2
S
A Message from
Ann E. Keele
2018-2019 TCBA President
Annual Meeting & Awards Issue
27
In God We Trust‌ All Others We
Kara Greuel, TCBA Treasurer
TULSA LAWYER
In this Issue
September 2018
5 Neil Bogan Award for Professionalism Dan Fullou 6
TCBA Young Lawyers - Stay Connected & Stay Active
8 10
Gary C. Clark Distinguished Service Award D. Kenyon Williams, Jr.
13 14
James C. Lang Mentoring Award Kevinn Matthews
Outstanding Senior Lawyer The Honorable Mary Fitzgerald
Outstanding Young Lawyer Ephram Alajaji
16 Watch for the latest on CLE! 17 Roger R. Scott Community Service Award Emily Duensing 18 Golden Rule Award-4th Quarter Paula Quillin 20 A Message from the Outgoing President Christina M. Vaughn 22 President's Awards Presented by Christina M. Vaughn 24 Tulsa County Bar Foundation 25 2017-2018 Foundation Awards Presented by James Hicks 28 Reflections on the American Bar Association & the State of Bar Associations By Jim Milton MEET YOUR NEW STAFF! 31 Getting to Know Tami Hensler Wiliams 32
Getting to Know Tammi Sinclair
33 Grapevine 34
In Memory of ...
35
Classifieds
Tulsa Lawyer 1
2018-2019 TCBA President
Ann Keele
Change Presents Opportunity I want to thank Christina Vaughn for her outstanding leadership as President through this major staff transition. It was a difficult road, which required perseverance and poise to navigate. Christina’s calm, thoughtful, and intellectual approach, with the rest of the Executive Committee’s support, proved to be a powerful force for positive change. I also want to extend my thanks the rest of last year’s Executive Committee for all of your effort to ensure that the TCBA transitioned successfully: Matt Farris, Past President; Kimberly Moore, Vice President; Kara Greuel, Treasurer; Amber Peckio-Garrett, Secretary; and Jim Milton, Budget Chair. Please welcome this year’s TCBA Executive It is the beginning of our new fiscal year, and a Committee: Christina Vaughn, Past President; Jim fresh start for the TCBA. If you attended the Annual Luncheon on August 23, then hopefully you had an Milton, President-Elect; Amber Peckio-Garrett, Vice opportunity to meet our new Bar staff: Greg Gordon, President; Richard White, Treasurer; Kara Greuel, Executive Director; Tami Williams, Membership Secretary; and Philip Hixon, Budget Chair. We have a Director; and Tammi Sinclair, Front Desk Coordinator. great team, and I look forward to continued progress for I am excited about the opportunities that this next year our Bar Association. will present and am honored to serve as your President. We will continue to be focused on Membership. Not only do we want to continue growing our membership, we want to make sure that the benefits and services we offer meet our members’ needs. We want TCBA to be the best resource for Tulsa County 2 Tulsa Lawyer
legal service professionals, providing opportunities for both personal and professional development and growth. We also want to build strong and meaningful connections in our Tulsa area communities, proving that lawyers really are a vital and positive part of society. Change presents opportunity, and I am truly enthusiastic about what our future holds. I invite each of you to become involved with the TCBA. Join a committee, participate in events, be part of our programs – find a place to plug in. I have found that you get back what you put in. The more involved I became in this organization, the more fulfillment and benefits I realized. If you have any ideas for programs, CLE’s, or benefits, or just want to share comments, please feel free to contact me at ann@monroekeele.com, or contact Greg Gordon at gregg@tulsabar.com. Have a great September, and let’s work together to make this year the best one yet! Sincerely, Ann Keele TCBA President, 2018-2019
Are you a young lawyer & a member of the TCBA? Do you have thoughts or ideas on what activities the YLD should do? Then you should contact me, Natalie Sears, at nsears@cordelllaw.com Find a section or committee that is right for you and get involved in the TCBA!
Neil Bogan Award for Professionalism
Dan Fullou
Among many other accomplishments, Dan is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Past President of the Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel, Past President of the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a current member of the Trucking Industry Defense Association, the Dan is truly a deserving recipient of the Tulsa Defense Research Institute, the Federation of Defense County Bar Association’s Neil E. Bogan Professionalism and Corporate Counsel and the Claims and Litigation Award. He constantly strives to uphold the values and Management Alliance. He also serves as an Adjunct ethics of the legal profession, taking the high road Settlement Judge for the Tulsa County Court System. even when it is more difficult. He exhibits the highest Dan constantly strives to be better as an attorney standards of ethics, integrity and professionalism on behalf of his clients and with the judiciary and opposing and as a person. He never takes the position that he has counsel. And, despite an incredibly full case load, Dan learned it all or knows more, even when that is clearly often takes significant time to instill these qualities true. He teaches and attends programs and events in young lawyers as a mentor and friend. Opposing nationwide on the skills of being a trial lawyer. counsel have the upmost respect for his abilities and consider him a friend even after hard fought litigation. Dan Folluo has practiced law in Tulsa for more than 30 years in a wide range of civil lawsuits. Over the years, Dan has tried dozens of lawsuits in state and federal court. Very few attorneys could claim to work harder and more zealously for his clients.
Tulsa Lawyer 5
TCBA Young Lawyers - Stay Connected & Stay Active On August 2, the TCBA Young Lawyers Division paired with the OBA Young Lawyers Division to host a networking event at the Tulsa Drillers game. It was a great night networking with Tulsa-area young lawyers capped off with a Tulsa Drillers victory. TCBA YLD is looking forward to hosting other such networking events in the future to provide young lawyers from all areas of practice the opportunity to meet one another. Overall, this has been a great year for YLD as we had a record number of teams turnout for bowling and softball, respectively. We hope to incorporate more social events as well as community service events in the future, so if you have any ideas or there are any projects you would like to see happen, feel free to let me know! You can reach me at brenna@ rodolftodd.com. Thanks for everyone’s participation in YLD events this year, and I look forward to seeing everyone soon!
Brenna Weibe, YLD Chair 2017-2018 brenna@rodolftodd.com.
