Total Credits: 7.4 MCLE, 6.4 Ethics, 7.0 Kansas Credit, 6.0 Kansas Ethics
Join us for the 27th Missouri Lawyers' Assistance Conference
November 4, 2022
In-person | The Missouri Bar Center | 326 Monroe St. | Jefferson City
or Virtual
Sponsored by The Missouri Bar, The Bar Plan, and the Missouri Bar Foundation
8:30 – 9:20 AM | Breakfast and Optional Friends of Bill W. Meeting
9:20 – 9:30 AM | Welcome
Speaker: Lauren E. Tucker McCubbin, Polsinelli, Kansas City
9:30 – 10:20 AM | When Law Gives You Lemons
Speaker: Krystal K. Weigl, Stock Legal, LLC, St. Louis
This conversation explores what the framework provided by various lemon laws can teach us about professional boundaries, career sustainability, and fulfillment.
10:20 – 10:30 AM | Break
10:30 – 11:20 AM | Finding Yourself in the Practice of Law
Speaker: Jennifer R. Hargis, Rooney McBride & Smith, LLC, Springfield
Lawyers often struggle to find their own unique voice, style of practice, and incorporate their own personal values in the practice of law. Many lawyers believe they must fit into a certain “box” to be successful, or that they have to abandon their personal values in order to be an effective or successful attorney. However, the feeling that you do not have the freedom to be your true self, and that you are living a life that is inauthentic to your true self is the ultimate cause of chronic stress. This foundational underlying stress leads to many problems, including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and chronic health problems.
This presentation will explore concepts to help attorneys live their best, most authentic lives, while still practicing law, defining success for themselves, and enjoying the freedom of feeling truly in harmony with the Self.
11:20 AM – 12:10 PM | The Ethics of Wellbeing: Mental Health, Well-being, Ethics and Professional Responsibility of the Attorney
Speaker: Nadine C. Atkinson-Flowers, Law Office of Nadine C. Atkinson-Flowers, Folcroft, PA | joining live virtually
One core charge for the Lawyer is to have professional responsibility to ensure he zealously represents the client. One therefore expects that the lawyer has schooled himself in the relevant laws relative to the client’s case and is ready and able deal with his client’s business with all due expedition. But to fully discharge his professional responsibility the lawyer must of necessity not be laboring under any infirmities or maladies, excess stress, severe adversity and anxiety, in short his mental health must be experiencing a balance, so he must be well or be in a state of well-being. This should be seen as an ethical obligation.
Mental health is defined for our purposes as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his/her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life (emphasis added) can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
12:10 – 12:40 PM | Luncheon and Awards Ceremony
Sponsor: The Bar Plan
12:40 – 1:40 PM | Judges and Mental Health
Speakers: Anne Chambers, LCSW, Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program, Jefferson City; Hon. Becky J. W. Borthwick, 31st Judicial Circuit, Springfield; and Hon. Joseph P. Whyte, 22nd Judicial Circuit, St. Louis
This presentation will focus on judges and mental health. Panelists will discuss the importance of judicial well-being, warning signs of burnout and compassion fatigue and how judges are at risk. We will cover key takeaways from a recent national survey on sources of stress and resilience in the US judiciary. A panelist will share their experience, strength and hope. We will highlight resources for judges and attorneys, and conclude with an eye on the future based on the latest survey on lawyer well-being. The presentation will be interactive, with an opportunity for question and answer time.
1:40 – 3:20 PM | All About Interventions
Speakers: Gary K. Burger, Burger Law, St. Louis; and Hugh F. O’Donnell, III, Attorney and Mediator, Kansas City
The presentation will cover the various types of interventions under Rule 16.
3:20 – 3:30 PM | Break
3:30 – 4:30 PM | Taking a Healthy Approach to the Stress of a Legal Practice – Lawyer Well-Being in Today’s World
Speaker: Brendan M. Cournane, Law Office of Brendan M. Cournane, Chicago, IL
The practice of law has changed dramatically in the last 40 years, a timeframe within the memory of many of today’s lawyers. Lawyers who started their practice as recently as the 80’s and early 90's did not have laptops, smartphones, texts or emails. Even those too young to remember how things were, 'back in the day', confront the 'advances' inherent in the practice of law in today's world.
Today’s practice makes it much more difficult to be ‘untethered’ while on vacation or when at home, indeed, at any time. And lawyers did not work from home (WFH) until very recently. As a result, with the advanced technology and WFH benefits, the legal practice has seen a dramatic increase in the stressors challenging lawyer well-being, with many negative consequences for the lawyer and her/his clients.
In November 2018, the American Bar Association released the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being Report focusing on chronic stress on lawyers, mental health issues such as depression, substance abuse/disorder and related matters.
We will examine six influencers related to lawyer well-being, and identify several coping techniques lawyers use to handle stress in our lives. Some are unhealthy while others are healthy and lead to better work-life harmony.
By the end of the session, we will be able to (i) define 3 types of stress; (ii) demonstrate an exercise to identify stress in the body; (iii) describe 6 influencers impacting our daily stress load; and (iv) implement 2-3 healthy coping techniques to reduce stress on a daily basis.
