Arrangements for John Martin

John Martin, the court's longtime Settlement Director, passed away on Sunday, August 7th. John served the court for over twenty-eight years, and he will be deeply missed by practitioners to knew and worked with him. The arrangements are as follows:

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 11, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., at Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO, 63122.

There will be a funderal mass on Friday, August 12, 11:30 at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, 1510 Bopp Road, St. Louis, MO 63131.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to:

Kenrick Gleeson Seminary
5200 Glennon Drive
St. Louis, MO 63119

or

Missouri Baptist Cancer Center for Kidney Research
Attn: Donations
3015 North Ballas
St. Louis, MO 63131

December 14, 2010 - New Strategic Plan

The board of directors unanimously adopted a strategic plan on December 14, 2010.  The plan adopts five objectives to further the purposes of the organization.  Those objectives are:

•  Increase membership in the Association;
• Enhance the benefits provided to existing members;
• Promote and sponsor educational programs that enhance federal appellate practice, including but not limited to the Eighth Circuit Judicial Conference;
• Expand outreach by the Association throughout the geographic area of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit; and,
• Assist the trial and appellate courts in developing and implementing effective, efficient, and uniform rules of practice and procedure, as well as promote excellence and integrity among those who practice in the federal appellate bar and those who serve on its courts.

The board specifically noted that a strategic plan is “not a one-time event, but an ongoing process.”  The complete plan is posted here.  The board welcomes review and comments by members.

Click here to view a .pdf file of the Strategic Plan

October 1, 2010 - New Local Rules

The new rules contain e-filing requirements for motions and briefs that apply to many but not all appeals and filings.  Although the Eighth Circuit has had administrative rules requiring the e-filing of motions for most cases, the e-filing of appellate briefs is new.

Here is a short summary that is not complete, but will alert you to the nature of these changes.  Under the new rules, appellate briefs must be e-filed.  The clerks’ office will review the brief to check for compliance with applicable rules. The court has also added a requirement that counsel submit an electronic version of the addendum to the brief. This should be prepared and submitted as a separate electronic document.

If the brief complies with the rules, the clerk will notify all parties that the brief has been filed. The clerk’s office will also review the addendum to determine whether the relevant orders have been included. Upon receipt of notice that the electronic versions of the brief and addendum have been accepted for filing, the attorney must comply with other procedures concerning service and submission of paper copies of the brief and addendum.

If the brief or addendum do not comply with the rules the clerk will notify the filer that the document is defective and will allow 5 days to submit a brief or addendum which complies with the rules.

Counsel’s attention is directed to Rules 25A, 25B and 28A.  Questions about the Rules should be addressed to the Clerk’s office.

Click here to view a .pdf file of the Local Rules