CLEs, and conference receptions.

“What were you thinking?” Pride exclaimed. 

She wasn’t upset, and she had warned the room it was coming. But those in the room still raised their shoulders and held their breath. 

Pride used it to show how our bodies’ nervous systems react under stress. 

Attendees in person and online learned how to regulate their nervous systems and about other well-being topics during the annual Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program Conference at The Missouri Bar Center in Jefferson City. 

"Most of us know what to do in life. We know what not to say, not to take a certain tone, we know about nonverbals, we are educated on how to be emotionally intelligent,” Pride said. “And then we have our nervous system, which can kick off in a second and then we throw all of that knowledge out and we’re just reacting. Sometimes we’re acting like our lives are on the line and that person (who) triggered us is the enemy.” 

Pride is a therapist who helps her clients process trauma, regulate their heart rates, and improve interpersonal relationships. She walked attendees through techniques to avoid the typical fight-or-flight response lawyers may have during difficult situations. 

Keynote speaker and presenter Mary Beth O’Connor talked about her journey from using methamphetamines to becoming a federal judge. She grew up in an abusive home and first drank alcohol when she was 12 years old. She started using drugs in high school and by the time she was a senior in college, she was using meth daily. 

At age 32, she sought treatment. After trying a 12-step program, she created her own recovery plan based on several different approaches. 

When she got sober in 1994, she was told she had to address her substance use disorder first, then her mental health. But today we know the best practice is to address both simultaneously, O’Connor said. A lot of the same strategies will apply. 

“The way I like to phrase it … is that it’s hard to stay sober if you have a mental health condition that’s not under control,” O’Connor said. “And it’s really hard to get your mental health under control if you’re not sober when you have a substance use disorder, and so they should both be tackled simultaneously,” she said. 

She explained what a substance use disorder is, data about substance use rates in the legal profession, ethics rules that can be impacted by substance use disorders, treatment and peer support options, how substance use shows up in the legal field, and other resources. 

“Whether it’s substance use or mental health, if you don’t address it, your life is going to be hard forever, whereas if you do address it, your life will be challenging for a while, but it will get better,” O’Connor said. 

She said she tells people with similar struggles that they will come to realize they have the choice between drugs or happiness, but if they have a substance use disorder, they can’t have both. 

“With time, it becomes clearer that what you’re giving up is really small compared to what you’re gaining, which is massive,” O’Connor said. 

Michael C. Reed, of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, explained how a holistic approach can help lawyers reduce stress, giving practical examples and tips. 

Laurel E. Stevenson, a director at the federal district court in Kansas City, talked about how trauma affects lawyers and her own experience working through trauma. 

Timothy W. Roldan, of the Law Offices of Timothy W. Roldan, discussed different types of narcissism and how they can appear in the legal profession.

MOLAP awarded Judge Courtney Wachal the Dorothy Kaiser award, presented to a member in recognition of pioneering contributions in the field of chemical dependency, recovery, and continuing, compassionate care for lawyers in Missouri. 

MOLAP awarded Commissioner William Gust the Warren Welliver award, presented to a member who has best exemplified compassion and concern for lawyers in Missouri during the last year. 

The Missouri Lawyers' Assistance Program helps individuals overcome personal concerns such as substance use, depression, stress, and burnout through a variety of no-cost services. MOLAP provides a professional, confidential counseling program for members of The Missouri Bar, immediate family members who reside with them, and law students. 

Services include: 

— Counseling. All Missouri Bar members have access to services by calling 1-800-688-7859. MOLAP also makes referrals to professional resources. 
— Crisis intervention. MOLAP coordinates crisis intervention services for individuals and law firms. 
— Education and prevention. MOLAP offers educational programs and articles on topics such as substance use, stress, depression, and quality of life. 

Visit MoBar.org/MOLAP for more information. 

The institute will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6 in person at The Missouri Bar Center in Jefferson City or online. 

The cost is $150 for in-person or virtual registration, and attendees will earn 6.0 MCLE credits and 1.0 ethics credit. 

Andy Briscoe, director of government relations for The Missouri Bar, will highlight bills passed in the 2024 legislative session that impact governmental practice and preview what lies ahead in the 2025 legislative session. 

There will also be an update about the Sunshine Law, and James R. Layton, of Tueth Keeney Cooper Mohan Jackstadt P.C., will give an update about appellate practice. Krista Larson, of Stinson LLP in Minneapolis, Minnesota, will lead a wellness discussion. 

David Roland, of the Freedom Center of Missouri, will give a redaction update, and Jason Lewis, from the state’s Office of the Attorney General, will talk about conflicts of interest, nepotism, and misuse of government resources. 

For more information or to register, visit 2024 Annual Government Practice Institute.

The event will be from 8:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. at The Missouri Bar Center in Jefferson City and online. 

Registration is $54 for in-person or virtual attendance. Lawyers can earn 7.6 MCLE credits for attending. 

MOLAP Director Stacy Parmer said The Missouri Bar is excited to present this year’s Lawyers’ Assistance Program Conference. 

“Our conference is designed specifically for lawyers to learn about the complexities of mental health, well-being and substance use within the profession while focusing on support, strength and hope. I look forward to having you join us,” she said. 

Speakers and topics 
Michael C. Reed, from the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, will discuss how a holistic approach to practice can reduce burnout and stress. 

Laurel E. Stevenson, director of the Federal District Court in Kansas City, will address ethical and practical considerations to take regarding trauma. 

Sheila R. Pride, from The Moksha Group, will talk about techniques for stress management and emotional resilience. 

Timothy W. Roldan, of the Law Offices of Timothy W. Roldan, will discuss narcissism in the legal profession. 

The Missouri Bar, The Bar Plan, and The Missouri Bar Foundation are sponsoring the annual event, in its 29th year. 

