Susan McCourt Baltz, of Ballwin, Mo., has been selected as the next Executive Director of The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL). Baltz will officially start in her new role on Mon., Jan. 4, 2021.

The 31st annual Motion for Kids (MFK) holiday gift-giving project for approximately 1,500 metropolitan St. Louis area children who are in the foster care system, or children whose lives have been severely impacted by the criminal justice system, continues in 2020 with a different format.

The National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being has defined occupational well-being as cultivating personal satisfaction, growth and enrichment in work, and striving to maintain financial stability. I like to think of it as simply enjoying what you do to make money.

Many words can describe 2020. One word that comes to mind for BAMSL is “pivot.” Like so many other organizations, BAMSL and our affiliates, members and law firms have become quite adept at pivoting to adapt to the ever-changing world in which we currently live. Working together, we have accomplished amazing things throughout the COVID-19 crisis, even when we were forced to social distance and visit virtually.

Now that we are in November, the holiday season is suddenly upon us. This strange and different year leads us to what will be strange and different holiday celebrations. Thanksgiving will be here soon, followed by all of the wonderful end-of-year holidays. The question for a lot of families is whether we get together like we always have, or do we change our way of celebrating? 

Ann has had an amazing recovery from her major surgery. For her, there's no doubt that her physical health and well-being prior to her aneurysm and surgery laid a strong foundation to her road to recovery.

The fact that our judges appear on the ballot is a surprise to many voters. Often, voters do not take the time to find out about the judges who are up for retention. Many voters are honest, and admit that, "I didn't know any of them, so I just skipped that part of the ballot." Or, even worse, "I didn't know any of them, so I just voted 'no.'"

If you mention "family law" to a group of lawyers and judges at a social gathering, you will see most of them looking for the exit. The view from outside this area of practice and into the courtrooms of those judges who handle these cases is not one that shouts, "Come on in. This is fun!" But as lawyers and judges, we often are required to help litigants with matters that are essential, and life-changing, whether they are "fun" or not. This is never more true than in the family law arena.

I joined the cross-country team in high school and never looked back. I didn't have to, nobody was there. The good and mediocre runners were all in front of me.

I want to express my gratitude to each of you for renewing or becoming a new member of BAMSL. Your membership reflects your desire to further enhance your legal career and your commitment to helping the legal community make an impact in the St. Louis Metropolitan region.