Since 1994, the Commercial Law Committee of the Missouri Bar, through a special selection subcommittee consisting of past recipients and attorneys representing different geographical areas throughout the state in a variety of practice sizes, each year presents the Roser award to an attorney who manifests the highest standard of excellence in bankruptcy practice, who contributes distinctively to the development and appreciation of bankruptcy law, and who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of bankruptcy practice or administration.  The award is named in honor of the late Michael R. Roser, a prominent Kansas City bankruptcy lawyer.

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois is seeking a full-time temporary judicial law clerk. This position is currently authorized for a six month term. The temporary judicial law clerk will provide critical support to the Chief Judge by conducting legal research and preparing legal memoranda, orders, and draft opinions. The successful candidate for this position will report to the East St. Louis courthouse and may qualify for ad hoc telework. 

Effective December 16, 2022, Hon. Stephen R. Clark assumed the role of Chief U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri for a seven-year term. He succeeds Hon. Rodney W. Sippel in that role. The Chief Judge serves as the chief executive of the District Court and all three of its Court units: the Clerk's Office, Probation Services, and Pretrial Services, and is responsible for ensuring local Court coordination with local federal agencies, the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts, the Eighth Circuit, and Judicial Conference of the United States.

Congratulations to Mavis Thompson and Keith Williamson on being named as the 2023 Legal Pioneers by the Minorities in the Legal Profession (MILP) Section!

The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) recently launched an exciting new online platform designed to facilitate pro bono opportunities for lawyers throughout our community. The platform matches clients needing help with lawyers willing and able to provide lifechanging services to these clients, ultimately bettering the community through the generosity of the lawyers who participate.

Danny Barnett-Foster, assistant executive director of operations for The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL), has been appointed Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity (SOGI) Committee for the term of Sept. 1, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2023.

Attorneys seeking to assist flood victims may volunteer with Missouri Free Legal Answers or The Missouri Bar's Disaster Recovery Legal Assistance hotline.

BAMSL members who are active duty, veterans, reservists, or interested in veterans law are welcome to join the new Veterans Committee.

Through its Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Plan, the Court's 2022 CJA Application Process is open. Dependent on experience, attorneys not currently on the CJA Panel, who wish to serve as appointed contract counsel on criminal cases, may apply to be members of the CJA Panel or the CJA Mentee Panel. The application and more information on CJA related processes is located on the Court's website at https://www.moed.uscourts.gov/criminal-justice-act-cja.

The Eagleton Courthouse has a new temporary Building Entry Order requiring masks in common areas. The temporary Order, put into effect based on local high transmission rates, is effective Wednesday, June 8 and lasts through Friday, June 17 at which point the prior mask-optional Order will again be in effect. Each Agency may continue to set masking rules in its own space.