Judge Doris L. Fransein Golden Rule Award
March 2016
Becoming a Lawyer: It Takes More Than Luck Professionalism for judges and lawyers means possessing, demonstrating and promoting the highest standards of Character, Competence, Compliance, Courage, Civility and Citizenship.
Tulsa Lawyer
In this Issue Page... 2 Message from the President
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5
9
It Takes More Than Luck
Ask a Lawyer
10
Building Update
21
Things to Do
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8
Golden Rule Award
Litigation Section News
Judge Doris Fransien
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PerspectivesPart II
22
Q&A with Jody
Law Day
Diversity
Development
20
Tech Tip Corner
TCBA Nominations Notice
27 Grapevine 32
Word Search
St. Patrick’s Day is Thursday, March 17th! MARCH 2016
A Message From the President
E. Zach Smith
Becoming a Lawyer: It Takes More Than Luck I hope everyone had a great February! I am certain that I am not the only one, but I can honestly say I will be very happy to welcome spring weather and always do. This month will bring us the spring of 2016!! Just writing that makes me wonder if anyone reading it sees the year “2016”, and like me, thinks about their path in the law and is amazed at how much time has gone by in their careers, how fast it passes, and just how much they have accomplished in that time. I wonder how many of us actually take inventory of our careers, how we got here, who helped us, and why is it we continue on this path only attorneys can seem to appreciate? A legal career requires such a wonderful passion, and while I certainly will never attempt to speak for everyone, I feel as much as we attorneys (judges included) can sometimes lament the daily rigors of our jobs, we are also assured few careers hold as much reward. It is an anomaly to me the “studies” in recent years have revealed the “dissatisfaction” of working attorneys because I witness attorneys display the passion 2 Tulsa Lawyer
and pleasure of our careers on a daily basis. I mean, what other “careers” or jobs DO bring people so much reward and happiness, and what other group of people sharing the same lack the need to commiserate? The legal profession certainly cannot be singled out as a lone, miserable void, because it isn’t. Perhaps I am but a minority, however, I am willing to bet the lawyers who read this magazine regularly are with me when I say that I love being a lawyer. As a fifth generation attorney, maybe it is just in my blood, but at the same time I think to myself, who else gets to do what we do? Who else gets to work alongside some of the most brilliant of people from all walks of life? We touch the very fabric of everything in our country, everything! Thankfully, like many of you, I have had sound guidance throughout my career. In my “early years” as a frustrated attorney, there were times I complained to my father, a retired judge. His response? “Son, you
that it is worth it, and they listened and cared. Perhaps they even convinced you to stay when you were ready to leave. Regardless of the contribution, no one in our illustrious profession gets through it alone without the assistance of another. So enjoy this month, revel in what you do, be happy, thankful, and proud.
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Regards, E. Zach Smith President
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As someone who grew up around attorneys, I always envied what I saw as a strong camaraderie amongst them, and that fact remains to this day. Some of the most fascinating people I have ever met are attorneys, truly, and I can say the longer I am in this profession the more wonderful people I meet. However, my true thanks today goes to the attorneys and judges who took the time to help me along the way. Now isn’t the time to name them, but I thank them profusely. For a profession of people consumed by work and time, I still find it amazing the number of attorneys willing to lend a helping hand However, I don’t know how I would or ear. No matter where you are in have gotten to this point without your career, that help is needed the guidance and help of so many and appreciated. other attorneys, my father being at the top of that list. For every one of Please think about this, you I am certain the story is simi- and if you haven’t in awhile, lar, which brings me to the ultimate take the time this month question: Why did you choose the to remember and thank law, and why do you love it? More the people who helped get importantly, who have you leaned you to where you are today, no on throughout your years for your matter your position. Pause guidance and advice, and have you to remember the attorneys, judges, told them how much you appreciate staff, or other people in your life, them? Whether you have been prac- whether today or years ago, who ticing law for 2 years or 50 years, helped you get to this point in your odds are you have had one men- career. We all know someone who tor or more who have helped you has inspired us along the way, who get to where you are throughout convinced us of the beauty and your career, guiding you through magic in what we do. They took the the good and bad times. Can you time to bestow upon us the think of them? Can you remember secrets of a long and the conversations? Who are they? successful career, Are they still alive? If so, have you thanked them lately or told them how much you appreciate them and their contributions to your career? Have you recognized them? could have hung sheet rock today, or you could have installed a hot water tank, is that what you would rather do...”? While thinking that sounded very appealing at times (because we all know how riveting the Evidence Code can be in the hands of a skilled orator), the truth is I knew he had a very valid point. What is better? All “work” has it’s drawbacks, and I truly don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t competing in our professional arena serving others. I really do enjoy being a lawyer, and for any and all of the complaining I may do or have done, I love it.