TCBA HOURS 8:00 am5:00 pm
Mon - Fri
Gary C. Clark Distinguished Service Award
D. Kenyon Williams, Jr. The Gary C. Clark Award recognizes those few individuals who have, over many years, donated their time and talents to the Tulsa County Bar Association, above and beyond what others do. D. Kenyon Williams, Jr., is one of those individuals. During his 40+ years of practice, Ken has participated in or chaired many, if not most, of the TCBA Committees, some of which are no longer in existence. Everyone knows that Ken was TCBA Bar President, which in his case also means that he was Budget Chair, Treasurer, Vice President and Past President, as well as the Chair of the Long Range Planning Committee. Remember, his year as President was a difficult one in that the Association was entering into the capital campaign, and he worked closely with Chad McLain and the Campaign Committee to coordinate between the two. Ken was so successful during his year as President that the TCBA was recognized with the OBA’s Outstanding County Bar Association Award that year. As Vice President, Ken was responsible for starting the “VP’s Corner” for the Tulsa Lawyer which reports on what each committee and section is doing. Few can argue that the quality of Ken’s President’s Letters set a very high standard for others to follow. As a speaker for or a moderator of several TCBA Continuing Education Seminars, Ken has always stepped up to the plate when someone was in dire straits for just one more speaker, be it for ethics, oil & gas, environmental matters, real estate or litigation. Before the TCBA began offering free CLE, there was
enormous pressure on those who participated in CLE to produce as many seminars as possible, of the best quality possible, since this was a major generator of income for the Association. Ken did such a great job at this that he was awarded the Earl Sneed Award in 2013 for his contributions to continuing legal education. Ken served as Chair of the Law Week Committee in 2012-2013 (another of those years when the TCBA was awarded the Outstanding Bar Association Award), but in the earlier years before he chaired the full committee, he worked on Ask a Lawyer (for at least ten years), Lawyers in the Library and assisted in organizing the events.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” -Mahatma Gandhi 8 Tulsa Lawyer
Ken has served as Chair of the Fee Arbitration Committee for three years, as well as participated actively on the Committee for many additional years. His chairing of the Professionalism Committee has been so successful that he anchors the Professionalism Panel that performs for the University of Tulsa’s second year law students and is now in its fourth year. As a member of the Board of Governors, Ken is currently the OBA Delegate for the TCBA and, as such, reports at all the monthly TCBA board meetings. Ken chaired the Mineral Lawyers Section and the Membership Committee. He also actively served on the following Committees: Children & the Law, Law Related Education, Bench & Bar, Tulsa Lawyer, Professional Responsibility and Mentoring. The Bar needs individuals like Ken Williams to not only volunteer and share their experience, knowledge and insight, but also to provide an institutional knowledge of many of these events to aid in the continued success of the organization.
Tulsa Lawyer 9
James C. Lang Mentoring Award
Kevinn Matthews
In well-deserved recognition of his leadership in the Tulsa legal community and his mentorship to numerous attorneys, law students and future law students, the Tulsa County Bar Association has awarded Kevinn Mathews the James C. Lang Mentoring Award. Kevinn embodies the best values of professionalism, mentorship and giving back to the community. From his charitable work, to his service to the TCBA, to his work on behalf of The University of Tulsa College of Law, Kevinn stands out.
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Kevinn regularly credits those individuals who have mentored him and he has made a commitment to share with others what has been shared with him. A 1998 graduate of Tulsa Law, Kevinn served as President of the TU Law Alumni Board of Directors from 2016 to 2017. The focus of his presidency was mentorship to law students and recent graduates. As President of the TU Law Alumni Board, Kevinn set the tone and spearheaded activities for students that would connect students with other attorneys and open up mentorship opportunities. Kevinn is passionate about opening doors for students and answering questions about how to succeed as a lawyer. For a number of years, Kevinn has presented programs to 1L students during the Dean’s Seminar. In his presentation, Kevinn offers students suggestions and insights about networking, communicating and connecting with professionals in the legal community. For many law students, meeting and talking with a lawyer or a judge seems incredibly intimidating. Kevinn’s presentation puts students at ease and shows them how important it is for students, even
in the first semester of law school, to begin building their professional life. Equally important, Kevinn generously offers to meet with any student who wants help launching their professional career. Kevinn’s mentorship extends well into the community, particularly to the next generation of minority and diverse law students and lawyers. Kevinn regularly plays an important role in the Pipeline & Pipeline Plus Program, Minority Law Awareness Day and Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP). Kevinn also networks with minority students who have been admitted to law school to answer
questions and provide support as they dream and plan their professional futures. Clearly, Kevinn is involved in a wide range of mentoring activities for a large number of current lawyers, law students and future law students. But in many ways, Kevinn is a mentor simply by the way he conducts his professional life. As an attorney with WPX Energy, Kevinn demonstrates his work ethic and esprit de corps every day in the office and in the field. His work as an attorney, his service to the legal community, and his everyday professional conduct provides a wonderful example to us all.
James "Jim" P. Proszek Awarded National Honor On July 11, 2018, at the 43rd Annual National Association of Legal Assistants Paralegals ("NALA") Conference held in St. Louis, Missouri, James "Jim" P. Proszek was awarded the most prestigious honor that NALA bestows, The Founder's Award. The NALA Founder's Award is not an annual or routine award but rather, a rarely designated honor that has been "earned" through exemplary service to the paralegal profession greatly benefitting the legal community. Through James Proszek's steadfast commitment, loyalty and dedication to NALA and the paralegal profession, he has tremendously impacted not only local Oklahoma paralegals but paralegals throughout the United States and several countries where NALA has Affiliates. James Proszek's ability to educate and to guide paralegals has enabled them to develop and improve skills essential to their careers and the attorneys who employee them. Jim's efforts have created a "win-win" formula for employees and employers: develop more qualified, competent staff who provide quality delivery of legal services, create better practices, increase efficiency and productivity and improve client relations! Because "Jim" is such a modest, humble man, here is a brief overview of his many contributions to the Tulsa
legal community, while skillfully balancing family and a demanding career at Hall, Estill: NALA attorney since the mid-1980's; volunteer attorney and member of the Legal Aid Campaign for Justice; in 2010 he co-founded the Courthouse Access/ Assistance Program ("CAP") and continues to regularly volunteer on the FED "eviction" docket representing indigent tenants and he has received the OBA Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service, a well-deserved honor as a result of his years of tireless service; he has served as Chair of the TCBA Pro Bono Committee and due to his commitment and foresight, he secured an OBF grant to expand CAP in other counties. But wait, there's more! Jim served on the Board of the American Heart Association, Tulsa Chapter, and colleagues "across the board" all agree that Jim's "heart" is always in the right place. While I have only shared memories that I personally shared through the years with Jim, the list of his accomplishments, contributions and dedication to NALA, paralegals and the Tulsa legal community are truly "too numerous to mention". I believe that James "Jim" P. Proszek is one of the finest persons I have ever met: a modest man who has truly done so much for so many, quietly working to educate, represent and dedicate himself to the betterment of all. Submitted by Beth Nellis
Photo credit: NALA
Tulsa Lawyer 11
Outstanding Senior Lawyer
The Honorable Mary Fitzgerald
end, Judge Fitzgerald drives to and from Oklahoma City on a regular basis to plan hours of continuing education for all judges statewide.
