Total Credits: 5.0 MCLE, 1.0 Ethics
9-9:50 a.m. | Affordable housing development: Incentives and beyond
Speakers: Johnny L. Boyer, Legal Aid Services of Western Missouri, Joplin; Sarah Canada, Legal Aid Services of Western Missouri, Joplin; Ulysses “Deke” Clayborn, Clayborn & Associates, LLC, Kansas City
9:50-9:55 a.m. | Break
9:55-10:45 a.m. | Hinkle et al v. Tyson Foods – Anti-trust and the family farm (1.0 Ethics hour)
Speaker: Brandon Boulware, Boulware Law LLC, Kansas City
10:45-10:50 a.m. | Break
10:50-11:40 a.m. | The intersection of real property law and probate in Missouri
This presentation will cover some of the more common situations in which real property, often the largest asset of an individual, is impacted by death and probate. The lecture will cover topics such as the various ways in which real estate may be owned and conveyed to avoid probate, how probate actions impact lenders and heirs of deceased property owners, probate conveyances, intestate statutory inheritance, common title issues triggered by probate or death (and how to resolve them), and related implications to a practitioner of real property or probate law in Missouri.
Speaker: Scott B. Mueller, Goldberg Segalla, LLP, St. Louis
11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m. | Lunch
12:10-1 p.m. | 8 mistakes real estate lawyers USUALLY make in drafting leases and contracts
Speaker: Lenne Espenschied, Next Level Contracts, Simons Island, GA
1-1:05 p.m. | Break
1:05-1:55 p.m. | Community solutions to vacant and deteriorating properties
Vacant and deteriorated properties in Missouri reflect not only code enforcement failures, but also historic discrimination, disinvestment, and unequal access to credit that continue to shape who bears the burdens of vacancy and redevelopment. Lawyers practicing in this space must understand both the legal tools available and the systemic inequities embedded in the built environment.
This program provides an overview of public and private legal strategies to return properties to productive use, including nuisance actions, receivership, tax enforcement, and community-led approaches. It also examines the lawyer’s ethical role under Rule 4-2.1, using behavioral law and economics to explore how cognitive bias, trauma, and institutional distrust affect client decision-making. Participants will gain practical, ethically grounded strategies for representing municipalities, community groups, and property owners in vacant property matters.
Learning objectives:
Speakers: Prof. Dana M. Malkus, Director, Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic, SLU School of Law, St. Louis; Peter J. Hoffman, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, St. Louis
1:55 p.m. | Adjourn
Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.
Brandon Boulware handles business litigation and catastrophic personal injury matters. He began his legal career clerking for a Missouri Supreme Court judge, followed by a federal trial court clerkship. He then practiced with a business litigation boutique for 13 years. Brandon started his own firm in 2018, and lives in Kansas City with his wife and four children.
Johnny Boyer is a dedicated staff attorney at Legal Aid of Western Missouri, where he advocates for low-income individuals and families across the region. He focuses on housing stability, consumer protection, and public benefits, helping clients navigate complex legal systems with clarity and compassion. Johnny is committed to expanding access to justice through community outreach, pro bono collaboration, and policy advocacy. Known for his thoughtful counsel and steady courtroom presence, he works to ensure vulnerable Missourians receive fair treatment and meaningful legal support throughout the communities he serves every day.
Sarah Canada is a Case Handling Paralegal with Legal Aid of Western Missouri in Joplin. With 17 years of legal experience, she focuses on fair housing, subsidized and public housing, and special education law, securing favorable outcomes and advancing tenant rights through representation, advocacy, and community education. In addition to direct representation, Sarah provides community education and training on fair housing for community agencies and housing authorities. One of her case stories was featured in Legal Aid’s 2024 Annual Report. She is a threetime recipient of Legal Aid’s Above and Beyond Award (2019, 2023, and 2024) and is a commissioned Notary Public.
Ulysses "Deke" Clayborn is the managing member of Clayborn & Associates, LLC, located in Kansas City, Missouri which primarly works in the field of real estate development. Recently he served as HUD's Region VII, Regional Administrator where he implemented HUD's federal housing policies. He has also served as the General Counsel to the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC), which oversees the state's housing programs.
Lenné Eidson Espenschied has earned her status as one of the Top 3 contract drafting speakers in the country by continually striving for excellence and providing innovative, practical, skills-based training for transactional lawyers. She practiced law in Atlanta, Georgia for 25 years, focusing on corporate and transactional representation of technology-based businesses. Ms. Espenschied is a contributing faculty member for Thomson/Reuter’s West Legal Ed Center. She is the author of two books published by the American Bar Association: Contract Drafting: Powerful Prose in Transactional Practice (ABA Fundamentals, 3rd Ed. 2019) and The Grammar and Writing Handbook for Lawyers (ABA Fundamentals, 2011). After graduating from the University of Georgia School of Law magna cum laude, Ms. Espenschied began her legal practice at the firm now known as Eversheds Sutherland; she also served as Senior Counsel in the legal department of Bank of America before eventually opening her own law office. As a law professor, Ms. Espenschied taught commercial law, contracts, and contract drafting. Her passion is helping lawyers acquire the skills they need to be successful in transactional practice.
Peter Hoffman founded the Neighborhood Advocacy Program at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri in 2018 to confront one of the most persistent drivers of neighborhood instability: vacant and abandoned property. As Founder and Managing Attorney, he leads innovative legal strategies that hold property owners accountable and empower communities working toward revitalization.
Previously, Peter helped launch and directed Legal Aid of Western Missouri’s “Adopt-a-Neighborhood” program in Kansas City, building partnerships between neighborhood leaders and pro bono attorneys. His career has centered on harnessing the law to advance neighborhood stabilization and community equity.
Professor Dana Malkus teaches at Saint Louis University School of Law where her work focuses on community development, neighborhood businesses, and the collective power of neighborhood residents. Her previous legal experience includes Lewis, Rice & Fingersh (St. Louis, MO) and clerking in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
Scott B. Mueller is a recognized leader in real estate law, resolving complex issues for diverse clients. His practice spans zoning, land use, ownership disputes, title defects, foreclosure actions, fraud, tax sales, and real estate-secured lending. He is respected for his deep understanding of property laws and practical, client-centered solutions.
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Thu, Apr 09, 2026 - 9:00 AM to 1:55 PM CDT
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Fri, May 29, 2026 - 9:00 AM to 1:55 PM CDT
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Click HERE to review the Cancellation Policy.
