Women in Law
2020 - 2021 TCBA CONTACTS, COMMITTEE & SECTION CHAIRS
www.tulsabar.com
PHONE: 918-584-5243 FAX: 918-592-0208 1446 South Boston, Tulsa, OK 74119-3612 Executive Director Tami Williams tamiw@tulsabar.com Ext. 1002
Front Desk Coordinator General Inquiries Mallory Sanstra
frontdesk@tulsabar.com Ext. 1000
Membership Director Accounting CLE, Sections & Committees accounting@tulsabar.com Lisa Laughrey Ext. 1001 Lawyer Referral & Community Resource Navigator Jeril Haug jerilh@tulsabar.com Ext. 1003
Tulsa Lawyer Editor - Michael Taubman michael@tulsafirm.com Associate Editor - Milly Dunlap Tulsa Lawyer Submissions - tulsabarnews@yahoo.com
TCBA OFFICERS
President................................................................ Kimberly Moore Past President......................................................... Jim Milton President-Elect............................................................ Kara Vincent Vice President.......................................................... Philip D. Hixon Secretary..................................................................... Natalie Sears Treasurer................................................................. Mike Esmond Budget/Internal Operations........................................ Lisa Creveling Foundation President ...........................................Christina Vaughn Director at Large (1) Large Firm................................. Philip Hixon Director at Large (2) Large Firm.......................... C. Austin Birney Director at Large (1) Medium Firm................................ Kara Pratt Director at Large (2) Medium Firm.................. Jennifer L. Struble Director at Large (1) Small Firm...........................Tamera Childers Director at Large (2) Small Firm...........................Linda Morrissey Director at Large (2) Public Sector.........................Hon. Ann Keele ABA Delegate............................................................. Molly Aspan OBA Delegate................................................................Rick White Library Trustee (1)......................................................... Julie Evans Library Trustee (2)............................................ Trisha Archer Presiding Judge ..................................... Judge William LaFortune U.S. District Court .................................. Hon. John Dowdell C.J., Tulsa Municipal Court............................. Hon. Gerald Hofmeister TU Law School.......................................................... Rachel Baker
FOUNDATION APPOINTMENTS
Law Day ......................................................................Lizzie Riter Community Outreach................................................ Ashley Webb Golf Chair.......................................Trisha Archer & Brian Keester Scholarship Chair.....................................................................TBD Submission, Grapevine & AdvertisingVisit www.tulsabar.com Subscriptions to Tulsa Lawyer are available for $40.00 a year to those who are not Tulsa County Bar Association members or others who do not currently receive the publication. Contact Lisa Laughrey at llaughrey@tulsabar.com
FOUNDATION
President...........................................................Christina M.Vaughn Treasurer..................................................................... Philip Hixon Trustee....................................................................... Chad McLain Trustee.......................................................................... Jim Gotwals Trustee.................................................... Hon. Martha Rupp Carter Trustee....................................................................... Ken Williams Trustee...........................................................................Lizzie Riter Trustee........................................................... Hon. Ann Keele Trustee..........................................................................Justin Munn TCBA President.....................................................Kimberly Moore TCBA Pres. Elect........................................................Kara Vincent
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
Access to Justice.............................................. ......Shena Burgess Access to Justice Co-Chair...............................Hon. Tanya Wilson Animal Law..................................................... ..........Katy Inhofe Bench & Bar.................................................... Kevinn Matthews Children & the Law......................................... ........Lizzie Riter Children & the Law Vice Chair..........Timothy Michaels-Johnson CLE ................................................................. .........James Asbill Diversity Development......................................................Ben Fu Diversity Co-chair...................................................Deborah Reed Fee Arbitration................................................. ..........Gary Crews Law Related Education...................................Stephanie Jackson Law Related Education Co-Chair.................... ........Ron Jones , II Lawyer Referral............................................... Catherine Hoopert Membership Services....................................................Kara Pratt Mentoring......................................................... ............................ Mentoring Co-chair.......................................... ........Randy Lewin Military/Veterans ............................................ ...Mitchell Garrett Military/Veterabs Co-Chair.............................. Hon. David Guten Nominations & Awards.................................... ...........Jim Milton Pro Bono............................................................... Mac Finlayson Professionalism................................................ ...........Rick White Public Relations....................................................Steve Layman Social Media.........................................................Collaborative Special Events.................................................. .......Natalie Sears Tulsa Lawyer.................................................... Michael Taubman Young Lawyers Division................................. ....Ephraim Alajaji
SECTION CHAIRPERSONS
ADR/Mediation..........................................................Melissa Fell Bankruptcy....................................................... ........Paul Thomas Business/Corporate.......................................... .............................. Criminal Law................................................... ........Daniel Levy Employment Law............................................. ...Kassidy Quinten Energy & Mineral Law.................................... .......Ryan Pittman Family Law...................................................... ...Todd Alexander Health Law . .................................................... ..... Kristen Evans Health Law Vice Chair..................................... Whitney Dockrey Immigration Law Chair.................................... ....Whitney Webb Juvenile Law.................................................... ..........Lizzie Riter Juvenile Law Co-Chair.......................Timothy Michaels-Johnson Litigation Co-Chairs...............Robert Mitchener & Robert Winter Municipal Law................................................David Weatherford Paralegals/Legal Assistants.............................. .........Gloria Jones Paralegal /Legal Assistants Vice Chair............ Deborah Gresh Probate/Estate/Elder......................................... ...Catherine Welsh Solo/Small Firm............................................... .....................TBD Tax ......................................................... .....Ashlee Crouch Technology ...................................................Pansy Moore-Shrier Workers Comp................................................. ............................ * Section Chairs will be updated as positions are filled.
Tulsa Lawyer is a monthly publication of the TCBA. The TCBA does not necessarily share or endorse the opinions expressed in the materials published. The views are those of thoughtful contributors. Similarly, advertising does not imply endorsement by the TCBA of products or services or any statements concerning them.
