Register Now for the 13th Annual Solo and Small Firm Conference We're turning the number 13 into good luck for those who attend the 13th Annual Solo and Small Firm Conference being held on June 12, 13, and 14, 2008 at Tan-Tar-A Resort at Osage Beach. It will be your good fortune to get away from your practice for a few days with your family in a resort area where you can earn all your MCLE credits for the year by choosing from over 70 different educational programs, discussion groups, and computer labs, network with other solo and small firm lawyers from all over the state, relax, and have a great time all for a bargain price that is tax deductible. Sign up by May 20, 2008 for the discounted registration rate. (Conference Website/Registration)

Fastcase is now available! You may click on the logo to log in. Fastcase At-a-Glance   Fastcase is an easy to use, powerful legal research tool. Your comments and suggestions will ensure that it continues to meet the research needs of Missouri Bar members.

Missouri Lawyers Urged to Complete Judicial Evaluation Survey by May 31, Results Provide Useful Information to Voters in November General Election All Missouri lawyers are being urged to take a few moments to assist with an important voter education initiative – the 2008 Judicial Evaluation Survey. By participating in the survey, lawyers will have the opportunity to evaluate those non-partisan judges serving their locale. Lawyers may evaluate judges through May 31, at which time balloting will be closed. The final results of the survey will be used to provide voters with useful information they can use to help them make informed decisions regarding those judges on the ballot at the November general election. Lawyers are asked to evaluate only those judges about whom they have “direct and personal knowledge” – that is, first-hand knowledge of a judge’s skills and qualifications, based solely on individual courtroom experience or contact with a judge. To evaluate those merit-selected judges serving your area, click here. ALL VOTES WILL BE COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL.

New Missouri Bar Program to Tackle Disputes Between Lawyers Nothing damages the legal profession more than when lawyers air their dirty linen in public or, worse yet, cost their clients unnecessary anxiety, expense and delay solely as a result of personal issues arising between them. These disputes involve adversarial law firm or office sharing break ups, fee disputes between co-counsel, perceived or actual overzealous representation, or professional or personal disrespect or discourtesy. This new program helps resolve these issues through facilitation and binding arbitration in a private, confidential setting. (Link to More Information) Law in Your Life Podcast Available Learn more about the laws that affect your life by listening to The Missouri Bar’s podcast for the public. Each week a different lawyer is interviewed about Missouri laws and the legal system.  This week's podcast examines collaborative law as an alternative to adversarial law. Law Day Articles Focus on Challenges Facing Missouri’s Courts and Justice System For Law Day, May 1, The Missouri Bar is offering the media a series of downloadable articles from a variety of organizations that are working to keep Missouri’s courts from being weakened or politicized. Also included in this selection of articles is an update on the status of the funding crisis of the Missouri Public Defender System as well as an overview of services offered by Missouri Legal Aid offices. (Table of Contents and full articles)