February 15, 2013

Missouri Bar Launches Amicus Lex, or A-Lex for Short
Initiative to Connect Lawyers and Legislators and Make a Difference
President Pat Starke announced a new Missouri Bar initiative – Amicus Lex, or A-Lex for short – designed for lawyers to reach out to individual legislators in an organized fashion and, when appropriate, offer the lawmakers insights on matters that lawyers collectively agree upon, to make a difference in the law and for the public. (Read About A-Lex and How to Take Part) (Sign-Up for A-Lex)

This week's cases and Supreme Court orders

Each week, The Missouri Bar provides links to all hand downs published on the Internet during the past seven days by the Supreme Court of Missouri and the Missouri Court of Appeals. The Missouri Bar has created pertinent headings and summaries for each case. This week includes 7 hand downs pertaining to:  

(All Cases)

News for Missouri Lawyers
Erin Burlison-Huss and Joshua Underwood Appointed as Associate Circuit Judges
Gov. Jay Nixon last week appointed Erin Burlison-Huss to serve as an Associate Circuit Judge for St. Charles County and former Municipal Judge Joshua D. Underwood to serve as an Associate Circuit Judge for New Madrid County. (Burlison-Huss Appointment) (Underwood Appointment)

Gov. Nixon Appoints New Prosecuting Attorney for Montgomery County
Gov. Jay Nixon named Nathan A. Carroz to serve as the new Prosecuting Attorney for Montgomery County. Carroz has served as interim Prosecuting Attorney for the county since December. (More)

Federal Courts See Drop in Bankruptcy Filings for 2012
Bankruptcy filings in the federal courts fell 13 percent in calendar year 2012. The number of bankruptcies filed in the 12-month period ending December 31, 2012, totaled 1,221,091, down from the 1,410,653 filed in 2011. (More)

News at the Bar
Help Shape the CLE Track Programming at the Annual Meeting in September
Take a moment to help shape the CLE track programming offered at the 2013 Annual Meeting (September 18-20 in Columbia). (Submit Your Program Idea(s))

ABA Needs Oral Argument Judges for St. Louis Region of National Appellate Advocacy Competition - February 21, 22, and 23
The ABA Law Student Division needs lawyers and judges to serve as oral argument judges for the 2012-13 St. Louis Regional National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC). This moot court competition will be held at the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse in St. Louis. (Details/Sign-Up)

Applying for Western District Appellate Vacancy? The Deadline is Today
The Appellate Judicial Commission is accepting applications for judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District until 5 p.m. today, February 15. (More)

ABA House Passes Resolutions on Ethics Guidelines and Human Trafficking
The ABA House of Delegates adopted policy resolutions related to foreign lawyers, human trafficking victims and the unbundling of legal services at the association’s Midyear Meeting held last week in Dallas. (More)

Jackson County Set to Begin Electronic Filing in March
Computer filings will be mandatory for attorneys in civil and domestic cases. Paper filings will continue to be used in criminal, probate, and juvenile matters, as well as in pro se filings. (More)

Service First - Services and Benefits Available to Missouri Lawyers
Need a Break? MoBar Travel Committee Offers Five Luxury Cruises
Special 2-For-1 Fares/Free Airfare for One October Trip – Book by March 19
The Missouri Bar Travel Committee offers five cruises in 2013 – an Antebellum South river cruise in March, the Mediterranean and Greek Isles in May, an Alaskan cruise in July, a special offer on ports of call in Spain, France and Italy in October, and another Northern Italy cruise in October. (More)

Equal Access to Justice
Legal Services 2013 “Justice for All” Ball Set for February 23
Don’t miss the very popular “Justice for All” Ball benefiting Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s work to provide legal assistance to low-income individuals and families. (Details) (Purchase Tickets)

Missouri Bar Is Looking for Lawyers Who Qualify for 2012 Pro Bono Wall of Fame
Take a Few Moments to Share Your Pro Bono Hours for 2012 – Deadline is March 18!
Did you provide 40 hours or more of pro bono service to low-income clients or organizations who serve the needs of low-income individuals during 2012? (Report Your 2012 Pro Bono Hours Online) (View Wall of Fame Recognition Details)