4:30 PM | Adjourn
Moderator:
Charles Lonardo, Lonardo Law Firm, Joplin
Nadine C. Atkinson-Flowers practices in the USA and in Jamaica, in immigration and provid-ing expert testimony on Jamaican law. A frequent presenter and an access to justice volun-teer; she has published several articles in the ABA Journal, and On Your Feet: Criminal Law Practice in the Parish Courts in Jamaica.
Judge Borthwick was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District in September 2022. Judge Becky Borthwick was appointed circuit judge for the 31st Judicial Circuit Court in October 2019 and was retained in 2020. She was appointed associate circuit judge in April 2016 and was retained in 2018.
Judge Borthwick was previously in private practice, served as an assistant attorney general for Missouri, and was a full-time municipal court judge for Springfield.
Judge Borthwick received her Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma in 1995. She earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1991.
Gary Burger has been a trial lawyer for 27 years and is the founder of Burger law – a small to medium sized firm dedicated to zealous representation of injury victims and their families.
Gary is a Board and Executive Committee Member of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, a member of the Board of Governors of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, and a member of the Missouri Supreme Court Intervention Committee under Rule 16.
Gary has been chosen as a Superlawyer for over a decade, is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and recipient of other professional recognitions. He is AV rated by LexisNexis and Martindale-Hubbell, Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and admitted to practice in Missouri and Illinois, the Missouri Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th and 8th Circuits and various Federal District Courts.
Gary is a member of Illinois and Missouri Bar Associations, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and the American Association for Justice, and winner of 2018 second highest jury verdict in Missouri.
Gary grew up in the St. Louis area and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Washington University School of Law. Gary lives in St. Louis with his wife, kids and dogs. Gary is an avid scuba diver and bee keeper.
Gary is a former Chairman of the Missouri Lawyers Assistance Committee and member of the Missouri Lawyers Regional Disciplinary Committee.
Gary created and co-hosts a podcast called Lawyervlawyer, which provides advice, trial tips, and discussions on real-life litigation situations by and for practicing lawyers. Gary speaks at and hosts Continuing Legal Education courses for fellow lawyers.
Anne Chambers, LCSW serves as the Director of the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program. She has significant experience working with people to address mental health and substance concerns.
Ms. Chambers has served as past president of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work, past chair of the National Association of Social Workers Legal Defense Fund Service Board, and past chair of the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs Senior Lawyers Committee.
Ms. Chambers received her Master of Social Work degree from Louisiana State University in 1990. She has been licensed in clinical social work in Missouri since 1992. She lives with her family in Columbia.
In 1995, I ran the Chicago Marathon, qualified for the 100th Boston Marathon and those events changed my life. I learned the importance of having balance among my work, family, and personal life.
Over the years since then I have become a Certified Professional Coach. I specialize in helping professionals learn why they do what they do - and how to improve their life skills to get the most out of life.
Over the last 30+ years, I have incorporated life lessons learned through Recovery, a busy law practice, raising a family with 4 children, and running marathons around the world. I've learned mindfulness practice and being true to oneself are integral to achieving happiness and success in my life.
Today, I'm grateful for the opportunity to share these life lessons and the gifts of happiness and serenity with others through professional development coaching, speaking engagements and articles in a variety of publications in which I share my life experience, strength and hope.
Jenni Hargis is an experienced litigator, mediator, and estate planning attorney, trusted by businesses and individuals to help them reach their best possible self-determined outcome. She excels in communicating difficult legal concepts and relating to her clients on a human level. As a litigator, Ms. Hargis’ practical and solution-oriented style aims to achieve efficient resolution of disputes, both before and after suit is filed. She focuses on using the litigation process as a tool to educate her clients and obtain strategic advantage through the use of discovery, motion practice, alternative dispute resolution, and trial. She has litigated cases in numerous jurisdictions, areas of law, and industries. As a mediator, Ms. Hargis makes use of her intuitive and analytical skills to help those in conflict reach resolution. A student of the human mind, she uses various techniques to resolve not only problems presented on the surface, but to identify and help people work toward resolution of deeper issues that drive people and lead to conflict. She appreciates the individuals involved in each dispute as unique, and strives to design mediation processes to obtain the best possible result for all involved, guiding the parties to take control of the outcome of the dispute. In addition to assisting parties in conflict, Ms. Hargis is a trusted counselor in estate planning. She takes a pragmatic approach to designing a unique plan for each of her clients to best effectuate their wishes. She also assists in probate, trust administration, and related litigation. Ms. Hargis is a 2003 graduate of Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, and a 1994 graduate of Missouri State University with a degree in History, cum laude, in the Honors College. She practiced as a litigator in St. Louis, was in-house counsel at a national construction company, and practiced with a large regional firm in Las Vegas, Nevada before returning to her hometown of Springfield in 2013. She is active in CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Southwest Missouri and in assisting local Veterans groups, and enjoys cooking, eating, and traveling with her husband, Darin.
