The Missouri Bar is Accepting Nominations for the 2012 Excellence in Legal Journalism Awards

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – From Jefferson City to Washington, D.C., and beyond, the majesty and impact of the law continues to fascinate Missourians. Helping interested citizens find their way through the often confusing jargon and procedures inherent within the justice system are members of the news media. Through the efforts of the media, the public gains a clearer understanding.

In recognition of the vital role played by the state’s news media in improving public understanding of legal issues, The Missouri Bar is now accepting nominations for its annual Excellence in Legal Journalism Awards. We hope you will take this opportunity to shine a light on your efforts to improve public understanding of the justice system, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Depending upon the number and type of entries, up to three separate awards may be presented – one each for print media, radio and television – in recognition of individual stories, series or editorials that meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Contributed significantly to public understanding of the law and legal system and/or the role of lawyers and/or judges within the system.
  • Revealed a problem in the organization, structure or administration of the law, resulting in the correction of that problem for the benefit of all Missourians; and/or
  • Enhanced the equitable administration of justice in the state.

Media representatives are invited to identify members of the news media – either within their own organization or elsewhere – who performed exceptional work within the general criteria outlined above. Self-nominations are also encouraged. Individual reporters or entire news organizations that have performed notable work in improving public knowledge of the justice system are eligible. The nominations should be for items printed or broadcast prior to June 1, 2012.

Copies of pertinent articles, audio or video should accompany all nominations. In addition, letters in support of nominations are encouraged. These letters should set out the content of the item(s) and indicate their significance to the citizens of the area or state as a whole. Any follow-up or reaction to the item(s) should be summarized as well.

The deadline for receipt of nominations is July 15, 2012, with the awards presented during The Missouri Bar Annual Meeting in St. Louis, held Oct. 17-19. Please send nominations to Gary Toohey, Director of Communications, The Missouri Bar, PO Box 119, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Click here to submit your nomination via email.

The Missouri Bar is a statewide organization that is dedicated to improving the legal profession, the law and the administration of justice for all Missourians. Created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, it serves all 29,000 of Missouri’s practicing attorneys. To achieve its mission, The Missouri Bar provides a wide range of services and resources to its members, as well as the media, educators and the citizens of Missouri. To learn more about The Missouri Bar, visit www.mobar.org.

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MoBar Quick Info

Organization and Purpose: The Missouri Bar is the statewide organization that all Missouri lawyers must belong to if they practice law. The Missouri Bar was created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri. It is considered an instrumentality of the state, not a private association nor a state agency. Its mission is to improve the legal profession, the administration of justice, and law on behalf of the public.

Member Size: Currently, the bar is comprised of about 32,000 members.

Staff Size: The executive director, Sebrina Barrett, supervises a staff of 50 employees. Click here to see a Staff Directory

Budget: Approximately $10 million. No tax dollars are used to support Missouri Bar activities. Most money is derived from dues that lawyers pay; some is derived from CLE programs and publications, grants and The Bar Foundation.

Governance: The Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar determines policies and sets the course of action for the state bar to follow. The 45 members of the Board are elected by bar members. The Board elects a president, president-elect and vice president to serve as officers of the bar.

Sections and Committees: The Missouri Bar offers more than 50 substantive law committees for its members to join. It also has two sections: a Family Law Section, and the Young Lawyers' Section.

Location: The Missouri Bar Center is located in Jefferson City, at 326 Monroe St.

Missouri Bar Resources and Activities: The Missouri Bar provides a wide variety of services and resources, not only to its members, but also to the news media, school teachers and the citizens of Missouri. These include: CLE programs and publications, an Annual Meeting, a Solo and Small Firm Conference, teachers’ programs, committee meetings and extensive services for attorneys. The bar also administers a minimum continuing legal education requirement for attorneys.