Cecil Caulkins, director of education for the Missouri Bar, was quoted as saying lawyers want to be prepared to help farmers with their legal questions, “…particularly as they determine whether they want to stay in farming.”
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by Denny Banister — Are lawyer jokes still in? I really don’t know since I don’t like many jokes I hear, I don’t remember most of the jokes I like, and I’m lousy at telling the few jokes I remember. I’m sure there was a joke at one time asking, “How many lawyers does it take to screw in a lightbulb?” but if I heard the joke I don’t remember the punch line.
My attempt at telling the joke would probably go something like this — “How many lawyers does it take to screw in a lightbulb? I don’t know, but it only takes one lawyer to screw it up.” I know, I know, keep my day job, right?
I recently heard where the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources worked with the Missouri Bar Association to create a statewide video workshop for lawyers. What’s the punch line, you ask? Unfortunately, there is none — this is not a “lawyer joke,” and the topic of the workshop was no laughing matter.
The workshop was designed to help those in the legal profession prepare for an expected surge in farm bankruptcy filings. The fact the College of Agriculture and the Missouri Bar had to offer such a workshop is a very sad commentary on the current state of economic affairs in farming today.
Cecil Caulkins, director of education for the Missouri Bar, was quoted as saying lawyers want to be prepared to help farmers with their legal questions, “…particularly as they determine whether they want to stay in farming.”
So the Missouri Bar, the College of Agriculture and the University Outreach and Extension offered the video workshop to 14 locations around the state recently via the University video network. The workshop concentrated on dealing with debts, reorganization, liquidation, bankruptcies and tax implications.
It is true, many farmers are in dire financial straits, and we undoubtedly will see increasing numbers of bankruptcies and farm auctions. Anything farmers can legally do to ease their tight economic situation must be considered.
While some people joke and get laughs at the expense of lawyers, and while it’s a shame lawyers need to get current on subjects dealing with farm reorganization, liquidation and bankruptcies, farmers should not view the legal profession as trying to capitalize at the farmer’s expense.
With tough economic times already here for the farm sector, and even tougher economic times predicted, farmers need to explore all their options while they still have some options remaining. Those who need or will need legal help would do well to ask their counsel if they participated in the University of Missouri and Missouri Bar Association’s video workshop.
@editor’s note = Editor’s note: Denny Banister of Jefferson City is assistant director of information and public relations for the Missouri Farm Bureau.