Blog

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 divorce, and legislative changes.  Judges throughout Missouri answered questions and provided guidance on a variety …

  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, and waive the right to participate in class action lawsuits or class arbitrations. The …

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 school at the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas, where he is a …

Erin Wiseman, member of Rotaract, organized the Togas and Tutus Jog Off to benefit HALO (Helping Arts Liberate Orphans) on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Rotaract is a professional organization founded for young professionals to promote responsible citizenship, professional skills, and to employ leadership. Erin Wiseman has a general civil practice that includes criminal law, family law and accident and injury law.

On May 10, BSE shareholders Johnny K. Richardson, L. Russell Mitten and Scott A. Hamblin attended a continuing legal education course at the Missouri Supreme Court entitled “The Constitution, the Supreme Court, and Judicial Decision-Making: A Historical and Ethical Perspective.” The CLE was presented by Supreme Court Judge Michael Wolff and MU Political Science Professor Emeritus Frederick Spiegel. Johnny K. Richardon practices in a wide variety of subject areas, including general civil …

The Fourth Edition of the MoBarCLE Missouri Administrative Law (2011) deskbook has been published.  The Missouri Bar states that “The Supreme Court of Missouri has noted that ‘administrative law is an increasingly important area of practice in Missouri.’ Weber v. Firemen’s Ret. Sys., 872 S.W.2d 477, 478 (Mo. banc 1994). . . . This two-volume book is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics. It contains sample forms, checklists, …

Scott Hamblin recently served as a panelist for the MBCH Children and Family Ministries Foster Care Services.  Mr. Hamblin addressed an audience of foster parents who were completing licensing requirements.  Mr. Hamblin discussed issues and answered questions concerning the court process and procedures for adoption, guardianship, and permanency planning.  Scott Hamblin is a shareholder with Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C.  He regularly represents individuals and families in guardianship and adoption proceedings.

Scott Hamblin was appointed to serve as legal counsel for the Missouri Jaycees for the 2011 year. The Missouri Jaycees is a not-for-profit corporation. The United States Junior Chamber (JCs or more commonly Jaycees) is a leadership training and civic organization for people between the ages of 18 and 41. Areas of emphasis are business development, management skills, individual training, community service, and international connections. Since the organization’s founding, Jaycees …

On January 19, 2011, John Borgmeyer, an attorney from Brydon, Swearengen & England’s firm, helped a client prove her case at an appeals hearing before the Social Security Administration. The client suffered from severe and recurring depression as well as anxiety that prevented her from working her job. In the past, Borgmeyer has also successfully represented clients disabled by serious physical injuries as well as mental conditions like Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity …

May peace, prosperity, and happiness be yours throughout the holidays and new year. From all of us at Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C.

James C. Swearengen of Brydon, Swearengen & England has been named a “Groundbreaking Lawyer of 2010” by Public Utilities Fortnightly for his work in the areas of state utility regulation and utility litigation. The magazine included Swearengen in its list of groundbreaking attorneys published in a November 2010 article entitled “Legal Battleground: 2010 Law & Lawyers Report.” The article indicates that utility companies face an uncertain regulatory atmosphere created by …

Scott Hamblin has authored the 2010 Cumulative Supplement to Chapter 1 entitled Chemical Test Refusal Cases which is being published by the Missouri Bar Association in its Missouri DWI Law and Practice desk book. The article provides in summary fashion legal opinions from the Missouri Courts of Appeal and changes in Missouri law governing situations involving a person’s refusal to submit to chemical blood alcohol test following an arrest for driving while intoxicated.  The …

The storefront of Brydon, Swearengen & England’s office at 312 E. Capitol Avenue includes a window into Jefferson City history. The Hammond Building has been a part of downtown Jefferson City since C.G. Hammond built the structure as a grocery warehouse around 1910—about the same time the state capitol was under construction a few blocks away. The Goddard Grocery Company was one of the early tenants. In 1934, a local …

U.S. News & World Report magazine has named Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. as one of the best law firms in the United States. The recent article “Best Law Firms of 2010” listed BSE as a “Tier 1” law firm—the highest level—in the areas of Energy Law and Communications Law. To compile the rankings, the magazine surveyed thousands of clients, lawyers, law firm managers and recruiting officers. Client surveys collected data …

Scott Hamblin attended the 2010 Misosuri Bar Association Family Law continuing legal education conference concerning advance dissolution of marriage topics.  Topics for discussion included business interests and finances, marital and sexual misconduct and bankruptcy implications of divorce. Scott is a shareholder with Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C.  and concentrates his practice in the areas of State and Federal criminal defense, personal injury law, and family law. Scott routinely practices in …

Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. is pleased to announce that James C. Swearengen, William R. (Trip) England, III, Gary W. Duffy, Paul A. Boudreau, Dean L. Cooper, L. Russell Mitten and Charles E. Smarr have been selected by their peers to be included in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Charles Smarr is listed in the field of Food and Beverage Law.  The other attorneys are all …

On August 6, 2010, the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri issued a decision in favor of Wright County, Missouri.  BSE represented Wright County through its association with the Missouri Public Entity Risk Management Fund (MOPERM). The plaintiff in the suit asserted a substantive due process claim under 42 USC §1983 and a negligence claim against Wright County and its former sheriff.  The claims arose from an incident …

On June 1, 2010, Mid America Brick & Structural Clay Products, LLC, completed its initial capitalization, which will enable the company to commence operations manufacturing residential and commercial face brick at the former site of A. P. Green Refractories, Inc., in Mexico, Missouri. The company raised a total of approximately $21.9 million in debt and equity capital, which included loans guaranteed by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the United …

On March 31, 2010, the Missouri Court of Appeals – Southern District recently issued a decision in favor of BSE client, The Empire District Electric Company. The Missouri Office of the Public Counsel had brought suit in the Jasper County Circuit Court claiming amounts charged by Empire were in excess of its lawfully-approved rates.  Empire moved to dismiss the case arguing, among other things, that the Public Counsel lacked statutory …

On Tuesday, June 15, 2010, BS&E shareholder Scott Hamblin will participate in a Legal Panel presenting Legal Advice for Young Professionals.  The program is a Professional Development Seminar organized by the Jefferson City Area Young Professionals group associated with the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.  Topics will include Family Law (divorce, wills, prenuptial agreements), Leases, Real Estate Transactions, Choosing a Business Entity, Non-Compete Agreements and a Question and Answer …

Brydon, Swearengen & England shareholder Charles Smarr will serve as a panelist for a presentation to the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators’ 2010 Annual Conference in New Orleans.   The Annual Conference will take place from June 20-24, 2010. Mr. Smarr will participate in a panel discussion entitled “Have Liquor Boards Lost Their Way? Are They Doing What They Were Set-up to Do?”  Mr. Smarr practices primarily in the areas of alcohol …

On April 15 and 16, 2010, BSE shareholder Charles E. Smarr will Co-Chair the conference Winery & Wine Distribution Law in the Midwest entering, surviving and thriving in the wine business (http://www.lawseminars.com/detail.php?SeminarCode=10WINEMO).  Mr. Smarr will make a presentation entitled “Federal and State Case Law Update: Impacts of recent court decisions on the wine industry and retail sales, including Family Winemakers of California v. Jenkins; Siesta Village Market, LLC v. Perry; …

BSE Shareholder Scott A. Hamblin was recently a lecturer for The Missouri Bar’s Continuing Legal Education progam entitled “How To Series: Criminal Law.” Mr. Hamblin made a presentation concerning basic criminal procedure.

BS&E shareholder Russ Mitten was recently selected to serve as a member and secretary of the Historic Preservation Commission for Jefferson City. The purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission is to identify and safeguard sites, buildings, structures and objects which reflect elements of the city’s historic conservation, to foster civic pride, and to enhance the city’s attraction to tourists and visitors. The Commission has nine members who are Jefferson City …

Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. is pleased to announce that James C. Swearengen, William R. (Trip) England, III, Gary W. Duffy, Paul A. Boudreau, Dean L. Cooper and L. Russell Mitten have been selected by their peers to be included in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. The firm is ranked #1 in Missouri in Energy Law, with six named attorneys listed in this category. Trip England …

Charles Smarr recently attended the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Smarr was the moderator for the panel entitled, “21st Century Challenges for the Regulators”. Panelists were Murphy Painter, Commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, Victoria Horton,Esq., President of the California Beer & Beverage Distributors, and Max Hess, Esq., of the law firm of Chorey, Taylor & Fine, Atlanta, Georgia. …

BSE shareholder Scott Hamblin has recently been active in bar activities associated with his Family Law/Divorce practice. In November of last year, Mr. Hamblin made a presentation for the Missouri Bar concerning the Basics of Dissolution of Marriage at a continuing legal education program entitled “Stepping Up and Stepping Out: The New Lawyer Experience.” More recently, on April 16, 2009, Scott attended the 2009 Family Law Symposium, an all day …

In October, 2008, Charles Smarr, served as the moderator for a panel entitled, “How to Prepare for a 21st Amendment/Antitrust Lawsuit” at the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators Central/Western Region Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. Panelists were Max Hess with the law firm of Chorey, Taylor & Feil in Atlanta, Georgia and Michael Madigan with the law firm of Madigan, Dahl & Harlan in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Central to the …

Greg Mitchell, Counsel to the Firm, has been named General Counsel for the Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage.  Greg also serves as General Counsel for the Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Missouri Powersport Dealers Association and the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association.