Keith Birkes

Apr 17, 2011

DEFENDER SYSTEM GETS READY

The public defender system and state bar are gearing up in case private lawyers start getting assigned on a massive scale to handle public defender overflow cases.

Nov 23, 2009

Bar to create statewide pro bono directory

On Friday, The Missouri Bar’s governing body approved an effort to create a statewide directory of civil pro bono cases that private lawyers can take up. The 12 to 15 legal service providers in Missouri will be able to post pro bono opportunities for private lawyers, said Keith Birkes, executive director of the bar. “There’ […]

Nov 19, 2009

Prosecutors seek reform of justice system

A group of Missouri prosecutors urged bar officials to conduct a review of the state’s entire criminal justice system – one that doesn’t focus just on public defenders. In a press release sent Thursday, Buchanan County Prosecutor Dwight Scroggins said that if there is “any crisis” in the justice system, the solution must involve “all […]

Aug 28, 2009

Next midyear bar meeting to stay close to home

The Missouri Bar will scale back its midyear meeting, with the new leader calling the switch a nod to the difficult economy and a way to ensure more time for work. The bar’s Board of Governors has come under criticism in recent years by some attorneys for the swanky location of its midyear meeting. This […]

Feb 25, 2009

Lawyer was leader in effort to overhaul court plan

Attorney Bill Placke has been amazed at the level of opposition from The Missouri Bar and other legal groups to what he sees as reasonable efforts to update the state’s plan for selecting judges. Placke became the point man on the topic for opponents of the current method of judicial selection, working behind the scenes […]

Feb 25, 2009

Harris finishes as bar president with no regrets

Before Charlie Harris’ father died in 1987, he offered a few words of advice that sparked a change in Harris’ life. “He told me to never go through life saying ‘shoulda, coulda, woulda,'” Harris said. “And after that, I went to law school.” Harris’ decision to leave his career in human resources eventually led him […]

Feb 20, 2009

Sponsoring public events promotes branding

Sponsoring events may not bring new clients to their waiting rooms, but attorneys agree that the publicity can only help a firm’s name recognition or reputation. And benefits accrue, whether it’s a 350-lawyer firm hosting a series of entrepreneurship conferences or a solo practitioner sponsoring a free-throw shooting contest at a basketball game. Sponsorships remain […]