January 25, 2013

Chief Justice Teitelman Delivers State of the Judiciary to Joint Session of Legislature
Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard B. Teitelman extolled the success of Missouri’s drug treatment courts – the forward-thinking that created them 20 years ago, the people helped and the expansion of that model for veterans issues and DWI offenders – during his annual State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the Missouri House and Senate. (Read State of Judiciary)

2013 Enrollment Fee Deadline Approaches Next Week, Online Payment Option Available
Lawyers can complete their 2013 enrollment process online, including the payment of dues by credit card. A convenience fee applies for credit card payments. The 2013 enrollment fee deadline is next Thursday, January 31. (Enrollment Fees Online)

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 11 hand downs pertaining to:  

(All Cases)

News for Missouri Lawyers
Bill Introduced in House to Reorganize Missouri’s Criminal Code
Proposal Marks First Major Update of Code Since 1979
The proposal to reorganize the state criminal code and make it more transparent to the public was the result of the cooperative work of The Missouri Bar Criminal Code Revision Subcommittee – comprised of experienced prosecutors and defense attorneys – and representatives from the judiciary and the legislature. A similar bill is expected to be filed in the Senate. (More)

News at the Bar
2012-2013 Missouri Bar Annual Report Available Online
Within the pages of the latest Annual Report, you will find a summary of Missouri Bar activities during the past year and a look ahead at the issues, programs and services that are in focus for 2013. The report is available by clicking here. (More)

2012 Missouri Courts Annual Judicial Report and Statistical Report Online
The 2012 Missouri Courts Annual Judicial Report and Annual Statistical Report are now available online. The reports provide a wealth of information about the administration of justice in Missouri and serve as excellent first resources when seeking data about the courts. (More)

Jackson County Set to Begin Electronic Filing in March
Starts in KC March 25, Civil and Domestic Cases in Independence March 4
Jackson County will become the largest circuit to date to begin utilizing paperless 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)

Commission Seeks Applicants for Western District Appellate Vacancy
The Appellate Judicial Commission is accepting applications for judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District to fill the impending vacancy that will be created when Judge James M. Smart Jr. retires. February 15 is the deadline for applications. (More)

Equal Access to Justice
Do You Know a Lawyer Who Deserves Recognition for Exemplary Pro Bono Service?
Nominate Someone Today for a 2013 Pro Bono Publico Award
Take a few minutes to nominate a lawyer or a law firm for one of the four 2013 Missouri Bar Pro Bono Publico Awards. (More Details/Online Nomination Form) (Past Recipients)

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. The black-tie event includes cocktails, a silent auction, and dinner followed by dancing to the sounds of Hudson & The Hoo Doo Cats. (Details) (Purchase Tickets)

Missouri Bar Is Searching for 2012 Pro Bono Wall of Famers
Take a Few Moments to Share Your Pro Bono Hours from 2012
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? If so, The Missouri Bar wants to recognize your professionalism and your support for access to justice and the rule of law. (Report Your 2012 Pro Bono Hours Online) (View Wall of Fame Recognition Details)

Tax help links
IRS Introduces Simplified Option for Claiming Home Office Deduction
Saves Taxpayers 1.6 Million Hours a Year
The IRS announced a simplified option that many owners of home-based businesses and some home-based workers may use to figure their deductions for the business use of their homes. Eligible home-based businesses may deduct up to $1,500. (More)

dor.mo.gov

IRS Tax Information for Tax Professionals

Tech Tips
A Dozen Steps to Help Your Firm Go Paperless
Law firms are often slow to move toward paperless or just less paper-ridden offices. Firms hesitate because they aren’t sure where to start, according to Law Technology Today. The ABA blog offers a sample plan to help. (More)

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

News from Law Schools
Glitz, Glamour, Gatsby – The Big Event Tickets Available Now
UMKC “Big Cheese” VIP Party, “Puttin on the Ritz” Reception February 23
The UMKC Law Foundation and the Law Alumni Association invite all alumni for music, dinner and a hosted bar while  enjoying an evening with the law school family. Proceeds from the February 23 event will benefit travel for competition teams. (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
Closing Act: Ethics 20/20 Proposals Crack Open the Door for Foreign Lawyers
Source: ABA Journal
The ABA Commission on Ethics 20/20 has submitted recommendations to the association’s policymaking House of Delegates that would make it easier for foreign lawyers to obtain limited authority to practice in U.S. jurisdictions. (More)

The Missouri Bar Jobs for Missouri Lawyers
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

• 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% - MoBarCLE DWI Deskbook Special Extended Until End of Month
Due to popular demand, we’ve extended the special pricing for the MoBarCLE DWI Law and Practice. Save 50% in January!  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
2013 Time Management and the Fully Automated Law Office
Eliminate, Automate, Delegate, Do
There is no use learning to be efficient, if you are focused on the wrong goals. Learn the skills you need to work smart, not hard! Live seminars set for Kansas City on January 24 and in St. Louis on January 25. (Kansas City Registration) (St. Louis Registration) (Brochure)

Next week's MoBarCLE programs

CLE Calendar

Best of CLE Course Notes
LIENS IN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CASES
Prepared by  The Honorable Lee B. Schaefer, Chief Administrative Law Judge with the Division of Workers’ Compensation; James B. Kennedy, Evans  & Dixon, LLC; and Christopher T. Kuehnlein, Kuehnlein & Kuehnlein, LLC  (12 pages).  Originally presented at the Annual Workers’ Compensation Institute on April 20 , 2012.

For more information and tips you can use in your workers’ compensation practice, register now for:

2013 Annual Workers' Compensation Institute

April 19, 2013 in St. Louis
April 26, 2013 in Kansas City
May 3, 2013 in Columbia
May 17, 2013 in Springfield
May 31, 2013 in Cape Girardeau

For more details or to register by fax or mail, please print the brochure.

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

MoBarCLE publications for your library
Guidebook — Independent Administration of Estates (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—Family Law (7th ed. 2012)
View Excerpt from Chapter 15, "Characterization and Division of Property in Divorce" (PDF Format - 22 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
December, 2012