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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.
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.
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.
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 […]
Latest Opinion Digests
- Criminal Law: Child Abuse-Sufficiency Of Evidence-Closing Argument
- Civil Rights: Religious Freedom-RLUIPA-Res Judicata
- Civil Practice: Res Judicata-Stop Work Order
- Immigration: Drug Conviction-Removability-Overbreadth of State Offense
- Civil Practice: Asset Forfeiture-Sanctions
- Civil Rights: Due Process-Failure to State Claim
- Probate : Revocable Trust – Amendment – Reformation
- Employer – Employee : Unpaid Commissions – At-Will Status
- Criminal Law : Post-Conviction Relief – Effectiveness Of Counsel – Conflict Of Interest
- Appellate Practice : Jurisdiction – Final Judgment
- Domestic Relations : Parenting Plan – Child Support
- Criminal Law : Post-Conviction Relief – Guilty Plea – Sentence Advice
Top stories
- Supreme Court weighs lagging symptoms in work comp case
- New accommodation rights for pregnant workers offer broad protections
- Clark named as next Eastern District chief judge
- Russell reflects on change as women take charge of Missouri’s legal system
- NCAA scores positive gender equity review from St. Louis firm
- Big improvements for Missouri bar takers | List of bar passers
- Athena Dickson named vice-president of Missouri Bar
- Legal Limelight: Bill Bay, Partner, Thompson Coburn, St. Louis
