Happy Holidays
2019 - 2020 TCBA CONTACTS, COMMITTEE & SECTION CHAIRS
www.tulsabar.com
PHONE: 918-584-5243 FAX: 918-592-0208 1446 South Boston, Tulsa, OK 74119-3612 Executive Director Greg Gordon gregg@tulsabar.com Ext. 1001 Operations Director
CLE, Sections & Committees
Tami Hensler Williams tamiw@tulsabar.com Ext. 1002
Front Desk Coordinator
Lawyer Referral, Golf Liaison, General Inquiries
Christy Bush frontdesk@tulsabar.com Ext. 1000
Accounting accounting@tulsabar.com
Tulsa Lawyer Editor - Michael Taubman mptaubman@taubmanlawoffice.com Associate Editor - Milly Dunlap Tulsa Lawyer Submissions - tulsabarnews@yahoo.com
TCBA OFFICERS
President................................................................ James C. Milton Past President......................................................... Hon. Ann Keele President-Elect................................................. K imberly K. Moore Vice President............................................................. Kara Vincent Secretary..................................................................... Natalie Sears Treasurer................................................................. Philip D. Hixon Budget/Internal Operations........................................ Mike Esmond Foundation President .................................................... Jim Hicks Director at Large (1) Large Firm................................. Philip Hixon Director at Large (2) Large Firm.......................... C. Austin Birney Director at Large (1) Medium Firm................................ Kara Pratt Director at Large (2) Medium Firm.................. Jennifer L. Struble Director at Large (1) Small Firm................. Amber Peckio-Garrett Director at Large (2) Small Firm................................. Megan Beck Director at Large (2) Public Sector............... Hon. Linda Morrissey ABA Delegate............................................................. Molly Aspan OBA Delegate........................................................... Ken Williams Library Trustee (1)......................................................... Julie Evans Library Trustee (2)............................................ Trisha Linn Archer Presiding Judge ..................... Judge William J. Musseman, Jr.C.J., U.S. District Court .................................. Hon. John DowdellC.J., Tulsa Municipal Court............................. Hon. Gerald Hofmeister TU Law School.......................................................... Rachel Baker
FOUNDATION APPOINTMENTS
Law Day................................................... Hon. Martha Rupp Carter Law Day Co-Chair.........................................................Lizzie Riter Community Outreach................................................ Ashley Webb Golf Chair................................................................ Pat Mensching Scholarship Chair.................................................... Faith Orlowski Submission, Grapevine & AdvertisingVisit www.tulsabar.com Subscriptions to Tulsa Lawyer are available for $40.00 a year to those who are not Tulsa County Bar Association members or others who do not currently receive the publication. Contact Greg Gordon at 918-584-5243 Ext. 225.
FOUNDATION
President.............................................................Christina M. Vaugn Vice President...............................................................Justin Munn Secretary................................................................................... TBD Treasurer/Budget......................................................... Philip Hixon Trustee/Capital Campaign Chair............................... Chad McLain Trustee.......................................................................... Jim Gotwals Trustee.................................................... Hon. Martha Rupp Carter Trustee.................................................................. Christina Vaughn Trustee....................................................................... Ken Williams Trustee............................................................. Zach SmithTCBA Trustee........................................................... Honorable Ann Keele President................................................................ Jim Milton TCBA Pres. Elect.................................................. Kimberly Moore
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
Animal Law..................................................... ..........Katy Inhofe Bench & Bar.................................................... .............. Vicki Cox Budget & Internal Operations.......................... .......Mike Esmond Children & the Law......................................... ........Stephen Hale Children & the Law Vice Chair....................... .......Natalie Sears CLE ................................................................. ..........Lizzie Riter Diversity Development.....................Hon. April Seibert & Ben Fu Fee Arbitration................................................. ...Tamera Childers Law Related Education.........................Hon. Robert LaFortune Lawyer Referral............................................... ......Cathy Hoopert Pro Bono ............................................................... Mac Finlayson Membership Services....................................................Kara Pratt Mentoring......................................................... .....Faith Orlowski Mentoring Co-chair.......................................... ........Randy Lewin Military/Veterans ............................................ Hon. David Guten Nominations & Awards.................................... ....Hon. Ann Keele Professionalism................................................ ...........Rick White Public Relations....................................................Steve Layman Social Media.........................................................Ephraim Alajaji Special Events..Co-Chairs.................Sabah Khalaf / Tim Rogers Tulsa Lawyer.................................................... Michael Taubman
SECTION CHAIRPERSONS
ADR/Mediation..........................................................Melissa Fell Bankruptcy....................................................... ........Paul Thomas Corporate.......................................................... Kevinn Matthews Criminal Law................................................... ........................ Employment Law............................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Energy & Mineral Law.................................... .......Ryan Pittman Family Law...................................................... ...Todd Alexander Health Law . .................................................... ..... Kristen Evans Health Law Vice Chair..................................... Whitney Dockrey Immigration Law Chai..................................... Whitney Webb Juvenile Law.................................................... ..Lizzie Riter Litigation Co-Chairs...............Robert Mitchener & Robert Winter Municipal Law................................................David Weatherford Paralegals/Legal Assistants.............................. .........Gloria Jones Paralegal /Legal Assistants Co-chair............... Deborah Gresh Probate/Estate/Elder......................................... ...Catherine Welsh Solo/Small Firm............................................... ......Karen Wilkins Tax ......................................................... .....Ashlee Crouch Technology ...................................................... ............................ Workers Comp................................................. ............................ Young Lawyers................................................ ....Ephraim Alajaji * Section Chairs will be updated as positions are filled. Tulsa Lawyer is a monthly publication of the TCBA. The TCBA does not necessarily share or endorse the opinions expressed in the materials published. The views are those of thoughtful contributors. Similarly, advertising does not imply endorsement by the TCBA of products or services or any statements concerning them.
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TULSA LAWYER
In this Issue
A Message from
December 2019
Jim Milton 2019-2020 TCBA President
Examining History
5
Santa Brings a Law Suit Don't miss your chance!
7
Lynn Miller Law Day Book Club Judge Martha Rupp Carter
8
Holiday Challenge benefitting Famiily & Children Services
10 Making Grades & Connections Rhonda Ford, TCBA Paralegal Section 12 TCBA Winter CLE - Finish before the holidays! 11
pg. 20
Bowling! Sign up now!
12 VP's Corner - Don’t Follow Me… I Don’t Know Where I’m Going! Kara Vincent 15 Lawyers Helping Lawyers 16 Celebrate the holidays with the Immigration Section!
Updating ABA Approved Paralegal Education By Michael W. Speck, M.A., J.D.
18 2020 Judicial Dinner 19 Honoring Veterans in Any Weather! 24 Golf - Time to Save the Date!