Tulsa Lawyer 3
You are Cordially Invited to Attend the
Tulsa County Bar Association and
Tulsa County Bar Foundation
LAW WEEK LUNCHEON 2016 KEYNOTE SPEAKER LAURA H. NIRIDER, ESQ. CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY PRITZKER SCHOOL OF LAW BRENDAN DASSEY'S POST CONVICTION ATTORNEY, FEATURED IN NETFLIX SERIES "MAKING A MURDERER"
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 Doors Open at 11:30 AM and Program Begins at Noon Dress Code: Business Reservations Due By Friday, April 22nd, at 5:00 PM INDIVIDUAL(S), FULL NAME(S) ___________________________________ PHONE ____________________ TICKETS, $35.00 INDIVIDUAL _______ RESERVED TABLE FOR 10, $500; FIRM NAME ___________________________________________________________ Reservations will not be confirmed until payment is received - This Event is Expected to Sell Out
Make Your Reservation Online: www.tulsabar.com - 918.584.5243
Visit www.tulsabar.com for more TCBA Law Week details! Law Day is May 1st WHAT IS LAW DAY? Law Day is held on May 1st every year to celebrate the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession.
Judge Doris L. Fransein 2015-2016 Golden Rule ~ 2nd Quarter ed the University of Tulsa College of Law while acting as executive director of On the Bricks, a United Way agency responsible for the reintegration of parolees in the Tulsa area. After graduating among the top 10 students in her law school class, she joined the Tulsa County District Attorney’s office where she tried preliminary hearings and jury trials.
The Tulsa County Bar Association with great pleasure names Judge Doris L. Fransein as the recipient of its Golden Rule Award for the second quarter of 2016. When you reach the end of this article, we think you will acknowledge what a deserving recipient she is, and you might well wonder what took us so long to recognize her for this award. Judge Fransein is the Chief Judge of the Juvenile Division of the Tulsa County District Court where she has served since April 2005. But let’s travel back in time a bit to see how she arrived at this destination. Her background shows a consistent commitment to public service and community which can be described, in fact, as a long obedience in the same direction.
Although her focus has not always been on juvenile justice, she has had a distinguished legal and judicial career. In 1984, Judge Fransein was appointed the first female municipal judge in Tulsa and in 1985 became its presiding judge. After working again in the District Attorney’s office in the civil division representing Tulsa County elected officials, she entered private practice with Darven Brown handling urban development and tax increment districting issues. She became a special judge in Tulsa in 1995 where she served first in the Family Relations division. After her assignment to Juvenile Court, she collaborated in the creation of Family Drug Court for juvenile delinquents and their families as well as the Treatment Court for addicted parents of deprived children, the third court of its kind in the nation. She regularly assisted the Department of Human Services and the Office of Juvenile Affairs as a facilitator at training conferences on addiction issues, was a conference facilitator for ATTACH on issues of adoptions and the courts, was a keynote speaker and training facilitator for the Child Welfare League of America, and regularly spoke to local civic groups on issues of delinquency and addiction.
After graduating summa cum laude from Drury Col- She took office as a District Judge in January 2003 and lege, Doris Fransein moved to Tulsa where she attend- first served in the Civil Division until April 2005 when
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
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she was appointed Chief Judge of the Juvenile Division. In that position, Judge Fransein continues to advocate greater co-ordination between child welfare and juvenile justice programs, including delinquency prevention programs and more effective intervention for repeat offenders. In her own words, “We can no longer afford to build more prisons to house those adults we have chosen to ignore as children.” She is a strong proponent of establishing a single child-centered bureau that can eliminate the barriers separating agencies, dockets, and community services.
permanency and well-being for every Tulsa County infant and toddler in foster care.” Clearly this choice reflects Judge Fransein’s ability to collaborate with a wide variety of partners in the field with respect, trust, and professional excellence.
