Judicial Profiles Q & A
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TULSA LAWYER
In this Issue
A Message from
The Hon. Ann E.Keele 2018-2019 TCBA President
Dust to Dust:
Human Composting in Washington State Should Not Scare You to Death By Drew Boone, Associate at Hall Estill
Pg. 15
August 2019
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Annual Luncheon & Awards Banquet Thursday~August 22nd
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Luncheon Sponsorships Available
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Judicial Profiles: David Guten, Special Judge By Michael Taubman
10 Judicial Profiles: Ann Keele, Special Judge By Michael Taubman 12 The Main Event 19 Courthouse Badges - Action Needed 20 Food From the Bar - Our Legal Community Helping Community 22 CLE Sponsorship Opportunities 24
Eliza Schuyler Hamilton: Founding Mother Last Law Day Book Club Discussion for 2019
26 TCBA Membership Renewal News 28 In Memory of... 29 Grapevine 31 Submission Guidelines 32 Classifieds
Keep your contact information up-to-date with the TCBA. Don't miss out on TCBA news! Tulsa Lawyer 1
A Message from the President
The Hon. Ann E. Keele
Happy August! This is my last President’s letter as my term officially ends at the end of this month. I want to thank all of you for your support throughout my year serving as your President. It has been a great honor and privilege that I have enjoyed immensely. Our leadership team has worked diligently to continue building the momentum of progress for our association, and I am very excited about what the future holds for TCBA. Your incoming President, Jim Milton, will undoubtedly do an outstanding job as our President in this next fiscal year. Thank you to the members of the Board of Directors who have faithfully served this year. Your dedication and commitment is very much appreciated.
I look forward to continued service as your Past President and will endeavor to help further the goal of keeping TCBA strong and relevant to our community. We need everyone to participate and invite peers to join. I found that getting involved in committees and serving on the Board and Executive Committee revealed just how meaningful and valuable being a member in TCBA really is. I would encourage each of you to get involved. We offer a variety of interests from which to choose, like community service, networking, public speaking, and CLE, helping children and animals, and having fun at an outing – we have something for everyone. Come and see what your membership can do for you.
Thank you to the members of the Executive Committee: Jim Milton, Christina Vaughn, Amber Peckio-Garrett, Philip Hixon, Rick White, and Kara Vincent. You have been incredibly supportive and diligently worked to improve and protect our TCBA. Thank you to the TCBA Staff: Greg Gordon, Tami Williams, Amanda Howard. Your excellent work has made my year so enjoyable. Also thank you to Tammi Sinclair, who is now helping her daughter and TCBA member with her business. Last, but not least, thank you to Milly Dunlap who makes the Tulsa Lawyer a successful publication each and every month.
On Thursday, August 22, we will be holding our TCBA/TCBF Annual Meeting luncheon at the new Tulsa Club in downtown Tulsa. We have lined up a very impressive guest speaker, C. David Shepherd, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Preparedness Officer of Readiness Resource Group headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Shepherd is a former FBI Supervisor and SWAT Team Leader and Coordinator who trains the Agents at the FBI and Homeland Security on security and active shooter emergencies. Mr. Shepherd is a world-class security expert – so please be sure to register early for this popular event that is sure to sell out.
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Thank you for the opportunity to serve in leadership at TCBA. It has been such a joy. I hope to continue representing Tulsa in a nationwide organization – The National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP). I was invited to apply for the NCBP Executive Council, which is its governing body. My interview is this month, so I’ll keep you posted if I am selected. I look forward to seeing all of you at the Annual Luncheon on Thursday, August 22. Sincerely, Hon. Ann E. Keele TCBA President, 2018-2019
facebook.com/ tulsacountybar
TCBA & TCBF Annual Luncheon & Awards Banquet... you are invited to be an official sponosor! SEE PAGE 7 FOR DETAILS
@tulsabar
Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet
Tulsa County Bar Association & Tulsa County Bar Foundation
Thursday~August 22nd, 2019 Tulsa Club Hotel 115 E. 5th Street, Tulsa, OK
C. David Shepherd CEO, Readiness Resource Group Doors open at 11:30am Program Noon-1:30pm Dress - Business Reservations: Individuals - $40 Reserved Table for 10 - $500 (Provide names of all guests)
See page 21 for New Sponsorship Opportunities.