Chilifest Celebrated at TCBA
26 TCBA SECTION NEWS
Immigration - Family - Litigation - Bankruptcy
28 Poetic Challenge - Are you up for it? 29 Santa Paws! 29 Grapevine 32 Classifieds
Did you know?
The popular Christmas decoration, Mistletoe, is also the official state floral emblem of Oklahoma. Tulsa Lawyer 1
A Message from the President
Jim Milton
Examining History In February 2018, Christina Vaughn, who was at the time President of the TCBA, wrote in her President’s Letter about Norma Frazier Wheaton. Ms. Wheaton was the first woman to serve as President of the TCBA. Ms. Vaughn was the seventh woman to serve in that role. Hon. Ann Keele followed her as the eighth, and next year, Kimberly Moore will serve as the ninth woman to serve as President of the TCBA.
we can see that members of each of these generations are an active part of the practice of law in Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma.
Our lawyers are becoming more diverse in other ways as well -- race, ethnicity, orientation, as well as background, geography, prior work experience. In this way, the TCBA is very different from what it was in the years when former President Norma Wheaton served The fact is, we are on quite a roll at the TCBA our Association. But even though we have come a long with regard to both diversity and engaging lawyers who way, we have much more work to do to ensure that the fall into the category of emerging lawyers (the former TCBA is an Association for all Tulsa and Northeast term being young lawyers). But we certainly have more Oklahoma attorneys. work to do in this regard. We have a great number of Regardless of a lack of diversity in our Association outstanding emerging leaders serving in important roles in its early years, we can learn a great deal from those at the TCBA, and I am hopeful for even more. who traveled before us. Like former President Vaughn, With an eye toward emerging lawyers, it makes I have looked at the photographs on the wall in the sense to mention the current popular social commentary boardroom and in the hallways at the TCBA. My about millenials, Gen-Xers, and Boomers. I think that I interest in these photographs has increased as we are am a Boomer, but I might be a Gen-Xer. Not sure. But preparing for a remodel over the next twelve months. in walking through the courthouse here in Tulsa County,
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This remodel, by the way, will be a joint project of the TCBA and the Tulsa County Bar Foundation, using both funds from the building fund raised several years ago as well as funds from the operating budget. We are looking to update the 1980s-era surface finishings, upstairs and downstairs. We will move a few walls, change some cabinetry, add or upgrade some accessibility features, and aim for a welcoming and open feel to the inside of our Tulsa Bar Center. We will have even more conference room space, available for use by TCBA committees and sections, as well as members and non-members who need space for meetings or depositions (for a nominal fee). But back to those photographs. Our Executive Director, Greg Gordon, pointed out one of the photographs to me this past week. Patrick Jay Hurley served as TCBA President in 1910-1911, only a few years after starting to practice law in Tulsa, in 1908. By 1912, he was admitted to practice before the Oklahoma Supreme Court, and was serving as the national attorney for the Choctaw Nation. This was just the beginning for Hurley. He saw action in World War I, earning the Silver Star. After WW1, Hurley served in the Hoover administration as Secretary of War. At the outset of World War II, Hurley was promoted to Brigadier General and served as personal representative of General George C. Marshall, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, on various missions. True to his Oklahoma heritage, Hurley wore cowboy hats as Roosevelt’s representative to Iran. He later served as Roosevelt’s envoy to Chiang Kai-shek and ultimately Ambassador to China during turbulent times as Mao Zedong was battling for control of the country. As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, it is important to note that Hurley apparently played a major role in the aftermath of the Massacre. Having returned from World War I as a Colonel, Hurley held some respect among Tulsa city officials. According to his biography, Hurley was out of town when the violence started, but upon returning, was asked to take charge. Hurley insisted that he would accept responsibility only if he were placed in full command and if “everything would be done with a scrupulous regard for legality.” According to his biographer, his conditions were met, and he was deputized by the Sheriff. He assembled war veterans to disperse mobs.
Patrick J. Hurley Hurley’s biographer notes that “Hurley then assumed personal responsibility for dealing with the Negroes. Against the unanimous advice of the town officials, he entered the barricaded Negro district alone, called upon the Negro leaders and persuaded them to deliver up all of their weapons on his solemn promise that there would be no further violence.” The biographer makes clear that Hurley was quite forceful in his negotiations, and was a person to be feared when making such demands. Nonetheless, the African Americans gave up their weapons, and, according to the biographer, no further violence occurred. [Don Lohbeck, Patrick J. Hurley, 112-14 (1956; Arcole Pub. ed. 2017).] This, according to his biographer, occurred before the National Guard arrived: “By the time the National Guard arrived on the scene, the riot was over and the situation under control.” [Id.] In a more current book, Hannibal Johnson, who was awarded the TCBA’s Golden Gavel Award in March 1996, observed that “most of the violence ceased,” shortly after martial law was declared. [Hannibal B. Johnson, Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District, 48 (Eakin Press, 1998).]
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Any understanding of Hurley’s role must include black entrepreneurs and professionals from around more current and enlightened views of how the events the country for a weekend-long event that explores transpired so many years ago. But the officials of the time growth and leadership opportunities in Tulsa.” The appreciated Hurley’s efforts at bringing the violence to Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission is in the an end. Hurley’s name is mentioned in the Tulsa Mayor’s midst of working on such subjects while planning for message to the Tulsa City Commissioners on June 14, the centennial and a new museum. Coming full circle, 1921, in which the Mayor expressed appreciation for TCBA members are playing a small part. those who led the National Guard. [Johnson, supra, Sincerely, Appendix A, at 239.] In 1998, Hannibal Johnson wrote that “[t]he Jim Milton Greenwood District is in the midst of a renaissance.” TCBA President, 2019-2020 More than twenty years later, that renaissance could be said to be in full bloom. A building boom is underway. The warehouse district next door has become an art district. Amidst concerns over gentrification, minorityowned businesses are seeing encouraging signs such as the 2018 event, Dream Tulsa, a project of the George Kaiser Family Foundation designed to “[invite]
REMINDER!
In the November issue of Tulsa Lawyer, President Jim Milton wrote about the impact your passions have on your life and well being. Share how your passions work in your life!
Send your articles, photos or comments to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com
Santa Brings a Law Suit
The Tulsa County Bar Foundation, in conjunction with the TCBA, is once again ready for the “Santa Brings a Law Suit” clothing drive.
