Douglas County had 12 lawyers in good standing as of January, according to the Missouri Bar.
Countywide, the highest number of lawyers in good standing was registered in Ava.
The lawyer population in the county increased compared to January of the previous year, when 11 lawyers were listed.
Across Missouri, there were a total of 14,046 lawyers in good standing in January.
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 more than 1.3 million active lawyers, with employment projected to grow 4% between 2024 and 2034.
| Lawyer Name | Bar Number | License Grant Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