Paid Reservations due Friday, August 16 by 5:00 PM
How to Keep Your Work Place Safe with Featured Speaker:
C. David Shepherd
CEO of Readiness Resource Group C. David Shepherd, MBA, MPAJA, CHSIII is the CEO of Readiness Resource Group (RRG), a veteran-owner small business based in Las Vegas, Nevada and founded in 2007. RRG supports national preparedness, enterprise resilience and critical infrastructure crisis and risk programs. Mr. Shepherd has more than 46 years experience in security, law enforcement, risk management, and crisis preparedness, as well as a published author, lecturer and former adjunct professor at UNLV. Mr. Shepherd history inlcudes the following positions: • Retired FBI with 24 years in Counterterrorism, Fugitives and SWAT Operations • Former Co-Chairman for Resorts under the Commercial Facilities Sector Coordinating Council (DHS), and which included over 100 different associations • Former Executive Director of Security at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
Paid Reservations due Friday, August 16 by 5:00 PM
Past member:
• Expert Panel on Critical Infrastructure, representing Commercial properties • Expert Panel on Risk Assessment Methodologies • Partnership for Critical Infrastructure Security a White House Working Group • Real Estate Round Table Terrorism Working Group • Healthcare/Public Health Sector Joint Advisory Working Group (JAWG) • IJIS Security and Privacy Committee
His achievements are many including: • Holds over 60 certifications in Risk, Security, Terrorism and Crisis Management • Co-author – Active Shooter: Preparing for and Responding to a Growing Threat (2015) • Develops active shooter plans for companies and has taught over 300 classes on Active shooting • Developed Table Top Exercise for Executives specific to Active Shooting and Recovery Program • Developed a state of the art Risk Reduction Assessment program for Commercial businesses
Did You Know?
The State of Oklahoma motto is "Labor Omnia Vincit" - Labor conquers all things. Tulsa Lawyer 5
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Tulsa County Bar Association & Tulsa County Bar Foundation
Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet New for the TCBA & TCBF Annual Luncheon and Awards Banquet, you are invited to be an official sponosor! Join others in the legal community showing their support for the Bar and its mission. Five levels of sponsorship are available, become one today! Contact Greg Gordon, Executive Director at 918-584-5243 Ext. 1001
Level 1: Level 2: Level 3:
Table with 10 seats: $500 Same as Level 1 (table for 10), plus sponsorship designation in program: $750 Same as first level (table for 10), plus presenting sponsor designation: $1000
Friends of the Bar • Two seats at the luncheon, plus listing as "Friend of the Bar," designed for vendors who support the Bar: $500 • Same as "Friends of the Bar" (2 seats) plus presenting sponsor designation, designed for vendors who wish to show their support of the Bar: $750 All sponsorships will be recongized in the Annual Luncheon Program, Tulsa Lawyer Magazine and on www.tulsabar.com. Sponsorships through the Tulsa County Bar Foundation are tax deductable.
Judicial Profiles:
David Guten, Special Judge 14th Judicial District
By Michael P. Taubman Guard receiving an appointment to the Judge Advocate General’s Corps where he currently serves as one of the senior legal advisors to the 137 Special Operations Wing in Oklahoma City. Before becoming a Special Judge, Guten owned and operated a private law practice with a special focus on representing service members and veterans over a wide range of different practice fields. He has served as chairman of the TCBA Military & Veteran’s Committee, Governance Chair and VicePresident to the Board of Directors for Tulsa Advocates for the Protection of Children, and was heavily involved Guten began his legal career as an Assistant in the Tulsa County Veteran’s Treatment Court, the District Attorney for Tulsa County before moving into Oklahoma Bar Association’s Lawyers for Heroes private practice in 2006. His service to his community Program, and the Oklahoma High School Mock Trial and his country expanded in 2005 when he joined the Program. United States Air Force and the Oklahoma Air National
The Honorable David Guten was sworn in as Special District Judge for the 14 Judicial District on February 11, 2019. Born in Tulsa, Judge Guten graduated from Bishop Kelley High School before heading to Oklahoma City University where he played soccer for the Chiefs, majoring in criminal justice, political science and sociology. Following undergrad, Judge Guten returned home to attend the University of Tulsa College of Law, becoming a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association in 2004. th
th
You’ve been on the bench now for almost half of this How has the transition from private practice to the year. How have you adjusted to the pace of being on the bench been for you? What qualities do you believe bench versus being in private practice? contribute most to managing the docket from the bench? Particularly with the dockets that I’m handling now, the pace has been a night and day difference. We’re going I truly believe in the team concept in that no one person about 100 miles an hour from 8-5 which isn’t necessarily can do it all. My clerks carry a majority of the load in something you’re accustomed to in private practice, but preparing for each day and we all understand that we it’s manageable and certainly makes the days go by have a significant role to play in making sure things go quickly. smoothly. I rely on them heavily and certainly can’t do my job without their efforts and I try to recognize that daily.