The drive annually provides business attire to men and women in need so they may make the best possible impression during a critical job interview or their first day of work. The legal community is particularly well “suited” for this task as so many of us wear professional attire every day. If you have professional or business casual clothes for men or women – suits, dresses, skirts, blouses, dress pants and shirts, ties, belts, shoes, etc. – please begin to put them aside for the benefit of needy and deserving Tulsans. At the conclusion of this year’s drive, the TCBF’s Community Outreach Committee will deliver the clothing to Tulsa area charitable organizations. Past organizations include Women In Recovery, First Step Men’s Program, Phoenix Rising, 12 & 12, John 3:16 Mission, and Resonance Women’s Center, all of which truly appreciate and utilize your donations of professional attire to better our community.
DEADLINE IS NEAR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4 THROUGH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16 Drop-off your donations during regular business hours: TULSA COUNTY BAR 1446 South Boston, Tulsa, OK
All items should be clean, on hangers and ready to wear.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated (and tax deductible.) Tax receipts will be made available if you leave your name, mailing address, and a general description of the items donated at the time you drop off your donations. Let’s have a wonderful holiday season, and build on the past success of this drive by cleaning out our closets and helping Tulsans get back to work! Ashley R. Webb, Community Outreach Committee Chair, Tulsa County Bar Foundation Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis, Inc.
Tulsa Lawyer 5
Lynn Miller Law Day Book Club Energized for 2020
This year’s schedule calls for five sessions, even more of a good thing for book lovers who like to talk about books. Work is on-going for the April session. Gift yourself, and if you like your guest who can attend with you, one or more of the selected books.
February 6, 2020 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Discussion Leader: Judge Jane Wiseman March 12, 2020 Conviction: The Murder Trial That Powered Thurgood Marshall’s Fight for Civil Rights by Denver Nicks and John Nicks Discussion Leader: John Nicks April 19, 2020 Education by Tara Westover Discussion Leader: Morgan Smith
Then find a comfortable spot to while away some of winter’s cold and dark with a reading adventure. Contact Martha.carter@ oscn.net if you want to register now for any one or all of the scheduled sessions.
May 5, 2020 The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution by Eric Foner Discussion leader: Robert Spoo
The Lynn Miller law Day Book Club preparations are underway. Information of book titles and discussion leaders selected to date is best shared now before the winter holidays. Visit your favorite library branch or go purchase books now before the monthly sessions begin in January.
January 14. 2020, The Women’s Hour, The Great Fight to Win the Vote by Elaine Weiss Discussion Leader: Judge Martha Rupp Carter
2020 LAW DAY
“Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100”
2019 HOLIDAY CHALLENGE Natalie Sears, Chair
As you know, the 2019 Holiday Challenge is well underway!
I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to adopt a family so far this year, and give a special shout out to Dalesandro’s for hosting another successful restaurant night! Dalesandro’s generously agreed to donate a portion of their sales from dinner on November 21st. A good time and delicious food was had by all! It isn’t too late to give back to a family in need!! Please send your tax deductible donations payable to the TCBF and note “Holiday Challenge” on your payment. Cash donations will be accepted through December 6th so don’t wait! Thank you to everyone who have participated thus far! Cash: Send your tax deductible donations payable to TCBF and note “Holiday Challenge” on your payment. Cash donations will be accepted through December 6, 2019 .-or"Adopt a Family” • 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; •
• •
Submit your team’s information (names and contact information) and size of family you wish to “adopt” via email to nsears@cordelllaw.com;
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 11, 2019; 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 8th 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 2019 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 2019 Holiday Challenge a huge success! Also, please mark your calendars for November 21st!! Eat at Dalesandro’s (located at 1742 S. Boston Ave) and a portion of the sales will benefit the Holiday Challenge! (or order pick up!!) Come eat and drink for the kids!!
JOIN THE CHALLENGE!
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Thank You!!! D
alesandro's
for an evening benefitting theTCBA’s Holiday Challenge!
The Tulsa County Bar Association, Dalesandro's and Family & Children Services are grateful for a successful evening benefitting the TCBA's Holiday Challenge!
Making Grades & Connections Rhonda Ford, TCBA Paralegal Section The Paralegal Section of the TCBA not only provides learning opportunities and networking for experienced paralegals, but our members also recognize our “responsibility” in helping new paralegals, including students, who are pursuing legal studies in preparation for a paralegal career. We do have a reduced-rate membership fee for students, and they are able to attend our meetings for CLE credit as well. Tulsa Community College is the local institution with a student paralegal program, and we encourage new students to attend our meetings and other activities. This year, we have been able to bring back a liaison position that will focus on promoting our Section to the students. Some students are trying to make the transition from Legal Secretary to Paralegal within a law firm or company and the completion of a paralegal program is required to make that change. That was my goal when I started in OU’s program in Norman many years ago, and the law firm where I worked at the time had a “training” program as well. They allowed me to work as paralegal, but I had to pursue the ABA-approved program at the
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same time. I’ll never forget my first orientation which left me with serious doubts about whether or not I could do “This.” But, graduation day made up for any doubts I had, as well as the numerous trips I made to Norman and the law library from Oklahoma City over the years. Some people make a decision to pursue a paralegal career but he or she has never worked in a legal setting before. One can easily become intimidated or discouraged by all of the legal terms, strict rules, and the existence of so many “gray” areas in legal analyses. Seemingly more difficult is that even though there are so many “unknowns” about any job or career, finding that area of law you want to work in can be overwhelming once you finish the program. Most of the classes in legal writing, ethics, and civil procedure are required for everyone, but there are also courses in other areas of law much like elective classes when pursuing a a Bachelor’s degree that can help with making that decision. Once employed, you may start out working in the Business Litigation Department, but after interacting with others in a law firm, you may find that Employment Law is more your thing.
Our TCBA Section group is very informal and we allow time each month to talk about our jobs and share technology updates and contacts. So, students also have the ability to interact within our group to gain insight into what Laura does as a corporate paralegal at XYZ Company and hear from Jessica who works in her law firm’s environmental and energy division. Many of us have contacts and can give suggestions to students who want to work while attending school or how to become employed after. As our liaison position evolves, we hope to be able to offer some needed support to students who will also be new paralegals and potential coworkers. We truly understand what you all are going through as most of us have been there too and being a mentor or having a mentor is important in any career. Education for anyone in a legal career doesn’t stop at graduation. It’s a continual learning process. An attorney I worked for used to say, “Nothing’s ever easy.” We hope to see more students at our monthly meetings and getting to know you all.
Paralegal Section Upcoming Meetings Thursday, January 9 Immigration Law by Marvin Lizama, Lizama Law Thursday, March 5 Medical Marijuana Law Updates by John Hickey, Hall Estill
The TCBA wishes everyone well for their December celebrations! Christmas - December 25
The Christian feast on December 25 or among some Eastern Orthodox Christians on January 7 that commemorates the birth of Christ.