Judge Fransein helped create the Tulsa County Juvenile Justice Trust Authority, and she co-chaired the Oklahoma Juvenile Justice Reform Committee to review our juvenile justice system and produce a “best practices” modification to our juvenile code. As a member of the TCBA’s Children and the Law Committee and its Court Operations Committee, she has worked tirelessly on issues confronting our family and juvenile courts. Judge Fransein was instrumental in the formation of Tulsa Lawyers for Children and has worked actively on Tulsa County District Court working committees addressing issues of Family Court design, domestic violence protocol, and quality assurance panel oversight of Tulsa’s Families in Transition program.
For her dedication to juvenile justice reform, she has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Alma Wilson Award and the Mona S. Lambird Spotlight Award, DHS’s Adoptive Advocate Award, and the Oklahoma CASA Association Judge of the Year Award. She has been active in the American Inns of Court and on the Oklahoma Judicial Conference Executive Board and previously chaired TCBA’s “Brown Bag” CLE series to great acclaim. She is also extremely proud of her adult son, Matthew Fransein, who has never appeared before her in juvenile court.
If this were not enough to warrant a Golden Rule Award, Judge Fransein continues with Tulsa County’s three County Commissioners to press and plan for a desperately needed Tulsa County Juvenile Justice Center to replace the current unsafe, overcrowded and antiquated facility.
At a time when it is all too easy to rage against failures in our juvenile justice system, Judge Fransein channels her energy into finding thoughtful, workable solutions to In August 2014, the National Council for Juvenile and problems facing children and families under stress and in Family Court Judges notified Chief Judge Fransein that trouble. Tulsa County Juvenile Court had been selected as one of eight sites nationally for its Model Court Project whose Whether as a leader, teacher, mother, mentor, reformer, purpose is to improve court practices in child abuse and colleague, visionary or guiding light, Doris Fransein is neglect cases and improve outcomes for children and fam- long-overdue for the Golden Rule Award. This award is ilies. This selection highlights her organization, prepara- meant to acknowledge a TCBA member who embodies tion, openness to improvement, and professionalism. the highest standards of fairness, integrity, civility, and professionalism, and Judge Fransein is that person. Our Recently, Judge Fransein was chosen to lead the Tulsa Association gratefully recognizes this outstanding judge Safe Babies Court Team Project, a systems change initia- for her dedication, understanding, professionalism, imagtive launched by the national nonprofit ZERO TO THREE ination, and commitment to the children and families and the Parent Child Center of Tulsa and designed to of our state and nation and to our juvenile justice sysbring community resources together “to provide services tem. Congratulations and thank you, Judge, for being the to abused and neglected infants, toddlers, and their fam- change we wish to see in the world! ilies so the children can reach safe, loving permanency swiftly.” According to Judge Fransein, this initiative will bring Tulsa’s juvenile court and child welfare system “so much closer to achieving the goal of healthy development, Tulsa Lawyer 7
Litigation Section -Meeting News Dear Members: This year for Litigation Section meetings we are bringing in speakers for informal 30 to 45 minute presentations on issues related to trial practice. Please join us for these informative sessions. We look forward to seeing you there. Last month we had a very entertaining and engaging meeting and presentation from Mary Quinn Cooper on the Use of Demonstrative Aids at Trial. Below you will find a list of our future speakers and dates. ebruary 16, 2016 F March 15, 2016 April 19,2016 May 17, 2016 June 21, 2016 July 19, 2016 August 16, 2016
Deborah Shallcross -What a Judge Wants to Hear No Meeting Doug Dodd - Media- High Profile Cases Mark Stanley- QT Trial Chuck Richardson- Mediation TBD No Meeting
Aaron D. Bundy and M. Shane Henry Litigation Section, Chairs
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Tulsa Lawyer
Diversity Development Committee Update The Diversity Committee has been meeting regularly with a team of high school students from the Union Alternative School since late October 2015 preparing them to compete in the Oklahoma Bar Foundation’s Mock Trial program. Our attorney volunteers have been meeting weekly with the students during October, November and December and at least twice a week during January. Some of our attorneys have volunteered outside of practice times to assist students who are preparing direct and cross examinations or preparing opening and closing statements. On Martin Luther King Day we took students to the Tulsa County Courthouse to watch scrimmage rounds of the more advanced teams. This scrimmage is a yearly event hosted by Judge Daman Cantrell, who is a fellow Mock Trial coach for the Owasso teams. Union Alternative’s participation on Monday was sponsored by PrayWalker. The offices of Fry and Elder hosted our final dress rehearsal and the committee provided the students with lunch and a gift bag. The Committee reached out to some local firms and legal organizations to obtain materials for inclusion in the gift bags, we received materials from Fry ad Elder, PrayWalker, Conner and Winters, TU