An unwavering commitment to professionalism has resulted in “Don’t call me Senior!” Judge Mary Fitzgerald many awards and accolades for Judge Fitzgerald. She is the most hip and high-spirited judge in the Fourteenth was awarded the Community Collaboration Award Judicial District. Since 2006, she has served Tulsa and from the Mental Health Association for creating legal Pawnee Counties as a fair jurist and with a quality resources for low income individuals. The importance of excellence, all while maintaining her youthful of access to justice brought Judge Fitzgerald the personality. Outstanding Service Award. Then, in 2008, Judge Fitzgerald was recognized with the Mona Salyer Judge Fitzgerald graduated from Oklahoma Lambird Spotlight Award. State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and received her Juris Doctorate from the University of It is difficult to accept that Judge Fitzgerald will Tulsa School of Law. In between the dates of college be retiring in December 2018. Knowing Judge, she and law school, Judge Fitzgerald raised a family while will be out in the community volunteering, although working in the honorable teaching profession. Being she will not be in the courthouse. With her commitment a committed and fun parent and grandparent are Judge and work, it is truly fitting that the Tulsa County Fitzgerald’s crown jewels. Bar Association is recognizing Judge Fitzgerald as Outstanding Senior Lawyer. But, do not call her senior. It is no surprise that a former teacher would work so tirelessly for the betterment of families and children. Judge Fitzgerald served as the Chief Judge of the Family Division for the Fourteenth Judicial District until January 2018. As Chief, she collaborated with local agencies to provide better access for litigants to family courts and services. The protective order division and family division are more efficient, funded, and familyfriendly since her tenure began over ten years ago. Before her election to the District Court bench, Judge Fitzgerald served as a District Court Judicial Referee where she established the first pilot program to reduce Tulsa Public Schools rising truancy rates. Her tireless efforts resulted in Tulsa Public Schools awarding Judge Fitzgerald with the TPS Award of Excellence. Judge Fitzgerald also continues her teaching and judicial skills while serving on the Oklahoma Judicial Conference Executive Board. Her committee is responsible for three days of educational programming for the annual Oklahoma Judicial Conference. To that Tulsa Lawyer 13
Outstanding Young Lawyer
Ephram Alajaji Mr. Ephraim Alajaji was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in September 2014 after graduating from the University of Tulsa College of Law (J.D. 2014) and the University of Oklahoma (B.A. 2010). Ephraim works at Bank of Oklahoma Financial as a Contract Manager since 2014.
Ephraim Alajaji served as the Social Media Chair this past year, and was also on the Executive Director Search Committee this past spring to assist in the selection of our new Executive Director. Ephraim will serve as the Vice Chair of
14 Tulsa Lawyer
the Young Lawyers Division (YLD), and continue as the Social Media Chair for the 20182019 year. Ephraim’s dedication to the Tulsa County Bar Association was evident from the beginning. He eagerly jumped in a role that had yet to be cultivated, and his enthusiasm for public relations and assisting committees and Board of Directors was inspiring. Ephraim is most deserving of this award. Congratulations and kudos for this impressive achievement.
Tulsa Lawyer 15
Tulsa County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education
First Amendment DUI Non-Profit Boards Indian Law Probate & Wills Criminal Law Adoptions Ethics Juvenile Law and more...
Don't forget it's FREE to TCBA Members!
Watch your email and tulsabar.com for CLE news and schedules!
TULSA COUNTY BAR CENTER - INTERIOR RENOVATION UPDATE
• We have worked with OakLeaf Designs to review options for economical and useful changes to allocation of space on both floors. • Selected a design layout for the upper and lower levels of the building, which include new member meeting, work and lounge spaces • OakLeaf is in the preparing interior design scheme options • Anticipating to undertake/complete the renovation of the lower level by November. • Targeting the renovation of the upper level in early 2019. TCBA IS WORKING TO MAKE YOUR BAR CENTER THE BEST IT CAN BE! 16 Tulsa Lawyer
Roger R. Scott Community Service Award
Emily Duensing Emily Duensing exemplifies the spirit behind the Roger Scott Award for Community Service, which honors Tulsa County Bar Association members who have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to service to the community. Emily has spent countless volunteer hours making our community a better place and increasing respect for our profession. Emily has demonstrated a passion for volunteering to help families and children. As a member of All Souls Unitarian Church, Emily has served on the Board of Directors and the Youth Education Board. She has volunteered with the Village Banking Initiative, which supports microcredit banking in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico, Haiti, and Krygyzstan, in an effort to help put money directly into the hands of women who own businesses and have no other options for credit. She has been a “Reading Buddy” at Jackson Elementary, Gilcrease Elementary, and McLain Seventh Grade Academy, partnering with individual children for one hour per week to help develop a love of reading and broaden world views. Recently, Emily
and her husband Ted Bakamjian have become involved with ACTION (Allied Communities of Tulsa Inspiring Our Neighborhoods), a broad-based organizing effort for public engagement in Tulsa. Emily and Ted have focused their efforts on the Immigration ACTION Team, tackling another issue that directly impacts families and children. The legal profession has benefited from Emily’s commitment to service to the community. Her public service includes more than 20 years as a Law Clerk with the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals. She has volunteered on several TCBA committees, including the Children and Law Committee, and served as an editor for the Oklahoma Bar Journal. The Tulsa County Bar Association could not honor a more worthy recipient with the Roger Scott Award for Community Service.
“Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves.” - Horace Mann Tulsa Lawyer 17
Golden Rule Award 4th Quarter
Paula J. Quillin Paula likes to say that she is “scrappy” as a litigator. Indeed she is – just ask the litigation opponents left in her wake. But defeated though they may be, each will tell you that Paula is the consummate professional litigator. If you’re gonna lose, as Kid Johnny Lang sings in “Rack’em Up,” “there ain’t no shame in being beaten by a master.” Besides trying to get by on her brains, Paula has the ability to use equally deadly weapons. She is licensed for carrying a concealed firearm. She can shoot a target at 100 yards and is said to be as accomplished at the shooting range as she is in Court, though she removes her holster and six-shooter before entering the metal detector at the courthouse. She always dresses appropriately and does not wear cowboy boots to the courthouse – unless the Judge and more than half of the jury are wearing theirs. Besides the theoretical ability to shoot her own dinner, Paula has considerable skill as a pianist, banjo, and guitar player. This one-woman band likes to read and has traveled in recent years to China, Africa, Holland, the Panama Canal, as well as the town she grew 18 Tulsa Lawyer
up in: Ardmore, Oklahoma. Paula’s trip to Scotland a few years ago was notable, according to her, for all of the “slaughtering” done at virtually every point of interest on her tour. This may help explain Paula’s later in life fascination with guns. Fortunately for her adversaries, Paula’s slaughtering in court is always accomplished professionally, on paper courteously and civilly-she almost never uses her rifle. Paula holds a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, an M.S. from OU, and a BS from OSU. Paula has been with the Tulsa firm of Franden Farris Quillin Goodnight & Roberts since 1996. Before joining the firm, she worked as in-house counsel for a gas pipeline company where her practice included employment law, federal regulatory law, oil and gas matters, and contracts. She currently practices in a wide variety of areas, including employment law, professional negligence, business litigation, Department of Labor proceedings, and class actions. She has presented several seminars on employment law to various clients and professional associations.
Paula has been listed as a Super Lawyer in employment law every year since 2006 and was selected as one of the top 25 women lawyers in Oklahoma. Paula is admitted to practice in all federal and state courts in Oklahoma and she is an inactive member of the State Bar of Texas. Paula's dealings with the courts, administrative agencies, other attorneys, and the public have been characterized by the courtesy, cooperation, honesty, integrity and candor which are the benchmark of a true professional. For these reasons, the Tulsa County Bar Association has selected Paula J. Quillin as a 2018 Golden Rule Award winner.
GOLDEN RULE 1: capitalized G&R : a rule of ethical conduct : do to others as you would have them do to you 2: a guiding principle
2017-2018 Golden Rule Winners 1st Quarter
Barbara Carson 2nd Quarter
Ken Underwood 3rd Quarter
R. Scott Savage 4th Quarter
Paula J. Quillin
1st, 2nd & 3rd quarter winners have been featured in previous issues of Tulsa Lawyer.
Interested
in contributing to Tulsa Lawyer?
Contact Michael Taubman at mptaubman@taubmanlawoffice.com or Milly at tulsabarnews.com
Award Criteria The Golden Rule award is given to lawyers who make outstanding contributions to their profession and have the highest of ideals and are willlng to mentor to those with less experience. Criteria for Award: 1. Recognizes the ethical and professional obligations as an officer of the court as well as the spirit and intent of the Rules of Professional Conduct. 2. Practices ethically and honestly and is true to his/her word. 3. Strives for the traditional goals of moral excellence. 4. Exhibits the highest standards of fairness and integrity. 5. Sets a model example for conduct with members of the Bar and the Judiciary not only by words but more importantly by deeds. 6. Is civil, courteous and respectful towards the court and his/her opponents. 7 Is loyal to his/her client without trickery and deception and without using abusive practices or misleading the court or opposing counsel. 8 Avoids the temptation to make his/her client’s case into a personal vendetta. 9 Conducts himself/herself in a manner that improves the image of the legal profession in the eyes of the public.
@tulsabar Tulsa Lawyer 19
A message from the Outgoing President Christina M. Vaughn Greetings TCBA members, Happy new year! On September 1st, I officially transitioned into the role of Past-President, and the imminently talented, dedicated and capable Ann Keele began her term as TCBA President. I am extremely optimistic for the upcoming year. President Keele has been planning for her year as president for some time and she has some exciting ideas that will continue to focus on modernization and increasing member satisfaction. As we start this new year, I’d like to take a moment to look back on the 2017-2018 year. In this, my farewell message, I would like to share with you some of the notable things we accomplished this year. As you might expect, the year did not go precisely as I has planned before I took office, but nevertheless, with the help of the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and the many committee and section members and other volunteers, we were able to accomplish much. First, I am very proud that we were able to increase our membership numbers this year. This is particularly remarkable because voluntary bar associations across the county are suffering from decreasing membership. This increase in members is, of course, a testament to the ground work done during Matt Farris’ tenure as TCBA President as well as the outreach efforts that were made early in the year. Other notable and significant increases were seen in the number of free CLE hours offered to members, the number of members attending CLE, and the number of followers on our social media pages.
20 Tulsa Lawyer
Also, we focused on making important policy/ financial, technology and security changes. On the policy/ financial side, we started the year by approving a new investment policy. We then analyzed our relationships with banking and credit card vendors and ultimately made changes and undertook consolidation in both areas. We also had a staff compensation analysis performed, which allowed us to better understand an appropriate compensation scale for our organization. We, and in particular, Kara Greuel and Jim Milton spent a significant number of hours scrutinizing and ultimately overhauling the financial statements to provide for better clarity and accuracy. Relatedly, we commenced the first audit of the TCBA in its history. We implemented a paid email policy, and finally, we updated the corporate documents for TCBA’s Legal Placement Services entity. On the technology front, we made several changes. Those include a complete backup of our server and computer hard drives, the upgrade of our wifi system to a commercial wifi system, the migration from a physical server to the Microsoft 365 platform, and the purchase of a new projector for the downstairs meeting room. We also made significant security improvements, which we began by having a security assessment performed. Subsequently, we enacted many of the security assessment recommendations, including the buzz-in entry system, security cameras, and panic buttons for staff. While much of the focus this past year has been on internal operations, not the least of which was the reorganization of our staffing structure and the hiring of a new Executive Director, Membership Director, and Front Desk
and an overall improved membership experience. As I said at the beginning of the year, we are laser focused on having ‘bright, shiny, happy members.’ That mission can only be accomplished through the dedication and hard work of our volunteers. I am so fortunate that I had such an amazing group of volunteers to work with this year, and I am extraordinarily grateful to the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, the many committee and section members and other We also established a joint interior renovation volunteers, and the TCBA committee with TCBF through which we retained the firm staff for their support and during this of Oak Leaf Designs to assist us with a space allocation dedication assessment and the selection of floor plans for our remodel. somewhat topsy-turvy year. The plans will add new meeting, working and lounge space I believe we are just at the beginning of an exciting for members to utilize. We hope to begin work on the lower level this fall. Finally, as you may have recently seen or era for the TCBA and I am looking forward to seeing what will soon see, we reworked the membership packet by the coming year has to offer. streamlining the materials into an attractive brochure and Sincerely, providing a simplified dues invoice. Christina M. Vaughn It is my sincerest hope that our efforts this year have TCBA President, 2017-2018 and will continue to result in better service to our members
Coordinator, we also continued to focus on making direct improvements to the membership experience. One of the first things we worked on was adding a new set of health and wellness benefits. Those included, for instance, discounts on massages, personal fitness, floating, and organic food co-op membership. We also offered free guided meditation classes for a number of months in the fall. We also held six free events for members during Membership Appreciation Month. Based on feedback from both students and attorneys, we updated the mentoring program to provide more of a skills-based learning opportunity for students rather than simply a social/networking opportunity. We hosted an informative and well-attended judicial forum.