Scholarships are available for those in financial hardship. Contact Parmer at 573-638-2262 for more information. 

To register for in-person or virtual attendance, go to MoBarCLE.MoBar.org.

To a loud roar of applause, Rosen accepted the award on Thursday during the Annual Family Law Conference at Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach.

Presented by The Missouri Bar Family Law Section, the Roger P. Krumm Family Law Award honors a family law lawyer who has demonstrated an exceptional degree of competence, skill, integrity, commitment, and dedication toward the improvement and advancement of the practice of family law and the children and families involved in family law matters.

With a career spanning 45 years, Rosen said she is “proud” to work in family law because her work – and the work of many other family law lawyers – truly matters and impacts people’s lives.

“There are actual faces in front of you,” she said. “Even though we need to follow the law and follow the rules of evidence … we have to remember that these are people’s lives, children’s lives, and there are lots of things that we can do and lots of things we can’t do. If you just do your best, that’s the most anybody can ask of themselves.”

A graduate of the University of Missouri, she was appointed family court commissioner to the 16th Circuit Court in 1994 and has presided over contested family law cases, as well as a truancy court program in two middle schools.

Prior to serving as commissioner, Rosen was a lawyer at Legal Aid of Western Missouri and later worked in private practice. She also helped draft and lobby for the passage of Missouri’s adult abuse statute, and she handled its constitutional challenge. 

During her legal career, Rosen recalled her interactions with the award’s namesake, Roger Krumm, who died in 2002.

“(He) was the epitome of a great family law attorney, but also a man who had empathy for his clients and went above and beyond,” said Rosen, who knew Roger Krumm. “So, if I can have any of the qualities that you read of what a person (who receives this award) is suppose have, I’m honored.”

On top of structured breakout sessions and social opportunities, lawyers and paralegals also benefitted from asking questions and receiving guidance from others who have experience in similar casework.  

Jessie Greathouse, a legal assistant and a speaker for the seminar’s “Bootcamp for Lawyers and Paralegals” series, said it’s a benefit to come to the DWI Law & Science Seminar. 

“I would say for anybody that is wanting to know more about DWIs and how to fight them, how to help your clients, things to provide for your staff in a DWI firm, this is probably the place that you want to go to learn those things,” Greathouse said. “They provide a lot of useful information both for attorneys and for their paralegals.”  

This year’s seminar offered a wide variety of session topics, including the luncheon presentation, “Drafting representations agreements for ethical and effective representation,” and plenary session, “Creatively negotiating for your clients: A prosecutor’s perspective.”. Other topics included trial techniques, trust compliance issues, and rising BAC and fermentation issues in DWI alcohol cases.  

Seminar programs qualified for up to 16.7 MCLE credits, including three ethics and one elimination of bias hours.  

Erin Kiersch, a criminal defense practitioner in Jefferson City, said she and her partner enjoy coming to the DWI Law & Science Seminar and think it is one of the highest regarded conferences in Missouri. 

“This is the conference we choose to attend every year. I think it has the best speakers, the best information, and it’s very helpful,” Kiersch said, adding she also enjoys interacting with young and new lawyers. “I used to be the young attorney, and now seeing the nice young attorneys and getting to mingle with them at different events is always something I think we enjoy.” 

Whether they were reconnecting with those they know or meeting lawyers for the first time, attendees of the conference had the opportunity to expand their network and improve their practice based on highly relevant CLE.  

“I think anybody who practices and has to deal with DWIs would benefit greatly from something like this. It’s amazing,” attendee Chad Moen said. “As a prosecutor, I generally don’t get to see this side of it as much, so, for me, it was especially revealing in that respect.” 

View photos from this year’s seminar here. 

CLE programs and plenaries

Annual Meeting will feature four track sessions – business; family law; litigation; and probate, trust and elder law – that highlight timely and relevant educational programs designed to make a difference in lawyers’ practices.

There will also be a “YLS New Lawyer Series” – three sessions developed by YLS that are relevant to new and seasoned lawyers alike – and a “Ethics Series” featuring two sessions that give lawyers a chance to hear from Missouri’s chief disciplinary counsel and legal ethics counsel.

There will be two plenaries at Annual Meeting:

- “I want it THAT way … When generational differences create friction in the workplace and what to do about it,” presented by Kelli Dunaway and Mollie Farrell

- “Ethical considerations of embracing and using generative AI: From ‘How do I?’ to ‘Should I?’” presented by Chris Stiegemeyer, Jim Shreve, Rachel Harris, and Matt Braunel

Click here for the full schedule of events.

Prices and lodging

Attendees can either register for the full experience – CLEs, receptions, and luncheons – for $295 or only the CLEs and plenaries for $195. Click here to see a breakdown of registration options

Can’t attend in person? The Virtual Annual Meeting “Lunch & Learn” Oct. 7-11 will showcase all the CLE programs from the in-person Annual Meeting. For $195, attendees can log on for sessions during midday time blocks while still having time to attend to their practice each day. Click here to register for the virtual option.

Rooms at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark are available at a discounted rate starting at $169. The deadline to book a room at the group rate is Aug. 26. Click here to book your room for Annual Meeting.

Visit MoBar.org/AM24 for more information about this year’s Annual Meeting.

Presented by MoBarCLE and the Family Law Section, the conference will be held in person at Osage Bach and online July 31-Aug. 2. Along with the numerous breakout sessions and plenaries, the Annual Family Law Conference will highlight three judicial panels, as well as three individual tracks – guardian ad litem, basic, and paralegal.

Click here to register, view the agenda, and book a hotel room for the conference.