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You’ve practiced in criminal, estate planning, family Everyone needs down time, how do you relax when and military law for the majority of your career. you’re not working? Outside of the JAG corps, what area(s) of the practice I certainly enjoy time away with my family, and with of law did you find most interesting? kids in middle school already I’m painfully reminded Every opportunity I had to represent someone was how quickly some of the years have flown by, so I try certainly interesting in its own way but I’ve always had to take advantage of every opportunity I can for us to do strong convictions about service members and veterans things or go places together. Although with 4 boys all issues. Frankly, it defined a large majority of my career under the age of 12 (the youngest being 2), sometimes and any opportunity to help them navigate through their the “family vacation” can create more stress than the particular matter was the most rewarding. job can. I went through pilot training a few years ago and I think I’m probably truly relaxed when I’m flying Who or what inspires you most to continue in the (maybe not so much the landing part- that’s always a pursuit of justice? little stressful) so when I can get away to do it, I jump on every opportunity to get up in the air. There are honestly a number of people who come to mind but they all share the same trait, they are people of integrity. I believe that you should always strive to do the right thing, even if it’s not the popular choice. If it’s the right thing to do, do it. If you make a mistake, own it and then fix it. Particularly now, my role is to consider evidence, weigh its importance, apply the rule of law and make a decision for that circumstance, and to remember that whatever I decide, it will impact both sides in some fashion. The decision has to be fair, unbiased, and appropriate, even if it’s not the popular choice.
The Tulsa County Bar Association's membership totals 2155!
What goals do you hope to accomplish with your position as Special Judge? Is there a particular area / docket or community-based engagement you wish to pursue? I don’t think there’s any one particular docket that I’d prefer over another, I’m happy to go wherever I’m needed or can best contribute. I’m hopeful that I can build on the programs that our justice system currently has available to people who are in need of services or assistance, and will always be open to new ideas to help minimize some of the hardships that being in the legal process can have.
Judicial Profiles:
Ann Keele, Special Judge
14th Judicial District By Michael P. Taubman The Honorable Ann Keele was sworn into the position of Special Judge for the 14 Judicial District on February 4, 2019. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, Judge Keele moved to Oklahoma at age 15. She graduated from Broken Arrow High School before heading to the University of Oklahoma then finishing her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Brownsville. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, earning her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2003. Keele then attended the University of Tulsa College of Law, graduating and becoming a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association in 2006. th
Additionally, Keele has given many years of service to the Tulsa County Bar Association, in the roles of Secretary (2015-2016), Vice President (2016-2017), President-Elect (2017-2018) and currently President (2018-2019). With her next role with TCBA quickly approaching, to serve as Immediate Past-President (2019-2020), and the multiple committee roles she’s chaired through the years, one has to ask… what does she do in her “free” time?
Keele has been married to her husband, Tom, for 12 years and they have one son, Ryan, and a labradoodle, Bella. Tom and Ann care for her 88-year-old disabled Keele would join the firm of Monroe & Associates parents who live with them. in 2007, later becoming a partner in Monroe & Keele, where she became noted as an Oklahoma Super Lawyers Rising Star (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016), then later as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer (2019). She was recognized You’ve been on the bench now for almost half of this as one of the “10 Best Family Law Attorneys in the year. How have you adjusted to the pace of being on State of Oklahoma by the American Institute of Family the bench versus being in private practice? Law Attorneys” (2015), and was named the Family Law Attorney of the Year by the OBA Family Law Section in I’ve done my best to jump in and keep my docket 2017. She also received a rating of A/V Preeminent by moving. I like efficiency so I am trying to speed up Martindale Hubbell’s peer review rating system. the process and give people an opportunity to be heard quicker.
Fun Fact: Oklahoma's state capitol is the only one in the world with an oil well drilled beneath it. 10 Tulsa Lawyer
How has the transition from private practice to the bench been for you? What qualities do you believe contribute most to managing the docket from the bench? I love being on the bench because it gives me an opportunity to help people and make a real difference for the families on my docket. The organizational skills and work ethic I’ve developed over the years is helpful, as is the ability to communicate clearly. It certainly helps having a wonderful, caring clerk who understands my goal of swift due process and helps me to achieve it. Thank you, Shana!
my dockets so that typical contested divorces can be completed by trial within 12 months or less. Of course, there will always be some exceptions, but I believe it is achievable. Litigants need closure so that they can move on with their lives outside of the legal system. Everyone needs down time, how do you relax when you’re not working?
I love spending time at home with my family. I like to cook and bake – especially baking cookies with my son. He knows the secret ingredient to every recipe is always the same – love. I also enjoy traveling when I can. I’m hoping to be able to return to Grand Cayman You’ve practiced in criminal defense, family & someday. The snorkeling there is amazing! domestic law, served as Guardian Ad Litem and handled civil litigation and mediations during your Grapevine Announcements career. What area(s) of the practice of law did you find Send to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com most interesting? I have always loved helping people, and I enjoyed my Guardian Ad Litem role. I looked at it as an opportunity to learn what would truly serve the best interests of the child without worrying about whether my recommendation would please a client. I also enjoyed having a variety of areas in practice. Criminal cases were an interesting challenge, but they always made me feel like I was defending the Constitutional rights of citizens, which is a noble cause.
Office moves, births, new hires... Share your news!
Who or what inspires you most to continue in the pursuit justice? There is no other country like the USA. We are so privileged to have the freedom and protection that we have through our Constitution. We must always remember and respect the Rule of Law. We are a civilized society because of our framework, and lawyers helped build that foundation. We are an honored profession, and I try to live up to that standard every day. Having Stan Monroe as a mentor stoked the fire of my passion for due process and Constitutional rights. What goals do you hope to accomplish with your position as Special Judge? Is there a particular area / docket or community-based engagement you wish to pursue? My goal is to help people achieve due process in less time. I want to continue working to streamline Tulsa Lawyer 11
The Main Event June 22nd
Thank you to all of the TCBA members who came out to have fun!