"Bright, Shiny, Happy Members"
Congratulations to the 2017-2018
President's Awards Honorees
Kara M. Greuel Treasurer
James “Jim� C. Milton Budget
Kevinn Matthews Corporate Law Section
Catherine W. Hoopert Lawyer Referral Information Service
Michael P. Taubman Tulsa Lawyer Magazine
President's Award Honorees were presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon held Thursday, August 23rd at the Downtown Doubletree by Outgoing President, Christina Vaughn.
22 Tulsa Lawyer
Tulsa County Bar Foundation End of the Year Update from TCBF President, James R. Hicks Dear TCBF/TCBA Members, The Tulsa County Bar Foundation (“TCBF”), serves as the charitable arm of our Association. As a member of the TCBA, you are also a member of the Foundation. The TCBF provides opportunities for members to organize and participate in activities which provide services to our community, and inspire pride in our association. Ashley Webb and his Community Outreach Committee have done an outstanding job coordinating outreach programs such as: the Welcome Home Project benefiting the Day Center for the Homeless, dinners supporting the First Step Program and many other projects. Judge Martha Rupp-Carter led an outstanding Law Week Committee with several highly popular new programs, including the screening of “100 Years: One Woman’s Fight for Justice” at the Circle Cinema and three book reviews presented by Martha Cordell, William Kellough and Judge Theresa Dreiling. Pat Mensching chaired the annual golf tournament which raised over $22,000 for American Disabled Veterans, The South Tulsa Community House and Lawyers for Children. In addition, The TCBF owns and is responsible for maintenance of our Bar Center at 15 and Boston. We have completed the exterior remodeling of the building and are currently planning the interior renovation to better serve our members and the community. Roof repairs have been scheduled. New executive director, Greg Gordon, and his staff have been instrumental in this process. th
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I encourage you to donate and join the Fellows program to assist in our charitable works. We are working on an overall redirection in what our community impact and investment should be. We need your input and participation. Finally, thanks to Philip Hixon for serving as treasurer and coordinating the financial transition and audit of the Foundation. We look forward to working with the new slate of Foundation Trustees: Ken Williams, Christina Vaughn and Martha RuppCarter in the upcoming year. James R. Hicks President 2017-2019 Tulsa County Bar Foundation
Foundation Awards Foundation Awards 2017-2018
Pat Mensching Annual Charity Golf Tournament, Chair
Judge Martha Rupp Carter
Law Week Committee, Chair
Tulsa Lawyer 25
Congratulations to the Law Student Recipients of the Tulsa County Bar Foundation Scholarship! Grayson Elaine Kirk (1L at TU) Gregory Thomas Colpitts (2L at Notre Dame) Timothy John Schaefer (3L at TU) Each will receive $2500.
Well Done! 26 Tulsa Lawyer
In God We Trust…All Others We Audit Kara Greuel, TCBA Treasurer My second year as the Tulsa County Bar Association Treasurer is coming to a close and there is a certain amount of reflection to be done. Since I took this position in September 2016, the landscape of the TCBA changed substantially, including our new free CLE seminars (if you haven’t taken advantage of the free CLE, you should), new faces that greet us, and a new Membership Appreciation Month. With regard to the financial reporting of our organization, we've accomplished much during the last two years. Together, we: • Created the TCBA Investment Policy to guide the management of our funds • Improved the oversight and management of our investments • Updated organization and storage of onsite files • Segregated duties between staff members • Streamlined accounting processes to improve efficiency and minimize mistakes in reporting • Created accountability regarding expenses and the allocation of funds between organizations There are additional smaller improvements that have been made, but the most significant this year is that for the first time in its over 100 year history, the Tulsa County Bar Association and Tulsa County Bar Foundation are being audited.
a necessary evil. Knowing this, I have to say that our TCBA staff got all of the requested information together in record time…and they did it with a great attitude and a smile. The TCBA is under no obligation to have an audit, but the Executive Committee as well as the entire Board agreed with myself and Jim Milton that it was time to ensure our record keeping and recording practices were in line with generally accepted accounting principles. We engaged CCK Strategies, PLLC to conduct an audit and prepare tax returns for both the 2016-2017 and the 2017-2018 fiscal years. By the time you read this update, we expect to have the 2016-2017 year end audit completed and will be making plans to start audit field work for this current year. There may be recommendations for improving our processes, and the Executive Committee and staff will work quickly and efficiently to implement any necessary changes. The TCBA is an excellent organization. We provide legal resources for the community and support for our members. I am honored to have served as the Treasurer for these past two years, and I anticipate ensuring the TCBA’s historical records are accurately organized in my next role as Secretary. Richard White will serve as Treasurer this next year, and I know he will continue the momentum we have begun. Thank you for allowing me to serve, and I look forward to a great future for the Tulsa County Bar Association.
During my career as a CPA, I’ve conducted many audits of businesses and non-profits. I will never forget someone describing an auditor as being the person that comes in after the war is over and bayonets the wounded. While it’s not a flattering depiction, it well represents the feelings of most people who have to produce the necessary information and documents for the auditors – often in addition to their normal duties. I’ve been through audits, and they are definitely
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Reflections on the American Bar Association & the State of Bar Associations By Jim Milton
At the first of August, this year, I attended an ABA meeting for the first time in my career. I am not a member of the ABA. I have been an ABA member in the past, but not in a number of years. And I've never had a reason to attend a meeting before now. In the run up to the ABA’s annual meeting in Chicago, several commentators wrote about what they see as the ABA’s fading role and influence in the American legal landscape. For example, Mark A. Cohen wrote a column in Forbes entitled, Is the American Bar Association Passé?
This notion stands in direct contrast with one of the themes that I heard at the ABA meeting -- the importance of the rule of law. For example, the ABA hosted a forum with U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. At the time of this forum, on August 2, Rosenstein was in the headlines related to his role in the Mueller investigation. Of course, Rosenstein avoided the issues that are making headlines. Instead, he spoke on the rule of law, describing the legal system's processes designed to allow our society to function well.