College of Law, and Litgistix. We are very excited about what we were able to put together for the students, including some generous gift cards from Fry & Elder. On competition day the students gathered at the offices of Crowe and Dunlevy for one final round of polishing up and practicing. A sponsorship for lunch was secured from the Pipeline Plus Program, presented by Williams and WPX Energy. The Committee has been so lucky to have many dedicated volunteers who have made this program/partnership with Union Alternative possible. We have had 2-6 attorneys at each and every practice with the students. Our attorney volunteers have been critical in securing sponsorships when we needed it and working additional hours on this program to ensure the students success. We have been very lucky to have so many great law firms and legal organizations support our team. I am proud of the committee and the work we have accomplished this year at Union Alternative. We have learned so much and our team will only get stronger and better each year. Valery Giebel TCBA Diversity Development Chair
S ave th e D at e Monday May 16th, 2016
TCBA & TCBF
Annual Charity Golf Tournament Monday, May 16th, 2016 at LaFortune Park Golf Course
Don’t miss all the Fun! Tulsa Lawyer 9
10 Tulsa Lawyer
Tulsa Lawyer 11
L i b e r t y B e l l No m i n a t i o n s The Liberty Bell Award was established more than 35+ years ago to acknowledge outstanding community service. The award is presented to a person who is not a lawyer, but who has demonstrated a dedication to the law through activities that support lawyers and their work in the legal system. Nominiees may be an individual or a group that has: • Promoted better understaning of the rule of law • Encouraged a greater respect for law and the courts • Stimulated a sense of civic responsibility • Contributed to good government in the community
Deadline for nominations is Monday, March 21, 2016 Please forward all nominations to kevinc@tulsabar.com 12 Tulsa Lawyer
Perspectives
Personal Opi
A Personal Opinion Column
Editor’s Note: These views do not necessarily express the opinions of the TCBA, its membership or staff.
Living a Life of Meaning and Significance Part II
By Fred Slicker Part I of this article was pubished in the February 2016 issue of Tulsa Lawyer. As stated then I believe that making the right choices usually leads to more happiness and meaning when compared with choosing badly. Choosing correctly counts. Life is a journey for each of us, and that journey is constantly changing, a fluid work in progress. How can my life count for my family, for my friends, for others? What should I do to maximize personal success? Does success mean happiness? Does success produce joy and peace and purpose? How can I live a life filled with meaning and significance? Some of my suggestions are set forth below. While the ideas may not be original, I believe that the words are. My hope is to share these suggestions to guide your decisions as you continue your journey to meaning, significance and joy.
Personal Opinion Column
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13. Dream Big. Most of us set our goals and objectives far below what we are capable of achieving. Chose to dream big, and then pursue with passion achieving those dreams. Achieving big goals always requires risk and change. Without risk, there is no change. Without change, there is no improvement. Risk more to achieve greatly. 14. Be a Peace-Maker. Strive to be a peace-maker and a solution-seeker, not a problem-perpetuator. Look for ways to reduce animosity, anger, tension, disagreement and conflict. Look for and find the winwin solution. Identify the alternatives, and seek peace, not strife. 15. Volunteer. Volunteer to help others. Your most meaningful experiences will come because you chose to volunteered. Be generous with your time and your talents. Give to live. Giving may reduce your possessions, but your rewards will be far greater than what you gave up. Give yourself away. Give and your gifts will be returned, multiplied beyond your beliefs. 16. Listen to Care. Listen to show you really care. When you listen, they will know you care. Be inquisitive. Before offering a solution, carefully listen to show you care. You cannot know their needs without listening to their problems. When you stop listening, you cannot earn their respect or help solve their problems. 17. Live Life Now. Understand the past. Have goals for the future. But life is not about the past, and life is not about the future. Right now is a gift; that is why this very moment is called the present. You cannot change the past, no matter how hard you try.