Hanukkah - Dec. 22 - Dec. 30
Hanukkah (also spelled “Chanukah”) An eight-day festival starting on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which may occur from late November to late December. Hanukkah means “rededication” in Hebrew. The holiday commemorates an event that occurred 23 centuries ago, marking the survival of Judaism.
Kwanzaa - December 26
Kwanzaa in Swahili means “first fruits.” It is a time for celbration of seven guiding principles of African culture. A cultural holiday observed beginning December 26 and ending January 1. On each day those celebrating Kwanzaa discuss one of the seven guiding principles of African culture.
Tulsa Lawyer 11
LAST CALL FOR 2019 LIVE CLE
What are you waiting for?
Finish before the holiday chaos!
Bowling
season is just around the corner! Anyone who is interested in forming a team please contact Ephraim Alajaji (EAlajaji@Bokf.com) or Natalie Sears (nsears@ cordelllaw.com) by January 10, 2020
Tulsa Lawyer 13
VP's Corner:
Don’t Follow Me… I Don’t Know Where I’m Going! Kara Vincent, TCBA Vice President 2019-2020 Alright – we’re here at December and for some, the focus has shifted from the “Let’s all be grateful” mentality to the “Good grief! How am I ever going to get all of this stuff done?” mindset. It’s easy to get caught up in our struggles and battles. When the 10th “complex” client has called you in a day and you’re not entirely sure how you’re going to get the brief filed by the deadline, you focus inward. When the merger needs to be done by the end of year (and there’s no way that can happen) and when ex-spouses decide the holiday season is the time to ramp up the drama– well, you get the idea. The list of things that we tackle is never-ending. So, now, think of those same struggles being faced by an attorney who is several (or many) years younger than you. If struggles and battles are this draining for you, they will be even more so for the younger attorney. Why not step outside of yourself, think about how you can create significance, and mentor another younger attorney? The TCBA Mentoring Committee, co-chaired this year by the dynamic duo of Faith Orlowski and Randy Lewin, can help you accomplish that goal. During an October planning meeting, they discussed ways to foster mentorship among our membership. In fact, your mentoring isn’t just limited to attorneys. You could mentor a law school student or a high school student who is considering a career in the legal field. The idea is to pass on your knowledge and experience. And we need members who are willing to show up and participate. If you have ideas for the Mentoring Committee, please share them. The bottom line is show up and make a difference – even if you believe you may have nothing to offer. As the title of this article implies, there are many times that we can’t imagine showing someone else the way because we don’t even know where we are going. However, that’s not the point. It’s not about where you’re going…it’s about where you’ve been. We know what we thought about practicing law when we were young. It is absolutely not like Law and Order. I mean seriously, those people just show up in chambers randomly and get immediate access and signed orders. What 14 Tulsa Lawyer
the heck! In the words of Benjamin Franklin: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn.” None of us knew what to do at the probate desk the first time we filed a probate (you WILL need a cover sheet). And, who among us knew where all the judges were located in the courthouse when we were first admitted? In fact, some of us still don’t know. We’re all a work in progress, right? Choose to be a mentor – either through the TCBA Mentoring Committee or on your own. There are many ways to mentor, including:
•
Meet a mentee for coffee or a meal so that they can pick your brain.
•
Take a mentee’s calls and respond to emails. Sometimes this is hard to do. There’s so little time but make the time and it will be worth it.
• Direct younger attorneys to available resources. You don’t have to know all the answers. Just knowing where to direct someone else to find them is helpful.
•
Encourage a mentee to ask “stupid”. Maybe they should already know the answer, but it sometimes takes more than once of doing something to remember it without assistance
•
Encourage a mentee to take initiative. Fear is a strong feeling, but everything great lies just on the other side of it.
•
Take a mentee to hearings and encourage them to ask questions about the process.
•
Provide guidance regarding processes like estate planning or family law. Share forms and encourage the mentee to make them better and share their improvements with you.
continued on next page...
David Brooks has written a book called the Second Mountain. In this book, Brooks discusses the first mountain in life that focuses on success. That success creates happiness, but real joy and significance are found in the second mountain – the one that moves us out of being self-centered and into being other-centered. That joy is created in part by having a commitment to a community. Mentoring is a way to
express that commitment and to create significance. So, as we approach the new year, think of ways that you can expand your circle of influence and help another person become better. If you’d like to become involved in the Mentoring Committee, feel free to reach out to Faith Orlowski, Randy Lewin or Tami Williams at the TCBA.
TCBA to Host OBA Lawyers Helping Lawyers Group Presenting a one-hour CLE LHL Program th
December 16 at noon To include the following:
The mission of LHL is to provide aid and assistance to the members of the Oklahoma legal community who suffer professional impairment due to addiction or mental health issues. The stated purpose of LHL is: • to protect the public from impaired lawyers, or the legal community, who are suffering from chemical dependency or abuse, mental health or physical issues; • to assist lawyers with and in recovery from substance abuse or dependency, physical or mental health conditions; • to educate the bench, bar and law school community about the issues and concerns that negatively affect the legal profession; and • to develop programs that emphasize prevention of conditions that might negatively affect legal professionals, or the legal community.
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TCBA Holiday Closed Dates Closed Dec. 23 at noon. Closed Dec. 24 & 25 Close at noon on 12/31 Closed New Year's Day
IMMIGRATION LAW SECTION Â
HOLIDAY PARTY Please join us for a holiday party hosted by the Immigration Section & sponsored by Bowman Webb Law, PLLC
December 7 from 4-7 PM 1010 W G St, Jenks, OK 74037
You do not need to bring a gift, but you can expect to take a gift home as a prize for your Holiday trivia knowledge! This event is for Immigration section members, their staff, TCBA members, and significant others. Weather permitting, we will have smores by the fire. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and spirits will be provided. RSVP through the bar association 918.584.5243 ext. 1002, tamiw@tulsabar.com and/or through the public Facebook invite
RSVP BY December 4, 2019.
Are you interested in advertising in
Tulsa Lawyer Magazine? www.tulsabar.com or email tulsabarnews@yahoo.com
Special thanks TO Litgistix for sponsoring our November 20th Family Law CLE!
Special thanks to Guardian Forensics for sponsoring our November 20th Family Law CLE!
Tulsa Lawyer 17
2020 JUDICIAL DINNER PLANNED In 2004, the Tulsa County Bar Association hosted the first Judicial Dinner. The purpose was to highlight the transition of the incoming Presiding Judge and allow for the members of the Tulsa County Bar to meet and get aquainted with the Tulsa County judges and vice versa. Over the years due to the growing shortage of state tax dollars for budgets and the seemingly perennial problem with the funding of the Tulsa County Courts the purpose of the Judicial Dinner was amended in 2014 by past President Zach Smith from its original intention to a fundraiser to supplement our judges and their courtrooms. By accomplishing this we not only strengthen the relationship between the judiciary and the TCBA we also create an inextricable part of our cultural history here at the TCBA.
