MLM Counties News. Notices. Need-to-know Information.
The Lawyers Association of St. Louis turned 75 this year and is celebrating the milestone true to its style, with a fun, somewhat low-key event.
The Lawyers Association is hosting its 75th Anniversary Dinner Reception Celebration at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at SqWires Restaurant Annex, 1415 S. 18th St. in LaFayette Square.
Association executive director Jim Susman called the event more of a cocktail party type dinner than a formal sit-down one. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served (you won’t go home hungry), and a cash bar will be available.
“It’ll give our members a chance to see each other, mingle, visit and honor the association,” Susman said.
The Lawyers Association was formed in 1934 as an inclusive organization of the bar.
“We were inclusive in that we welcomed all members of the bar – men, women and minorities,” Susman said.
Susman noted that one of association’s big events throughout the year is its annual black history month dinner. In addition, the Lawyers Association is well-known for its annual Award of Honor given to a local attorney and its Gridiron, a night full of self-deprecating humor and fun. Both have a long history with the association. The Award of Honor has been given out since 1946, and next month will mark the association’s 53rd Gridiron show.
Current Lawyers Association President Matthew Devoti, of Casey & Devoti, said socializing and networking is a big focus of the association.
“[The association] brings together both the plaintiff and defense bar. Our bar in St. Louis is very congenial and part of that is due to the association getting people out, so they can know the people on other side of phone,” he said. “It’s hard to be mean or short to someone you know or will see at a law event.”
James Holloran, of Holloran, White & Schwartz, and St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge Barbara Wallace will be the featured speakers at the event. Both Holloran and Wallace are past presidents – Wallace being the association’s first women president. Holloran also received the Award of Honor in 1996.
“We were looking for members that have a long and involved history with the association,” Devoti said. “Jim and Barb have both been generous with their time over the years and are well-known in the legal community. And they’re just fun people to be around.”
Wallace said that she had many fond memories of her time spent at Lawyers Association events.
“It’s always been fun and nonstressful,” she said. “There isn’t a lot of shop talk. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I hope to encourage lawyers that have a lot of pressure and stress that it is extremely worthwhile to develop friends in the law. I’ve formed some of my best friends through the Lawyers Association.”
The cost of the event is $50 per person. Contact Susman at 314-991-5297 or [email protected] to make a reservation. While reservations are preferred, people can still pay for the event at the door.