inion Column
You can influence the future, but you cannot control the future. Live in the present right now. Do what is important now. Be in the present. Avoid multi-tasking. Slow down. Take a deep breathe. Do what is best right now. Then the past and future will take care of themselves. 18. Do Your Best. Choose every moment of every day to do the best you can. You will never have perfect knowledge. You will never have unlimited resources. You will never have enough time, but you can always do your best with what you have. Make a habit of seeking perfection. It is better to shoot for the stars and fall short than dreaming too small and achieving a goal less than your best. Do your best, and you will always be successful. 19. Surrender Self. True joy comes when we transcend self for others. Temporary happiness can be achieved through work, music, literature, art and other passions. We all experience happiness when we do what you love to do and do it well. But if we elevate self over others, our happiness turns sour and becomes tarnished. When we put God on the throne of our lives in place of ourselves, we experience more than happiness. We achieve true joy. 20. Follow the Golden Rule. Do to all others what you expect them to do to you. Do not do to anyone what you do not want them to do to you. If you show respect to others, you will receive respect back from them. If you show anger to others, expect anger and revenge in response. You get back what you put out. However, our focus should not be the quid pro quo, but instead be on how we treat others. We cannot control
their response, but we can control our actions and our attitudes. Choose respect, compassion and peace all day, at all times, to all people, under all circumstances. Joy and peace will surely follow. 21. If you are a believer, Passionately Pursue God’s Presence. Seek God and His presence in all you do. Ground every choice, every decision and every action you take on His will. Consciously spend some of each day with God. Fill the God-shaped hole in your heart with His Spirit. Nothing can separate you from the love of God, but a busy family and successful professional life can crowd God out of your daily activities. Instead, take time to worship at His footstool. Acknowledge that He is present everywhere and always. Give God a place in your busy schedule. If you are a believer, do not let daily duties push God out of your life. I recently listened to series of programs on the Ted Radio Hour programs on NPR in which the subject was about a scientific study seeking to find happiness. The program reported studies by scientists studying physical changes in humans under different conditions of stress or happiness, seeking to find an elixir for human joy. Philosophers, poets, scholars and other ancient men of wisdom have long tried to find a formula for meaning, purpose and happiness. One example is Solomon, son of King David and reportedly the richest man in history. He wrote Proverbs in order to share the wisdom that he had learned with others seeking a life of meaning and purpose. Solomon also wrote Ecclesiastes in search of meaning and purpose, which opens: “Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is continued
on page 16
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Noble, are inundated with programs for achieving success in business and happiness in life. One example, out of many, is Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life. In addition to books, CDs, DVRs and similar materials, there are endless college courses, professional seminars and cruises, weekend retreats and other programs on Despite ancient wisdom, man today still searches to the subject of meaning, purpose and joy. It seems that discover the secret to happiness and meaning. Man has almost everyone these days has a prescription or recipe always sought to be happy, to be meaningful and to be for becoming successful, for living a life of meaning and significant. History is filled with books, theories and for achieving happiness, purpose, joy and significance. formulas on the subject. Books stores, like Barnes and meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 After listing virtually every type of human desire and possession and every possible human success, Ecclesiastes concludes: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
Interested in sharing your Perspective on a topic? Email tulsabarnews@yahoo.com
Getting to Know Jody Geiger TCBA Accounting I have been with TCBA since March 2015 and enjoy what I do. Before working here I have worked in accounting using several different software platforms – Quickbooks since it first came out. I have also done forensic accounting, Quickbooks training and Accounting training classes. I really find it gratifying that in my job there is no gray area - it is black and red. Before that I owned several printing companies with my husband. We still have an online printing company since some of our customers, for over 30 years, won’t let us stop!