In 2014, in addition to amending the purpose of the Judicial Dinner the TCBA added the silent auction again with proceeds to benefit the Tulsa County Judges and their courtrooms. The silent auction proved a great success with net proceeds of $4,893 in 2014, $8,100 in 2016 and $26,316 in 2018. Let’s make a pledge to surpass 2018! On January 30, 2020, we will gather at the historic Mayo hotel to honor Judge William LaFortune as the new Presiding Judge of the Tulsa County Courthouse. The silent auction cannot be a success without the generous support by way of donations and sponsorships from the members of the TCBA. For questions please contact TamiW@ TulsaBar.com
TCBA HONORING VETERANS Monday, November 11th
Thank you to all who joined us, despite the terrible weather, to remember, recognize and celebrate veterans during the Tulsa Veterans' Day Parade. Pictured at left: Judge David Guten, Marvin Lizama, Anita Anthony, Travis Barnett, Christy Bush and Mitchell Garrett.
facebook.com/ tulsacountybar
@tulsabar
Tulsa Lawyer 19
Updating ABA Approved Paralegal Education in Tulsa By Michael W. Speck, M.A., J.D.
In November of 2017, the Tulsa Lawyer published an article I’d written entitled, ABA Approved Paralegal Education in Tulsa. At the time Tulsa was once again home to not one (1), but two (2) American Bar Association Approved (“ABA”) paralegal education programs. Tulsa Community College (“TCC”) had recently received ABA Approval of its Paralegal Studies Program, and the University of Tulsa’s Paralegal Program had been ABA approved since 1999. As of February 2020, TCC will be the only ABA approved paralegal studies program in Green Country. The University of Tulsa (“TU”) stopped accepting new students into its Paralegal Program late in 2018 and will close altogether in February 2020.1 This will leave the Northeastern Oklahoma legal community without a regionally accredited, ABA approved postdegree paralegal certificate program. The closest such program from a regionally accredited institution is at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Law in Norman. 2 It’s reasonable to conclude that aspiring paralegals who hold prior degrees, who might have attended the University of Tulsa, will wish to remain in the Tulsa metro area. TCC has stepped in to fill that void. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved TCC’s new post-degree Certificate in Paralegal Studies in June of this year. This change was further approved by the ABA in September. Industry data demonstrates a market, and therefore student, demand for associate and postdegree certificate paralegal programs. According to the National Association for Legal Assistant’s (“NALA”) 2002 Utilization and Compensation Report, 41% of paralegals held a bachelor’s degree as their highest level of education. In 2018 this number had climbed to 50%. Some paralegals sought post-degree certificates, having secured an associate or bachelor’s degree in another field (44% in 2016 and 50% in 2018). Others had earned a bachelor’s degree in a paralegal program (10% in 2016, down to 9% in 2018). Since at least 2016, 36% of paralegals held an associate’s degree from 3
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a paralegal education program. Taken together this data indicates that paralegals are increasingly entering the profession equipped with an associate’s degree or certificate in paralegal studies, and a bachelor’s degree in a complementary field. In conjunction with the addition of the postdegree Certificate, TCC is suspending its AAS Paralegal Studies degree. This degree was designed for those students who didn’t plan to attend a university to pursue a bachelor’s degree. TCC data for academic years 11-12 through 17-18 shows that 31.9% of TCC AAS Paralegal students were transferring to a four (4) year institution. Removing the AAS Paralegal degree will make the AA Paralegal Studies degree the one pathway for students wanting to pursue a Paralegal associate's degree, while equipping students to transfer to a university. With the addition of the post-degree certificate, TCC Paralegal students can still earn a workforce-ready credential in as little as fourteen (14) months.You’ll pardon the verbatim restatement of some of the points made in my November 2017 article. However, the importance of regional accreditation and ABA Approval merits repetition. You may recall that TCC is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of the six (6) regional accreditors in the country. While institutions providing paralegal education may be regionally, or nationally, accredited, there is no accreditation of paralegal programs. The ABA, through its Standing Committee on Paralegals (“Standing Committee”), sets standards for paralegal education. The Standing Committee “recommends for approval and reapproval to the House of Delegates (the ABA's policy-making body) those paralegal training programs” which have sought approval, and “have met the standards and guidelines set by the ABA for quality paralegal education.” Whereas accreditation is subject to review by the Secretary of Education pursuant to 29 O.S. 1099(b) and 34 CFR 62, the approval of paralegal programs by the ABA (“ABA Approval”) is not subject to Department of Education review. 4
5
6
The ABA Approval process of paralegal education programs begins with the submission of a lengthy self-evaluation report and exhibits to the Standing Committee on Paralegals, demonstrating compliance with the ABA Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education (“Guidelines”).7 These reports typically run several hundred pages, covering four (4) or more years of records documenting compliance with the guidelines. An ABA Approval Process Manager and an educational consultant review the reports and exhibits and then seek additional information as needed. Once the self-evaluation report is complete, a process that can take many months, an on-site evaluation of the program and institution is scheduled. The on-site visit takes one (1) to two days (2) and includes a review of the program and institution facilities and documentation, as well as meetings with college or university leadership, the program director, students, alumni, and an advisory committee of community volunteers. The two (2) to three (3) person site team includes a “representative of the Standing Committee or Approval Commission, an experienced paralegal, and the director of an ABA approved paralegal education program.”8 Occasionally a follow-up visit may be required.
The reports of the site visit teams are submitted to the Approval Commission, which then submits recommendations to the Standing Committee on Paralegals. If the program has complied with the Guidelines, the Standing Committee will submit its recommendations to the ABA's House of Delegates, for final action on approval. Once a program is approved,
it is required to submit interim reports as required before two (2) semesters of study of research and writing, the students will prepare a dispositive motion. Although applying for re-approval every seven (7) years. students may never again write a dispositive motion, ABA Approval is designed to “foster high-quality they will understand the purpose and structure of the paralegal education and training and the development of document and can be invaluable as a sounding board, educational standards”9 demonstrates compliance with and proof-reader. the Rigorous guidelines and exhaustive processes. The Guidelines set standards for faculty, facilities, admission Civil Procedure I and II students work with of students, curriculum, record keeping, etc. An ABA cases files published by the National Institute for Trial approved program must include at least eighteen (18) Lawyers.15 Working with the fact pattern and evidence semester credits of “legal specialty courses.” Under the therein students are required to prepare documents, ABA Guidelines, the “legal specialty course” has been participate in mock hearings, exchange discovery, and developed for paralegals, covering substantive law or complete other exercises designed to apply theory. legal procedures or process while emphasizing practical Simultaneously they devote dozens of hours over nine paralegal skills. These typically include courses such (9) months to earn the NSLT Certificate, indicating as legal research, legal writing, litigation, probate, real that they have become competent in a dozen titles of estate, and other courses in specific areas of law practice. software regularly used in the law office, including programs in a law office, document and litigation All TCC Paralegal Studies students will take management, e-discovery, and trial presentation. While courses in civil procedure, contracts, real property, legal nine (9) months is by no means enough time to master research and writing with applied lessons drafting of these tools, TCC graduates should be able to adapt to documents, providing litigation support. The twenty- the technology demands of a law office, and quickly four (24) hours in legal specialty courses are identical learn those software titles used by Tulsa legal service for degree-seeking and certificate candidates. providers. NALA data indicates that 70% of paralegals work Whether they seek a degree or a certificate, the in the private sector and that 30% of paralegals will TCC Paralegal Studies Program prepares graduates to spend 80-100% of their time civil litigation (38%), work as professional assistants under the supervision family law (29%), or personal injury (28%). Thus, of attorneys. Graduates of TCC's Paralegal Studies the work TCC paralegal students are assigned focuses Program are qualified to find employment in a variety of on those tasks unique to litigation, or which litigation private and public entities. After a student satisfactorily paralegals and their colleagues doing transactional completes the program, they are to take the examination work, have in common.11 given by the National Association of Legal Assistants to 10
Instruction in law office systems and management become a Certified Paralegal (CP) or that given by the and the use of computers in the legal environment National Association of Legal Professionals to become takes place in at least ten (10) semester credits or the a certified Professional Paralegal (PP). equivalent of legal specialty courses through traditional This is augmented through classroom instruction. partnerships with innovative service providers like the Michael Speck is an Assistant National Society for Legal Technology (“NSLT”). 12
13
Professor in, and the Program
TCC’s two (2) research and writing courses begin Coordinator for, Paralegal with an introduction to legal research, analysis, citation, Studies at Tulsa Community College. He is admitted to and writing. In the second semester, students are practice before the Supreme introduced to advanced research and writing techniques, Court of Oklahoma, the United analysis, and strategies. Emphasis is placed on the States District Courts for the development of legal argument, format, and use of legal Western and Eastern Districts citations. Competency in WESTLAW and/or LEXIS, of Oklahoma, and the United and the Internet as research tools is achieved through States Bankruptcy Courts for the Western and Northern a series of increasingly complex practical assignments. Districts of Oklahoma. He has lived with his wife, and Students will perform legal research and prepare case their beagle (Piggy) in Tulsa, since 2012.” briefs and memoranda. And in the final weeks of their 14
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Endnotes See https://utulsa.edu/paralegal-program/ (last visited Oct. 21, 2019). NOTE: as of October 21, 2019, the TU Paralegal Program website incorrectly stated that it is the only ABA approved “program in the Tulsa area since 1999”. TCC began admitting students to its A.A.S. Paralegal Workforce Development Degree in 1979, added the A.A. University Transfer Degree in 2006, and was ABA Approved from 1985 to 2007. After electing not to seek re-approval in August 2007 TCC again sought ABA Approval, which was granted in August 2017.
1
See http://www.law.ou.edu/lae (last visited Oct. 21, 2019).
2
See https://www.nala.org/paralegals/research-andsurvey-findings (last visited Oct. 21, 2019).
3
For a brief explanation of accreditation, with links to accrediting bodies and accredited schools, see the Department of Education’s website at https://ope. ed.gov/dapip/#/home (last visited Oct. 24, 2019).
4
See: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/about_us.html (last visited Oct. 20, 2019).
5
The same is not true of ABA Approval of Law Schools, as the ABA is a national accrediting agency approved by the Department of Education. See: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/agency-list (last visited Oct. 21, 2019).
6
The terms “approval” and “accreditation” are used interchangeably in reference to the accreditation of law schools by the ABA. See: https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/ aba/administrative/paralegals/ls_prlgs_2013_paralegal_guidelines.authcheckdam.pdf (last visited Oct. 21, 2019).
7
See: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/resources/general_approval_process_information.html (last visited Oct. 21, 2019).
8
9
See Endnote No. 8 supra.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that 73% of paralegals work in “legal services”, making no distinction between private and non-profit or public sector legal services. See: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm#tab-3 (last visited Oct. 21, 2019). and Endnote No. 3 supra.
10
See the following examples (each (last visited Oct. 21, 2019): https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm#tab-2https://www. americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/profession-information/career_information/https://www.nala.org/ about-paralegals/what-do-paralegals-dohttps://www. onetonline.org/link/summary/23-2011.00
11
See: http://www.tulsacc.edu/programs-courses/ academic-schools/business-information-technology/ paralegal-studies (last visited Oct. 21, 2019).
12
13
See https://legaltechpro.wildapricot.org (last visited Oct. 21, 2019).
See http://catalog.tulsacc.edu. TCC Paralegal students are also required to complete demonstrate proficiency in the peculiar application of the rules of grammar in legal writing, and the study in tedium and exactness that is legal citation by completing https://coregrammarforlawyers.com and https:// masteringthebluebook.com. Each website listed here was last visited on Oct. 21, 2019.
14
See https://www.nita.org/publications/case-files (last visited Oct. 21, 2019).
15
Monday ~ May 4, 2020
Tulsa County Bar Foundation & Tulsa County Bar Association
Annual Charity Golf Tournament
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CHILI FEST
The Univeristy of Tulsa College of Law Board of Advocates Chili Fest was held last Thursday, November 7th at the Tulsa County Bar Center.
Tulsa Lawyer 25
Section News
Share what is happening with your section! Send updates, articles and photos to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com
Family Law
This year the TCBA immigration law section is planning to organize several events including a holiday party, CLE lunch and learn opportunities, and other community outreach events. The new section chair, Whitney T. B. Webb, is working with current members of the section to discuss which local events would be most beneficial to the undocumented and immigrant/ nonimmigrant community in Tulsa. It is our hope to create a stronger relationship with the Oklahoma Bar Association Immigration section as well by meeting in tandem and bringing some of those events to our local bar center. Please join us if you haven’t already in becoming a section member as many of the events we have planned have not yet begun. If you have any suggestions or ideas please contact Whitney T. B. Webb at whitneytbwebb@ bowmanwebb.com. Your input is so important to us! We are excited to see new and familiar faces this year.
Stay tuned for Spring meeting dates!
