Mayor Landwehr's Blog

Bar Leader Says Lawyers are the Glue in Tough Times

Current Missouri Bar President Tom Burke gave some encouraging words at the 14th annual Solo/Small Firm Conference at Tan-Tar-A this weekend. Almost 1,000 lawyers met for three days with a wide menu of educational programs. Many sessions focused on how to serve clients in today's challenging economy. I co-hosted a session on the recently enacted Home For Homeowners Program. Saturday morning Tom gave me a summary of his keynote address --  like a remote  "Coffee with the Mayor." 

Heidi Doerhoff Vollet: Insights into the Third Branch

Twenty years ago when Heidi Doerhoff arrived to babysit Rebecca and David, I knew she was destined for success. There was something about the way she considered all the points of view and reached a good decision about whether to play Chutes and Ladders or watch a Barney the Dinosaur movie -- AGAIN. 

It's great to have Heidi across the hall at our firm. I had the chance Sunday morning to talk about her experience at the U.S. Supreme Court clerking for Judge Rehnquist. This photo shows the Chief Justice, Heidi, and other clerks. She provides some timely thoughts since we'll be hearing about President Obama's nomination of Judge Sotomayor in coming weeks. 

Tyronne Allen on the Third Floor

For thirty four years Tyronne Allen worked at the Supreme Court Library. More noticeable when lawyers and judges read from real books, Tyronne has always greeted nervous young clerks and surly jurists with a smile and helpful spirit. Tuesday Supreme Court judges, local friends and court employees gathered to celebrate his service. Wife Saunda, recently retired from her elemetary teaching carreer was also honored. The event was on the third floor where the judges have their private quarters, one floor up from Tyronne's world. It was a very special few minutes -- a fleeting honor to a great man.

In 1981 I was a green Assistant Attorney General under John Ashcroft, trying just not to make any big mistakes.  Tyronne's second floor was a secure place in a strange new world.  

State Supreme Court Building Celebrates 100th Anniversary

The same week that Jefferson City breaks ground for a new federal courthouse at the MSP redevelopment area we will also celebrate the 100th birthday of another courthouse, a venerable part of the city's streetscape. It was not until 1877 that the Supreme Court was assured of a permanent site in the Capital City. Its first home was a building on the southeast corner of the Capitol grounds. The French Renaissance style of the present Missouri Supreme Court Building was popularized by the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. In fact, surplus funds from the Fair were used to construct the building. Franklin Ferris (as in, the wheel) was the general counsel for the Fair project, and he served on the court in the new building from 1910 to 1912. 

Tours will be conducted at the open house this Thursday, October 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Note the stained glass floor in the library balconies and the chambers where some judges resided, including some recent appointees. The original Dred Scott manuscripts will no doubt be on display.