A Message from the President
Kimberly K. Moore 2020-2021 TCBA President
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Candidate Filing / Nomination Period for the 2021-2022 TCBA Year
Lisa Riggs:
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Leading with Bold Influence and Compassionate Advocacy By Mike Turpen
TULSA LAWYER
In this Issue
February 2021
2
Shattering the Glass Ceiling
4
VP's Corner - Every Moment is a Fresh Beginning Philip Hixon
10 Golf News! Mark Your Calendars! 11 Get Registered for TCBF Golf! 13 A History of Women in the OBA Board of Governors Leadership 15 Law Day Book Club-Session 1 Thursday, February 25th - 5:30PM His Truth is Marching On, by Jon Meacham 19 TCBA Virtual Board Party! February 11th The Art of Cheeseboards - Make it Date 21 Women in Law: A Look Back Patricia M. Hoebel 23 Liberty Bell Award Nominations Sought 24 LRIS - Working for Attorneys 26 Committees & Sections 29 In Memory of... 30 Grapevine 32 Classifieds
t c a F n Fu
The Oklahoma Bar Association has approximately 6,234 female attorneys in good standing! Tulsa Lawyer 1
A Message from the President Kimberly K. Moore
Shattering the Glass Ceiling
Greetings! I hope the New Year is off to great start for you. For those of you with New Year’s Resolutions, remember one day at a time. We are often our own worst enemy when it comes to setbacks so don’t get discouraged. Look to friends, family and colleagues to encourage and keep you motivated. Last issue we focused on professionalism. This issue is devoted to Women in the Law. I thought it apropos to devote my article to three women I admire. It’s no secret that women have traditionally faced more barriers to entry in their attempts to enter the legal profession. But as the old saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way – and after jumping through countless hoops and skirting impossible legal boundaries, these women managed to shatter the stereotypes and reshape American law as we know it. Their enduring legacy says it all.
Equal Protection Clause. In Reed v Reed (1971), a minor, Richard Lynn Reed, died and his mother wanted to be designated as administrator of his estate. Sally and her husband, Cecil Reed, had separated prior to the child’s death. Despite Sally filing a petition first, Cecil’s application was automatically approved because of an Idaho statute that stated that “males must be preferred to females” when there was more than one qualified person available to administer someone’s estate. Relying on the 14th Amendment, Ginsberg argued that this violated the Equal Protection Clause. The Supreme Court unanimously agreed and struck down the Idaho statute. It was the first time the Court had ever applied the Equal Protection Clause to a law that discriminated on the basis of gender.
Ruth Bader Ginsberg
Ginsberg later argued that gender-based discrimination hurts men too in Frontiero v Richardson (1973). In an amicus brief, Ginsburg used the statute to argue against gender-based discrimination applied to men. She asked the Court during oral arguments “Why, did the framers of the 14th Amendment regard racial [discrimination] as odious? Because a person’s skin color bears no necessary relationship to ability. Similarly...a person’s sex bears no necessary relationship to ability.”
Few names in law are as influential as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The second woman to ever sit on the United States Supreme Court. This peerless trailblazer scored major victories for women on hotly contested issues. Prior to being appointed to the US Supreme Court, many of her cases hinged on the Fourteenth Amendment’s
A plurality of the Supreme Court found the benefit policy violated the Constitution and argued that, because of the United States’ long history of genderbased discrimination, the court should use a strict standard of judicial scrutiny for laws that used sex as a classification.
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Did Ginsberg always aspire to be a Supreme Court Justice? In an interview, Ginsberg spoke about to the number one question posed by young school girls. It starts with the dream because today for a young girl to aspire to be a judge is not outlandish. Contrast that to the day Ginsberg entered law school, where less than 3% of women comprised the legal profession. Today about half the nation’s law students and more than one-third of our federal judges are women, including three of the current justices seated on the United States Supreme Court. Women hold more than 30 percent of law school deanships in the United States and serve as general counsel to 24 percent of Fortune 500 companies.
Sandra Day O’Connor Like RBG, Justice O’Connor earned her law degree at a time when only a tiny fraction of attorneys were women. To say that the job market was hostile towards women in law would be an understatement. Law firms wouldn’t hire Justice O’Connor at first, but she persevered and found a job at the San Mateo County District Attorney’s office… provided that she started with no pay at all.
aspirations and to use her position to restructure the inherent flaws in the judicial system. Despite dealing with hostility directed at women and minorities in general, Sotomayor graduated with honors in her class. She would fiercely defend the rights of the American people as an attorney, and a she remains a bulwark of individual liberty as a Supreme Court Justice. In a 2012 case, Justice Sotomayor protected privacy rights, ruling that the police could not attach a GPS device to a car without a warrant to monitor a driver’s movements. In her 2017 term, Justice Sotomayor defended voter representation, dissenting against states that tried to purge registration rolls of minority, low income, disabled, and veteran voters. My above three heroes of women in the practice of law demonstrate that gender does not, and should not, dictate the terms of one’s own path. Their contributions have, and will pave the way for generations to come. These serve as pioneering examples of the influence of women in law for now and in the future .
Bar Updates! • The interior remodel of the TCBA is progressing as scheduled. Demo has been completed and we are awaiting delivery of the materials.
Although herself a member of the strong conservative majority, O’Connor was not afraid of breaking ranks and made decisions that would be monumental for American women. Through her important role in • Membership numbers are doing very well at 2,048 members. Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey (1992), the court readjusted its views on • The TCBF Golf Tournament will be held in May at women’s abortion rights. The court’s opinion, which O’ Meadowbrook. Connor authored herself, reaffirmed the constitutionally protected right to abortion that was established under • The C.A.P. Program is still looking for volunteers to assist on the FED docket. Please contact Beth Roe v. Wade (1973) and lowered restrictions such as Nellis at bethnellis@cox.net to sign up. parental consent, waiting periods, and spousal consent.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Sonia Sotomayor Justice Sonia Sotomayor had an embattled experience with the gatekeepers of the community and overcame challenging odds to become a judge. She was diagnosed with Type I diabetes and was told that she wouldn’t live past the age of 50. These bitter experiences only heightened her resolve to press onward to achieve her
Kimberly K. Moore TCBA President, 2020-2021
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4 Tulsa Lawyer
Tu l s a C o u n t y B a r A s s o c i a t i o n
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30 Hours of Available On-Demand CLE Recordings! Topics Available for On-Demand Viewing • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
A New Take on Trial Skills Employment Law Hot Topics Lawyers Helping Lawyers Ethics Update Guardian Hot Topics and Issues Improving Your Odds in Mediation Medical Marijuana Employment Issues Implementing an Online Marketing Strategy Employment Law Update: Important Developments in Federal and State Law Zoom & BlueJeans for Legal Professionals Delivering Limited Scope Legal Services Safely & Effectively Basic Probate and Estate Administration The Changing World of Evictions 2020 Fair Housing and Ethical Considerations During the COVID-19 Pandemic Women In Law Bankruptcy Law Update Financial Exploitation: Overcoming Barriers to Recovery and Prosecution Family Law State Criminal Jurisdiction: How McGirt v. Oklahoma Should Affect Your State Criminal Practice Serving on Non-Profit Boards & Ethical Considerations for Lawyers The Current State of Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma Handling Personal Injury Cases from the Defense Perspective Trial Skills: A Cross Examination Clinic Uninsured Motorists Coverage Did you miss the Expungements in Oklahoma
Interested in watching the day long topics such as Immigration, Family Law, Criminal Law, Juvenile Law and Estate Planning? Email LisaL@tulsabar.com for more info.
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VP'S CORNER
Philip Hixon, TCBA Vice President
Every Moment is a Fresh Beginning “Every moment is a fresh beginning,” according to T.S. Eliot. Whether or not Mr. Eliot was correct, the sentiment seems appropriate for this time of year. I have not heard any report from, or about, Punxsutawney Phil yet (mostly because, as I write this, it’s another four weeks until February 2), but I am confident that spring will soon be upon us, and with spring, a fresh beginning, a remodeled Bar Center, and a calendar full of (hopefully) in-person events.
This publication furthers the mission. This issue of the Tulsa Lawyer is devoted to Women in the Law. From legal assistants to appellate judges, I can name dozens of female legal professionals, who embody the Association’s mission. You can read about some of them in this issue. Next month’s topic is the Judiciary, Courts, and Government—sure to be informative.
Ethical conduct. Obviously, that’s important. The Association promotes ethical conduct through its I have recently had the opportunity to review the excellent CLE offerings and through opportunities to Association’s annual Form 990 informational return. interact with other lawyers in non-adversarial settings. In the return, the Association has told the IRS and the Judicial administration, that’s another good one. I can public generally that our mission is “to promote ethical attest the Association’s judicial notices during the conduct among attorneys, to advance the effective pandemic have made my practice more efficient. administration of our judicial system, to ensure equal access to justice for all citizens and to engender respect Access to justice is another worthy mission. If you for the legal profession, the law and the governing didn’t read Mac Finlayson’s and Patricia Lee Refo’s principles of our democracy.” That’s a laudatory submissions in last month’s publication regarding the mission, indeed, and it’s borne out in the Association’s need for pro bono legal representation in pandemicrelated evictions, I encourage you to read them now. programming and calendar. If you’re able to assist on such matters, please contact Mac, another member of the Pro Bono Committee, or
12 Tulsa Lawyer Tulsa Lawyer 8 8Tulsa Lawyer
Judge Tanya Wilson or Sheena Burgess, who co-chair the Association’s Access to Justice Committee. The Association’s annual Law Day activities are all about encouraging respect for the legal profession, as evidenced by this year’s theme: Advancing the Rule of Law, Now! As always, Law Day will provide Tulsa area youth with educational opportunities intended to promote a respect for the rule of law and our nation’s governing principles. The Lynn Miller Law Day Book Club kicks off this month under the guidance of Judge Martha Rupp Carter and will continue through April. Additional details of the book club may be found elsewhere in this issue. Although not technically a Law Day event, the annual Charity Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 3, 2021, at the Meadowbrook Country Club. Proceeds from the event are, as suggested by the tournament’s title, donated to worthy charities. If you’re interested in sponsoring or playing in the tournament, please contact Trisha Archer or Brian Keester or complete the form in this issue. Mr. Eliot didn’t live to see 2020 or the early part of this year. Nonetheless, with promises of spring in the air, I think he was on to something. “Every moment is a fresh beginning.”
TCBF Golf Tournament News food assistance programs along with crisis counseling to promote self-sufficiency for families in need; Tulsa Lawyers for Children, assisting with volunteers for deprived children in juvenile proceedings; and Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, distributing food and other grocery items to 350 Partner Agencies in eastern Oklahoma. We hope that you will consider a contribution in one of the sponsorship levels available and pledge information is enclosed for your convenience. The Tulsa County Bar Association is also excited to roll out a brand new bundled sponsorship format for your convenience. This brand-new structure allows your contribution to pack a bigger punch, providing you the Dear Members, opportunity for increased savings, premium benefits and the added plus of increased logo recognition across We’ve missed you this last year, and sincerely all of the TCBA/TCBF events. Bundling saves you hope this letter finds you safe and well. The Tulsa time and money, and who doesn’t love that? Make a County Bar Foundation is excited to announce that our difference by sponsoring every event, while saving time 2021 Charity Golf Tournament has been scheduled for by only processing one sponsorship ask from us each Monday, May 3, 2021 at MeadowBrook Country Club’s year. par-72, 6,810- yard championship golf course. We hope Please contact the Tulsa County Bar Association you can join us for this outdoor event. at 918.584.5243 ext. 1001 or LisaL@tulsabar.com for We would sincerely appreciate your support more information. Your participation is vital to our for an event which allows lawyers and others in our success. community to provide critical funding support for Sincerely, worthy charitable beneficiaries. As a leader in the community, I am sure you understand the need to take an Trisha Archer active role in supporting deserving Tulsa charities. We Tulsa County Bar Foundation encourage you, your employees, friends and colleagues 2021 Golf Tournament to join us for a round of golf, food and fellowship . . . Chairwoman all for the betterment of our community, who need our support now more than ever. The tournament will also allow you the opportunity to share your company’s valuable services with other participants. All sponsors will be publicized in the Tulsa Lawyer magazine that is sent to approximately 2,200 TCBA members. The Charity Golf Tournament benefits Disabled American Veterans, providing direct financial assistance for veterans in need in our community; South Tulsa Community House providing GED and
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Let's Play Golf!
Tulsa Lawyer 11
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A History of Women in the OBA Board of Governors Leadership Courtesy of the Oklahoma Bar Association
Carol Manning, OBA Communications Director 1966 Norma Wheaton of Tulsa was the first woman to serve on the OBA Board of Governors. She served a three-year term. 1978 Jayne Montgomery of Purcell was the first female elected OBA officer when she became vice president. 1980 Shirley Collier of Taloga was the second OBA female vice president. 1992 Mona Salyer Lambird of Oklahoma City was elected to the BOG for a three-year term. 1994 Cathy Christensen of Oklahoma City was elected to serve as OBA vice president. 1996 Mona Lambird became the OBA’s first woman president.
2003 Melissa DeLacerda of Stillwater became the second woman president.
2014 Renée DeMoss of Tulsa became the fifth woman president and the first from Tulsa.
Deborah Reheard of Eufaula became the third woman president. 2017 Linda Thomas from Bartlesville becomes sixth (8 of 17 Board of Governors members were woman president. women) Jennifer Castillo of Oklahoma City was Vice President. 2011 First time the top three BOG positions were held by women: Deborah Reheard, 2018 Kimberly Hays of Tulsa became the President; Retired Judge Reta Strubhar of seventh woman president. Piedmont, VP; and Cathy Christensen from Oklahoma City, President-Elect. 2020 Susan B. Shields from Oklahoma City became the eighth woman president. 2012 Cathy Christensen of Oklahoma City became Brandi Nowakowski of Shawnee was Vice the fourth woman president. President. 10 of 17 Board of Governors members were women) 2011
The Tulsa County Bar Association would like to acknowledge all women in the Oklahoma Legal Community for their contributions. From lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants, secretaries in law offices, clerks, to courthouse employees and more. Your contributions to the legal system are valuable and recognized. Thank You!
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CONTACT: BETH NELLIS, CAP COORDINATOR bethnellis@cox.net or 918-760-3945 From the American Bar Association...
Advancing the Rule of Law, Now
The rule of law is the bedrock of American rights and liberties—in times of calm and unrest alike. The 2021 Law Day theme—Advancing the Rule of Law, Now—reminds all of us that we the people share the responsibility to promote the rule of law, defend liberty, and pursue justice.
Law Day Book Club Goes Virtual for 2021!
The upcoming 2021 sessions for the Lynn Miller Law Day Book Club will be virtual and limited to ten attendees. Specific dates will be provided soon. Start reading now so you’ll be ready! Meeting dates & times along with more details on the sessoin leaders can be found below and in future issues of Tulsa Lawyer.
Thursday, February 25th - 5:30PM His Truth is Marching On by Jon Meacham
Public Domain (Oxford University Press, 2013) was enthusiastically reviewed in The Nation; London Times Literary Supplement; Paris Review Daily; American Historical Review; Critical Inquiry; and other venues. In 2016, Bob was awarded a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship in the Humanities. His book Modernism and the Law, prepared during his Guggenheim year, was published in August 2018 by Bloomsbury Academic. UPCOMING SESSIONS:
March 25th - 5:30PM
Professor Robert Spoo will be our first discussion One Drop: My Father’s Hidden Life – A Story leader at a virtual book club session on February of Race and Family Secrets 25, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. that will be limited to ten by Bliss Broyard participants. Discussion Leader: ROBERT SPOO Robert Spoo is Chapman Professor at The University of Tulsa College of Law, where he teaches Constitutional law, copyright law, contracts, law and literature, and other subjects. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University and his J.D. from the Yale Law School. After serving as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor when she was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Bob was an attorney with law firms in New York, San Francisco, and Tulsa. He is consistently listed among Best Lawyers®, and has been named a Tulsa “Lawyer of the Year” for 2014, 2018, and 2020. He is Of Counsel with McAfee & Taft. Formerly the editor of the James Joyce Quarterly and a tenured member of the English Department at the University of Tulsa, Bob has published extensively on modern authors, law and literature, and copyrights and the public domain. His recent articles have appeared in the Stanford Law Review, UCLA Law Review, Law & Literature, and the James Joyce Quarterly. His book Without Copyrights: Piracy, Publishing, and the
TAMMY EWING Tammy grew up in Muskogee and attended college at the University of Tulsa. She attended law school at the University of Illinois and then practiced law in Colorado for 28 years. During her last 14 years in Colorado, she was a municipal court judge and then a county court judge. She moved back home to Oklahoma in 2017 to be near family. Since returning home, she has specialized in municipal, land use and construction law and has represented the cities of Bixby, Owasso and Broken Arrow.
April Tulsa, 1921: Reporting a Massacre by Randy Krehbiel
The Honorable Martha Rupp Carter, Chair Email Martha.carter@oscn.net to register for the virtual book club session.
First come, first served.
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Lisa Riggs: Leading with Bold Influence and Compassionate Advocacy By Mike Turpen
Leadership is something those of us in the legal profession practice every day. We lead our clients through their issues, using our expertise to help solve their problems. We lead our communities by participating in volunteer work, fundraising for local nonprofit organizations, and serving on civic boards. We lead our colleagues through our activities with the Tulsa County Bar Association. And many of us lead our businesses by serving in executive roles at our organizations. But what sets apart the truly exceptional leaders? In considering this question, let us go back to the term’s definition. Merriam-Webster defines a leader as “a person who has commanding authority or influence.” Think about that for a second. By definition, a leader cannot be timid, unassertive, or indecisive. Instead, they must have a bold, remarkable, and COMMANDING authority or influence.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Oklahoma, Lisa went on to graduate from the prestigious Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C. She began her career as a litigator and partner of a firm there, where she served as a Court Mediator, served on the Board of the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association and was and remains a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, now American Association for Justice. Although she had a successful career in D.C., Lisa decided to move back to Tulsa for the opportunity to practice law with her mentor and father, David Riggs, and to be near her large family. She will tell you now that working alongside and interacting with her father every day is the best treat in the world.
At Riggs Abney, there is a woman who exemplifies what it means to be a leader. Her dedication to her clients, her community, and our profession is an extraordinary demonstration of her commanding leadership. And as the first woman to be named president of the firm, she also blazed a trail for other women leaders in law across not only Tulsa but the entire state. As a young woman in Sand Springs, Lisa Riggs was originally inspired to become a lawyer after reading Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
David Riggs and Lisa Riggs
Lisa continued to build her successful civil litigation practice at Riggs Abney, representing clients with catastrophic injuries resulting from accidents, medical mistakes, and pharmaceutical products. She is a skilled trial lawyer and has always thrived on taking the challenges of her clients and finding ways to solve their problems. But that passion for problem-solving and consistent leadership example is not limited to the courtroom.
fundraiser for another organization Lisa is passionate about, The Sutton Avian Research Center. She also served on the Board of Land Legacy whose mission is to conserve, enhance and restore urban and rural land to benefit our environment. Lisa has served on the board of directors for the Sand Springs Education Foundation, Sand Springs School Board, Friends of the Fairgrounds, American Heritage Bank Community Volunteer Board, Sand Springs American Downtown, and Legal Aid Society of Oklahoma Endowment Committee. She participated in Inns of Court and Leadership Sand Springs. Lisa currently serves as the board chair of the Sand Springs Museum Association and regularly participates in food distribution events with Lawyers Fighting Hunger. In 2014, Lisa Riggs was named the president of Riggs Abney and served in that capacity for three years. Her deep passion for her practice, her commanding influence in the Tulsa community, and her positive impact as a manager in our firm for several years prior made her the perfect leader. As president of our firm, Lisa always led by example – with courage, compassion, integrity, and empathy. Because of Lisa’s extraordinary leadership, Riggs Abney flourished, prospered and grew with additional practice areas and expertise.
Seeing too many neglected, abused, and homeless pets in the Sand Springs area, Lisa formally organized the Sandite Team for Animal Rescue in 2011. This nonprofit organization has worked with the Sand Springs animal shelter to foster, obtain veterinary care, transport, and ultimately find forever homes for hundreds of dogs and cats since its inception. After almost a decade, Lisa still serves as president of the board for this organization that is near to her heart. While she has always volunteered in some capacity throughout her life, Lisa’s love of nature and passion for outdoor travel motivated her to leave her signature on this planet through wildlife preservation efforts. She began volunteering her time to organize the Wild Brew Beer Tasting event in Tulsa, originally to benefit The Nature Conservancy. The event is now a
In 2017, Lisa stepped away from that role to focus more on her passion for trial work and helping her clients. But Lisa remains the moral compass of our firm and genuinely believes that every client she serves is an honor. She has achieved multi-milliondollar settlements for several clients during her 25 years at our firm. One of the more interesting highlights of her career was successfully representing Garth Brooks in the trial against an Oklahoma City hospital that failed to live up to their responsibilities after the country artist made a memorial donation in honor of his mother. Lisa serves as a board member for the Oklahoma Association for Justice, which she promptly joined in 1996 after her transition back to Tulsa. She credits the organization for helping her navigate the challenges of being a litigator reestablishing her career in
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Oklahoma and believes the mentorship and information sharing within the Association is vital to its members’ abilities to better serve their clients and preserve our system of justice for all. She has been recognized for her leadership as a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Association for Justice Rex Travis Listserv Award, and as a member of the Sandite Hall of Fame. She is rated AV Preeminent by MartindaleHubbell in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards and was one of Oklahoma Magazine’s Top 25 Women Lawyers in 2012 and 2015. Every leader has others they have learned from along the way. When I think about the strong, talented and courageous leaders in my life, I think of my mother, Marge TurpenShahan. She raised my brothers and I on the philosophy that each of us only has so much God-given energy. And every morning when we wake up, it is up to us to decide how to use it. My mother’s leadership lessons still guide me daily. My wife Susan is another. I affectionately say she is the 32-year CEO of the Turpen household and is the only one who can make sure the Turpen Train runs on time. But beyond that, Susan has had a bold influence on hundreds of young people through her years as a high school educator and through her volunteering roles in the community. For Lisa, she will tell you the commanding influences in her life include her mother, who served as her Girl Scouts leader and sets the standard of calm, compassion, humor, and love in their large family; her father, who shares her love of the law and her fervor for travel, adventure and the natural world; and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was a pioneer for women in the profession. But Lisa herself is a pioneer of the profession in our state. I often say that the most important thing that has happened for women in our civilization is for men to have daughters. It helps us appreciate leaders like Lisa Riggs who break barriers and build bridges for other women to come. To me, what makes Lisa a truly exceptional, bold leader in law is her approachability, her hunger for the challenges in her profession, and her selfless dedication to advocating for others. A commanding influence, indeed.
