Supreme Court of Missouri Appoints Jovita M. Foster to AD HOC Committee

Armstrong Teasdale LLP partner Jovita Foster is appointed by the Supreme Court of Missouri as an ad hoc committee member to study the discovery and use of electronically stored material. Recommended by committee chair, The Honorable Cynthia L. Martin of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, Foster is one of 16 delegates from all over the state of Missouri.

Established on February 16, 2010, the committee will be responsible for examining the methods to permit the use and discovery of electronic material while balancing the privacy and other costs. Judges, lawyers, and other interested parties will be asked their opinion on any appropriate changes in the rules of court or practices of clients. The committee will present an interim report to the Court’s civil and criminal rules committees by September 1, 2010 and the final by December 31, 2011.

“The discovery of electronic materials has changed the practice of law and determining proper methods for handling electronic discovery warrants close examination,” says Foster. “I am honored to be chosen to serve and look forward to working on the committee.”

Other committee members include: Mike Albano of Independence; Steve Garner, Phillip R. Garrison, and Rodney Loomer of Springfield; Gretchen Garrison and Jeffery Kyle McClain of Saint Louis; Brian Keedy of Camdenton; Mike Ketchmark, Robert W. McKinley, Jr., Patrick Joseph Stueve, Joe Whisler, Michael Williams, and The Honorable J.D. Williamson of Kansas City; Peter Sterling of Columbia.

Foster’s practice involves employment and labor law litigation. She represents management in employment-related matters involving federal and state anti-discrimination statutes and ERISA litigation. She serves as a Commissioner for Missouri’s Credit Union Commission and has considerable experience in forming, operating, and assisting credit unions throughout the region.

Foster earned her J.D. from Washington University School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia.