The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

BAMSL had the pleasure of hosting a great group for our Summer Associates Luncheon yesterday. The event provided students with valuable insights into the various pathways and career options within the legal profession.

We look forward to seeing these bright minds flourish in their future endeavors within the legal profession.

Special thanks to our guest speakers for sharing their expertise:

Michael Figenshau - Gray Ritter Graham
Tayler Finneran - Sandberg Phoenix
Annette Heller - TM Law & Associates
Amy Rebecca Johnson - Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C.

BAMSL's 2026 Virtual 15-Hour Annual MCLE Update is Friday, June 26, beginning at 7:00 a.m.

This comprehensive webinar, offered via Zoom, provides a convenient way to fulfill your entire annual CLE requirement, including ethics and elimination of bias credits, in a single day. Speakers include:

Federal Criminal Defense for the Non-Federal Practitioner: What Every Missouri Lawyer Needs to Know Before the FBI Calls (1:00 p.m.) Talmage Newton – Newton Barth

Robert’s Rules of Order (2:00 p.m.) Hon. Krista Peyton – 21st Judicial Circuit Court

Robert's Rules of Order from a parliamentarian's perspective. We will take a deep dive into the fundamentals of Robert's Rules of Order. We will look at the history of Robert's Rules of Order, and the foundation for parliamentary procedure. We will cover the steps for making a motion, and explore common motions, including point of order, point of information, lay on table and postpone indefinitely.

To Mediate or Arbitrate: Sooner or Later? (3:00 p.m.) Joseph B. Pereles, Esq. and Steven S. Reed, Esq. - JAMS

One of the most important strategic decisions in any dispute is determining when to mediate. Should parties engage before significant discovery and motion practice, or wait until the facts and legal issues are more fully developed? Drawing on insights from recent JAMS thought leadership, this program examines the key factors that influence mediation timing, including case complexity, information asymmetry, litigation costs, and business objectives.

Register now to secure your spot: https://www.bamsl.org/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=346068&evSubAction=listAll

BAMSL is hiring!

We are looking for a Lawyer Referral Service Manager.

The Lawyer Referral Service Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of one of the region's most trusted public service programs. This role is responsible for connecting individuals and businesses with qualified attorneys, maintaining relationships with participating lawyers, managing program administration, and ensuring exceptional customer service.

The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL), founded in 1874, is a Missouri not-for-profit corporation, the members of which are attorneys principally practicing in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

For more information and to apply: https://www.bamsl.org/?pg=Careers

Join BAMSL for the 2026 Virtual 15-Hour Annual MCLE Update on Friday, June 26, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:50 p.m. This comprehensive webinar, offered via Zoom, provides a convenient way to fulfill your entire annual CLE requirement, including ethics and elimination of bias credits, in a single day. Speakers include:

The Quiz (10:00 a.m.) Christian Stiegemeyer - The Bar Plan

A potpourri of the hottest topics in legal malpractice and ethics, and what you need to know to protect yourself from novel malpractice risks and ethics complaints.

Algebra For Lawyers (11:00 a.m.) Darin Sorrell - Sorrell & Traube

Lawyers often encounter complex mathematical problems that require an understanding of numerical concepts. This CLE course is designed to equip the lawyer with the essential mathematical skills and knowledge to navigate these challenges effectively.

ERISA Basics for Non-ERISA Attorneys (12:00 p.m.) Brandon Hall - Husch Blackwell

This session will give attorneys a reference point for ERISA basics, what to watch out for, and when to reach out to / engage ERISA counsel.

Register now to secure your spot: https://www.bamsl.org/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=346068&evSubAction=listAll

Join BAMSL for the 2026 Virtual 15-Hour Annual MCLE Update on Friday, June 26, beginning at 7:00 a.m. This comprehensive webinar, offered via Zoom, provides a convenient way to fulfill your entire annual CLE requirement, including ethics and elimination of bias credits, in a single day. Speakers include:

Well-Being CLE - Yoga (7:00 a.m.) BAMSL President Amy Rebecca Johnson - Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C.

This session combines practical wellness strategies with guided yoga practices to help attorneys manage stress, enhance focus, and support long-term professional resilience. Participants will learn how mindfulness, movement, and well-being techniques can improve mental clarity, reduce burnout, and promote healthier, more sustainable legal careers.

A Practical Guide to Using AI to Help Reduce Implicit Bias in Your Litigation Practice (1.0 MO Elimination of Bias) (8:00 a.m.) James C. Browning, Jr. - Stifel

An experienced litigator in the securities industry details how he learned to use the AI tool, discusses its ethical implications, and demonstrates how lawyers can use the tool to eliminate bias in their practices and improve their legal skills.

Client-Centric AI: Enhancing Service and Growing Your Small Firm Practice (9:00 a.m.) Christian T. Misner - Donner Applewhite, Attorneys at Law

This session moves beyond the basics to explore practical, ethically sound ways Missouri attorneys can leverage AI tools to improve client communication, streamline document analysis, and grow their small firm practice through an exceptional client experience.

Register now to secure your spot: https://www.bamsl.org/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=346068&evSubAction=listAll

It was another great BAMSL Golf Tournament this year. Thanks to the Golf Committee, especially Kyle Krause, for all of their work!

BAMSL members -if you would like to join the Golf Committee, email: [email protected]

In observance of Juneteenth, the BAMSL office will be closed on Friday, June 19.

The office will reopen on Monday, June 22.

Congratulations to Bob Tomaso, of Husch Blackwell, on his ICON Award from Missouri Lawyers Media today!

Bob is a long-time BAMSL member. He is also a past president of BAMSL and a pillar of support and leadership within the legal community and the St. Louis community.

Earlier this year, Bob received the Hon. E. Richard Webber Distinguished Lawyer Award, BAMSL’s highest honor, for his exceptional professional achievement, integrity and dedication to the advancement of the legal profession.

Congratulations to Judge Edward Sweeney, Jr. (ret.) on his ICON Award from Missouri Lawyers Media today!

Judge Sweeney is a long-time BAMSL member. Throughout his career as a legislator, prosecutor, judge, military officer, and community leader, he has demonstrated professional achievement, strong leadership, and meaningful contributions both within and beyond the legal profession. His legacy is one of integrity, dedication, and service.

✨ BAMSL Members - Mark your calendars for July 22.

Join us for BAMSL's Rendezvous on the Roof event and enjoy a summer evening of networking, great food and spectacular views. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow BAMSL members and unwind in style.

See you on the rooftop! 🌟

🔗 Register now: https://www.bamsl.org/?eid=346546&evAction=showDetail&evSubAction=listAll&pg=events