My dad forced me to take Accounting in High School and College - I fought him every step of the way!! Looking back my dad knew I had a knack for numbers. Out of 5 siblings he pushed me to Accounting - I guess your parents know you better than anyone!! I grew up knowing I was loved and nurtured and wanted more than anything to give that gift to my children!! I am a Mum first and foremost to my 5 beautiful and talented blessings! Thanks for letting me be part of such a great organization, Jody
Questions to Ask When Selecting E-Discovery Software
The article is more from the perspective of a firm looking to invest in an in-house e-discovery solution. The key points to consider are:
• What do your attorneys and staff actually use now? What are their likes and dislikes on using current Considering selection of an eDiscovery software plat- software if they even are? form or upgrading to a better one for your case or your • Will they use the technology? Are greater entire law firm to use? There are numerous in-house, vendor outsourced or cloud-based software solutions functionality needed like data analytics or do they just both for e-discovery processing and document review need to review documents? Most attorneys prefer easein the current litigation support marketplace to choose of-use. from. • Can your firms IT network and IT staff handle A recent article on Legaltech© News provides some and support an in-house platform? useful questions for a law firm to ask to help select the • What is the overall cost components, licenssolution that best meets your needs. In Buying a New E-Discovery Platform? 8 Questions You Need to Ask ing fees, and contract length? Consider your internal First, the author (Zach Warren) interviews two prom- IT, hardware and project management resources in adinent e-discovery attorneys: Gareth Evans of Gibson dition to the software cost too. Does the costs and inDunn and John Rosenthal of Winston & Strawn, to get ternal IT resources needed justify or outweigh the bentheir input on the questions firms should ask themselves efits of an in-house solution? before investing in an eDiscovery platform or consider • Where will the data reside? Data security is cloud-based solutions from a vendor. See the website link to read the full article: http://www.legaltechnews. critical issue today to protect your clients data. Does com/id=1202746790142/Buying-a-New-EDiscovery- your firm have a secure firewall and backup storage capabilities? Or are you better off hosting the data with Platform-8-Questions-You-Need-to-Ask-First a vendor with a more robust IT data security? As an alternative or even to complement current inhouse software, cloud-based solutions are becoming much more prevalent and capable of handling more complex e-discovery processing beyond just basic hosting. So, also see a recent article in the Bloomberg BNA article 2016 – The Year of Cloud-Based E-Discovery? (written by Daniel Garrie and Yoav M. Griver of Zeichner, Ellman & Krause – see https://bol. bna.com/2016-the-year-of-cloud-based-e-discovery/), where the authors note that “cloud-based computing will become more fully enmeshed in the e-discovery marketplace”.
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Beyond being more capable of automated e-discovery and email processing, cloud-based software is adding better tools to upload your own data and much easier
for attorneys and paralegals to learn and use to review and handle electronic document productions from.
So it is becoming easier to find a cloud-based solution that meets the needs of the firm or on a specific case at a much more economical cost than a solution in-house. Cloud-based solutions offered by vendors can be more case-specific and billable vs. the fixed on-going costs of in-house software. Plus you have dedicated vendor support and typically stronger overall data security required by the vendor for the cloud software. Article written by: Brian M. Grossman Co-Owner/CFO for Litgistix LLC www.litgistix.com
The Bar Center will be CLOSED Friday, March 25th for Good Friday
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Nlom iinations Sought for the 2016 - 2017 Slate of Offiicers for the Tu Isa County Bar Association The Nlominatiions and Awards Committee is soliciting sug·gestions from the TCBA membership for nominees for officers and dkectors at llarg1e for the 2016 - 2017 term ,of office. lihe Nomination and Awards Committee wiill meet in March to complete the slate of nomine·es,, according to Ken WiUiams,, Committee Chair.•
Nominations are be"ng sought for the following i offices: President-Elect Vice President Secretary ABA Delegate (2 year term)
Treasurer TCBA Dir,ectors at Large (2) 2 year term Library Trustee - .2 y,ear term
Every member ii s good standing of the TCBA is elligible to be nominated for these· 1 positions except members of the Nominations and Awards committee.
