Staying True to Our Principles

The Mission Statement of the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers is:

1. To take appropriate action where possible to ensure that defendants in our civil justice system receive fair and impartial treatment by juries, the judiciary and the legislature;
   
   
2. To enhance the knowledge and improve the skill of its members;
   
   
3. To cooperate with other groups in promoting seminars, lectures and other educational opportunities in matters of common legal interest to the bar and/or the public;
   
   
4. To promote among all lawyers involved in civil litigation the highest standards of professionalism and to encourage civility and courtesy in the conduct of trials and related proceedings;
   
   
5. To develop collegiality and camaraderie among its members.

Purpose and Professionalism

The purpose of the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers is:

1. To bring together by association, communication and organization, the lawyers of the State of Missouri who devote a substantial amount of their professional time to the handling of civil litigation cases, and whose representation in such cases for civil defendants.
   
   
2. To provide for the exchange among the members of this corporation of such information, ideas, techniques of procedure and court rulings relating to the handling of litigation as are calculated to enhance the knowledge and improve the skills of defense lawyers.
   

Improving Defense Lawyers One At A Time

The Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers was established to help defense attorneys provide the highest quality representation for clients throughout the state. Since its inception in 1984, the organization has supported the state`s defense lawyers with continuing legal education programs, amicus curiae briefs and a wide variety of information assistance programs. MODL has also sought, through its legislative efforts, to balance the scales of justice for all citizens in the State of Missouri and to improve the quality of the Bench.

Always Improving

MODL`s primary goal is to provide an avenue for defense lawyers of Missouri to communicate and organize. It is hoped that through this organization, defense lawyers will exchange information, ideas and techniques that will enhance their knowledge and improve their skills.

• To evaluate the standards of trial practice in Missouri and promote a high standard of trial conduct and courtroom demeanor.
  
  
• To work for the improvement of the civil adversary system of jurisprudence in Missouri`s courts.
  
  
• To eliminate court congestion and delays in civil litigation.
  
  
• To promote improvements in the administration of justice.
  
  
• To increase the quality and quantity of the service and contribution which the legal profession renders to the community, state and nation.