Lawyers Across Tulsa Service Opportunity
Saturday, February 20, 2021 At the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma 1304 N Kenosha Ave Two Shifts Available: 9a-12p & 1p-3p Limited to 12 volunteers per shift and masks required. Registration link will be emailed soon. Be on the lookout!
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Now Yoga & Meditation Available!
Women in Law: A Look Back Patricia M. Hoebel Patricia M Hoebel, once described by her colleagues as a "good and dedicated judge with an acute legal mind," made many contributions as a lawyer and a judge. She worked as a legal secretary for the firm of Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold for 16 1/2 years. Ms. Hoebel was a charter member of the Tulsa County Association of Legal Secretaries and later served as president. In 1966, she was named Tulsa County legal "Secretary of the Year."
A District Court colleague described Judge Hoebel as "a brilliant jurist - her level-headedness was one of her finest attributes. In addition to her judicial talent, she was an exceedingly personable individual She was conscientious and kind." Judge M.M. McDougal stated: "Judge Hoebel's death is a great loss not only to this court, but to the whole judicial system. She was tops and was respected and loved by all those who came in contact with her."
With her eye on her goal, Patricia Hoebel attended the University of Tulsa at night for 12 years to obtain her undergraduate and law degrees. After her graduation, she became an associate in the Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold firm. In 1972, she left private practice to become second deputy to District Court Clerk, Don Austin. In 1974, Ms. Hoebel was appointed a Special District Judge in Tulsa County The following year, Governor David Boren appointed her a District Judge for Tulsa and Pawnee Counties, only the second woman to be so appointed in Tulsa, following Judge Margaret Lamm. She was assigned to the Family Relations Division where she heard divorce and child custody cases. She was later assigned to the Civil Division. From 1971 until 1976, Pat Hoebel served on the Tulsa County Draft Board. Judge Hoebel's love of the law never waned. When she was diagnosed with cancer, she kept her focus and remained devoted to the law, and even filed to run for another term as a District Judge two weeks before her death in 1982. The TCBA is taking a look back to share the stories of women in law and their contributions to the legal community. This article was originally printed in Women in Law as part of the TCBA Centennial Celebration in 2002 and recognized at the Women in Law Conference in Dallas, Texas that same year. If you would like to share the history of an influential person in the Tulsa legal community please contact us. michael@tulsafirm.com or tulsabarnews@yahoo.com.
Tulsa Lawyer 21
22 Tulsa Lawyer
Liberty Bell Award Nominations Previous recipients of the TCBA Liberty Bell Award 1984 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
The Liberty Bell Award was established more than 50 years ago to acknowledge outstanding community service. The Liberty Bell is presented to a non-lawyer who has promoted better understanding of the rule of law, encouraged greater respect for law and the courts, stimulated a sense of civic responsibility, or contributed to good government in the community. The Liberty Bell Award is one of the most prestigious awards the Tulsa County Bar Foundation can bestow on an individual or group of individuals.
Lois McIlroy Mary Jo Speaker Nancy McDonald Lynn Jones George Singer Jill Tarbel Ha Thi Crick Steven Dow Michael Reggio Marty Mundell Winona Tanaka Kim Camp Harriet Morgan Sally Howe-Smith Sandra K. Cousins Chester Cadieux Jane Kolesnik Channel 2 Tuesday Morning Miracle Workers Hamilton 6th Grade Teachers Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa Theresa Hansen Sherri Carrier Cortez Tunley & Tava Slocum Ralph Schaefer Cheryl Conklin Disabled American Veterans Bill Braun Julie Delcour Suzane Stewart Amley "Popsey" Floyd Christine Po
Please forward all nominations to
Lizzie Ritter, Law Week Chair lizzie.riter@okdhs.org
Nominees may be an individual or a group that has: • Promoted better understanding of the rule of law • Encouraged a greater respect for law and the courts • Stimulated a sense of civic responsibility • Contributed to good government in the community
Deadline for nominations is Wednesday ~ March 31, 2021.
Tulsa County Bar Association
Lawyer Referral & Information Service The Tulsa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service is a long-standing program serving Tulsa county. Its primary purpose is to refer those needing legal representation, and who can afford reasonable attorney’s fees, to a licensed attorney who practices in the area of law appropriate to their needs. In cases where a lawyer referral is not appropriate, other resources may be recommended. We do not provide pro bono attorney's . Individuals with a potential legal problem who are not currently represented by an attorney, are referred to one of our Attorney Panel Members. The referral fee for the client is only $25 and includes up to a thirty minute over the phone initial legal consultation with our panel member. Provide a Public Service and Make a Difference – Lawyer Referral is a public service that matches individuals and businesses looking for legal help with qualified attorneys. This is a great opportunity to provide a positive legal experience. 24 24 Tulsa Lawyer Tulsa Lawyer
Why you should join the service...
Attorneys benefit from joining the LRIS for many reasons. Here are just a few... Fiscal Year
Fees Earned by Attorneys
2019-2020 $86,738 2020-2021 (YTD) $56,760 2020-2021 has already exceeded almost 2/3’s what was earned in the previous year!
LRIS works for lawyers!
Increase Your Client Base –
Many of the individuals who use the Lawyer Referral Service can afford an attorney, they just need advice on what kind to use. All of our referrals are potential clients for you.
Receive Free Marketing and Gain More Visibility –
Potential clients find us through our advertising in publications, courthouses, libraries etc.