The Commiittee iis also soliic1iting suggestions for nomination to lhe: OBA House of Delegates (15 Delegates and 15 Alternates)
Nominees for the OBA House of Delegates do not have to be members of the Tullsa County Bar Association, but must reside in Tulsa County. According1 to Ken Williams the suggestions received from the membership each year play an important p,art in the nomination process. .A member submitting nominations should be sure theiir proposed nominees a.re wiUing to serve if nominated. All sugg1estions should be maHed to: Ken WiHiams or Kevin Cousins Clo Tulsa County Bar Associiation 1446 South Boston Avenue ! Tulsa, OK 74119-3612 Or you may call or emaiil Kevin with nominations at 584-5243 e.xt.222 or kevinc@tulsbar.com
The Deadline for all nominations is 5
p.m. fr;iday. !March 18 1h, 2016
THINGS TO DO IN TULSA Tulsa Opera: A Streetcar Named Desire March 4-6 www.tulsaopera.com
Rodney Carrington March 11 www.bokcenter.com
Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo March 4-6 www.bassmaster.com Grand Lake/Tulsa area
ShamROCK the Rose March 12 www.rosedistrict.com Broken Arrow Rose District
NatureWorks Art Show & Sale March 5-6 www.natureworks.org
Masters of Dance March 18-20 www.tulsaballet.org
Greater Tulsa Home & Garden Show March 10-13 www.tulsahba.com Tulsa Expo Square
Cirque Du Soleil: Toruk March 25-27 www.bokcenter.com
Work-Life Balance Schedule some “you time� in your month!
Cinderella March 29-April 3 www.celebrityattractions.com
Grapevine News
Crowe & Dunlevy recently announced two attorneys have joined the firm’s Indian Law & Gaming practice group. Christina M. Vaughn is a director in the firm’s Tulsa office, while Jennifer N. Lamirand is an associate in the Oklahoma City office. Vaughn is a member of the firm’s Indian Law & Gaming, Litigation & Trial and Energy, Environment & Natural Resources practice groups. She is experienced in commercial litigation, business torts, oil and gas, environmental law, and devotes an extensive portion of her practice to Native American law. Vaughn currently serves as Attorney General for one of the largest Indian tribes in Oklahoma. Her Native American law practice includes representing Indian tribes in federal courts and before federal agencies, drafting legislation, providing legal guidance regarding internal tribal matters and external matters affecting tribes, assisting with elections, gaming regulatory and compliance matters and litigation, tribal court juvenile proceedings, tribal housing authority matters, and negotiating agreements with the state, the federal government, and other tribes. She is admitted to practice in a number of tribal courts, including the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Osage Nation, as well as the United States Court of Indian Offenses. In addition, Vaughn represents clients in transactional matters such as commercial contracts, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) issues, class actions, management agreements and joint partnership agreements. Vaughn has been named one of Oklahoma Super Lawyers’ Top 25 Women. She was selected as a Rising Star in the areas of Native American Law, civil litigation defense and environmental litigation, a Super Lawyer in Native American Law, and was selected for inclusion in Chambers USA for Native American law. An Oklahoma native, she graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law with highest honors; earning a Juris Doctor and certificate in Native American law.
