ALA Gateway: Message From the President - October 2025
Posted by admin2 on Oct. 22, 2025 / Subscribe 0
As the leaves turn and the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect. This year it was my goal to help everyone communicate more, connect in meaningful ways, collaborate to support one another, and remember to celebrate even the small accomplishments … my game of Connect 4.
Did you play “Connect 4” this year? If not, it’s never too late! There’s still time to refocus, jump in, and make an impact. When we put our minds to something, amazing things happen. Life can feel busy and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be, especially because you are never alone amongst the Gateway Chaper. When we center ourselves on what truly matters—our goals, our relationships, and the people we care about—everything becomes clearer and simpler.
So here’s my friendly reminder: It’s never too late to communicate, connect, collaborate, and celebrate. Let’s finish this year strong—together!
Our new logo and freshly redesigned website are here—and they look amazing! Check out the new website: https://ala-gateway.org/. This transformation reflects our commitment to staying modern, accessible, and aligned with the needs of our members and Business Partners. Huge thanks to Lora Wegman, Chair of the Communications Team, and Kara Brostron for making this transformation happen.
Business Partner Showcase Event on September 30
Shoutout to our amazing members and Business Partners for rocking the Business Partner Showcase at Chicken N Pickle! From 90s-themed trivia to speed networking and pickleball, this event delivered great connections and memorable moments. Thank you to AMS Staffing and Americom for sponsoring the main event.
Law Leader Event October 15
From the Bench: Perspectives on the Evolving Legal System
We were honored to host an extraordinary panel of judges—yes, literally! real judges—at our recent educational event designed to showcase the value of ALA Gateway membership to law firm leaders. The discussion, expertly moderated by Judge Jimmie Edwards, brought together local and state judges for a dynamic conversation about the past, present, and future of the legal profession. Attendees had the rare opportunity to hear directly from the bench about where we have been, where we are now, and where the profession could go tomorrow. The insights shared were not only thought-provoking but also inspiring, offering fresh perspectives on navigating today’s complex legal landscape. It was an uplifting experience that underscored the importance of adaptability and vision in our profession. A special thank you to Emily Bremer from The Bremer Group and Jessica Kirchner from LexisNexis for their sponsorship of this event.
SAVE THE DATE! Click here to sign up now!
November 6 – Dart Social. Come join us to play some darts and socialize!
November 19 - The Evolution of Branding: Tips for Legal Professionals on Crafting an Effective Presence (educational session)
December 3 - Holiday Party Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
A COMMUNITY READY TO HELP
There is a lot of noise on the internet. Cut through the online clutter and come to a place where you’ll find a supportive community to help you wade through any challenges. Choose from topic-driven, member-only Online Communities that connect you with peers who are in your professional interest area or work at your management level. Participate in virtual roundtables, chats and meetups. Join an ALA chapter to connect with colleagues locally. A “how to” for chatting with local Gateway Chapter members can be found at https://ala-gateway.org/ListServ. No matter your networking need, we’ve got a way to keep you connected.
REMINDER: MEMBER BENEFITS AND ALA RESOURCES
Looking for ways to maximize your membership? Check out these additional benefits from ALA! A full listing can be found on our Resources page, but here are some highlights:
Chapter Leader Educational Series: I encourage everyone to attend and/or listen to recordings – especially if you are on the Board.
Legal Management Magazine (LMM): Find topics covering ALA’s five knowledge areas - Legal Industry/Business Management; Human Resources Management; Financial Management; Communications and Organizational Management; and Operations Management.
ALA’s Career Center contains articles regarding career advancement and maintains a Job Bank for Employers and Job Seekers.
ALA’s Legal Marketplace is a directory of “top solution providers to the Legal Management Industry.” ALA encourages its members to support the Business Partners that support ALA. Search for an ALA Business Partner to address the needs of your firm and begin receiving exclusive member discounts through ALA’s Value in Partnership (VIP) program.
ALA Gateway Business Partners: In addition to the Legal Marketplace, the Gateway Chapter has its own local Business Partners that support the Chapter. It’s because of the support of these Business Partners that we can provide top notch education and other community and social events to our Gateway members. Please familiarize yourself with our local Business Partners and reach out to them for any of your firm’s needs.
I hope to see you all at our Holiday Party! If you have any questions, please reach out to me at [email protected].
Jessica Fenton
2025-2026 ALA Gateway President
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