University of Tulsa Law School students joined in the TCBA Member Appreciation Night at Main Event R to L:
 Leland Ashley, Fareshteh Hamidi, Pierre Robertson, Sofia Miranda & Hannah Frosch Photo: Fareshteh Hamidi
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Almost 40 TCBA families had a blast at Main Event on June 22 as part of TCBA’s membership appreciation activities. From bowling and laser tag to gravity ropes and billiards, members and guests enjoyed four hours of fun. Each guest received a $25 Fun Card to use in the arcade on games like Injustice Arcade, Pac-Man and VR Rabbids. Lunch was also provided.
mainevent.com
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Dust to Dust:
Human Composting in Washington State Should Not Scare You to Death By Drew Boone, Associate at Hall Estill In May, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed SB 5001 into law clearing the way for the state to become the first to permit the composting of human remains as an alternative to traditional burial or cremation. Over the years, cremation has become the most preferred choice of handling one’s remains. According to a recent report by the National Funeral Directors Association, cremations accounted for more than 50% of funerals in 2016, and unsurprisingly, Washington State is home to the nation’s highest cremation rate at 76%. Although burial customs have changed quite a bit over the years, there is still a great reluctance towards the practice of human composting, and there is some uncertainty regarding the regulation of this emerging practice and the potential effects on property law.
earth. However, human composting is a more controlled biological process. One company in Washington State, Recompose, has pioneered the process for human composting. Recompose is building a large warehouse where the remains, covered and surrounded by organic matter, such as straw or woodchips, will be laid to rest in a steel cylinder. The CEO of Recompose, Katrina Spade, has descried the facility as “part public park, part funeral home, part memorial to the people we love.” Over the course of the next four to seven weeks, pressure and heat inside the cylinder, along with the bacterial and organic matter, allow for the controlled decomposition of the human remains. The ultimate byproduct of this method is roughly one cubic yard of soil. This final product is to be used as a topsoil to aid in gardening, or simply to return to the earth.
Human composting is a method of controlled organic decomposition. Human composting is similar to The alternative of human composting, as opposed “green burials,” where the human remains are buried in to traditional burial or cremation, may be particularly a decomposable coffin, such as an organic pine or wicker appealing to the environmentally-conscious culture of casket, and the coffin is laid to rest directly into the the Pacific Northwest. The traditional concrete vaults
involved with burial consume valuable real estate. The process of cremation consumes a considerable amount of energy and produces significant carbon emissions. Recompose estimates that cremation produces roughly one additional metric ton of carbon dioxideas compared to human composting. Additionally, human composting is a fairly cost-effective alternative. Although slightly more expensive than cremation, human composting is significantly cheaper than the average cost of embalming and internment. Human composting is not the only new funeral alternative in Washington State. A more common process, called alkaline hydrolysis, or water cremation, is also newly available option. This process, while perhaps lesser known, is already allowed in nearly 20 states throughout the United States. Instead of taking weeks, like human composting, alkaline hydrolysis takes just hours. This process involves submerging the remains in a mixture of both water and lye, and exposing the remains to both heat and pressure. This process results in liquefying the degradable matter into a sanitized liquid that can be safely disposed through the sewage system or in any natural environment. The remaining bone matter is ground using the same equipment used in the cremation process. Of course, human composting is not without its detractors. Opponents of the Washington human composting bill object to the legislation for three primary reasons: the uncertainty of human composting’s environmental impact, public health and safety, and religious objections. Without clear regulatory or legislative guidance, the commercial human composting funeral industry is susceptible to attacks from critics decrying the unsavory or simply “gross� nature of the process. The bacterial decomposition process involved in composting, of every variety, raises environmental and health concerns for many. Uncertainty regarding where exactly human compost can be spread concerns those worried about the spread of dangerous strains of bacteria or other metals.