Pass breakdown:

$415 – in-person pass for Family Law Section member

$455 – in-person pass for non-Family Law Section member

$360 – virtual pass for Family Law Section member

$400 – virtual pass for non-Family Law Section member

$230 – in-person or virtual pass for law student, paralegal, legal aid, public defender, public prosecutor, or Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services

Plenaries

“Generative AI and the law,” presented by Michael P. Downey, of St. Louis

“Wellness issues for family law practitioners,” presented by Katie Wessling, of St. Louis

“Case law update,” presented by Andrew C. Scholz, of Springfield

Visit MoBarCLE.MoBar.org for more information about upcoming Missouri Bar conferences and CLE programs.

For three days, legal professionals from across the state convened to explore the latest updates, strategies, and technologies shaping the landscape of solo and small firm legal practices. While many lawyers used the conference to catch up on their CLE requirements before the June 30 deadline, others came to MOSOLO just to meet and connect with other lawyers. 

Leadership from The Missouri Bar hosted a panel to speak to the law students in attendance.

In person attendees had the opportunity to network with 35 exhibitors to learn about their services and find ways to better their practices. 

Thursday evening hosted the Boathouse Bash with dinner, bowling, and arcade games for members and their families. 

President of The Missouri Bar, Megan Phillips, addressed the in-person attendees on Friday, celebrating the 80^th anniversary of The Missouri Bar. 

Click here to view more photos from the 2024 Solo &Small Firm Conference or visit MoBarCLE.org to learn about upcoming conferences and events. 

Lawyers licensed to practice in Missouri must complete a total of 15 MCLE hours between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. While the deadline to complete your MCLE hours is quickly approaching, there are 60-plus CLE programs in June that can help you reach that goal.

June 6-8: MOSOLO Small Firm Conference

16.6 MCLE | 8.4 Ethics | 1.0 Elimination of Bias

The annual MOSOLO Small Firm Conference will be held online and in person at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach. With over 60 CLE programs and networking opportunities, solo and small firm practitioners will come away with valuable tips and tools to implement in their offices. Click here to register.

June 10, 17, 24, and 26: Annual law update

10.0 MCLE | 1.0 Ethics

The popular “Annual Law Update” program gives lawyers the chance to learn of recent changes to various areas of law, including family, employment, ethics, criminal, probate, and more. All four sessions will be held from 7:40 a.m.-3:25 p.m. online. Click here to select the date and register.

June 11, 22, 25, 27: CLE express

15.0 MCLE | 4.0 Ethics | 1.0 Elimination of Bias

The popular “CLE Express” is back, where lawyers can earn all 15 hours of MCLE for the compliance year in one day online. From 7 a.m.-6:58 p.m., lawyers will learn about updates to various areas of law, highlights from the U.S. Supreme Court, and ethical dilemmas. Click here to select the date and register.

June 13: Taylor Swift is a genius. Even about legal ethics

1.0 MCLE | 1.0 Ethics

Join the CLE speaker Stuart Teicher from noon-12:53 p.m. online as he talks about how the ethics rules are invoked in some of Taylor Swift’s run-ins with the legal system. Click here to register.

June 14: Avoiding ethical pitfalls in mediation and arbitration

1.0 MCLE | 1.0 Ethics

Lawyers participating in mediation or arbitration must be aware of ethical tripwires for everyone involved: mediators and arbitrators, other attorneys, and even their clients. In this CLE program from noon-12:52 p.m., speakers Kim L. Kirn and C.J. Larkin, with United States Arbitration & Mediation in St. Louis will discuss examples from real cases to help lawyers increase their ability to identify ethical boundaries and to respond with optimal strategies. Click here to register.

June 19: Cognitive biases and their effect on negotiations and decision-making

1.1 MCLE | 1.1 Ethics | 1.1 Elimination of bias

In this CLE program, Angela D. Gupta, with Associates in Dispute Resolution LLC, will discuss how implicit cognitive biases can negatively affect the ability of lawyers and their clients to effectively interpret information and make objective decisions in the mediation context. She will also dive into ways to raise your awareness of implicit biases and potentially improve your decision-making abilities. The program lasts from noon-12:54 p.m. Click here to register.

June 20 and 28: Ethics express

3.1 MCLE | 3.1 Ethics | 1.0 Elimination of Bias

In less than two hours, lawyers can earn their three hours of ethics credit as part of their MCLE hours. From noon-2:45 p.m., CLE speaker Stuart Teicher will present three ethics presentations – “Cat proverbs and attorney ethics,” “Airplane etiquette and attorney ethics,” and “Stuart travels to Alabama to teach about diversity and inclusion.” Click here to select a date and register.

June 27: Ten coping skills that come from the ethics rules

1.0   MCLE | 1.0 Ethics

Getting through the rigors of the practice of law can be a challenge, but luckily lawyers have the ethics rules to guide the way. In this presentation from noon-12:52 p.m., CLE speaker Stuart Teicher will show how certain rules of ethics reveal important coping mechanisms for all lawyers. Click here to register.

Click here for a full list of MoBarCLE programs in June. Visit MoBar.org/MCLE to record your hours, file your My MCLE annual compliance report, and read frequently asked questions.

Atchison will help lawyers understand the top 10 ethical issues they face and how to mitigate those problems during the Saturday closing plenary at the MOSOLO Small Firm Conference, set Thursday through Saturday (June 6-8) online and at Osage Beach.

“We recognize solo and small firms are businesses, but we aren’t necessarily trained in business,” Atchison said. “So, what do we do if we receive a comingled check from the client that has trust money and operating money in it? What do we do with advertising dollars knowing the ethical rules are narrow for us as lawyers? What do we do when we’re under water with cases, and things are blowing up left and right that we couldn’t have anticipated?”

