At LAWMO's Fifth Annual Justice For All (JFA) Luncheon in May, 2003, guest speaker Gerry Spense pledged to donate $15,000 to LAWMO, if donors contributed $30,000 in new gifts. In addition to contributing $5,000 to sponsor the JFA Luncheon, Davis Bethune & Jones, L.L.C. stepped forward in December 2003 with a $9,000 gift to complete the Spence challenge. Grant Davis, of Davis, Bethune & Jone, L.L.C. was instrumental in committing his firm to meet the challenge. "It's so important for lawyers to give back to the community," said Davis. "There's no better way than to support LAWMO in helping people who need legal assistance." Thanks to Gerry Spence, the law firm of Davis, Bethune & Jones and over $21,000 in new gifts from supporters, LAWMO's three-year, $1.5 million JFA campaign has been given a $45,000 boost. To date, the JFA Campaign Leadership Committee has raised $1,011,000 an is working diligently to reach the $1.5 million goal by July 31, 2004, the last day of the campaign.
Just as the UMKC School of Law laid the foundation for their legal careers, Grant Davis (J.D. '87), Scott Bethune (J.D. '88) and Tom Jones (J.D. '88) are hoping their contribution to the E.E. ("Tom") Thompson Courtroom renovation project will lay the foundation for future graduates to contribute to their alma mater.
The trio, who formed the Davis, Bethune and Jones law firm in 2001, didn't hesitate when the Law School sought donations for the $2.3 million project. The firm's $200,000 gift named Litigation Hall in the courtroom entrance.
"Our goal is to provide opportunities for law students who eventually go to practice, hopefully in the local community, and contribute back to the School as alumni," Bethune says.
The updates courtroom, which opened in August, features state-of-the-art technology, including a large-screen, rear projection video monitor equipped to display documents and video images simultaneously, and equipment to record multiple actions that can be played back, edited for classroom discussion or broadcast via the Internet.
The new courtroom is tri-functional, serving as a working courtroom complete withe a jury (and, if needed, the ability to be used for mock and legally binding trials), a classroom and an auditorium for public functions. "The courtroom, built in 1979, needed to be updated and rearranged," Bethune says. "With the renovations, the new facility will enhance UMKC's relationship with the Missouri Court of Appeals - Western District and is anticipated to renew working relationships with the Circuit Court through its use as a working courtroom."
Some of the major technology enhancements include a contemporary audio system (recording, conferencing and presentation), video evidence presentation system (for the display of advanced visual media) camera coverage and a large rear-projection video screen. Bethune explains, "It's more like the courtrooms practicing lawyers use, and will better prepare students. "UMKC provided us with the foundation and tools to go out and make a difference in people's lives," he adds, "so we're proud to invest in the future of Kansas City's legal community."
At Davis, Bethune & Jones, LLC, in our focus to represent individuals and families who have suffered personal injury or death, our attorneys have come up against large corporations and industry giants. We are dedicated to speaking out for those who have suffered needlessly. While we cannot turn back the clock or undo disastrous consequences, we hope to correct injustices and bring compensation to see our clients through difficult times. In assisting our clients, our dedication and hard work has resulted in notable verdicts and settlements, some of which include:
