Federal Court Advocates Membership Drive

Greetings to our fellow and prospective Federal Courts Advocates Section members!

Membership in the new Federal Courts Advocates Section (FCAS) is open to all who are licensed to practice in the federal courts of the Western District of Missouri and the District of Kansas, and membership in the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA) is not a prerequisite. The modest 2011 annual membership fee will be:

$15 for KCMBA Members
$25 for non-KCMBA Members

Although we are a new section, we had an exciting 2010:

Spring session of “A Conversation With the Federal Judges” hosted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
Spring session of “Bench & Bar Dialogue” hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Summer associates’ event hosted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
The Federal Practitioners’ Summer Social hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Fall session of “Bench & Bar Dialogue” hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Fall session of “A Conversation With the Federal Judges” hosted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas

Meanwhile, we are planning an even more active 2011:

“Gutter Ball Bowling With the Bench & Bar” on Jan. 13 at the Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes in the Power & Light District
A DKAN “Conversation with the Federal Judges” in March
The 3rd Annual Federal Practitioners’ Summer Social in June before the Bartlett Lectures at WDMO
A CLE and social event in DKAN in September
A WDMO “Bench & Bar Dialogue” in October
Participation in community outreach programs with the federal judges throughout the year

Click here to renew your membership or join for the first time. Please help us spread the word to those who are not yet members, and encourage them to join today and take advantage of these unique opportunities with our local U.S. District Courts!

Join Us! Federal Court Advocates Section presents “Gutter Ball Bowling With the Bench & Bar” Thursday, Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. Lucky Strike Lanes in the Power & Light District Light appetizers and bowling compliments of FCAS For more information about joining FCAS or the event, please contact Kim Elrod at (816) 474-4322.

FCAS Bench & Bar Dialogue Recap

Q:	Where do you get meaningful legal discussion, informational time with federal judges and colleagues, and a great lunch?
A:	The Bench & Bar Dialogue programs.
If you are a member of the Federal Court Advocates Section (FCAS) of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, you are invited to attend lunchtime roundtable discussions with area federal judges. The most recent Bench & Bar Dialogue was held in the Whittaker Courthouse on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Perry Brandt welcomed the group where the discussion topic was hearings on discovery and dispositive motions. Federal judges and practicing attorneys from Kansas and Western Missouri talked about the need for hearings/oral argument, types of discovery and dispositive motions that should be heard, collateral benefits of hearing where all counsel and court meet in person, and effective argument at hearings.
		Perry Brandt, Jane Brown and Pat Stueve

As president of the FCAS, Pat Stueve noted: “We had another outstanding roundtable program with over 40 participants and several of our federal judges discussing the need and benefits―if any―for hearings on discovery and dispositive motions. The discussion was lively and informative. We look forward to several more roundtables in 2011.”

Encouraging ongoing dialogue between attorneys and judges in an informal setting continues to build an expanded legal knowledge base, thereby making future federal court events productive for all.

		U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan speaks with U.S. District Judge John W. Lungstrum from the District of Kansas.