Atchison, a business immigration lawyer at Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm in Overland Park, Kansas, reviewed reports from the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel, chatted with fellow lawyers, and researched problems solo and small firm practitioners face. In her presentation, she’ll list real-life examples and brainstorm solutions with the audience.

Atchison’s session is one of 60-plus CLE programs and networking opportunities offered at this year’s MOSOLO Small Firm Conference.

“That is the best part of the conference – friends coming together; learning each other’s tools, tips, and tricks; meeting lawyers from across the state; and walking away with hopefully better solutions for our own practices,” Atchison said.

View the MOSOLO program guide and register for an online or in-person pass.

Set July 25-26 virtually and in person in Lake Ozark, the Bernard Edelman DWI Law & Science Seminar is Missouri’s premier DWI seminar, offering lawyers the opportunity to learn from local and national lawyers on ways to even better serve their clients in DWI cases. The conference is hosted by MoBarCLE and the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Types of passes

Standard: Until June 24, standard passes cost $345 for MACDL members and $385 for non-MACDL members. Starting June 25, lawyers will pay $55 more for standard passes – $400 for MACDL members and $440 for non-MACDL members.

With standard passes, lawyers can:

• View CLE sessions, panel discussions, and plenaries;
• Receive meals for breakfast, lunch, and reception on Thursday and breakfast and lunch on Friday; and
• Access program recordings for one year.

The following individuals can receive in-person passes for $230:

• Law students; Paralegals
• Paralegals;
• Legal aid lawyers and paralegals;
• State public defenders;
• Prosecutors; and
• Those with Missouri protection and advocacy services.

Virtual: MACDL members can receive virtual passes for $345 until June 24. Starting June 25, virtual passes will cost $400 for all lawyers.

With virtual passes, lawyers can access program recordings for one year (available approximately one month after the conference).

DWI bootcamp: Lawyers and paralegals can purchase in-person or virtual passes for solely Friday’s programs for $155. With the in-person and virtual bootcamp passes, individuals can view Friday’s CLE sessions, panel discussions, and plenaries, as well as have access to program recordings for one year. Those with in-person bootcamp passes will also receive breakfast and lunch on Friday.

CLE programs

Learn from recognized lawyers and judges with extensive experience in DWI law during these plenaries:

• "What to expect when law enforcement becomes the phlebotomist,” presented by Joseph P. St. Louis, of Nesci & St. Louis in Tucson, Arizona;
• “Top 10 tips for using NHTSA manual to win your case (including changes found in the 2023 manual),” presented by Travis B. Jones, with TBJ LLC in Moscow Mills;
• “Case law update,” presented by Matthew D. Fry, with Rosenblum, Schwartz, and Fry PC in St. Louis;
• “Rising BAC and fermentation issues with DWI alcohol cases,” presented by Benjamin S. Faber, with Faber Law Firm in Columbia;
• “Attacking the breath test: One sample vs. two samples,” presented by Virginia L. Landry, with Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, Inc. from Aliso Viejo, California;
• “Creatively negotiating great outcomes for your clients: A prosecutor’s perspective,” presented by Kelly L. King, with the Attorney General’s Office in Jefferson City; and
• “How to avoid employment discrimination at work,” presented by Megan Atzert, with Wilke & Wilke in St. Louis.

Click here to view the complete agenda and register for an in-person or virtual pass.

With online programs, lawyers can select CLE opportunities that fit into their hectic schedules. But remember: Not all online programs count for live MCLE credit.

Missouri lawyers can earn their 15 MCLE hours in various ways, such as participating in live programs or self-study activities.

Live programs – programs that have scheduled start and stop times and are happening in real time. If a program is pre-recorded, it must have a live moderator who is present while you watch the program and who engages with the audience in real time. These credits can be carried over to the following year.

“On-demand” programs – programs that are not live and can be accessed and viewed at any time by the viewer. On-demand videos and audio legal materials count for self-study credit. A lawyer may receive up to six hours of self-study credit in a reporting year, but a lawyer can’t use self-study credit to satisfy ethics or elimination of bias requirements. Self-study credit also doesn’t count towards the following year’s carryover credits.

To help decide whether an online program counts for live MCLE credit, follow the flowchart below. All Missouri Bar members are responsible for performing this analysis for every program they take, regardless of how sponsors advertise the programs.

Missouri lawyers must complete and report 15 hours of CLE programs or activities each year. At least three of the 15 hours must include ethics programs, seminars, and activities, and at least one of the three ethics credit hours must be devoted exclusively to elimination of bias. For more information, visit MoBar.org/MCLE.

Between April 29-May 3, nearly 30 committees and divisions will meet virtually to discuss committee business, with the majority also hosting CLE programs. Topics include improving gender diversity on boards and committees; remote deposition best practices; the psychology of negotiation; the whys and hows of legal name changes; and more.

Registration is of no cost to Missouri Bar members, and lawyers can attend multiple meetings. Committee registration is encouraged but not required.

Click here to view the full schedule and register for committee meetings and CLE programs.  

The Missouri Bar encourages lawyers to stay up to date on the law by enrolling in the various open-enrollment committees and sections. Click here to join. 

Notable features of this year’s conference include:

·         An opening plenary on “Expanded Remote Access in Case.net and complying with redacting confidential information”;

·         A closing plenary on the “Top 10 ethical issues for solo and small firm practitioners”; and

·         A “Starting a practice bootcamp” session.

Each day, attendees can choose from a multitude of breakout sessions covering topics like lawyer well-being, civil procedure, estate planning, improving law firm efficiency and productivity, navigating retirement, and advanced GAL.

On Thursday, attendees can enjoy family-friendly events such as bowling and arcade games after visiting with sponsors and exhibitors. On Friday, families are invited to “The Big Game Show” to participate in a live game show experience.

