Times change but legal focus unwavering

The legal community for Springfield and southwest Missouri is looking forward to the year 2000. Looking back, whether to the past century or the past decade, will show how quickly the legal community can change and yet, how some aspects stay the same.

At the turn of the century, people walked to the courthouse and judges made their way to the outlying courts on horseback. Today, there never seems to be enough parking spaces at the courthouse. Ten years ago, there were one-third fewer lawyers and fewer law firms.

Ten years ago, law firms were strictly local entities; now some law firms are regional with large law firms having branch offices in several cities.

This regionalization will continue to affect local law firms during the coming year. Along with firms from other cities coming to Springfield, Springfield firms are starting to open offices elsewhere.

Another topic which will be on the minds of attorneys throughout the nation will be multidisciplinary practice. There is discussion of the possibility that lawyers would join with other professionals in firms.

This is now prohibited by lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct because of concerns about conflicts of interest and compromising independent professional judgment on behalf of our clients. This will be thoroughly discussed by lawyers at the local, state and national levels to decide what is appropriate for the best interests of the clients.

In addition, the Internet is having an impact as people can access information about law firms and individual lawyers online. People looking for legal help can find general information online.

This can prepare them with definitions of legal terms and background information on a legal topic. This could make them better prepared when they go to see a lawyer.

However, there is a downside to trying to solve your problems on the Internet. Laws differ from state to state. Because you do not know the location or the accuracy of the information you find online, you may not be getting valid legal advice. Giving legal advice constitutes the practice of law in Missouri.

It is improper for an attorney to practice law in the state of Missouri unless he or she is licensed to do so in the state of Missouri.

Also, no two fact patterns are ever exactly alike. While information presented online may appear to fit your situation, there may be other facts in the underlying case or in your case which would result in a different outcome.

The only way to be sure is to contact a lawyer well versed in the type of legal problem you have.

Other areas of the law will be impacted by change in the year 2000. Increased use of the drug court and alternative dispute resolution are two areas which will bring change to our current system. Although neither of these concepts is new, their use will be expanded.

Drug court is a court-supervised treatment program for first-time, non-violent, felony drug offenders. It includes court appearances, substance abuse treatment, drug testing, community service work, and corrections supervision.

The goals of drug court are to hold persons accountable for their actions, to decrease the likelihood of future criminal behavior and to increase the likelihood of the individual's recovery. In existence less than one year, the Greene County Drug Court is already showing some promising results.

Alternative dispute resolution will also be used more and more during the coming year.

ADR is useful in resolving all types of disputes, both small and large. It is also being used more and more frequently in domestic relations matters in trying to get parties to come to workable solutions regarding custody and visitation issues. When parties agree to a solution they have reached together, the parties are more likely to follow through on their agreement.

Things that will remain the same in the coming year are the lawyers' emphasis on achieving results for their clients. Technology may change, numbers may change, and some methods may change but the heart of the practice of law remains the same.

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