The thirteen states had limped to victory in the Revolutionary War under the flawed Articles of Confederation. Now $43,000,000 in debt, the Confederation Congress called for a convention to meet in the summer of 1787, to form a more perfect union. Many times it looked as if the entire effort would fall apart. Alexander Hamilton’s plan was snubbed and he returned to New York in disgust. Rhode Island wanted not part of the venture and refused to send even one delegate. Benjamin Franklin, not known as a religious man, asked for prayers during one of the many dark hours. At another time George Washington wrote that "I almost despair of seeing a favorable outcome." At still another, Luther Martin said the convention was "held together by the strength of a hair." In the end, no delegate got the Constitution he wanted, but all of us benefitted because these men with unyielding opinions, with a hundred different ideas as to what was right, with promises they had made to their constituents that they would have to abandon; were willing to yield to the desires and arguments of others, were willing to settle for what they believed was a flawed document, were willing to compromise. Presented by Tom Strong. information/registration

Join Jason Smith, attorney at Spencer Fane, as he shares tips on enforcing arbitration provisions at all steps of the process.

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After escaping from a local pet store, 11 cobras caused a panic in Springfield beginning in early August 1953. Following three stressful months, all of the snakes were killed or captured, some by particularly inventive methods, including an attempt by Springfield's city manager to lure them out by blasting snake charming music through a bull horn in his truck. Learn more here!

For the fourth consecutive year, the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Foundation is promoting public understanding of the legal system with mini law school for the public. The five week series starts, September 4, 2018. Help spread the word to your staff, friends and family!. Registration and session details at this link.