UPDATED: Explosion hits close to KC legal community 
Polsinelli Shughart said damage to its new headquarters building was “secondary” after natural gas explosion killed at least 1 person and destroyed J.J.’s Restaurant Tuesday evening near the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City.
Audit questions AG over law firm contributions 
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has yanked requests for proposals for three lawsuits that could have big contingency fee payouts after State Auditor Tom Schweich found problems with how private lawyers are hired.
U.S. Senate confirms Wimes as federal judge 
The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed Jackson County Circuit Judge Brian C. Wimes as Missouri’s newest federal judge.
Lawyer wins lawsuit on malpractice claims 
A Kansas City-area lawyer won a defense verdict on claims that he wrongfully dissolved a business enterprise.
Vogel elected to head Mo. Bar Board of Governors for 2011-12 
Lynn Ann Vogel, of Clayton, will serve as the president of the organization until next September. Patrick Starke, of Blue Springs, is president-elect, and P. John “Jack” Brady, of Kansas City, is vice president.
Bryan Cave, by the numbers 
These days, Bryan Cave’s 12 percent increase in revenue for 2009 doesn’t sound too shabby. But put in perspective, that number is indicative of the challenges the firm, and the legal industry as a whole, face. Even though Missouri’s largest firm had about 200 additional lawyers to help bring in money last year, the increase [...]
