VP's Corner: There are Heroes Among Us

VP'S CORNER

Mike Esmond

TCBA Vice President 2021-2022

There Are Heroes Among Us

“The man with the best job in the country is the vicepresident. All he has to do is get up every morning and say, 'How is the president?'” ~ Will Rogers

Will Rogers probably wasn’t talking about the job of TCBA Vice President, but his quote sure resonates with me. Among my few responsibilities, I have the opportunity each month to highlight the good things the Association is doing. In light of the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Tulsans facing the inability to pay rent andthepotentiallossofbasichousingsecurity,itseems fitting to recognize one of the most impactful programs supportedbytheTCBA-theCourtAssistanceProgram (“CAP”). CAP provides pro bono legal representation to qualifying low-income tenants facing eviction.

The people who administer the program are absolutely amazing. Beth Nellis, ACP, is the CAP Coordinator. She conducts client intake interviews, reviews and researches court files, provides paralegal assistance to the volunteers, and arranges pro bono attorney representation. The TCBA Pro Bono Committee, chaired by Mac Finlayson, works handin-hand with Beth to recruit and retain volunteers and provide expert guidance to maximize the resources available to protect the rights of tenants who would otherwise struggle to advocate for themselves. The impressive list of accomplishments and initiatives is too long to include in this article, but some of the recent highlights include:

• Development of a new comprehensive CAP Handbook for Eviction Defense. • Updated the Oklahoma Residential Landlord & Tenant Act booklet that can be included when tenants are served and will be distributed throughout Tulsa County. • Revised the Tenant's Brochure (English and Spanish) for distribution throughout Tulsa. County to emphasize the need to appear in court and outlining general court practices. • Established a new TCBA Lawyer Referral telephone consultation program for tenants.

There are also numerous heroes among the pro bonoattorneysservingundertheCAPprogram.Among the notable dedicated volunteers are Mac Finlayson, Andrew Shank, Nathalie Cornett, Heidi Shadid, Shane Henry, Anne Sublett, Cassia Carr, Brian Huddleston and J.W. McBee. These attorneys have appeared for eviction dockets several times each month, sometimes even weekly, and have provided representation to dozens of qualifying tenants.

Tulsa is better off due to the efforts of the folks named above and all the other selfless volunteers who contribute their time and talent to the CAP program. While economic conditions have improved since the height of the pandemic, the demand for the CAP program’s services remains high. If you’re interested in volunteering, please do so today by contacting Beth Nellis at bethnellis@cox.net or (918) 760-3945.