Douglas County saw no change in the number of lawyers in good standing practicing in March compared to February, according to the Missouri Bar Association.
In total, there were 12 lawyers working in Douglas County in March.
Countywide, all of the lawyers with active licenses were registered in Ava.
Data refers to all lawyers who were actively practicing during this time period. Lawyers in good standing do not have any complaints or disciplinary actions being taken against them.
As of April 1, 2026, average lawyer salaries in Missouri ranged from $95,075 for an entry-level attorney handling routine legal work (Attorney I) to $240,716 for highly experienced attorneys managing complex cases with significant autonomy (Attorney V). Mid-level attorneys, such as those in Attorney III roles—who handle highly complex legal work with moderate supervision—earned on average $178,190 in Missouri, compared to $187,549 nationwide.
Missouri has a high concentration of lawyers, with nearly four attorneys per 1,000 residents in 2024 — the 10th highest ratio in the country, according to the ABA Profile of the Legal Profession.
The United States has more than 1.3 million active lawyers, with employment projected to grow 4% between 2024 and 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Lawyer Name | Bar Number | Date of Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Carla Therese Dobrovits | 78351 | 10/15/2025 |
| Chase Edmon Opolka | 73885 | 09/15/2021 |
| Christopher Daniel Wade | 50665 | 09/24/1999 |
| Christopher John Swatosh | 45845 | 10/04/1996 |
| Christopher Shane Hatley | 50460 | 10/02/1998 |
| Curtis D. Trent | 61962 | 09/09/2009 |
| James Matthew Colston | 70005 | 09/13/2017 |
| John William Bruffett | 24585 | 04/26/1975 |
| Karen Anne Bates-Crouch | 60320 | 03/11/2008 |
| Marsha I. Stiles | 53456 | 04/16/2003 |
| Matthew Thomas Weatherman | 65625 | 04/17/2013 |
| Robert Craig Carter | 52247 | 09/27/2000 |