The LRIS Service is always excited to welcome TCBA Members to our panel of attorneys! Check us out, ask us your questions and join! Areas that we are currently needing to expand participation in especially include those listed in red below where we have limited panel members. Current Legal Categories
Attorneys on Panel
Administrative 7 Appeals 4 Arbitration/Mediation 4 Bankruptcy 5 Business & Corporate 13 Civil Litigation: Including Consumer Law 18 Civil Rights Law 1 Commercial 9 Criminal Law 17 Education 1 Employment Law 5 Environmental Law 2 Family Law 15
Current Legal Categories
Attorneys on Panel
Guardianships 9 Immigration & Naturalization 2 Insurance 3 Limited Scope Services 3 Litigation 12 Malpractice 6 Medicare or Medicaid 1 Native Law 2 Oil/Gas 4 Probate & Estate Planning 21 Real Estate 11 Tax Law 3 Workers Comp 3
Things to consider on how the LRIS may benefit your practice... • Has your practice seen a decline in clients since the pandemic began? Great way to break into new practice area, especially for those litigation lawyers whose practice may have seen a decrease in numbers in recent months. • "Retired" but just want to keep a foot in the door and work in the mix of things without carrying a large client base? • New attorneys looking to increase client base? • Word of Mouth! Every client you assist is the potential for another "word of mouth" client coming your way!
Areas that always need increased participation:
• Areas we are Hispanic speaking lawyers for all facets of law, especially in motor vehicle accidents. • McGirt-Attorneys that are willing to take just McGirt cases. With recent events this area may soon grow in need. • Federal civil rights • Limited scope areas • Family law • Landlord/tenant • Immigration • Criminal law • Social security disability
Missing Something?
SECTIONS
COMMITTEES
ADR/Mediation Bankruptcy Business/Corporate Criminal Law Employment Law Energy & Mineral Law Family Law Health Law Immigration Law Juvenile Law Litigation Municipal Law Paralegals/Legal Assistants Probate/Estate/ Elder Solo/Small Firm Tax Technology Workers Comp
Access to Justice Animal Law Bench & Bar Children & the Law CLE Diversity Development Fee Arbitration Law Related Education Lawyer Referral Membership Mentoring Military/Veterans Nominations & Awards Pro Bono Professionalism Public Relation Social Media Special Events Tulsa Lawyer Young Lawyers Division
If you miss social networking and involvement check out the committees and sections of the TCBA. Find out where you can jump in, join or lead. The TCBA is committed to encouraging and supporting connections to your legal community and interests. Contact Lisa Laughrey, Membership Director
918.584.5243 and select "membership" or email lisal@tulsabar.com
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Advertising in Tulsa Lawyer Magazine is easy & affordable! Visit www.tulsabar.com or email tulsabarnews@yahoo.com
The TCBA is working hard for members! Thank you for the support, your input and great feedback we have received on our CLE programs. We have eagerly been tackling new ways to provide you with options during the challenges of this pandemic. We can't wait until we can greet you in person!
Do you own a local service related business or retail business in Tulsa? Advertise it with Tulsa Lawyer!
Your TCBA Staff, Tami Williams, Lisa Laughrey, Mallory Santra & Jeril Haug
Tulsa County Bar Center's temporary location while the Bar Center remodel is underway.
1601 S. Main Suite #300 Tulsa, OK 74119 28 Tulsa Lawyer
The Bar Center is closed during renovations. The staff is available to members via phone or email during business hours of Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm
918-584-5243
The Honorable Jerry Perigo June 1946 - December 2020
Fredrick Peek Golbert November 1937- December 2020 Frederick Peek Gilbert was born in Tulsa in 1937 and graduated from Harvard Law with his LLB in 1965 after also completing a three year enlistment in the U.S. Army and returned to Tulsa to practice law. Fred loved the Army and retired after thirty years in the reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel, an Airborne Ranger, and member of the Special Forces. His legal work is no less distinguished over his fifty years of practice with several criminal appellate cases reaching the 10th circuit. More information on Mr Gilbert's life and funeral services can be found at https://www. legacy.com
James Bryant Conant September 1966 - December 2020 James Bryant Conant was born in Inglewood California in 1966 and moved to Tulsa to attend the University of Tulsa College of Law where he interned at the Federal Magistrate's Office in the spring of 1993 before graduating with his JD in 1994. In 1998, Jim left private practice and accepted a position as Senior Claims Examiner within the Risk Management department at the Williams Companies. More information on Mr. Conant's life and funeral services can be found at https://ninde.com
The Honorable Jerry Perigo passed away Christmas Day, December 25, 2020. Jerry was born on June 4, 1946 and died 12/25/20. He served in the US Coast Guard in 1968 to 1972, serving in Viet Nam and was a disable VET. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi Law Fraternity and a member of Sigma Chi Social Fraternity. He received his B.A. from OU in 1968 and received his J.D. from the University of Tulsa School of Law in 1976. He was an Assistant District Attorney for Tulsa County from 1975 to 1979, Special Judge of Tulsa County from 1979 to 1981. He was the Judge for the City of Keifer from January 2012 until his death. He was an alternate City of Tulsa Municipal Judge from 1986 until his death. He had a private practice from 1981 until his death dealing with domestic relations, parent coordination, mediation and arbitration. No service is planned.
The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.
~ Robert Louis Stevenson
Grapevine News Attorney Thomas M. Askew was voted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) at the National Board Meeting in October. An attorney at Oklahoma-based law firm Riggs Abney, Askew has nearly three decades of legal experience. Founded in 1958, ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges. ABOTA and its members are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. ABOTA membership consists of more than 7,600 lawyers—equally balanced between plaintiff and defense—and judges spread among 96 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. ABOTA is an invitation-only organization. Members must have at least five years of active experience as trial lawyers, have tried at least 10 civil jury trials to conclusion and possess additional litigation experience. Members must also exhibit the virtues of civility, integrity and professionalism by following our Code of Professionalism and Principles of Civility. A graduate of The University of Tulsa College of Law, Askew is located in the firm’s Tulsa office and practices business and civil litigation, in addition to commercial law.
estate planning, commercial transactions, complex commercial litigation and insurance company liquidations. He began his career at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce before moving to the private sector. Isaac earned his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and has been named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch for Corporate Law. He is active in the Tulsa community and currently serves on the board of directors for the Tulsa Region of Junior Achievement of Oklahoma. Jared joined Hall Estill in 2017 and represents clients in the areas of commercial real estate, working capital, assetbased and acquisition financing, complex business transactions, and general real property law with a particular emphasis on the energy sector. Jared earned his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He is a member of the Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico Bar Associations and is an active participant in the Oklahoma City chapters of the Urban Land Institute and Commercial Real Estate Council.
