SMBA: Springfield Bar Association names new officers

The beginning of the new year also marks a new beginning for the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.

It starts with the changing of the SMBA officers at the annual Installation Banquet, held Jan. 13 at Highland Springs Country Club.

Rod Loomer, a partner with Turner, Reid, Duncan, Loomer & Patton, begins his one-year term as president of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, taking over the reins from Gary R. Cunningham, a partner with the firm of Daniel, Clampett, Powell & Cunningham.

J. Richard Owensby, of Neale & Newman, is the 2001 vice president/president-elect; Venus Harry, of William McDonald & Associates, is secretary; and John Housley, of Lowther Johnson Joyner Cully & Housley, continues as Treasurer.

Three new members join the 2001 board. They are: Marion Ann Adams, attorney at law; Jason Brown, of Carmichael Gardner Turner & Brown; and Jeff Groves, of Daniel Clampett Powell & Cunningham.

Those three join returning board members Grant Haden, of Newberry Haden Cowherd Bullock & Keck; Kim Lowry, attorney at law; Amy Buchli Squibb, of U.S. District Court Probation and Parole; Debbie Dodge, of Hall Ansley Rodgers & Condry; Jerry Harmison, of Lathrop & Gage; and Bob Lynch, attorney at law.

Issues that the board will address in the coming year include the increasing use of technology in the practice of law, from research methods to trial presentation.

Use of the Internet and availability of information for lawyers and consumers will increasingly impact the way we conduct our business.

In September of this year, the Missouri Bar and the Judicial Conference of the Supreme Court of Missouri will hold joint meetings.

This year the meetings are scheduled to return to Springfield, the first time since 1995.

Approximately 1,200 judges and lawyers from throughout the state of Missouri will gather in Springfield for educational meetings and social events.

Having the meetings in Springfield has been very successful, thanks in part to the warm greeting the Springfield community has extended to the members of the bar.

All the members of the SMBA wish the best for the Springfield community in the new year.

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

New Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association officers

The 2001 officers are:

Rod Loomer, a partner with Turner, Reid, Duncan, Loomer & Patton, president;

J. Richard Owensby, of Neale & Newman, vice president;

Venus Harry, of William McDonald & Associates, secretary;

John Housley, of Lowther Johnson Joyner Cully & Housley, treasurer.