Douglas County saw two more lawyers in good standing practicing in its only city, Ava, in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter, according to the Missouri Bar Association.
In total, there were 11 lawyers working in Douglas County in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to nine the quarter before.
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 December 1, 2025, average lawyer salaries in Missouri ranged from $95,095 for an entry-level attorney handling routine legal work (Attorney I) to $240,512 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 $178,094 in Missouri, compared to $187,448 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 over 1.3 million attorneys, with the lawyer population projected to grow by 4% between 2024 and 2034.
| Lawyer Name | Bar Number | Date of Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Carla Therese Dobrovits | 78351 | 10/15/2025 |
| 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 |
