One of St. Louis’ most well-known clan of barristers will hold court for Chris Koster, a Democrat running to become the state’s top lawyer.

The Dowd Family - a nest of legal eagles that has included judges, prosecutors and litigators - is hosting a fundraiser tonight in Clayton for Koster’s bid for the Attorney General nomination.

The Dowds are practically a bar association unto themselves. Edward L. Dowd Jr. is a former U.S. Attorney; James R. Dowd was the chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals. There are also several Dowds in private practice, and another, David Dowd, who is a judge in the city.

The patriarchs of the bunch are, of course, the late Edward L. Dowd Sr., the former City Circuit Attorney who ran for governor in 1972, and Robert G. Dowd Sr., also deceased, a longtime judge.

Tonight’s gathering is at Araka, the posh Southern European eatery on Carondelet Plaza.

Koster: Family support from the Dowds