Hugh O'Donnell practices family law with his own firm in Kansas City. He has mediated thousands of family law cases over the past 20+ years, and introduced collaborative divorce to Missouri and Kansas family lawyers. He is chairman of the Missouri Bar Intervention Committee, established by Supreme Court Rule 16.
Lauren is very protective of clients’ assets and works diligently to protect them through risk management counseling, litigation avoidance, alternative dispute resolution, trials and appeals. Throughout the course of her career, Lauren has defended a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including over 20 class action lawsuits. Lauren has also helped clients recover tens of millions of dollars in insurance coverage for a broad range of business losses.
Lauren represents the firm’s business, financial and health care clients in complex commercial litigation, including class actions and multidistrict litigation, from inception through resolution. Her courtroom experience includes representing clients in hearings on temporary and permanent injunctive relief and class certification, in bench and jury trials, and oral arguments on pre-trial and dispositive motions before trial courts and oral arguments at the appellate court level.
Lauren’s insurance recovery counseling and litigation experience includes director and officer liability insurance, cyber liability coverage, professional liability, advertising injury claims, business interruption and property losses, stop loss coverage disputes, excess and reinsurance disputes, and product liability and product recall insurance.
Judge Joseph Whyte was appointed circuit judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court in 2018. He served as an assistant attorney general for Missouri for two years and was engaged in the private practice of law for almost 26 years.
Judge Whyte is a Missouri Lawyers' Assistance Program volunteer. He is also a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, the Fox Park Neighborhood Association, and the Patriot Guard Riders.
Judge Whyte received his B.S. from the University of Missouri - Columbia, and he received his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law.
The conference will be held at The Missouri Bar Center. If you need lodging, we have secured a discounted rate at the following hotel.
Courtyard by Marriott
610 Bolivar St. | Jefferson City
Rates are per night, plus tax:
Single or Double | $119
Book your group rate for The Missouri Bar.
Conference lodging rates end October 3, 2022, or when the block is filled, whichever occurs first.
The Bar Plan
Missouri Bar Member Benefit Provider
Website: www.thebarplan.com
Twitter: @TheBarPlan
About: The Bar Plan has protected Missouri lawyers with malpractice insurance longer than any competing carrier. We also offer court bonds, life insurance, workers’ comp and a business office package. The Bar Plan Foundation provides Risk Management CLE options. To find out how we help lawyers build better practices, visit www.thebarplan.com.
The Missouri Bar Foundation
Website: https://www.mobarfoundation.org/
About: Our mission is to promote improvement in the administration of justice by encouraging and funding law-related endeavors, recognizing legal and public service, and supporting scholarships and community projects. Find out how you can help fulfill our mission today.
Friends of Bill W. Meeting
NOV 4, 2022
8:30 AM
Join this Zoom meeting by clicking on this link.
https://mobar-org.zoom.us/j/82927181570?pwd=dWFFMmt0OGFjVHlBZ3BScHJVMHY4UT09
The Missouri Bar takes the safety and well-being of its members, the public, and its employees very seriously. We will continue to monitor the coronavirus and its variants, adapting our services and events as appropriate, based on the advice of governments, public health authorities, and medical professionals.
• We will inform you of any changes that affect you, especially when it comes to in-person events. This includes any cancellation notices or changes to venue, format, or safety guidelines.
• Whenever possible, any notices will be announced at least three days in advance of an event.
• We encourage all attendees of Missouri Bar events to be aware of and follow CDC guidelines for large gatherings.
• Help us keep everyone in attendance safe by not attending an event if, within the 10 days prior to the event:
♦ You have tested positive for COVID-19;
♦ You have experienced any symptoms of COVID-19; or
♦ You have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Be respectful of the personal comfort level of other attendees when it comes to physical distancing, including shaking hands or other gestures common in networking environments.
By registering for and attending a Missouri Bar event, you agree to take necessary measures, including departing the event, and to notify The Missouri Bar at COVID-Advise@mobar.org if you test positive for COVID-19 or begin to experience symptoms of COVID-19. Furthermore, you agree to notify The Missouri Bar at COVID-Advise@mobar.org if you test positive for COVID-19 within 10 days after the event.
Please also be advised that, pursuant to RSMo. 537.1005, effective Aug. 28, 2021, “under Missouri law, any individual entering the premises or engaging the services of the business waives all civil liability against the individual or entity for any damages based on inherent risks associated with an exposure or potential exposure to COVID-19, except for recklessness or willful misconduct.”
Please contact The Missouri Bar with any questions or concerns.
| Availability | Module Title | Speaker | Credits | Duration | Course Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 2022 @ 09:20 AM (CDT) |
Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Conference Virtual Sessions
|
Nadine Atkinson-Flowers,
Hon. Becky Borthwick,
Gary Burger,
Anne Chambers,
Brendan Cournane,
Jennifer Hargis,
Hugh O'Donnell,
Lauren Tucker McCubbin,
Krystal Weigl,
Hon. Joseph Whyte
|
Total Credits: 7.4 MCLE | 7 Hours 10 Minutes | More info » |