Visit MoSolo.org to sign up for an in-person or virtual pass, and save on your conference pass and lodging rates by registering by the early bird deadline on May 7. Have questions? Contact mobarcle@mobar.org.

Speak at a conference

Share your knowledge with colleagues by presenting at a conference produced by The Missouri Bar. When lawyers share their experiences practicing law, it provides the entire profession with the opportunity to improve. The following conferences still have openings for speakers:

·  Annual Estate, Trust & Elder Law Institute:  Watch for the upcoming proposal form in the weekly ESQ. e-newsletter and on Connect.MoBar.org in the Elder Law and Estate Planning and Probate Administration Law committees.

Volunteer speakers and moderators are encouraged to submit a volunteer form online.

Join an open enrollment committee

All members of The Missouri Bar are invited and encouraged to become involved in committee/section activities. Lawyers can choose from more than 40 open enrollment committees/sections, most with a purpose and activities related to a substantive area of law. Missouri lawyers can join any of these committees/sections at any time of the year by signing into the Practice Portal on MoBar.org.

If you’re interested in joining a conference-specific planning committee, first join a related open enrollment committee, then reach out to the committee chair and communicate your interest in becoming more involved. You can also contact MoBarCLE directly to be referred to the committee chair.

Submit ideas for CLE topics

Lawyers are encouraged to submit online webinar program suggestions on a continual basis to help ensure that MoBarCLE offerings reflect the current legal landscape.

If you have a topic you’d like to learn more about or if you would like to present a program, fill out an online form to submit your ideas. Per Missouri Supreme Court Rule 15.05, speakers can receive MCLE credit for presenting at CLE programs. Moderators can also receive credit for the time they are present at a program.

Volunteer to author or review a deskbook

MoBarCLE publications is currently looking for volunteers to write the following chapters for an updated Family Law Deskbook:

•  Child custody and visitation rights

•  Rights of the unwed

Volunteers are also encouraged to review the following Family Law Deskbook chapters:

•  Conflict of laws

•  Tort liability and the family relationship

•  Use of experts

•  Appeals

To learn more or volunteer, contact Marla Day or call 573-638-2236 and identify the chapters you are interested in writing or reviewing.

MCLE 

Minimum Continuing Legal Education, or MCLE, was approved by the Supreme Court of Missouri in 1988 and requires all members of The Missouri Bar, dependent on licensure status, to meet yearly continuing legal education requirements as set out in Rule 15 of the Missouri Court Rules and Regulations. 

Lawyers report their earned credits to the bar’s MCLE department. Credits can be from various sources, though they will only count if they are accredited. The Missouri Bar maintains a searchable list of programs accredited in Missouri here. Lawyers can also request MCLE credit for a program not already approved by a sponsor here.  

Lawyers must earn a minimum of 15 credit hours to be Rule 15 compliant. Hours must be completed by June 30 and filed by July 31 of each year. MCLE annual reports are filed online. The Missouri Bar is always working to improve the online reporting process to be nimbler and more user-friendly, and the MCLE department is always available to assist lawyers. 

MCLE and Dispute Resolution Programs Director Shannon Briesacher said the goal of the MCLE department at The Missouri Bar is not to punish lawyers who have difficulty meeting these education requirements, but to assist lawyers in achieving compliance with Rule 15, including sending members an informational mailer with compliance and reporting deadlines, filing information, and answers to frequently asked questions. 

“We continue to send members monthly compliance reminders via email and post. On the MCLE homepage of MoBar.org, we have a number of helpful resources, including a searchable database for upcoming CLE programs that have already received Missouri accreditation,” Briesacher said. “Our online reporting platform allows members to report their CLE hours throughout the year as they are earned.  And, of course, our MCLE team is always available to answer questions and assist our members.” 

MoBarCLE 

MoBarCLE is a department of The Missouri Bar that provides continuing legal education programs and opportunities for lawyers to earn their MCLE. MoBarCLE events include in-person conferences such as the Annual Solo & Small Firm Conference, the Bernard Edelman DWI Law & Science Seminar, the Annual Family Law Conference, The Missouri Bar’s Annual Meeting, and the Annual Estate, Trust & Elder Law Institute. There are also a plethora of virtual webinars to attend online and a calendar of events for lawyers to plan ahead for their CLE hours. Where MoBarCLE offers programs specific to individual practice areas, lawyers also have access to additional resources, such as deskbooks, to help inform their practice.   

“MoBarCLE provides a robust catalogue of timely and affordable CLE programs for Missouri lawyers.  The MCLE department makes sure that those programs are accredited and can be reported online once the course is completed,” Briesacher said. “For lawyers with special CLE requirements, like those seeking admission without examination, the MCLE department works with the lawyer and MoBarCLE to facilitate attendance and confirm compliance. And MoBarCLE and the MCLE department work together to ensure that lawyers who attend MoBarCLE conferences and programs have access to their course ID numbers for easier reporting and frequent reminders throughout their attendance of the upcoming compliance and filing deadlines.” 

The Missouri Bar is here to help with any questions on concerns regarding MoBarCLE and MCLE. Contact The Missouri Bar MCLE Department at MCLE@MoBar.org or 573-638-2233. For questions about a MoBarCLE program, read the online FAQ or contact the MoBarCLE department.  

In the morning, attendees will have the opportunity to sit in on a judicial panel, where Hon. Stanley Wallach, Hon. Joseph Walsh, Hon. Chris McDonough, and Hon. Robert Clayton will discuss issues relating to labor and employment law.

Christyona J. Pham, of the U.S. Department of Labor, will present a primer on federal mental health laws that will inform attendees of participant/employee rights and plan fiduciary obligations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) as it pertains to mental health and substance use disorder benefits.