For example, using human organic matter compost in home gardens could potentially dangerous. Some experts warn against the use of animal compost in farming practices because of the spread dangerous and deadly bacteria, such as legionella. Additionally, potentially hazardous heavy metals, such as those used in medical implants or dental fillings, could find their way into fruits and vegetables. Most experts find this risk to be negligible, and the trace of bacteria and metals to be well-within the levels deemed allowable by federal regulations. The Washington law permits the spreading of human compost in a manner consistent to the regulations placed on the spread of cremated remains. The Catholic Church, which was initially opposed to the cremation process, has voiced its disapproval of human composting. The Catholic Church views the practice as undignified and disrespectful to the remains of the deceased. Even though human composting may not soon be an available alternative in Oklahoma, it is not difficult to imagine the legislative and regulatory dominoes that would be associated with the implementation of the practice. First, Oklahoma would need to establish a licensing practice for commercial human composting facilities and for the professionals in charge of those facilities. This may not be a cumbersome process as the administrative infrastructure is already in place. Under Oklahoma law, embalmers and funeral directors must be licensed by the Oklahoma Funeral Board. Likewise, funeral service establishments and commercial embalming facilities must meet licensing requirements as set forth by the Oklahoma Funeral Board. In addition to the pre-licensure educational requirements, embalmers and funeral directors alike must engage in continuing education programs. Following passage of a hypothetical human composting law would require the Oklahoma Funeral Board to promulgate the necessary licensing requirements for both professionals and the facilities to ensure proper performance and minimum quality standards in the facilities. Second, the Oklahoma Funeral Board would need to determine the access available to the bereaved in the composting facility. Currently, untreated human remains may only be viewed for a 24 hour period under Oklahoma law. Because human composting does not involve the use of embalming fluids, the legislature and the Funeral Board would need to address public health and safety concerns associated with viewing the deceased. However, being that the deceased are
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contained in the steel cylinders, there may be minimal risks involved with public viewing. Finally, Oklahoma legislators and promulgators would need to consider the final disposition of the compost remains. One such potential option would be the creation of designated memorial gardens. This option borrows from the proposed Recompose facility in Washington. Effectively, these gardens could operate as cemeteries or cremation depositories. Washington State has already answered one potential environmental concern by permitting the dissemination of human compost matter in a manner consistent with the scattering of ashes. Any concern with the spread of human compost matter is non-existent with the process of alkaline hydrolysis which produces a sanitized liquefied byproduct. Although the introduction of human composting to Oklahoma seems like a very distant and remote possibility, at least for the foreseeable future, Oklahomans need not worry about any dangerous repercussions. While the prospect of human composting may sound unnatural, there may not be a more literal expression of “ashes to ashes, dust to dust.�
Andrew T. Boone is a corporate/ commercial law associate with Hall Estill. Â He earned his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2018 and his B.A. in Political Science, with a minor is Constitutional Studies, from the University of Oklahoma in 2015.
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Don't forget it's FREE to TCBA Members!
COMING SOON TO THE TCBA...
a topic to meet your every need!
Tulsa County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education
Watch your emails and the September Tulsa Lawyer for the complete schedule! Hemp, CBD & The 2018 Farm Bill Immigration Law Medical Marijuana Employment Issues Ex Parte Communications Guardian Hot Topics Peak Attorney Performance: Physical Activity Basic Probate & Estate Planning
Bankruptcy Law Update Financial Exploitation:Overcoming Barriers to Recovery & Prosecution Family Law Crisis Management for Non-Profits A Home for My Practice: Buy or Lease Valuing Commercial Property
Courthouse Badges: Action Needed • Everyone needs to turn in their old or expired badges in order to recieve the new badge. • All renewals must include a signed and notarized oath and payment of $50.00 along with your TCBA membership renewal information and payment. • Badges will be valid 09/01/19-08/31/20 as renewal is returning to a one-year period. • Non-TCBA members must also submit a signed and notarized oath and payment of $150. Oaths can be found online.
All courthouse security badges will expire August 31st.
Renew your's now! TCSO will start issuing new badges August 1st.
• Once all fees are paid and the required paperwork is submitted, each badge holder will need to stop by the Bar Center to pick up the authorization receipt. • This receipt must be presented at the Sheriff’s Office, along with a photo ID, and your old or expired badge to have your picture and fingerprints taken and to receive your access badge. New badges will be valid until the expiration date of August 31, 2020.
* NOTICE REGARDING COURTHOUSE BADGES *
We are aware that some of the badges issued by the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office in October 2017 listed an incorrect expiration date. We believe that all badges issued by the TCSO from September 2017 through current have an expiration of August 31, 2019. We will be including renewal information in our membership packages, which you will receive in August.
Do you struggle with knowing where to send a client for assistance? Check out the Oklahoma Bar Association
https://www.okbar.org/legalresources/
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Food from the Bar - Our Legal Community Helping Community Food from the Bar, a fundraiser for the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, encouraged a healthy competition among Tulsa’s legal community. The campaign overall raised the equivalent of 10,773 meals for the Food Bank, which was an impressive and needed contribution in preparation for summer feeding and in disaster response. The firm which raised the most meals for the Food Bank, Gable Gotwals, was rewarded with a Happy Hour on June 26 at Tulsa County Bar Association, courtesy of the Food Bank’s Chef Jeff Marlow, his team, and his Mobile Eatery (Food Truck).
Pictured at right: Holden Litigation taking time to volunteer at the Food Bank.
Thank you so much for participating in our first ever Food from the Bar. We hope this campaign continues to grow.
Photos provided by Anushka Raje Community Engagement Coordinator, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma 20 Tulsa Lawyer
It means a lot to have this much support from all of you. Each office contributed a great amount to the Food Bank. We had tons of volunteers, generous monetary donations, and a very impressive amount of food. The timing could not be better, as we are dealing with the aftermath of the flooding and severe weather we had. We are really grateful!!
