HB 111 – Joint Custody Support Calculation

Missouri General Assembly HB111 became effective August 28, 2011, authorizing a court to award a parent a 50% adjustment to a presumed child support calculation in situations where the parents share joint physical child custody or have the child equal or substantially equal periods of time. However, the Missouri Supreme Court is required to make the


Missouri Supreme Court Issues Property Right Decision

On August 30, 2011, the Missouri Supreme Court handed down an opinion in the Case of St. Charles County v. Laclede Gas Company (Case No. SC91539).  BSE shareholder, Paul A. Boudreau, filed an amicus brief in the case on behalf of the Missouri Energy Development Association (MEDA). The St. Charles County case concerned whether the reservation of a


Construction

Construction continues at the corner of East Capitol and Monroe near our office.  Some on street parking is still available.  However, you must approach our building from the east (Adams Street) to access it.


Hamblin Attends Family Law Conference

Scott Hamblin, Shareholder and attorney at Brydon Swearengen & England P.C. recently attended the Family Law Conference sponsored by the Missouri Bar Association. The three day conference covered a variety of subjects including, valuing small businesses in connection with divorce, financial issues in divorce unique to military service members, child custody, child support, bankruptcy in


Mitchell Authors Article for MADA

BSE Counsel Gregory C. Mitchell recently authored an article for Dateline MADA,  a publication of the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association. Mitchell’s article concerned the U.S. Supreme Court’s April 27, 2011 decision in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Conception, upholding the enforceability of class action waiver provisions in arbitration agreements.  Under such provisions, parties both agree to arbitrate their disputes,


Honesty and the Law — Key Factors for Success

Honesty is a key component of a successful attorney-client relationship. Your attorney should be candid with you – be it about legal fees, your chance of success, or any other aspect of the relationship – and you should be candid with your attorney. How important is being candid with your attorney? It is as important


Faced with condemnation?

On June 24, 2011, BSE shareholder Diana Carter attended a continuing education course regarding eminent domain, inverse condemnation, and other property law matters.  BSE attorneys are able to assist property owners facing condemnation, as well as condemning authorities such as municipalities and utility companies.  If you have received a notice of possible condemnation or if


Legal History Close to Home

Tinker (now a Missouri resident) v. Des Moines The Boonville Daily News profiled John Tinker, a Fayette, Missouri man who, as a high school student in the 1960s, petitioned the courts and instigated a groundbreaking case. In Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, the U.S. Supreme Court famously declared that students and teachers


DWI Conviction Upheld, but Reversed for Re-Sentencing

A conviction for driving while intoxicated (“DWI”) and resisting arrest was upheld where the Court of Appeals determined that there was evidence that defendant was driving his vehicle while intoxicated, albeit thirty (30) minutes expired before law enforcement made contact with the driver. The evidence presented at trial revealed that the Defendant had stopped his


Quandt Participates in Chamber Internship Program

Matthew D. Quandt, a 2011 Summer Law Clerk at Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C., recently participated in the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce Internship Initiative Program.  The program is designed to provide opportunities for interns to network and learn about the Jefferson City area. Matthew is preparing to enter his third year of law