These legal processes -- ranging from the Due Process Clause to the particulars of the CFR -- represent centuries of development of the law, largely by lawyers, with the ultimate goal and effect of establishing our societal framework. While there remain faults, we There are also political objections to the ABA. should recognize that our constitutional system works. One of the things I will fight for is to keep the TCBA We have a system for establishing laws, changing out of politics. We are a voluntary bar association, with laws, enforcing laws, and questioning laws. While it is members from all sides of the political spectrum. We imperfect, we yet have a system through which it can be improved. need to respect that. Much of the criticism of the ABA can be viewed as no surprise -- part of the prevalent lawyer bashing that takes place in our society, and probably always will be there.
But Cohen's criticism strikes a different tone. First, Cohen is a lawyer and a law professor, at Northwestern University in Chicago. According to his bio, his current focus is consulting “on new delivery models and legal buyer solutions,” in an effort to “bridge the gap between traditional legal education and ‘contemporary skills’ required by the marketplace.” In his column, Cohen makes the claim that “(t)he biggest reason for the ABA’s decline … is the organization’s support of the legal guild. The ABA has failed to use its clout to revise provincial, anachronistic, and protectionist regulations that fail to serve those in need of legal services, existing legal customers, and society.” Cohen alleges that the current regulatory framework “perpetuates the myth of lawyer exceptionalism by separating the world into ‘lawyers’ and ‘non-lawyers.’” 28 Tulsa Lawyer
There may be a tendency to overlook some of the benefits of our system. For example, Rosenstein told of a person from another country expressing marvel that we outlaw bribery, asking, then how do you get electricity? We know that rules exist for determining rights and obligations on such things. While some systems outside the U.S. get things done through systemic bribery, we use rules. We, as lawyers, are focused on understanding these processes and rules, and guiding our clients through them. Among these processes and rules are those that govern our profession. These processes and rules help protect the public from potentially catastrophic results that can occur if legal services were offered by persons not subject to regulation. While these protections may be largely reactive, they are designed to be fair and effective.
Reviewing some of the court decisions from the Oklahoma Supreme Court in disciplinary decisions, we can see the potentially catastrophic effects of lawyering by those who do not have the best interests of clients at heart or otherwise make mistakes. Without the regulatory system imposed upon lawyers, at least some of these issues would go unchecked. (As I noted in a prior column, as a voluntary bar association, the TCBA is no longer a part of the regulatory system governing lawyers.) Bar associations provide another key to the equation of protecting the public in the legal system. This key is on the positive side -- providing education and emphasis on professionalism. Like other professionals, lawyers need to interact with peers and hear presentations on the latest developments. We need mentors and mentees within our profession. We need interactions and relationships within our profession. Cohen urges some changes that are good and important, some of which are occurring already -- “broad legal access, legal education designed for the needs of
the marketplace, improved legal delivery, diversity, an agile workforce, (and) inter-disciplinary practice that provides holistic solutions to complex problems.” Cohen expresses a goal of “opening up legal delivery to a range of new delivery models that provide consumers greater access, choice, transparency, and understanding of the legal process.” In the end, I don't think Cohen seeks to bust up the regulatory system governing lawyers. But I think he would want to see more use of paralegals. And I suspect that he is a fan of web-based legal services. Commentators, legislators, and tech providers are talking about web-based legal services. We should too. At a minimum, we need to understand how these services will impact what we do as lawyers. But Cohen loses me when he speaks against efforts to stop the unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers.
Can you believe the holidays are just around the corner?
It’s time to start planning family and friend get-togethers, time off work, and the gift list! While you're preparing for the holidays, let us all take the time to be thankful for what we have and grateful for the things we don’t have to think twice about. Sadly, a lot of families in the Tulsa area are already worried about how they will feed their families, if they will have enough warm clothing, and if they will be able to get a gift for their children this holiday season. The good news is, we can do something to change that! The Children and the Law Committee present the, you guessed it, 2018 TCBA Holiday Challenge! Last year was a huge success, where we were able to donate and fundraise a little over $2,700 cash AND adopt 14 families for Family and Children’s Services! Thank you again to all those who participated last year and made 2017 so successful!
Let’s try and make this year just as successful, if not more so! The process is simple and just like before. You can either choose to donate money, or you can choose to be matched with a specific family in need. Here’s how it works: Cash: Send your tax deductible donations payable to TCBF and note “Holiday Challenge” on your payment. Cash donations will be accepted through December 7, 2018. -or-
Questions? Contact Natalie at nsears@cordelllaw.com
“Adopt a Family”: 1. Select the family size that you or your team want to “adopt” and Family & Children’s Services will match your team with a family in need; 2. Submit your team’s information (names and contact information) and size of family you wish to “adopt” via email to nsears@cordelllaw.com; 3. Once matched, you will be given a list of requested items from your “adopted” family. The items requested for your “adopted” family will need to be gift wrapped and dropped off to either TCBA or Family & Children’s Services in Tulsa by December 7, 2018 4. Family & Children’s Services will distribute the gifts to your “adopted” family!