First Place
Gable Gotwals
Second Place Holden Litigation
Third Place
Henry + Dow Law Gable Gotwals enjoying their victory happy hour!
I’d like to stress that this is so much more than a competition. There are people out there you may never meet who will benefit from the comfort of a meal you’ve provided. With my most sincere gratitude, Anushka Raje Community Engagement Coordinator fooddrive@okfoodbank.org
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Be a part of TCBA 's Continuing Legal Education while members
Eliza Schuyler Hamilton: Founding Mother Last Law Day Book Club Discussion for 2019
The last 2019 discussion session of the Lynn Miller Law Day Book Club occurred June 18, 2019, led by Judge Martha Rupp Carter. Attendees Emily Duensing, Kristen Brightmire, Tammy Ewing, and Morgan Smith met at the Gathering Place to discuss the meticulously researched historical fiction novel, My Dear Hamilton, by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. This story of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, wife of improbable Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, describes the birth and tumultuous early years of America. Readers are provided a front row seat to our national history over Eliza’s lengthy lifetime. Eliza was indeed “someone before” she met Alexander Hamilton and continued as a formidable someone to be reckoned with after Hamilton’s death. Although Eliza was a general’s daughter of substantial family means, and quite the catch for Alexander Hamilton, whose own illegitimate origins haunted him, she became the wounded spouse in the country’s first political sex scandal. Her friends and enemies ranging from General and Martha Washington, Benedict Arnold, Marquis de Lafayette, James Monroe, Thomas Jefferson, Semper Fideles. Dolly Madison, Aaron Burr, and Always faithful. Abraham Lincoln provide a rich backdrop to all facets of her life. discernment throughout Always loyal. He’d opened my heart Reading of Eliza’s evolution her marriage with the and my mind; he’d in understanding, love, and brilliant but deeply taught me to think and flawed Alexander to see injustice where Hamilton, and well I’d not seen it before. beyond his lifetime, is simply mesmerizing. My Dear Hamilton comprises the drama and privations of war; woman-coming-of-age; love story; betrayal and treachery; primer on building a new government; perhaps undeservingly revered historical figures; loyalty; and hatred. The rough and tumble of present political times has nothing on Eliza’s times. If you yearn for simpler, more peaceful times you believe existed in the past, this may not be the read for you.
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The measure of a country is, for me, not to be found in prosperity, but in a virtuous resistance to oppression.
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Membership Networking
Learning Service Social
Tulsa County Bar Association Membership renewal begins August 1st.
Be sure to update your contact information and if you have signed up for automatic electronic renewal, please make sure TCBA has a current credit card on file to process your renewal.
Membership Costs at a Glance: • $225 – Attorneys in Practice 3 or More Years** • $150 – Attorneys in Practice Less Than 3 Years** • $135 – Public Sector Attorneys (Full-time governmental or nonprofit employees)** • $135 – Law Professor (Must be full-time)** • $90 – Paralegal & Legal Assistants 4 or more years** • $50 – Paralegal & Legal Assistants Less Than 3 Years** • $0 – Tulsa County Judges (Current and Full-Time) • $0 – Senior Member (Age 70+, practices less than 50% of the time and has been a TCBA member for the past 10 consecutive years) • $0 – New Admittee (Attorney admitted after 1-1-19) • $0 – Paralegal & Legal Assistants New Admittee (Certified after 1-1-19) • $0 – Law Student (Full-Time) • $0 – Paralegal & Legal Assistant Students (Full-Time) 26 Tulsa Lawyer
Tulsa County Bar Association Member Benefits! • Member access to TCBA’s Live CLE at no cost. • Opportunity to increase your client base through TCBA’s Lawyer Referral Program. • Member discounts on TCBA CLE seminars – Live and Video Replays at https://tcba.in- • Opportunity to volunteer at community projects with other attorneys to enhance the public reachce.com. image of the profession. • Complementary monthly subscription to the Tulsa Lawyer Magazine, the official publication • Public speaking opportunities. of the Tulsa County Bar Association. • Discount to TCBA & TCBF events such as the Judicial Dinner, Law Day and Annual Meeting • Access to the Tulsa County Courthouse Law LiLuncheon and others. brary for TCBA members only. (This code is not to be shared). • Discounted tickets to specific TCBA bar function sporting events including, Thunder, Oiler, • Free access to a digital copy of the current Tulsa Drillers, and Golden Hurricane. Lawyer Magazine. • Free copy of the TCBA Pictorial Directory, • Discount at several online national retailers including Expedia, Verizon, Best Buy, Office upon request. Depot and many others through National Pur• Discounted rate on the Courthouse Access Sechasing Partners. Use the following link to curity Badge. see all discounts offered: https://mynpp.com/ association/tulsa-county-bar-association. • Availability to purchase the O.R. Card for O.R. privileges.Ability to develop strategic relations • Opportunity to refinance student loan debt – networking and congeniality at numerous through partnership with Credible. Visit events. https://www.credible.com/partners/tcba for in• Free membership to TCBA & TCBF committees (20 different service-oriented groups). • Availability to join TCBA sections (19 different substantive law groups).
