Legally Speaking: Law Day celebration adds new activities

Events to benefit the Springfield area are planned throughout the week and in June

New activities to celebrate Law Day are joining with our traditional activities to make this year's celebration bigger than ever.

This year, as part of our Law Day activities, we will join lawyers throughout Missouri for a project of The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers Committee. We will collect usable suits, men's or ladies', as well as shirts, blouses or other clothing suitable for office wear.

Clothes will be collected during the entire Law Week. These will be distributed to people who are returning to the work force and are in need of suitable clothing, but do not have the resources to buy new wardrobes.

Our second new event will not take place during Law Week, but it is very important to Law Day and its theme of Democracy and Diversity.

The SMBA will sponsor a Naturalization Ceremony for new citizens. This will be held in Springfield for the first time in many years and it will take place on another patriotic holiday, June 14, Flag Day. We are very excited by the opportunity to provide this ceremony in cooperation with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Of course, we will continue with our regular schedule of activities. The annual luncheon is held May 1. This year our featured speaker is 7th District Congressman Roy Blunt.

At this luncheon we also will present several awards.

The Equal Access to Justice Award goes to an attorney for exceptional pro bono service; the Distinguished Attorney Award recognizes an attorney for the exemplary practice of law, as well as his or her service to the legal and non-legal community; and the Liberty Bell Award is given to a non-lawyer who has contributed in a special way to the promotion and administration of justice in our community.

The eighth annual Fun Run/Walk was held Friday afternoon, April 28. Approximately 75 runners took part in the event, which included prizes for non-lawyers, lawyers and judges.

April 28 the Mock Trial Tournament was held at Ozark High School. Approximately 40 lawyers acted as judges for this event. This is a special activity for those young students who participate as budding Clarence Darrows. It is always a fun day for the attorneys who judge these rounds as well.

We will also provide speakers who are willing to go to schools and civic groups to speak during Law Week or later during the month of May.

In fact, we are glad to provide speakers for groups and organizations at any time throughout the year. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, you may contact the bar office and we will make arrangements to provide you with a speaker.

For several years the SMBA has sponsored an art project with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield. All the artwork is displayed at the annual luncheon and in offices throughout town. Again this year we will be awarding prizes for the best artwork as part of our recognition of these students.

Celebration of Law Day is a celebration of America.

(Lois Zerrer is executive director of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.)