April 30, 2010 (St. Louis, MO): The Bar Plan Foundation is excited to announce the addition of its newest Foundation Board Member, Keith Birkes. Mr. Birkes has been the Executive Director of The Missouri Bar since 1985, but has worked in various capacities with The Missouri Bar since 1975.
“I am excited to join The Bar Plan Foundation in a capacity that will allow me to assist The Foundation in supporting the legal community,” said Birkes. “The Missouri Bar and I have supported The Bar Plan for many years. “
Birkes has received many awards over the years for his commitment to the legal community. These include The Missouri Bar's Wade F. Baker Award; Robert Ralston Chubb Award given by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri; Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law; The Missouri Bar President's Award; and The Missouri Bar Foundation Spurgeon Smithson Award. He is a Fellow of The Missouri Bar Foundation and a sustaining member of the University of Missouri's Jefferson Club.
“We are extremely pleased to have him join our board of trustees. His wealth of experience and involvement at The Missouri Bar will be a tremendous asset to The Foundation, ” said Chris Stiegemeyer, Executive Vice President of The Bar Plan Foundation.
The mission of The Bar Plan Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is to promote and improve ethics and professionalism in the practice of law. The Foundation is perhaps most recognized for its Risk Management ethics and professionalism seminar series presented each spring throughout Missouri. Equally as important to the organization’s mission is its annual award of scholarships to the third year law students who have been nominated by their deans and professors, based not just on scholastic excellence but a demonstrated commitment to working to improve their community. Additionally, The Foundation shares the proceeds from its annual golf tournament with beneficiary charities from around the state to assist them in their work.