Tax help links

dor.mo.gov

IRS Tax Information for Tax Professionals

Best of CLE Spotlight —recognizing outstanding leadership and dedication to MoBarCLE
Special thanks to Steve Scott, who has generously contributed his time, talent and knowledge to help create excellent CLE programs and publications. His commitment to share his expertise with colleagues is an integral part of MoBarCLE’s ongoing effort to educate Missouri lawyers and ultimately to enhance the quality of legal services to the public. (Read More)

Newsmakers & Movemakers
Who's making news and moving where
Submit your news and moves

News from Law Schools
MU Law School’s Journal of Environmental and Sustainability Law and Tax Law Society Offering Symposium on February 22
This year's Symposium explores the long-term role of tax policy for promoting renewable energy and sustainability in the U.S. It is free, open to the public, and qualifies for CLE credit. (Details)

Glitz, Glamour, Gatsby, February 23 – Big Event Tickets Available Now
The UMKC Law Foundation and the Law Alumni Association invite all alumni for music, dinner, and a hosted bar during an evening with the law school family. (Details/Ticket/Sponsorship Opportunities)

MU: Univ. of MO School of Law
UMKC: Univ. of MO - Kansas City School of Law
Wash U.: Washington University School of Law
SLU: Saint Louis University School of Law

The Big Picture – issues and trends affecting the profession
Introducing Amicus Lex
Source: President’s Page, January - February 2013 Journal of The Missouri Bar
“Like you, I watch the news and I read the paper about political goings-on. Sometimes I laugh, often I groan. Neither accomplishes much. A-Lex, though, is a chance to make a difference.”  (View President's Page)

(Read the full  January - February 2013 edition of Journal of The Missouri Bar, now online)

The Missouri Bar Jobs for Missouri Lawyers
Applicants Sought for U.S. Magistrate Judge Vacancy
The Judicial Council of the Eighth Circuit and the Judicial Conference of the U.S. Committee on the Administration of the Magistrate Judges System is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy in the Eastern District of Missouri. Applications are due by March 8. (Details)

Search full or part-time employment listings
Search contract opportunities
Search office space/office sharing
Pro bono opportunities available throughout Missouri

Submit Openings

Non-Partisan Court Plan Judicial Vacancy News & Information
Commission Seeks Applicants for Judicial Vacancy in Jackson County
The Sixteenth Circuit Judicial Commission is accepting applications for an associate circuit judge vacancy in Jackson County (Division 31) created by the retirement of Judge Christine Sill-Rogers. The application deadline is February 28. (Details)

• Current Vacancies
  

(Latest Details)

Letters to the Editor

Submit Letters to the Editor

Resource Reminder – available only through The Missouri Bar
Missouri Bar Members Discount Available for ABA TECHSHOW®, April 4 – 6
Technology has introduced a “new normal” for legal professionals. Learn the latest and network with technology pros in Chicago this April. Use promoter code EP1323 to receive a MoBar member discount. And register by March 11 to also get the early-bird rate. (More) (Discount Registration Form)

Save 50% in February on MoBarCLE Elder Law Deskbook
You can save 50% in February on the Elder Law deskbook. Go to www.mobarcle.org to order or for more information! Or call us toll-free at (888) 253-6013.

Spotlight on an Upcoming MoBarCLE Program
Clarence Darrow: Crimes, Causes and the Courtroom – Movie Webcast on Feb. 20
Replete with humor, humanity and intense courtroom drama, the movie engages attendees in four of Darrow’s most famous cases: Loeb and Leopold, Henry Sweet, the McNamara Brothers bombing of the LA Times Building and the Scopes “Monkey Trial.” (Details/Registration)

Next week's MoBarCLE programs

CLE Calendar

Best of CLE Course Notes
Free MoBarCLE course materials are available at the Lawyer Resources for a Changing Economy page of our website.

MoBarCLE publications for your library
Guidebook—Guardianships and Conservatorships of Minors (2011)
Affordable, focused, available in a choice of formats: softbound print, download, CD-ROM.
Take advantage of the affordable pricing: $39 each; $59 for print plus either electronic format!
Purchase this MoBarCLE Publication Online

Deskbook—Estate Administration (5th ed. 2010)
View Excerpt from Chapter 1 - "Probate Jurisdiction and Venue" (PDF Format - 11 pages)
Purchase this MoBarCLE Publication Online

MoBarCLE Deskbooks Are Available Electronically through Fastcase, LexisNexis and Loislaw

www.fastcase.com

www.lexisnexis.com

www.loislaw.com

In Memoriam
January, 2013