I'm often accused (sometimes praised) for being a cheerleader for The Missouri Bar and the profession. Well, that's what I am and I have written many times on the reasons why. One of the greatest joys in my life has been the opportunity to be around other lawyers. I have found the collegiality of the profession to be very rewarding and know that many other lawyers feel exactly the same way.
The Missouri Bar, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Jackson County Bar Association, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Mound City Bar Association and many other organizations provide not only opportunity for substantive service to the profession and the public but also an opportunity to make new friends and renew old friendships with members of the profession. I have always encouraged the full cooperation of every organized bar, and I receive great benefits from this cooperation.
When I was president of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis I invited other bars to come to our enrollment ceremony for new lawyers. Certain members of BAMSL criticized me for permitting other bars this opportunity when BAMSL was footing the bill for it. Those critics just forgot that the other bar leaders were also members of BAMSL, a fact that did not escape the other bar leaders, who praised BAMSL for being a leader in the openness of their relationship.
After that time I wrote an article called "Us vs. US," which was based upon that experience. Just as I have encouraged lawyers to find collegiality with their opponents in litigation, I also strongly encourage the sense of family within the organized bar.
That brings me to the real subject matter of this article. This is an unabashed commercial for the annual meeting of The Missouri Bar, to be held in St. Louis in the third week of September. It is held in conjunction with the Missouri Judicial Conference, which almost all of our judges will attend. A simple review of attendance figures suggests that many members of The Missouri Bar have never attended the annual meeting. Well, now is your chance and we certainly hope you will take it.
This year's meeting is very special. First of all, they're getting rid of me, which will certainly have an uplifting affect on a portion of the bar. Second, the Annual Meeting Planning Committee has selected "The Missouri Bar Unified: Many Voices, One Calling," as the theme of the meeting and diversity as its focus. We have been able to obtain the services of Morris Dees, noted civil rights speaker, for the meeting. We are arduously working with the Annual Meeting Planning Committee and our Committee on Minority Issues to develop meaningful programs on this important issue.
Then there's the art show! Through my association with many lawyers here in St. Louis and the Lawyers Association Gridiron Show, I have been reminded of the vast amount of talent that lawyers have. This year we are soliciting works of art produced by lawyers, which will be displayed and awards presented.
Add to all of this the President's Recognition Dinner, the Best of Missouri Reception (where purveyors from throughout the state offer an opportunity to enjoy their products), spouses' events and, of course, St. Louis itself.
Finally, there is the congeniality. There's the opportunity to visit with those lawyers with whom you went to law school or with whom you have litigated over the years but with whom you have not had an opportunity to talk. It is the opportunity to do what we do best — communicate.
Sometimes the Irish say it's a "Comeallya." In some parts of Missouri they say, "Y'all come." Whichever it is, this is a warm invitation to experience the only statewide meeting of your bar all year long, and I know that you will be enriched by it. Please "Meet Me In St. Louis."
Endnotes
1The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from InfoSoft International, Inc. All rights reserved.