Hall Estill, with offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Denver and Northwest Arkansas, announces that Isaac B. Helmerich has been elected a Shareholder in the Tulsa office and Jared R. Ford has been elected a Shareholder in the Oklahoma City office. “The selection and appointment of shareholders within Hall Estill is met with great anticipation,” said Mike Cooke, managing partner for Hall Estill. “Isaac and Jared have earned this status through their commitment and care for our clients and their embodiment of our core values.” Isaac joined Hall Estill in 2018 and represents clients in the areas of business and corporate law,
The Tulsa law firm of Atkinson, Haskins, Nellis, Brittingham, Gladd & Fiasco announces that Jonathan Chase Gordon has joined the firm as an associate. Chase Gordon graduated with honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2020. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Tulsa and also competed on the University of Tulsa Men’s Tennis team. While in law school, he was a member of the Board of Advocates for two years. Mr. Gordon is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and currently practices civil litigation.
30 Tulsa Lawyer
Classified Ads Associate Attorney: Titus Hillis Reynolds Love is a midsize downtown Tulsa AV-rated law firm and is seeking a general civil litigation attorney with 2-7 years’ experience. Applicants must be proficient at legal research, writing, analysis, and practical litigation strategies, and must be able to work in a fast-paced team environment. Salary commensurate with experience. Firm provides excellent benefits. Please send resume to DeAnn Farthing, 15 E. 5th St, Suite 3700, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 or DFarthing@ titushillis.com Paralegal/Legal Assistant: Titus Hillis Reynolds Love is a mid-size downtown Tulsa AV-rated law firm and is seeking a Paralegal/Legal Assistant with 5 or more years’ experience in litigation. Applicants must be proficient in most aspects of a litigation practice with some general Non-litigation experience considered a plus. Must be a self-starter and work independently in a fast-paced team environment. Salary commensurate with experience. Firm provides excellent benefits. Please send resume to DeAnn Farthing, 15 E. 5th St, Suite 3700, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 or DFarthing@titushillis.com
Jon Starr
Mediator and Arbitrator Contact DRC for scheduling 918-382-0300
Be sure to take advantage of all the benefits that TCBA Membership has. TURN THE PAGE!
Resource Page As situations change be sure to visit
www.tulsabar.com
and follow us on FaceBook A quick resource with links to press releases and notices for Tulsa County Courts, OSCN, Northern District of Oklahoma, OBA, Dept. of Health, State & District Administrative Orders and more.
Grapevine and In Memory Of
items can be sent to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com
Member Benefits New & Exciting!
• TCBA JOB BANK- Whether you're searching for the perfect candidate or you're looking for your dream job, the TCBA Job Bank allows you to connect with the best of Tulsa's Legal Community! Job posts FREE for members or $50 per post for non-members
• 20% off Massages & Private Yoga Sessions with Caroline Meeks, Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher. • Trainers Discount! Our personal trainer neighbor is offering a pay by the month option with no contracts! Members get 20% off sessions in their first 4 weeks. 1 trainer per 1-2 clients max.
• Master Clean Carpet and Tile Cleaning of Tulsa, LLC 20% off all services including commercial and residential carpet cleaning, steam cleaning, tile & grout cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and more. • AmericanChecked is offering 15% off volume discount pricing from a full-service, nationally accredited background screening company based in Tulsa. FCRAcertified screening experts can help members build the perfect package for their firms. • The Philbrook Museum of Art is providing a 20% discount for all 1st time Philbrook members from TCBA.
• Tulsa Ballet is offering TCBA members unlimited number of tickets 50% off! (Based on availability. Section availability varies for each performance).
• The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra is offering a 10% discount on subscription packages and select performances. • You Move Me Tulsa is a veteran-owned local 5-star moving company offering TCBA members 10% off the hourly rate. • Free Live Streaming Yoga! Two sessions every week with instructor Toni Meeks.
Membership Year 2020-2021 32 Tulsa Lawyer
Just Announced!
• BA Party Supply -20% off balloon arrangements • AR Workshop- 20% of in person sessions.
• Sam’s Club- $45 off $100 membership level. Valid at 41st & Sheridan Sam's Club location only.
Current Favorites • Free Live Continuing Legal Education (CLE)! Now live streaming for members at no cost!
• Exclusive discount on the purchase of the Courthouse Access Security Badge.
• Ability to purchase the O.R. Card for O.R. privileges.
• Free subscription to Tulsa Lawyer Magazine! A $40 savings! Digital copies included. (Applies to paid memberships only). • Opportunity to increase your client base through TCBA’s Lawyer Referral Program.
• Timely notices regarding administrative orders from the Tulsa County District Court, and other similar updates as they are made available, concerning closings and special rules during the pandemic. • Ability to develop strategic relationships through professional networking opportunities.
• Opportunities to volunteer in the specific law area of your choice through sections, committees, and community projects with other attorneys. • Discounted tickets to local sporting events including the Thunder, Oilers, Drillers, Roughnecks and Golden Hurricane.
If you have an idea or connection for a member benefit contact Membership Director, Lisa Laughrey at lisal@tulsabar.com or 918-584-5243 Ext.1001
Tulsa County Bar Association 1446 S. Boston Ave. Tulsa, OK 74119
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