Legacy Campaign Letter to Members of Springfield Bar

As the beloved character, Atticus Finch, of To Kill a Mockingbird said "But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal--there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president.  That institution, gentlemen, is a court.  It can be the Supreme Court of the United States or the humblest J.P. court in the land, or this honorable court which you serve.  Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal."

In 1976, leaders of the Springfield Bar set the stage for equal access to justice in our community when it created the Legal Aid Association of Greene County, known today as Legal Services of Southern Missouri (LSSM). Over the years the Springfield Bar and LSSM have become independent entities but continue to work together so that those with limited means are not denied representation in our courts.  To celebrate our linked past and help sustain this shared priority, the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Foundation (SMBF) and Legal Services of Southern Missouri have initiated the “Legacy Campaign.” The SMBF and LSSM are joining together to seek support from every attorney to raise $500,000 to help retire the debt of the LSSM and Springfield Bar buildings.  Retiring the debt as soon as practical will free resources allowing LSSM to increase client service and also allowing the SMBF to advance its mission to enhance public understanding and respect for the rule of law.  In commemoration of the “Legacy Campaign,” the community room at LSSM Headquarters will be named the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Community Room.  “Legacy Campaign” donors will be recognized on the community room’s Wall of Honor, listed in SMBA Bar News and LSSM’s Annual Report and newsletter, and on both organizations’ websites.

All of us wish to leave a legacy.  We hope that our efforts, whether in the workplace, our homes, or community will continue and flourish long after we are gone.  Your legacy can be a part of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Community Room.  The “Legacy Campaign” includes a range of pledge levels as outlined below, and we will work with you to manage your five-year pledge and the method of payment.  You will be joining your colleagues who have already made a financial commitment (pledges and contributions received through 10/17/14):

Champions of Justice

($50,000 and above)

Polsinelli

($30,000 and above) 

Sam & June Hamra

Pillars of Justice

($20,000 - $29,999)               

Strong-Garner-Bauer

Guardians of Justice

($10,000 - $19,999)

Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown

Husch Blackwell

Defenders of Justice

($5,000 - $9,999)

Robert G. Ingold

Douglas Kays

Spencer, Fane, Britt & Brown, LLP

Supporters of Justice

($3,000 to $4,999)

Ransin Injury Law

($1,000 to $2,999)

C. Ronald Baird

Carver, Cantin and Grantham

Crista Hogan

Trust Company of the Ozarks

Chip & Silvia Sheppard

William V. & Ann Turner

(up to $999)

The Alberhasky Law Firm

Sharon & Mark Alexander

The Honorable Jason Brown

The Honorable John Crow

Millie & Dennis Donohoe

Mark Gardner

Fred Hall

Robert Jones

Mary Lou Martin

Michael Meek

The Honorable Ortrie Smith

Whiteaker & Wilson, P.C.

To contribute to the “Legacy Campaign” contact Sharon Alexander, 417.881.1397, ext. 1327 or by email at sharon@lsosm.org prior to October 31, 2014.  We encourage you to be part of this exciting and worthwhile endeavor.  It will not only honor the 111 year history of the Springfield Bar and 39 year history of LSSM, but solidify our partnership into the future to ensure equal access to justice for all. 

Very truly yours,

John C. Holstein, Chairman

Legal Services of Southern Missouri

Justice For All Campaign

Dwayne Fulk, President

Springfield Metropolitan Bar Foundation