Chris Stiegemeyer and I presented this updated program regarding Contract Legal Work at the 2011 Indiana State Bar Association Solo & Small Firm Conference. My Course Materials and Presentation are available here:
Author Archives: Richard
Nuts and Bolts of a Civil Appeal
I presented the Nuts and Bolts of a Civil Appeal portion of the Nuts and Bolts of Appellate Practice 2011 program on March 18 and April 15, 2011. My Program Materials and Presentation are available here:
Appeals: Practical Tips and Pitfalls
Joe Yeckel and I presented this program at the 2010 Missouri Solo & Small Firm Conference. The Program Materials, Presentation, and my Presentation Notes are available here:
2010 S&SF Conference Materials
2010 S&SF Conference Presentation
2010 S&SF Conference Presentation Notes
I hope these materials will be of assistance. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Working for Others While Working for Yourself: How To Build a Successful Practice with Contract Work
Chris Wendelbo, Chris Stiegemeyer, and I presented this program at the 2010 Missouri Solo & Small Firm Conference. The Program Materials and Presentation are available here:
2010 Solo & Small Firm Conference
[Updated September 27, 2011]
The 2010 Solo & Small Firm Conference was this past Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. As always, it was a very good conference. Joe Yeckel and I presented the program “Appeals: Practical Tips and Pitfalls” on Thursday morning. Chris Wendelbo of the BW Law Group, LLC, Chris Stiegemeyer of The Bar Plan Mutual Insurance Company, and I presented the program “Working for Others While Working for Yourself: How to Build a Successful Practice with Contract Work” on Saturday morning. Copies of the course materials and presentations are attached to another blog post. I learned a lot, both in the programs I helped present and the other programs that I attended. If you are a solo or small firm attorney in Missouri, you should seriously consider attending this conference next year.
New Federal Rules Regarding Time Periods
Unless Congress takes action, effective December 1, 2009, the rules regarding how time periods are calculated in Federal courts are changing as are some of the time periods. Under the current version of Rule 6 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are excluded when calculating periods less than 11 days, but not when calculating periods 11 days or longer. The version of Rule 6 effective December 1, 2009, does not exclude intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays.
Proposed Changes to Ethics CLE Requirements in Missouri
The Missouri Bar Board of Governors is considering proposed amendments to Supreme Court Rule 15 that would change the minimum requirements for continuing legal education hours devoted to professionalism, ethics, or malpractice prevention. A copy of the proposed changes can be found here (no longer available).
Under the current system:
Each lawyer shall complete at least three credit hours of accredited programs and activities devoted exclusively to professionalism, legal or judicial ethics, or malpractice prevention. . . . Such programs and activities shall be completed on or before June 30, 1993, and at least every three years thereafter.
Mo. Ct. R. 15.05(f) [now Mo. Ct. R. 15.05(f)(1)]. In short, we are required to complete three credit hours of CLE programs devoted to professionalism, ethics, or malpractice prevention every three years.
Recent Supreme Court of Missouri Decision Regarding Venue
The Supreme Court of Missouri recently decided a case that significantly changes the handling of motions for transfer for improper venue under Missouri’s Supreme Court Rule 51.045. The case is State ex rel. Kansas City Southern Railway Co. v. Nixon, 282 S.W.3d 363 (Mo.banc 2009) (Overview/Summary). In this case, the Court affirmed the circuit court’s granting of a motion for leave to amend the petition to add an additional defendant, thereby correcting the problem with venue, and denial of a motion for transfer for improper venue. To understand how this case changes proceedings under Rule 51.045, some history is necessary.
Let’s Try That Again: The Guidelines for Handling Appeals
I presented this program at the 2007 Missouri Solo & Small Firm Conference. Copies of the Program Materials are available here:
2007 S&SF Conference Course Materials
I hope these materials are useful. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Practical Tips, Tricks, and Hints When Handling Appeals
I presented this program at the 2004 Missouri Solo & Small Firm Conference. The Course Materials and my Presentation Notes are available here:
2004 S&SF Conference Course Materials
2004 S&SF Conference Presentation Notes
I hope these materials will be helpful.