Missouri Bar Association to meet in Springfield

"It's great to have it in Springfield," said Lois Zerrer, executive director of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Associa-tion. "It was here in 1992 and again in 1995, and we're really looking forward to it. And it has an economic impact on Springfield."

The subject of Zerrer's enthusiasm is the 2001 Missouri Bar/Missouri Judicial Conference Annual Meeting coming up September 11-14 in Springfield. About 1,000 lawyers and judges from throughout the state are expected to meet at the University Plaza Holiday Inn, 333 John Q. Hammons Pkwy.

The meeting features several highlight events, including appearances by "Newsweek" Chief Political Correspon-dent Howard Fineman and new Chief Justice Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. of the Missouri Supreme Court.

Fineman will speak at the President's Recognition Dinner at 7 p.m. Wednes-day, Sept. 12. Justice Limbaugh will speak to the membership at the Opening Luncheon at noon Sept. 13. (For those who might wonder, the chief justice from Cape Girardeau indeed is related to radio entertainer Rush Limbaugh, a first cousin.)

Zerrer, whose organization has been involved in planning the event, said many of the attending members are especially looking forward to the meeting's Best of Missouri Reception, which will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at the American National Fish and Wildlife Museum. "Some of our members are scuba divers," she said, "and will be doing dives." The reception also will feature Missouri-grown and produced foods and beverages.

According to the Missouri Bar Asso-ciation, the "backbone" of its annual meetings is the organization's continuing legal education programming. The Supreme Court of Missouri requires law-yers to take at least 15 hours of continuing legal education each year. At this year's meeting, lawyers can choose from several days' worth of educational programs, each taught by volunteer attorneys who have developed expertise in that area of the law. These programs include

? "An examination of Missouri's GAL Program with Respect to Representation of Children in Abuse and Neglect Cases," 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, Kansas A Room

? "Elder Law Issues," 1:30-2:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 13, Kansas A Room

? "Hot Topics for DUI Cases," 2:30-3:30 Thursday, Sept. 13, Colorado A Room

? "Ethics in the Law: Defining the Paralegal's Role," 10-10:50 a.m., Friday, Sept. 14, Colorado B Room

? "Educational Program for Legal Secretaries and Other Legal Support Staff," 1-4:00 p.m., Friday, Sept. 14, Kansas B Room

Major Events, 2001 Missouri Bar/Missouri Judicial Conference Annual Meeting

Wednesday, September 12

Missouri Bar Board of Governors Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Nebraska Room

President's Recognition Dinner, 7:00 p.m., Georgia/Arizona Rooms

Howard Fineman appearance. Three attorneys, including Springtfield lawyer James S. McLeod, will receive Pro bono Publico Awards for service to clients without the means to pay for it.

Thursday, September 13

Opening Luncheon, at noon, Georgia/ Arizona Rooms

Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. speaks.

Best of Missouri Reception, 6:00 p.m., American National Fish and Wildlife Museum

Missouri-grown and Missouri-produced foods and beverages will be featured at this popular event, hosted this year by the brand-new American National Fish and Wildlife Museum.

Friday, September 14

Board of Governors Awards Breakfast, 8:00 a.m., Georgia/Arizona Rooms.

Outgoing president of The Missouri Bar, John W. Briscoe of New London, will pass the gavel to his successor, Theresa L. F. Levings of Kansas City.