Check out the link below to see all discounts offered to TCBA MEMBERS at national retailers! https://mynpp.com/association/ tulsa-county-bar-association.
formation.
TULSA COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION NOTICE Nominees for TCBF trustee for the next fiscal year are: Anne Keele Jim Gotwals Justin Munn
Election will be held at the Annual Meeting.
Samuel Field Phillips Daniel, Jr.
Samuel Field Phillips Daniel, Jr. was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, December 20, 1932, to Mary and Sam P. Daniel, Sr. He passed quietly and surrounded by his family on Sunday, July 14, 2019. He loved the law and practiced for 60 years. He was best known for his business litigation and for his work in the field of family law. He was an adjunct professor at the University of Tulsa, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, past president of the Tulsa Co. Bar Association, and a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He was a Captain in the United States Air Force. He was actively involved with NatureWorks, The Nature Conservancy, Sutton Avian Research Center, Woolaroc Museum and the Tulsa Ballet. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to a favorite charity listed above or to Boston Avenue Methodist Church. Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt Funeral Service. Friends may find service details and share memories and condolences with the family online at Schaudt Funeral Service.
Grapevine News Gavin J. Burl, a student at the University of Tulsa College of Law, has been awarded Crowe & Dunlevy’s Diversity Scholars Program scholarship. The honor is given annually to an outstanding TU Law candidate who qualifies based on academic achievement, financial need and commitment to the law. Burl will receive up to $10,000, with $2,000 awarded each semester based on satisfactory progress and performance. Crowe & Dunlevy has a long-standing tradition of enhancing diversity within the firm and throughout the legal profession. Since the firm’s Diversity Scholars Program was established in 2005, more than $250,000 in scholarships have been awarded to exemplary students. A first-year law student, Burl served as a Student Bar Association delegate and was a Board of Advocates 1L Negotiation Competition finalist. Burl received his undergraduate degree from East Central University in 2018. A student athlete and campus leader, Burl served as Student Government Association president and was a member of the football team and Pi Sigma Alpha. He was awarded the Dr. Edward Brooks Scholarship and was named the school’s homecoming king. He also served as a member of the Legal Professions Association.
The University of Oklahoma College of Law has been ranked 44th out of more than 200 law schools nationwide in Above the Law’s 2019 Top 50 Law School Rankings. The rankings are based on outcomes from the Class of 2018, including employment and cost of attendance. OU Law is the only Oklahoma law school to be ranked in the top 50 schools. “At OU Law, we are honored by this newest
distinction, which underscores our commitment to delivering a world-class legal education at an affordable, accessible price,” said OU Law Interim Dean Katheleen Guzman. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our outstanding faculty and dedicated staff, who empower our students to achieve their personal and professional goals. We’re also very proud that our tuition is 23% below the average public law school, and our resident tuition is the lowest of all Big 12 law schools.” OU Law’s emphasis on providing a quality, affordable education is further demonstrated in that for two consecutive years, National Jurist magazine has named OU Law a Top 10 Best Value Law School out of more than 200 law schools nationwide. The magazine has placed the college in its Best Value Law School rankings for the last 10 years. The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys has recognized the exceptional performance of Oklahoma’s Family Law Attorney Jeffrey Hensley as 2019 10 Best Family Law Attorney for Client Satisfaction. The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys is a third-party attorney rating organization that publishes an annual list of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in each state. Attorneys who are selected to the "10 Best" list must pass AIOFLA's rigorous selection process, which is based on client and/or peer nominations, thorough research and AIOFLA’s independent evaluation. AIOFLA's annual list was created to be used as a resource for clients during the attorney selection process. One of the most significant aspects of the selection process involves attorney’s relationships and reputation among his or her clients. As clients should be an attorney's top priority, AIOFLA places the utmost emphasis on selecting lawyers who have achieved significant success in the field of Family Law without sacrificing the service and support they provide. Selection criteria therefore focus on attorneys who demonstrate the highest standards of Client Satisfaction. We congratulate Jeffrey Hensley on this Tulsa Lawyer 29