If you would like to “adopt” a family, please contact me by November 12th so we can start the matching process with Family & Children’s Services. If you’d like to get involved in more than one way, please feel free to reach out to me at nsears@cordelllaw.com so I can give you information on how to get involved. All 2018 sponsors will be recognized in the Tulsa Lawyer Magazine as being totally awesome people with generous hearts (so let me know if you would prefer your donation to remain anonymous). Let’s show our Tulsa area children in need that they are not forgotten. Please join us and let’s make the 2018 Holiday Challenge a huge success! Natalie Sears
Getting to Know: Tami Hensler Williams as, could not be any easier. They are both hard-working, easy to get along with and full of great ideas for TCBA. We are a great team, and I could not have asked for two better people to work with. Who does the cooking at your house? My husband. What’s your favorite home-cooked meal? My husband is a great cook, so everything he serves up is delicious but if I had to choose one item, it would be his pan cooked rib-eye steak with a vinaigrette sauce. What is your full name? Tami Hensler Williams. How long have you worked for the Tulsa County Bar Association? I began July 9th, 2018. What position(s) have you held with the Association? Director of Membership Tell us about your family. I have the most wonderful husband, Grant, who works at McIntosh in the controls division and the most adorable 12-year old daughter who just entered the 7th grade at Thoreau Demonstration Academy. Do you have pets? Yes, I have two dogs named Luna and Millie. Both were rescue puppies who are full fledge members of the Williams family. What were you doing before you came to work for the TCBA? Prior to TCBA I was the Financial Monitor for the Area Agency on Aging at INCOG. Before INCOG, I was the Director of the Tulsa Press Club & Benevolent Association. What is your favorite memory from growing up as a child? Family vacations with my cousins and grandparents and weeklong stays at my great-grandmothers home in Texas. How long have you lived in the Tulsa Metro Area? 20 years What do you like best about living in Tulsa Metro Area? I love that Tulsa is a large city with a small-town feel. I enjoy meeting new people and almost always find that we are connected through other Tulsans. I am also proud that Tulsa is filled with so many civic minded citizens who contribute their time and resources to making our community a better place. What is the most difficult part of your job? I find that answering referral calls can be difficult. Callers can be quite emotional depending on their situation. Some callers have stories that are heartbreaking. What is the easiest part of your job? Working with Greg and Tammi, or “double M I” as we’ve started referring to her
What’s your favorite restaurant? The Atlas Grill downtown, in the Atlas Life Building. Everything they serve is made fresh, from scratch, daily. I’ve never had a bad meal there. What month is your birthday? May Coffee, tea or soda? Dr. Pepper. I am seriously addicted to it. What are your hobbies or thing you love to do on your weekends? Spending time with family and friends, gardening, playing with our pets, traveling, volunteering at my daughter’s school or with her girl scout troop and relaxing at a family members cabin in Arkansas. Favorite Hero: My maternal grandfather whom I lovingly referred to as Pop. Favorite Sport or Athletic Activity: OSU Football and Basketball Favorite Places to travel: Family cabin in Arkansas, Chicago, Colorado, Hawaii, Germany. Favorite College Experience – After graduating from OSU, two friends and I spent 5 weeks traveling the country. From Colorado, to the Florida Keys to New Orleans, we camped almost everywhere we went, saw a couple of our favorite bands live in concert, visited beaches and met some interesting characters along the way. After graduating from the University of Tulsa with my MBA, I spent 5 weeks traveling through Europe. Both experiences were truly unforgettable and have given me a desire to see as much of the world as I can. Anything else you’d like members to know about you? I am currently serving as President of the Thoreau PTSA Board of Directors. I’ve held various positions over the years on the Mayo Demonstration School PTA board as well. I’m a strong supporter of public education and am happy to spend time volunteering to make TPS better, not just for my daughter, but for all Tulsa students.
Contact Tami at the Bar Center tamiw@tulsabar.com Director of Membership
Getting to Know: Tammi Sinclair What is the most difficult part of your job? Just getting familiar with the Member Central System.
What is the easiest part of your job? Visiting with all the wonderful attorneys that come by.
Who does the cooking at your house? Not a whole lot of cooking goes on in my house these days, but when we do, my husband does the grilling and I do the rest.
What’s your favorite home-cooked meal? I love homemade chicken and noodles, I use my grandmother’s recipe.
What is your full name? Tammi Sinclair. What do you like to be called? Tammi
How long have you worked for the Tulsa County Bar Association? 3 months What position(s) have you held with the Association? Front Desk Coordinator
Tell us about your family. I have been married to my husband, Scott, for 36 years, we have three daughters, Stefanie, 34, Whitney, 31 & Delaney, 27. Do you have pets? Yes, five dogs.
What were you doing before you came to work for the TCBA? I worked in the Athletic Department at The University of Tulsa for almost 12 years. What is your favorite memory from growing up as a child? Holidays at my Grandparents’ house in Arkansas. How long have you lived in the Tulsa Metro Area? My whole life, with a few exceptions. What do you like best about living in Tulsa Metro Area? I love how downtown is coming back to life.
What is the most difficult task you have dealt with in working with/for the TCBA? Learning how the Lawyer Referral System works.
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What’s your favorite restaurant? I love Crushed Red on Cherry Street. What month is your birthday? April Coffee, tea or soda? Pepsi
What are your hobbies or thing you love to do on your weekends? In my previous job, I was always working on the weekends, so I’m looking forward to starting some new hobbies. Favorite Hero: My daughters are my heroes, they amaze me all the time.
Favorite Sport or Athletic Activity: I love to watch college football, but for myself, I like walking and riding my bike. Favorite Places to travel: Memphis
Favorite College Experience: It’s been too long to remember my time in college but working with student-athletes during my time at TU was one of the best experiences of my life.
Contact Tammi Sinclair at the Bar Center tammis@tulsabar.com Front Desk Coordinator
Grapevine News
Hensley Legal Services, PLLC is pleased to announce that Hall Estill, has announced that John F. Heil, Shannon Holman has joined the firm. An Oklahoma native, she III has been elected a new member of the firm’s graduated from Northeastern State University with a Bachelor's Executive Committee. John joined the firm in 2000 and has developed a in English. After being published in the Tulsa Law Review, she general business litigation practice with a wide range completed her Juris Doctorate at the University of Tulsa in 2012. of experience, including intellectual property rights Shannon comes to Hensley Legal Service, PLLC from the Cherokee involving copyright, trademark, patent and trade and Wagoner County Child Support Program. Her practice here will secrets, business torts, unfair competition claims, mortgage lending concentrate on divorce, paternity, and adoption. issues and construction related disputes. He has been named a Future Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation. John has substantial jury trial experience and has handled The family law firm of Tamera A. Childers, litigation matters in various state, federal and appellate courts PLLC welcomes Lizzie Stafford as its newest throughout the United States, including Arkansas, California, associate. Lizzie has focused her practice on family, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South juvenile, and appellate law. While in law school Dakota and Texas. He graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law with honors. Lizzie earned the Pro Bono Student Service Award, a Cali Award, and interned for the Honorable Gary L. Lumpkin at the Court of Criminal Appeals for Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson, the State of Oklahoma. Following graduation from LLP welcomes Justin B. Munn to its Tulsa office. the Oklahoma City University School of Law, Lizzie worked as an Justin represents clients throughout Oklahoma in Assistant District Attorney in Tulsa County honing her trial skills. family law, civil litigation, guardianships, adoptions, Lizzie enjoys working with and for children. She works with Tulsa estate planning, trust and probate matters. He has Lawyers for Children and is an active member of the TCBA, specifically significant experience litigating all aspects of marriage the Children in the Law Committee. With her background in criminal dissolutions, including child custody, visitation, child and deprived juvenile law, Lizzie helps individuals facing criminal support, property and debt division and alimony. or Department of Human Service investigations navigate a child Justin also represents clients in litigation involving paternity custody action. Her practice at Tamera A. Childers, PLLC primarily proceedings, guardianship matters and the defense and prosecution of consists of divorce, child custody modification & enforcement, post protective and restraining orders. Outside of the courtroom, Justin serves decree modification & enforcement, paternity, deprived juvenile, as a certified mediator in a wide variety of family law and domestic DHS investigations, and criminal and civil appeals. matters.Justin is a graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School. While at Lewis & Clark, Justin earned a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources law and clerked at the Department of the Interior’s Regional Solicitor’s Office. He represented the law school Courtney L. Kelley, an associate at Hall Estill, in the 1998 ABA Regional Moot Court Negotiations Competition has been accepted into the inaugural class of the Heart and served as an Administrative Board Member of the school’s Public of America Fellows Institute of the American College Interest Law Project. of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Courtney earned her J.D. degree from the Washburn University School of Law and earned a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Colorado. She joined Hall Estill in 2015 and practices in the Trusts & Estates Litigation and Regulated Substances arenas. The Heart of America Fellows Institute was created by ACTEC Fellows to develop the profession’s future leaders in trust and estate law through a series of in-depth educational presentations led by outstanding subject matter experts in each field from across the U.S. The institute includes six sessions for lawyers who were Ted Sherwood announces the formation of Accord Mediation & nominated by an ACTEC Fellow and selected through a competitive Arbitration. With almost 90 years of combined jury trial experience application process. The program begins in November 2018 and involving professional negligence, personal injury, and business concludes in May 2019. litigation, Accord Mediation brings a wealth of experience to each The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel is a national organization of lawyers elected to membership by demonstrating the case. Mediators include Ted Sherwood, John McCormick, and highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence Hugh Robert. The mediators have been recognized by their peers in the trial bar as Fellows in the American College of Trial Lawyers, are and experience as trust and estate counselors. AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and as Super Lawyers. Sherwood is a member in the National Association of Distinguished Neutrals. 918.592.1144 or AccordADR.com. Tulsa Lawyer 33
solutions. He did not feel like a good deal was one where everyone was upset. A good deal found the maximum possible good for everyone involved.
