Mischa Buford Epps, executive director of The Missouri Bar, outlined on Apr. 7 the organization’s ongoing efforts to support lawyer education and professional development amid rapid changes in the legal field.
Epps said that continuous learning is essential for legal professionals as new laws, court decisions, and technology transform how lawyers practice. “Mastery is not a destination but a discipline. Competence is not a credential earned once and stored on a shelf. It is a living, breathing standard that must be actively maintained and continuously built upon,” Epps said.
The Missouri Bar offers various continuing legal education (CLE) programs to help attorneys keep up with these changes. According to Epps, the bar has adapted its offerings over time—from post-World War II lecture courses to online CLEs during the COVID-19 pandemic—to meet members’ needs. In addition to formal CLE programming, members have access to resources such as practice guides and research tools through MoBar.org/LPM.
Last year, The Missouri Bar helped administer minimum continuing legal education requirements for more than 24,940 lawyers under Supreme Court of Missouri Rule 15. The organization provides hundreds of CLE opportunities both in person and online at MoBarCLE.org each year. Major conferences are also planned for 2025 across various locations in Missouri.
The bar addresses broader issues like mental health by offering well-being programs for practitioners at all career stages. More than 2,650 lawyers attended multi-day conferences last year, while Spring and Fall Committee Meetings attracted over 12,700 participants seeking collaboration and updates in their fields.
The Missouri Bar serves as the integrated professional association for all practicing attorneys in Missouri according to the official website. It contributes to communities by providing legal information resources and supporting justice according to the official website. The organization operates under a board of elected governors from districts across the state according to the official website.
Founded in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri with headquarters in Jefferson City according to the official website, The Missouri Bar offers public resources such as lawyer directories while partnering with educators on legal awareness initiatives according to the official website.
Epps concluded: “Whether you choose to earn your CLE in person, remotely, or doing self-study, you are carrying on an important legacy of life-long learning that comes with being a lawyer. The Missouri Bar is here with programs, resources, and an unwavering commitment to helping you better serve your clients and communities.”