Other scheduled sessions include:

• "Negligent hiring, retention, and supervision," presented by Laura E. Clubb of The Clubb Law Firm LLC.

• "Wage and hour law," presented by Raymond A. Dake of Siro Smith Dickson.

• "The current status of non-compete law and restrictive covenants in employment," presented by Emma R. Schuering, Polsinelli PC.

• "The new age of labor: The NLRB expands its influence beyond the unionized workplace," presented by Dean S. Kpere-Daibo of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP.

To register for the symposium, visit MoBarCLE.MoBar.org.

This year, more than 100 legal professionals attended both online and in-person at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in St. Louis, where they heard from experts on topics such as:

·         Ethical representation of unethical fiduciary

·         Anything but administration

·         Expanded remote public access

·         Legislative and case law updates

·         Let’s talk about implicit bias

·         The subtle art of lawyering clients through trauma

"Through insightful discussions and comprehensive sessions, this year's Annual Estate, Trust & Elder Law Institute offered an invaluable platform for legal professionals to delve into the latest developments and nuances in estate, trust and elder law," said Maria Sanders, director of CLE and member services at The Missouri Bar.

This year, the conference offered a variety of breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics.

On Thursday, Commissioner William Gust reviewed evidence in probate court.

Russell “Rusty” Fracassa reviewed the Hallam decision and key takeaways to understanding the case law and federal statutes involved in the case, as well as crisis planning for married couples.

Jennifer Sanwald also helped attendees navigate trust distribution language to identify the legal and fiduciary obligations of corporate trustees in interpreting trust distribution language and understand the potential consequences of vague or imprecise standards.

Friday morning’s breakout sessions featured Mike Bartolacci discussing the effective use of experts in trust and estate litigation, where attendees reviewed the practical aspects of selecting, preparing and presenting testimony from expert witnesses in litigation matters involving trust and estate issues, including capacity/undue influence, breach of duty, and investment matters.

A panel discussion with Timothy Weaks, Commissioner Misty Watson, and Joshua S. rose gave an overview of the challenges Missouri’s Public Guardianship currently faces due to unprecedented caseloads, more complex cases, understaffing, and lack of uniformity across the state.

Other speakers on Friday included:

·         Jeffrey Glogower, “Salvaging the broken charitable remainder trust”

·         Lori Rook, “Exceptions to the five-year look back”

·         Emily J. Kembell and Shane Rader, “Corporate transparency act”

·         Jeffrey Glogower, “International aspects of estate planning”

When not attending CLE programming, lawyers also had the opportunity to visit exhibitor booths. Sponsors such as the Clio, Midwest Trust, Krause Financial Services, and Tri Trust True Integrity Fiduciary Services networked with lawyers about their companies and the benefits of their products.

Visit The Missouri Bar’s Facebook page to view photos from the conference.

Oct. 24 | The ethics fight of the century: Hoffman vs. Sharswood
1.0 MCLE / 1.0 E | $120 | Online webinar

Join Stuart Teicher as he talks about how the paradigm of zealous advocacy continues to reverberate through the practice of law today.

Topics discussed:

•    Rule 8.4, and the role of deception in advocacy

•    Rule 1.3 and the reference to zeal in advocacy

•    Various Preamble sections of the ethics code

Oct. 26 | (No-cost) Psychological safety: The key to high-performing legal teams

1.0   MCLE / 1.0 E | $0 | Online webinar

According to research, psychological safety is a critical component of any high-functioning team. Psychological safety occurs when team members can comfortably admit mistakes, voice concerns, brainstorm off-the-wall ideas, share honest opinions, and ask questions – all without fear of judgment or reprisal. Without it, workplace interactions become dysfunctional and workplace engagement suffers, leading to decreased productivity and efficiency.

In this session, we’ll discuss the important role of psychological safety in the legal profession and explore strategies and tools to create or boost the level of psychological safety in your offices, teams, and one-on-one interactions.

Speaker: Erin McClernon, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC, Kansas City

Nov. 2 | 28th Annual Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Conference

7.0 MCLE / 7.0 E | $54 | Hybrid at The Bar Center

This is the 28th Annual Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Conference, which is sponsored by The Missouri Bar, The Bar Plan, and The Missouri Bar Foundation. Featured programs include: 

·         Don’t lose your personal identity! You are more than just a lawyer

·         The importance of sleep to our overall health 

·         The 12 steps of recovery, as worked through the Rules of Professional Conduct 

·         Addressing silent disabilities in the workplace

·         Trauma in the legal profession

·         The righting reflex: Stress management and well-being for attorneys and other human beings

Recipients of the 2023 Dorothy Kaiser Award, James T. Britt Memorial Award, and Warren Welliver Award will also be recognized.

Nov. 9 | Stuart travels to England! What Liverpool and the Beatles teach about attorney ethics

1.0   MCLE / 1.0 E | $120 | Online webinar

In this travel-journal style program, Teicher visits historical sites in Liverpool and talks about the Beatles, the City of Liverpool, and attorney ethics.

Topics include:

•    Why being a paradigm shifter is about competence, Rule 1.1.

•    The Beatles and their representation: (1) The rules always apply, Rule 3.4; (2) Tough negotiating tactics and Rule 4.1; (3) Zealous representation and professionalism.

•    Rule 8.4, two ways: (1) What the In re Apple case teaches about lawyer investigation, (2) The lawyer controversy around “Paul is Dead,” Rule 7.1.

•    What lawyers can learn about elimination of bias from the City of Liverpool

Speaker: Stuart Teicher, The CLE Performer

Nov. 15 | From Bonnie and Clyde, to Bernie Madoff: What the biggest thieves in history teach about attorney ethics

1.0   MCLE / 1.0 E | $120 | Online webinar

The ethics rules are all about deterring bad conduct, and who has conducted themselves worse than some of the most infamous thieves in history? Stuart Teicher unearths the stories of some of the worst crooks in history and reveals the ethics lessons that lie beneath their actions.

