Rule 10.52 Appointment of Members

This rule explains how people get chosen to serve on the committee. The Missouri Supreme Court picks the first group of members to get things started. After that, most new members are chosen by the board of governors of The Missouri Bar. These board members consider nominations from bar association leaders, local and regional bar groups, and everyday citizens who are not lawyers.

Retired judges who serve on the committee are handled differently. The Missouri Supreme Court appoints them directly, both at the start and every time a new retired judge joins the committee later on.

When the board of governors reviews nominees, they are supposed to focus on real qualifications. This means looking at a person's skill, experience, and knowledge rather than political connections. The board also needs to think about building a committee that reflects different backgrounds, including geographic location, ethnicity, race, and gender.