If you enjoyed the article above, join BAMSL’s History Committee on Friday, Dec. 19, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the BAMSL Bar Center or via Zoom for a free member CLE on St. Louis’ historically famous and infamous lawyers, including the colorful Frank J. Bowman. Chair Mark Harford will be presenting.

"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouruh!" (sic)[1]

It seems every president from Monroe to Trump II, except Eisenhower, agrees with Abraham Simpson: Charles Evans Whittaker is the only United States Supreme Court Justice to hail from Missouri.[2] Colorado, which became a state 55 years after Missouri, and is to this day less populous than Missouri, has had 2 residents serve as justices[3] of the Supreme Court.  There have been as many Heisman trophy runners-up[4] to serve as there have been Missourians. However, three future Justices spent early parts of their legal careers in Saint Louis.

St. Louis Law Journal
Posted by: Darin Sorrell on Nov 4, 2024

St. Louis preliminary trials are Jan. 13 and 15; Feb. 10 and 12. We need volunteers to serve as judges and jurors. Click here to volunteer.

St. Louis prelims trials are 1/13, 1/15, 2/10, 2/12.

Tuesday Jan. 13 and Feb. 10:   https://momtstltue.tabroom.com/
Thursday Jan 15 and Feb. 12: https://momtstlthr.tabroom.com/

St. Louis regionals March 3 and 5: https://momtstlreg.tabroom.com/

State Championship (Downtown STL) March 27-29: https://momocktrial.tabroom.com/

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

Spirit of Innovation Awards

Registration for the Spirit of Innovation Awards is open! The nomination deadline is Dec. 10.

This is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional contributions of your colleagues within our professional community.

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

Click Here to Nominate

Spirit of Justice Awards

Registration for the Spirit of Justice Awards is open! The nomination deadline is Dec. 22.

The Spirit of Justice Awards recognize lawyers, non-lawyers and programs that have demonstrated accomplishment, leadership and integrity in fostering and maintaining the rule of law, and in facilitating and promoting improvement of the administration of justice.

Click Here to Nominate

BAMSL Member Holiday Party 2025