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Starting with our annual year end seminar, we have an exciting program for the family section this year and next. Carrie Fields put together at least half of the program for the upcoming seminar, and I thank her greatly for her efforts. We all stand on someone else’s shoulders. I have lined up speakers for our lunch meetings in 2020, starting in January with Dr. Daniel Stockley, Ph.D., February with Julie Bushyhead of DHS, and March with Linda Van Valkenburg and Jaime Vogt. I look forward to any suggestions or ideas from the section. Sincerely,
Todd Alexander Family Law Section Chair
December 19, 2019 – Speaker: Todd Alexander January 23, 2020 – Speaker: Dr. Daniel M. Stockley, PhD February 27, 2020 – Speaker: Julie Bushyhead, Esq. (OK-DHS) March 26, 2020 – Speakers: Linda Van Valkenburg, Counselor, MS, LPC, NCC -andJaime Vogt, MS, LPC All meetings are 12:00 (Noon) - 1:00 p.m. at the TCBA Center.
Litigation Section On October 25 the Litigation Section hosted Reggie Whitten for a CLE on the opioid crisis in Oklahoma and “‘Brandon’s Story’ & Lawyers Fighting on the Frontlines of Addiction.”. Mr. Whitten was one of the lead attorneys in the opioid case, State of Oklahoma, ex rel. Mike Hunter, Attorney General of Oklahoma v. Purdue Pharma, CJ-17-816 (Cleveland County, Oklahoma). Joel Wohlgemuth & Reggie Whitten
John Nicks, OU Law Classmate, presents Reggie with a copy of his recently published book Conviction
Joel Wohlgemuth visiting with Judge Sheila Condren. Judge Linda Morrissey & Reggie Whitten Tulsa Lawyer 27
TCBA Bankruptcy Meeting Dates Paul Thomas, Bankruptcy Section Chair
Besides discussing substantive legal issues in the world of bankruptcy, we start each meeting with the reading a poem or two. We meet every other month with the goal of adding value to our section members’ professional and personal lives through lively discussions of the law, literature, and whatever else moves us. Please join us. We will be better if you do!
Meeting Dates: January 16th March 19th May 21st July 16th
Are you ready for a Poetic Challenge? “I am from . . .”
As part of a regular bi-monthly meeting, the Bankruptcy Section of the TCBA took part in a writing exercise inspired by a segment heard on NPR about sharing memories in the form of “I am from” statements that were then edited into the form of a poem.
The idea behind doing the exercise during one our section meetings was to take a moment, break out of our common patterns of thinking at meetings – and reflect on memories that reveal something unique about where we are from – not just geographically, but emotionally--even spiritually. We found the resulting poem rich, deep, revealing, and even inspiring.
So, the Bankruptcy Section of the TCBA would like to challenge all active sections of the TCBA to write their own “We are from” poem for publication in the Tulsa Here are a couple of examples from NPR’s resident poet Lawyer. Kwame Alexander:
“I am from words and art and books” “I am from discipline and hard work; the sound of coins in a jar”
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If you would like some help with the exercise and editing, feel free to contact Bankruptcy Section Chair, Paul Thomas at paul.thomas2@usdoj.gov or at (918) 581-6687.
Santa Paws
Saturday, Nov. 9th at the Bar Center. Featuring Paul McTighe as Santa and sponsored by the TCBA Animal Law Committee. Clara, dog of Greg Gordon, TCBA Executive Director.
Claudia Kovar's sweet Sheltie, Lad. The Notorious RBG, dog to Laurie Phillips.
DeAnn Farthing's dog Riley.
Santa Paws Volunteers, Kyle Finnegan, Paul McTighe as Santa, Cathy Cullum, Katy Inhofe, Tami Williams, Elyse Anthamatten and Claudia Kovar.
Kayla Kuri's, Penny.
Tulsa Lawyer 29
Grapevine N e ws Amber Peckio Garrett, former Partner of Allen & Garrett and an AV rated lawyer©, is delighted to report that she has reopened her law office at 2727 East 21st Street, Ste. 100, Tulsa, Ok 74114 under the namesake firm Amber Law Group. Ms. Peckio Garrett has a long tradition of providing high quality legal services and is excited to carry on that tradition. Amber Law Group specializes in injury and complex family law trial litigation. Maegan C. Murdock joined JOHNSON & JONES, P.C. as an Associate in 2019. She earned her Juris Doctor with Highest Honors from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2019 and was elected to membership in the Order of the Coif. Maegan also graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Letters from the University of Oklahoma in 2016 and was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa. Maegan practices in the Firm’s litigation section, focusing primarily on general civil litigation, commercial litigation, and insurance defense.
GableGotwals is pleased to announce that Barbara M. Moschovidis, J. Wesley Pebsworth, Ryan A. Pittman, and James M. Scears have been elected to Shareholder, effective January 1, 2020. Barbara Moschovidis advises clients on a variety of litigation matters, including complex commercial disputes, oil and gas law, employment and insurance issues, tribal law, and appellate matters. Barbara is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Oklahoma, before the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and before the Courts of the Cherokee Nation. Barbara has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Civil Litigation and Commercial Litigation since 2015. Barbara received her J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where she was elected to Order of the Coif, Order of the Barristers, and Order of the Scribes. While in law school, she was published by the American Indian Law Review, for which she served as Business Development Editor. Barbara enjoys being active in the Tulsa community, having served on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma and the Tulsa Global Alliance.
Wes Pebsworth advises clients regarding civil litigation in the areas of ERISA, FEGLIA, insurance law, and a variety of business matters. He represents clients in both state and federal courts at all stages in the litigation process, including at trial and on appeal. Wes also has experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in nationwide multi-district litigation matters. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in civil litigation since 2014. Wes is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Oklahoma, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and North Dakota state courts. He received his J.D. with highest honors from The University of Tulsa College of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Curule Chair and served as the Notes & Comments Editor of the Tulsa Law Review. His community activities include volunteering with the Hospitality House of Tulsa, where has currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and with Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. In 2018, Wes was awarded the Jessie Cooper DuBois Servant Leadership Award for his service to the Hospitality House of Tulsa. He is also a member of Leadership Tulsa Class 53. Ryan Pittman represents clients in a variety of oil and gas litigation matters, including oilfield accidents, lease and title disputes, royalty class actions, property damage claims, and pipeline condemnations. He also advises clients on construction and real estate matters. Ryan has tried numerous cases to verdict as lead trial lawyer in state and federal courts in Oklahoma and North Dakota. In addition to his litigation practice, he regularly represents and advises clients with respect to transactional matters, such as asset purchases and sales, and mergers and acquisitions. Ryan is licensed to practice in Oklahoma and in North Dakota, and as a former landman, he brings valuable energy-industry experience and knowledge to his legal practice. Ryan is a graduate of The University of Tulsa College of Law where he was a member of the Energy Law Journal senior staff, Order of the Curule chair, and earned his J.D. with highest honors. Ryan currently serves as the Chair of the Tulsa County Bar’s Energy and Mineral Law Section.
