By Tamar Gandaho & Katherine Ricks

Becoming a parent is both exciting and nerve-wracking. A new parent who is also a young lawyer has a lot their mind – what will happen when I take parental leave? Will my clients and colleagues support me leading up to, during, and after my leave? Will my career suffer? What about when I am back to work and need to take breaks to pump? What happens when my child inevitably gets sick and I have to leave work suddenly to pick them up from daycare?

Read more in the July-August 2023 issue of the St. Louis Lawyer!

Spirit of Innovation Awards

The Spirit of Innovation Awards nominations are now open! The nomination deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 31.

There are award categories for St. Louis innovator, legal practitioner and innovation advocate.

By Carol Davidson

Not so long ago we researched from books in a library and cc’s were actual carbon copies. Then came spotty-reception mobile phones and glacial DSL connections. The longer you've been practicing the more likely you are to remember when many law firms strongly encouraged office hours on Saturday. Free donuts!

Read more in the January-February 2023 issue of the St. Louis Lawyer!

The March-April issue of the BAMSL St. Louis Law Journal will focus on insurance law. We are looking for three articles on issues related to insurance law. Some prompts could be a list of things members should know about insurance, or some kind of “how to” article. However, you may write about any topic you wish. If you are willing to submit an article, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing lawjournal@bamsl.org.

Calling all attorneys and legal professionals! A record-breaking 118 high school mock trial teams from across the state have registered for the 2026 Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition! Volunteers are needed to serve as judges and jurors for the preliminary trials on January 13 & 15, 2026.

The Diversity Symposium will take place on Feb. 5, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Angad Arts Hotel and is designed to foster meaningful dialogue, education and collaboration around diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession, the justice system and the broader community. It provides a forum where diverse voices are heard, valued and empowered to drive positive change. By bringing together leaders, advocates and community members, the symposium aims to inspire action that advances fairness, justice and opportunity for all.

The seminar will take place on Jan. 28, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Armstrong Teasdale. Attendees will hear from leading appellate practitioners and judges during three panels covering state appellate practice, federal appellate issues, preserving the record, and writ practice. The program features moderators and panelists from the Missouri Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Missouri, the Eastern District of Missouri and several prominent law firms. A networking happy hour at Armstrong Teasdale will follow to conclude the afternoon.

Join BAMSL’s History Committee on Friday, December 19, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the BAMSL Bar Center or on Zoom as committee Chair Mark Harford takes a look at some of the famous and infamous figures in St. Louis legal history, including the colorful Frank J. Bowman.

By Michael Downey

Among the most serious mistakes lawyers make is misjudging the danger of neglecting their trust account. Most lawyers presume that only lawyers who intentionally steal client money end up suspended or disbarred. My experience representing dozens of Missouri lawyers in trust account-related lawyer discipline has taught me this is false: “good” lawyers may lose their license if they fail to diligently manage their trust account and do not promptly address any problems that arise.

Read more of this article and other articles like it in the St. Louis Bar Journal archive!

22nd Circuit Commission reopens application process for Mason circuit judge vacancy in St. Louis

The Twenty-Second Circuit Judicial Commission (city of St. Louis) is reopening the circuit judge vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable David C. Mason. 

Applications, including Page 1 Confidential Information, will be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday, December 8, 2025, via e-mail only to 22ndJudicialCommission@courts.mo.gov.

Click here for more information about the position and how to apply: 22nd circuit commission reopens application process for Mason circuit judge vacancy in St. Louis

22nd Circuit Commission seeks applicants for Richmond associate circuit judge vacancy in St. Louis

The Twenty-Second Circuit Judicial Commission (city of St. Louis) is accepting applications for the associate circuit judge vacancy created by Governor Michael Kehoe’s appointment of Judge Patrick E. Richmond to fill the circuit judge vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Bryan L. Hettenbach. 

Applications, including Page 1 Confidential Information, will be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday, December 8, 2025, via e-mail only to 22ndJudicialCommission@courts.mo.gov.

Click here for more information about the position and how to apply: 22nd circuit commission seeks applicants for Richmond associate circuit judge vacancy in St. Louis