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Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys

Jamie Boock (left), Mike Schlueter (center) and Jeannie Brandstetter sit behind a table with water bottles, a box of tissues and various folders and papers on it, with a woman in a chair facing them sits on the other side of the table
Aug 15, 2022

Pro bono lawyers shore up cases as St. Louis floods subside | Photos

A week after the last flash flood in St. Louis, a line of people seeking free legal advice wrapped around the corner of the Friendly Temple entrance on Aug. 11.

Missouri on face mask
Jun 8, 2020

Protection politics: Special session for COVID-19 liability faces obstacles

Missouri businesses want state lawmakers to insulate them from potential lawsuits as they emerge from the COVID-19 shutdown, but that might be a tall order.

May 21, 2020

Missouri Chamber seeks to protect business from virus suits

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce urged Gov. Mike Parson to call a special session so lawmakers can take action to protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits.

Herman Morse
May 1, 2020

Some tort measures remain alive in Missouri Legislature

Several proposed changes to Missouri tort laws remain in play in the final weeks of the truncated 2020 session.

Missouri State Capitol
Feb 26, 2020

Punitive damages bill passes under cover of filibuster

A 20-hour filibuster halted an asbestos bill in the Missouri Senate, but senators have advanced separate legislation that changes punitive damages. Following a debate that ran from mid-afternoon on Feb. 25 until 10:30 the following morning, lawmakers put aside the asbestos bill. The Senate then immediately turned to the punitive damages bill, which lawmakers and […]

Missouri State Capitol
Jan 10, 2020

Lawmakers’ 2020 tort priorities draw on past sessions’ work

As lawmakers returned to Jefferson City on Jan. 8, the Republican majority appeared ready to pick up where last year’s efforts to change the state’s tort laws left off. Among the bills expected to get a major push this year is an overhaul of the rules for awarding punitive damages. “Punitives seems to be at […]

Feb 23, 2013

Insurers rarely sure of victory

Retired Judge Charles Blackmar once joked that he only read insurance policies carefully “if somebody is paying me to read them.” “I don’t read my own policy all that carefully because I know it wouldn’t do any good,” Blackmar said during a 2006 Missouri Supreme Court argument in which he served as a special judge. […]

Feb 11, 2013

Novel bill attempts to restore med mal caps

Can you change a constitutional right without actually amending the constitution? Sponsors of a bill under consideration in a Missouri Senate committee are trying to find out.

Aug 19, 2011

Volunteer attorneys still answer Joplin’s calls for help

Three months after a massive tornado destroyed a wide swath of Joplin, volunteer attorneys are still fielding phone calls and in some cases traveling to the city to help residents sort out the legal issues that arise in the wake of catastrophe. St. Joseph attorney Joe Morrey, pictured here, is among members of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys to provide disaster legal services.

May 4, 2011

Missouri lawyers volunteer time and money for storm victims

Lawyers in Missouri are volunteering their time and money to help people whose homes and property were seriously damaged after a series of severe storms barreled through the state in recent weeks. For example, lawyers and staff at Armstrong Teasdale had a “dress down” day last week, where they wore jeans and other casual clothes.

Mar 20, 2011

Advocates, lawmakers focus on SIF insolvency

Dozens of people with work-related injuries converged on the Capitol last week to plead with lawmakers to find a way to salvage the Second Injury Fund, and there’s some interest from legislative leaders in trying to find a solution.

Jul 13, 2009

UPDATED: Ballot initiative seeks to replace Missouri Plan

A group that has long sought to change Missouri’s Nonpartisan Court Plan in the Legislature now trying a new tactic – going directly to the voters. Better Courts for Missouri said this morning that it has filed an initiative petition that would replace the Missouri Plan with one modeled after the federal system. (Click here […]

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