Topics include:

•    Assisting in wrongdoing and Rule 8.4(a)

•    Rule 1.6(b), financial crimes and frauds

•    What criminal gangs teach about Rule 1.10 (imputing conflicts)

Speaker: Stuart Teicher, The CLE Performer

In addition to the core knowledge that practitioners have come to trust from previous editions, this update integrates critical changes, designed to keep you informed and even better serve your clients.

Several updated areas of law include:

·         The Federal SECURE Act (§1.29): Understand the ramifications of significant changes to rules for defined contribution retirement plans and IRAs.

·         Medicaid Expansion in Missouri (§6.32): Adapt your practice to the new realities of Medicaid coverage in the state.

·         The Missouri Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (§8.15): Gain insights into why this act is vital when drafting powers of attorney.

·         Updates to Missouri Guardianship Statutes (Chapter 9): Stay abreast of the 2018 and 2021 legislative changes affecting guardianships.

·         Residential Monitoring Legislation (§11.27): Learn about the 2020 Missouri legislation allowing the installation of electronic monitoring devices in long-term care facilities.

·         The Federal Senior Safe Act (§11.54): Leverage this act to better safeguard your clients against financial exploitation.

From 'Retirement Benefits' to 'Home and Community-Based Services,' each chapter is authored by elder law practitioners with extensive experience in the field. The deskbook kicks off with Timothy F. McCurdy's insights into retirement benefits and concludes with Anneliese Stoever and Taylor Thomas's detailed exploration of home and community-based services.

Chapters on Medicare, MO HealthNet, and guardianship can quickly inform your decisions, while detailed discussions on family rights, elder abuse, and housing alternatives offer lawyers an in-depth look at specific areas of elder law.

Purchase a copy online at MoBarCLE.org.  The Elder Law Deskbook will also be available at the Estate, Trust & Elder Law Institute Oct. 19-20 at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in St. Louis.

In a no-cost CLE on Sept. 8, Martha Knudson will offer insights into strategies, skills, and resources aimed at guiding lawyers through the challenges of their profession in a manner that promotes excellence in their practice and in their mental, emotional, and physical health.

“Mental health runs the gamut,” said Knudson. “The idea is that we exist on a spectrum between thriving, barely surviving, and everything in between. And where we exist on that spectrum changes day to day with our habits of thought, our habits of interaction, our habits of managing our emotions, and our habits of coping-whether adaptive or maladaptive.”

Emphasizing that establishing healthy habits is key to building skills that determine how we react to adverse situations in life and in the practice of law, Knudson said that building skillsets and discussing risk factors will ultimately help lawyers stay higher on the mental health spectrum.

“That way, when hard things come our way in life and in our practice, we’re better able to weather that storm,” she said.

Data in recent years has found that one of the biggest risk factors of suicidal ideation is loneliness.

“Loneliness is a huge problem for lawyers,” said Knudson. “Experiencing loneliness significantly heightens the risk of suicidal ideation. As a profession, we can be doing more to build healthy connections."

Recent research provides data that can help lawyers identify where they sit on the mental health spectrum, and how to recognize signs of mental health concerns and burnout.

There are also studies that point to what motivated lawyers who are happy in their careers might be doing differently than colleagues who are struggling.

“We need to be building skills, tools, and resources within our individuals and organizations upfront because it is a piece of professional development,” said Knudson. “Not only does it help us to take our technical skills and use them at the highest possible levels, there’s a lot of data that show that if you are higher on the well-being spectrum, your brain works better, your memory works better, your cognitive abilities are sharper, you have lower levels of ethical violations, and you have higher levels of professionalism.”

Ultimately, Knudson said she hopes lawyers who attend her CLE will walk away with concrete habits that they can put into use immediately.

Register online to attend the no-cost CLE on Sept. 8 for 1.0 MCLE/ 1.0 E.

To access additional resources on mental health, well-being, and addiction and recovery, visit the Missouri Lawyer’s Assistance Program.

If you are thinking about suicide, know someone who is, or need to talk with someone, we encourage you to immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Depression is treatable. For free, confidential screening, please contact the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program at 800-688-7859. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength and hope.

Mary Kay O’Malley was honored with the Roger P. Krumm Family Law Award this year at The Missouri Bar’s Family Law Conference at Chateau on the Lake in Branson. O’Malley, who described herself as a juvenile specialist, has had a career involving both the practical and educational aspects of juvenile and family law.

“I’m really touched that the voting members actually chose me, but also to see the company I keep and in which I now am because of the previous recipients,” said O’Malley.  “I’m really humbled and overwhelmed, to be honest.”

Each year, the Family Law Section and The Missouri Bar present the Roger P. Krumm Family Law Award to honor a lawyer who has demonstrated excellence in the profession. Recipients of this award demonstrate integrity, commitment, skill, and dedication towards the practice of family law and the children and families involved in family law matters.

O’Malley is a clinical professor and director of the Child and Family Services Clinic at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, where she has worked since 2002, passing on her knowledge and training to the next generation of lawyers and helping youth within Missouri’s childcare system.

“There’s a sign in our clinic and it shows the number of children we’ve helped,” she said. “We’ve placed 1,149 children and most of those were abused and neglected.”

Through UMKC’s skills-based training, O’Malley’s mission is to help improve the bar and the practice of family law. She describes her holistic approach as focusing both on a child’s home life as well as their educational needs.

“We can’t forget that there’s a large group of children whose only meal of the day is the lunch they get at school, and what do think is going to happen to their education if those basic needs aren’t met?” she asked.