achievement and we are honored to have him as a 2019 McAfee & Taft received top marks in the 2019 AIOFLA Member.You can contact Jeffrey Hensley at: edition of the Chambers USA Guide to America’s 918-398-5692. Leading Lawyers for Business, the only Oklahoma law firm to receive the top Band 1 ranking in all six major categories of legal practice — corporate/ commercial (including tax and healthcare), energy The District Court of Caddo County, Oklahoma and natural resources (including environmental), has entered a judgment in favor of Range Resources intellectual property, labor and employment, litigation, Corporation (Range), rejecting plaintiffs’ request for and real estate law. Additionally, for the first time since the Court to enter a judgment in plaintiffs’ favor despite the publication’s initial release in 2005, McAfee & Taft the jury’s verdict in favor of Range. On March 25, was the sole honoree to earn a Band 1 ranking in the 2019, the jury issued a unanimous verdict in favor of category of Labor & Employment. Range, rejecting claims by 11 plaintiffs that Range had In addition to group honors, 35 McAfee & Taft underpaid their royalties. The plaintiffs had opted out of attorneys were singled out for individual honors. an earlier class action settlement and brought individual Honorees in the “Corporate/Commercial” category claims alleging Range had underpaid royalties on gas were W. Chris Coleman, Bruce Crum and Joshua production from 13 different wells. Range maintained D. Smith. For “Corporate/Commercial: Healthcare,” it had properly paid royalties on the proceeds received honorees were Elizabeth L. Dalton, Michael E. Joseph by it from selling the gas production at or near the wells and Patricia A. Rogers. For “Corporate/Commercial: to various third-party purchasers under percentage-of- Tax,” honorees were T. Michael Blake and Spencer proceeds or percentage-of-index contracts, and that the W. Haines. gas was a marketable product when so sold. Typical of For “Energy & Natural Resources,” top-ranked many cases making similar claims, plaintiffs contended is Timothy J. Bomhoff. For “Energy & Natural the percentage-of-proceeds and percentage-of-index Resources: Environment,” honorees were Robert J. sales were disguised “service” agreements, and that the Joyce and Garry L. Keele, II. gas was not marketable until after it was processed at Honorees for “Intellectual Property” were the buyers’ downstream processing plants. Rachel Blue, Clifford C. Dougherty, III, John A. Following the two-week trial in March, the Court Kenney, Michael J. LaBrie and Anthony Rahhal. submitted the case to the jury on plaintiffs’ claims of The top-ranked “Labor & Employment” breach of lease, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty, and honorees were Courtney Bru, Bill G. Freudenrich, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of Range Michael F. Lauderdale, Brandon P. Long, Charles S. and against all plaintiffs on all claims. Range thereafter Plumb, Tony G. Puckett, W. Kirk Turner and Nathan filed a motion for entry of judgment in its favor based L. Whatley. on the verdict and the plaintiffs filed a motion for entry Honorees for “Litigation: General Commercial” of judgment in their favor notwithstanding the verdict. were Mary Quinn Cooper, John N. Hermes, Drew On July 10, 2019 the Court rejected plaintiff’s’ motion Neville and Reid Robison. and entered a Judgment in favor of Range. Ranked for “Real Estate” were Robert L. Range Resources Corporation was represented Garbrecht, Lloyd T. Hardin, Jr., Frank Hill, Myrna by Richard B. Noulles and Graydon D. Luthey, Latham, Joe C. Lewallen, Jr., Cole Marshall and Jr., of GableGotwals; Jeffrey C. King and Jamie Richard A. Riggs. L. Bryan, of K&L Gates; and Jeromy E. Brown, of Researchers with London-based Chambers McCalla Brown Patel. Plaintiffs were represented by & Partners Publishing, publishers of the 2019 guide, Allan DeVore and Jandra Cox, of Devore Law Firm; conducted in-depth interviews of attorneys and clients John W. Garland, of Payne & Garland; and Brett D. throughout the United States to identify and rank the Sanger, of B. D. Sanger, PLLC. nation’s leading business lawyers. The final rankings are based on such factors as technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/ astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.
Tulsa Lawyer Magazine Official Publication of the Tulsa County Bar Association
The Tulsa Lawyer is a full-color monthly publication of the Tulsa County Bar Association and is distributed to its membership of over 2,100 attorneys, Tulsa County Courthouse, the Law Library, the Oklahoma Bar Association and all advertisers.The Tulsa Lawyer accepts advertisements for products or services that have an existing or potential market in the Tulsa Legal Community. Space reservations may be requested, but no guarantee of ad placement can be made. The Tulsa Lawyer reserves the right to reject any advertisement.
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SUBSCRIPTIONS • Subscriptions are available for $40.00 a year for those who are not Tulsa County Bar Association members or advertisers. CLASSIFIED ADS • Classified ads are accepted at a charge of $35.00 for 40 words and .25 cents for each additional word. • You can add a small picture or color logo for $10.00. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS • The deadline for submitting advertisements is 5:00 PM on the 1st of the month prior to the month of publication. • Example: Oct.1st for the Nov issue. Ads accepted after this date will be published if space and time allow. PAYMENTS • Due upon receipt of invoice. Please make check payable to TCBA. • Credit card payments can be made at our website www. tulsabar.com a small convenience fee will be charged.
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Advertising Rates - Please visit www.tulsabar.com or email tulsabarnews@yahoo.com. Submit: Send files to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS Preferred Material: Digital files are preferred. Four-color CMYK film is acceptable but file must be built to the correct ad dimensions. We cannot accept ads in the following formats: Microsoft Word, Publisher, Powerpoint or Corel Draw. Black only ads can be submitted as camera-ready copy.
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