James Scears advises businesses and individuals in income tax planning, tax structuring of business transactions, transfer tax planning, and a wide variety of other federal, state, and local tax issues, including sales and use tax issues. He also advises Code Section 501(c)(3) charitable organizations and trust companies in transactions and issues of interest to such entities. In addition, he has experience in tax controversy representations before the Internal Revenue Service and Oklahoma Tax Commission. James also handles estate planning and other transactional matters covering various corporate and commercial law issues. James previously practiced in the Zurich, Switzerland office of a multinational law firm where he focused his practice on various international tax and compliance issues for both businesses and individuals. James received an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law, J.D. with honors from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He began his career as a law clerk for the Honorable David L. Russell in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. James is a recent graduate of Leadership Tulsa – Class 61. Six Tulsa-area attorneys are among 18 future leaders of Oklahoma’s legal community who have been selected to receive training in leadership, motivation and communication as members of the Oklahoma Bar Association Leadership Academy class of 2019-2020. The academy participants were chosen from a pool of applicants spanning the state.“Building quality leaders is important,” OBA President Chuck Chesnut of Miami said. “Participation in this academy helps individuals enhance their knowledge and skills, giving them tools to be better lawyers and leaders, which benefits their communities and the legal profession. ”Tulsa-area participants in the 2019-2020 academy are June Stanley, Stanley Law Firm PLLC; Stacy Brklacich, Ascension Health/St. John Health System; Jeffrey Krigel, Jeff Krigel Law Firm PLLC; Thomas Landrum, The Firm on Baltimore PLLC; James Rea, Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office; and Sara Schmook of Fry & Elder. Oklahoma City participants are Myriah Downs, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety; Celeste England, Celeste J. England, Attorney at Law; Ashley Forrester, Forrester Law Firm; Emily Harrelson, Oklahoma Tax Commission; Janet Johnson, Department of Human Services, Child Support; Telana McCullough, Oklahoma State Department of Education; Robin Murphy-Clemandot, Oklahoma Department of Corrections; Camal Pennington, OU College of Law; Wyatt Swinford, Elias, Books, Brown & Nelson PC; and Jessica Ward, Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
Other participants are Kyle Moon, Raptor Petroleum, Guthrie; and Amanda Lilley, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Stillwater. Originating from the OBA’s Leadership Conference in 2007, the academy is aimed at developing the future leaders of the OBA by giving Oklahoma attorneys training in the core principles of effective leadership and how to communicate, motivate and succeed in their legal careers and also as community leaders. The OBA Leadership Academy includes four sessions, the first of which took place Sept. 13. The academy will conclude in April 2020. Sessions will be led by experienced leaders from various backgrounds including military officers, former OBA presidents, leadership experts and high-profile public officials. The 18,000-member Oklahoma Bar Association, headquartered in Oklahoma City, was created by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to advance the administration of justice and to foster and maintain learning, integrity, competence, public service and high standards of conduct among Oklahoma’s legal community. Sherwood, McCormick, & Robert is pleased to welcome Dan Phillips to the practice, representing over 75 years of experience in Oklahoma litigation. Licensed in both Oklahoma and Texas, Dan has over ten years’ experience in the Oil & Gas industry where he served in various roles including General Counsel. Dan’s expertise includes real estate transactions, acquisitions, divestitures, and operations in the Barnett Shale, Permian Basin, Powder River Basin, and other areas. Dan also has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating agreements, including commercial leases, oil & gas leases, and purchase sale, master service, software licensing, and supply and distribution agreements. With a primary focus on business transactions and complex litigation, Dan’s practice includes business torts, business dissolution, Oil & Gas transactions (including surface use), real estate transactions, condemnation, and personal injury. Dan also provides services as outside General Counsel to businesses of varying sizes handling contracts, business acquisitions, real estate transactions, human resources matters, and risk assessments. Dan served in the United States Army as Satellite Communications Operator/Maintainer and holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK and a Juris Doctor from The University of Tulsa College of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma.“
Grapevine continued on next page... Tulsa Lawyer 31
G r a p e v i n e c o n t i n u e d ... McAfee & Taft attorneys, including 27 from the firm’s Tulsa office, have been recognized in the recently released 2019 edition of Oklahoma Super Lawyers. Included in the list of Oklahoma Super Lawyers are Tulsa lawyers Rachel Blue, Courtney Bru, Craig Buchan, Brita Cantrell, Mary Quinn Cooper, Bill Freudenrich, Charles Greenough, Gerald Hilsher, Robert Joyce, Garry Keele, Bill Leach, Ron Little, Kathy Neal, Charlie Plumb, Andrew Richardson, Michael F. Smith, Kirk Turner, and Harold Zuckerman. Trial lawyer Mary Quinn Cooper was once again recognized as a “Top 10 Oklahoma Lawyer,” with Rachel Blue, Craig Buchan, Bill Leach and Charlie Plumb additionally being named as “Top 50 Oklahoma Lawyers” along with eight of their Oklahoma City colleagues. Rachel Blue, Mary Quinn Cooper, and Kathy Neal were among seven McAfee & Taft lawyers named to the publication’s list of Top 25 women attorneys. Tulsa attorneys named to the publication’s 2019 list of “Oklahoma Rising Stars” are Christian Barnard, Jessica Dickerson, Jessica John Bowman, Samanthia Marshall, Jason McVicker, Julia Palmer, Micah Petersen and Allison Verret and first-time honoree Anna Wolfe.
Riggs Abney partner Mike Turpen, delivered the keynote address at The University of Tulsa College of Law Alumni Awards Luncheon that took place during the Oklahoma Bar Association Annual Meeting on November 6. This annual event honors both students who have excelled in law school academically as well as outstanding TU College of Law alumni. Turpen spoke to the group about “Breaking the Silence of a Room with the Sound of Your Voice” and was introduced by Lyn Entzeroth, TU College of Law Dean John Rogers Endowed Chair.Before joining Riggs Abney, Turpen served as Attorney General for the state of Oklahoma and later the Muskogee County District Attorney. In 1985 Turpen argued before the United States Supreme Court and was eventually inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
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32 Tulsa Lawyer
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NOTICE: The University of Tulsa Paralegal Studies Program is no longer accepting applications, and will permanently close as of February 2020. The program will no longer be approved by the American Bar Association House of Delegates as of the date of withdrawal of approval in February. TU Paralegal Program and University appreciate your long standing support since 1999. Any questions should be directed to Devra McManus at 918-631-2361.
Tulsa County Bar Association 1446 S. Boston Ave. Tulsa, OK 74119
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