O’Malley spent the first 13 years of her career helping children and families as a social worker with the Missouri Division of Family Services. She credits her time as a social worker with helping her to understand what families need, and helping her work with parents to let them know what resources are available to them.

“That was just one of the things I really loved, being with children, working with them,” she said. “And I liked helping parents get better at parenting. I liked the coaching aspects of it.”

O’Malley eventually pursued law school at the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kan., where she graduated cum laude.

“I decided to go to law school because I wanted to advocate for children, and I wanted to do it on a more meaningful level,” she said.

Becoming a prosecutor at juvenile court helped her understand the law and how it affects families, which she says prepared her for her next move into private practice representing parents and children.

“All that experience prepared me for this job now,” O’Malley said.

Although O’Malley has a wealth of career experience to draw from, she says she never intends to stop learning and expanding her education.

“Being a lawyer is a job that requires lifelong learning,” she said. “Go to conferences, listen to people, listen to experts: there’s always something new. If you walk away from something like a conference or CLE having learned one thing, that’s a success.”

She also emphasized that lawyers should strive to take care of their personal needs and prioritize their own families.

“You’re not going to be any good to others if you’re not taking care of yourself,” she said.

O’Malley stated that she hopes she’s helped lawyers remember the reason they started practicing family law.

“There are children and families who need us, who need the best minds to help craft orders, to help us craft arrangements and agreements that keep them safe and hopefully keep them happy,” she said.

O’Malley will remain in her position at the UMKC School of Law for the next year and says she doesn’t have any intention of quitting the practice of family law.

“Everything about our profession is a privilege,” she said. “It’s a privilege to practice law…and it’s a privilege to serve other people in your life.”

This year, more than 300 legal professionals attended both online and in-person at Chateau on the Lake in Branson, where they heard from experts on topics such as grandparent rights actions, integrating divorce mortgage planning into case management, and ensuring a smooth transfer of assets.

“This conference continues to provide an invaluable opportunity for our legal professionals to stay on top of current issues and trends in family law,” said Maria Sanders, director of CLE and member services at The Missouri Bar. “It allows our Missouri family law lawyers to sharpen their skills and stay updated, and also provides them with unique networking opportunities that can help expand their careers.”

This year, the conference offered more than 35 breakout sessions, a Guardian ad Litem track, and a basics track.

On Thursday, plenary speaker Julia Weber presented on reducing violence in family matters and, during a later breakout session, provided practical approaches to mitigating risk.

Other sessions covered current issues such as the power of forensic accounting; overviews of mental health evaluations and interventions; managing client expectations; and hearsay evidence. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear advice from family law judges during a panel presentation.

Friday morning featured a plenary session from Lundy Bancroft on “The domestic batter as parent,” and breakout sessions focused on topics such as the duty to become self-supporting, hearsay law problems and strategies, and child support issues.

On Saturday, attendees stayed to hear case law updates relevant to the practice of family law.

When not attending CLE programming, lawyers also had the opportunity to visit exhibitor booths. Sponsors such as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Soberlink networked with lawyers about their companies and the benefits of their products.

Visit The Missouri Bar’s Facebook page and Instagram page to view photos from the conference.

Visit MoBarCLE.org to sign up for upcoming conferences, including The Missouri Bar Annual Meeting and Missouri Judicial Conference Sept. 13-15 and the Estate, Trust, & Elder Law Institute Oct. 19-20.

Held both online and in-person at Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa & Convention Center in Branson Aug. 3-5, this year’s conference features a plenary session each day, as well as more than 35 breakout sessions, a Guardian ad Litem track, a basics track, and a paralegal track.

Keynote speakers Julia Weber and Lundy Bancroft will provide attendees with the most up to date information necessary for family law lawyers to even better serve their clients and communities.

Here some featured sessions at this year’s conferences:

Plenary: What we can do to reduce risk of violence

Family law lawyers, judicial officers, and court-connected professionals have a significant role to play in working with individuals and families in crisis, a role that is even more important given the emotional nature of the field and the potential for violence and injuries. The statistics are staggering and become that much more concerning when confronted with cases that may raise red flags or that result in actual harm. In this plenary, Julia Weber will provide information on what lawyers must do, should do, and can do when in confrontational situations with clients or others. Federal and state legislation, recent court decisions, and examples of promising practices that focus on fairly and effectively addressing these complex issues will be covered. Presented by Julia F. Weber, JD, MSW on Aug. 3 at 8:30 a.m.

Breakout session: Practical approaches to reducing violence risks

In this session, attendees will learn about concrete steps they can take to increase safety in family law, child custody, and domestic violence cases. Issues related to ethical and legal obligations, limitations, and opportunities will be addressed and specific questions and recommendations for having critical conversations to help plan for professional and client safety will be offered. Lawyers will also learn about current innovative approaches family law lawyers and others are taking to help reduce risk during this critical period. Presented by Julia F. Weber, JD, MSW on Aug. 3 at 10:10 a.m

Plenary: The domestic batterer as parent

This presentation will examine the established profile of men who abuse women, describe the power dynamics and the psychologically poisoned atmosphere that abusers create for children. Bancroft will look at some of the specific risks to children that are present in a batterer’s parenting style, including the significant overlap of physical and sexual abuse. Lawyers will learn about the impact the batterer has on the parenting of an abused woman and consider the binds she faces while attempting to protect her children. Bancroft will confront the myth that the children’s problems are solved when their mother leaves the batterer, a myth which connects to other misconceptions that can cause well-intentioned interventions to become dangerous situations. The plenary will also provide an overview of best practices to effectively promote safety and healing for children and their mothers. Presented by Lundy Bancroft on Aug. 4 at 8:30 a.m.

Register for an in-person or online pass at MoBarCLE.MoBar.org.