J. Kenton “Kent” Francy On July 17th we lost J. Kenton “Kent” Francy.
Kent was dedicated to the love of his life — his wife Vicki. He was the proud father of David and Michael. He was thrilled to be the father-in-law to Becki and Dee. David and Becki practice family law here in Tulsa. Michael and Dee live in Fort Worth. He loved being grandfather to Ragon, Cate, Greyson, and Abby. Kent was a 1968 graduate of Edison High School and in 1973 obtained his J.D. from the University of Tulsa. He was also my mentor and life long friend. Kent was a gentleman attorney — Always dignified, Ever polite, Scrupulously ethical. He was slow to anger and quick to forgive. Professionally, Kent was first and foremost a peacemaker. His passion ultimately was solving problems. This found its clearest expression in mediation. He was a pioneer in bringing mediation to family law in Oklahoma. His style was not to seek the first solution or the easiest settlement. Kent tirelessly worked for the optimum possible outcome for each particular case. Kent had the habit of avoiding judgment and being eager to understand. He would take the time to ferret out the reasons and motivations behind positions. By understanding everyone’s perspective — he carefully crafted suggested
34 Tulsa Lawyer
I watched Kent in a mediation twenty years ago. The husband claimed the household furniture and art were his because he had earned the money that paid for them. The wife said it was all hers because she had picked them out. Back then I could not sympathize with her position. When they left, Kent explained that she believed almost anyone could earn money — money was fungible, but the household furniture and art were reflections of her refinement, her taste, her sophistication, her ability to discern quality. From her perspective, reasonably, her skilled selection made those things much more hers than his. In a high publicity trial, Kent had been ordered to bring specific documents to court the next day. On the courthouse steps the following morning a local television reporter asked Kent if he had the documents. Kent’s co-counsel had the documents in his briefcase. So Kent, being clever, said: “No, I don’t have them.” Unfortunately, the judge was watching live TV from his chambers. As soon as Kent walked into the courtroom the judge held him in contempt. Kent was flabbergasted. He eventually was allowed to explain and avoid big trouble. Kent would tell that story and point out that he had been honest in his answer, but that the judge was ultimately correct, he had rather publicly shown disrespect to the court. The lesson was: better to be careful than clever. As a mentor, Kent was an ever calming influence on me as a young lawyer. The night before my first big divorce trial, I felt lost and behind and was likely going to have to pull an all-nighter. I was at the office after five and asked him for help at the last minute. He said he would bring me dinner. He showed up with two sandwiches and two beers. I outlined my case as we ate. When we finished the beer, he said I was ready and sent me home to get a good night’s sleep. I had been ready, I was just nervous and that night’s sleep was exactly what the case needed most. Kent loved teaching. He was a frequent CLE speaker on mediation and family law topics. He was a professor at the University of Tulsa School of Law. He coached their negotiation teams and took teams of students to competitions around the country. But all of that is just a flavor of Kent. He was thoughtful, caring, generous, and gregarious. He loved to sail, loved to run, loved to travel, loved his dogs, loved — life, and lived his to its fullest. Kent touched thousands of people’s lives and we were universally better off for having known him.
Navy medic in the Vietnam war, where he’d survived helicopter crashes during evacuations of the wounded, to his many assignments as a corporate counsel in beautiful places around the globe like Stavanger, Norway. Regrettably, I lost touch with Doug over the By: Michael P. Taubman last 12+ years after he left the company and moved into Before the start of my last semester of law school, I retirement, but I’ll always appreciate the assistance he was afforded the great opportunity to make a lateral gave me to start me on my way. shift from my duties as the Manager of Facilities and Douglas Leo Taylor, attorney and resident of Tulsa, Information Technology to become an intern, then Oklahoma passed away Friday, August 10, 2018 in corporate counsel, for the company where I worked. Tulsa. He was born October 1, 1947 to Lloyd Howell This opportunity launched the start of my legal career, Taylor and Laura Jane (Smithson) Taylor in Caney, and it accelerated my future at great pace to work Kansas. Mr. Taylor served in the United States Navy. directly with the C-suite executives of the company. Condolences, photographs and life stories may be One mentor for me was our then-Associate GC, Doug posted to the online memorial page: Taylor. Gary Kelley's Add' Vantage Doug’s office was right next to mine, and sometimes, Funeral and Cremation Service as a newly sworn attorney, I felt as if I was constantly 9761 East 31st Street in his office, interrupting with all of my inquiries about Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146 drafting upstream & downstream documents, farm-in’s & out’s, and corporate minutes. Doug was a gentleman, http://www.garykelleyafs.com/memsol.cgi?user_ and he would gladly share his career knowledge, id=2128763 experience, and stories, from his service as a U.S.
In Memoriam: Douglas L. Taylor, Esq.
Tulsa Lawyer 35
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