She also graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration. Lamirand is a member of the firm’s Indian Law & Gaming, Litigation & Trial and Insurance practice groups. She is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Her practice includes litigation matters with a primary focus on Native American law, insurance coverage, insurance claims and contract disputes. Prior to joining Crowe & Dunlevy, Lamirand worked as a litigation attorney at an international law firm based in Los Angeles, California. She holds a Master of Laws degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she graduated with merit and received distinctions in International Business Transactions: Commercial Litigation, International Business Transactions: Transnational Torts, and Art and Antiquities Law. Lamirand also graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame Law School, where she received her Juris Doctor and entered the Phi Alpha Delta International Law Fraternity. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English magna cum laude from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The law firm of Barber & Bartz is pleased to announce that Kurtis R. Eaton, Kelsey T. Pierce, and William C. Searcy have been named as Shareholders of the firm. Mr. Eaton obtained his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Finance with an emphasis in Marketing and Accounting from the University of Kansas in 2005. In 2008, he received his Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University School of Law. His practice is concentrated in the areas of business organizations and transactions, including non-profit entities. Mr. Pierce graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2006 with a Bachelor of Business Admin
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istration. In 2009, he received a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Tulsa. Mr. Pierce was admitted to practice law in Oklahoma in 2009. He focuses his practice in the areas of business and commercial transactions, real estate transactions and development, construction law, corporate securities, business organizations, and intellectual property law. Mr. Searcy obtained his undergraduate degree in 1991 from Baylor University and in 1992 earned a Master’s degree from Middlebury College in Vermont. In 1999, Mr. Searcy attained his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. He focuses his practice on labor and employment law and Human Resources management. He gives continuing legal education presentations on employment and human resources, and has also taught human resources law, business law, and employment law at the collegiate level. He has employment law litigation experience in both state and federal courts. GableGotwals has announced the promotion of one associate attorney and three of counsel attorneys to shareholder status. The new shareholders include Sara Barry, Brandon Bickle, and Philip Hixon who are located in Tulsa and Leo Portman who practices in Oklaho-
ma City. The Firm now has offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and San Antonio, Texas. Sara E. Barry counsels clients on corporate formations and reorganizations, contract review, mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions and estate planning. Her areas of focus include Corporate and Business Organizations, Commercial Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Securities and Corporate Finance, Trusts and Estates, Employee Benefits and Real Estate. Sara was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2008. Brandon C. Bickle regularly advises clients on a variety of business matters, including contract and loan disputes, construction disputes, collections, loan workouts, and bankruptcy matters. Brandon’s practice is focused broadly in the area of general commercial litigation, with an emphasis on collections, foreclosures, and bankruptcy. Brandon has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in the areas of Business Litigation and Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights.
Philip D. Hixon represents the interests of clients in a variety of legal matters including construction, environment, insurance, health care, general litigation and appellant review of the same. Philip is an AV Preeminent attorney with Martindale-Hubbell and a Super Lawyers Rising Star. He currently serves as co-chair of the Health Law section for the Tulsa Count Bar Association. Leo J. Portman, an Oklahoma City attorney, brings over thirty years of experience to GableGotwals in the areas of title examination and oil and gas law. He also practices in the areas of corporate liquidation, wealth management for families and businesses, and with business management and asset transactions. With over 30 years practicing law, Leo is well known in the legal and civic communities for his leadership in a variety of private and not-for-profit organizations.
Irby Reilly Newton, O’Connor, Turner & Ketchum, P.C. is pleased to announce the promotions of Gregory P. Reilly and Jerrick L. Irby to Shareholders of our law firm. Mr. Reilly represents clients in the areas of Corporate Law, Probate, Guardianship, Labor and Employment Law, and Civil Litigation. Mr. Irby represents clients in the areas of Complex Business and General Litigation. Both are members of the Oklahoma, and Tulsa County Bar Associations and Mr. Irby is also a member of the Missouri Bar Association. Tulsa-based Newton, O’Connor, Turner & Ketchum is a 22 lawyer law firm, serving local, regional and national clients who seek advice and representation regarding labor and employment matters, complex business litigation and dispute resolution, mergers and
acquisitions, corporate governance, insurance receivership, estate planning and probate. Visit www.newtonoconnor.com to learn more about these Shareholders and our firm. Hall Estill is expanding its Oil & Gas practice with the addition of Leah Rudnicki to the firm’s Oklahoma City office. Rudnicki, who was most recently a partner at Reed Smith in Houston, is an Oklahoma native who graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2001. “I have a long history with Hall Estill beginning in 1997 with a summer job while completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma, and I’m grateful to be back,” Rudnicki said. “Hall Estill has a solid vision and robust strategy for the future, and I look forward to serving our clients on issues that are important to their business.” Less than 10 years after law school, Leah was president of a private independent oil and gas operator with operations assets in Oklahoma and Texas. Under her management, the business grew from 17 operated wells in Oklahoma to nearly 300 operated wells in Oklahoma and Texas and from two to more than 30 employees. As a litigator in private practice, Leah has represented, counseled and advised a diverse range of clients, from small independent businesses to Fortune 500 companies in various disputes in front of state courts, federal multi-district panels, arbitration panels, and local and federal administrative agencies. Most recently, her practice has focused on general advice, litigation, and dispute resolution for oil and gas clients, including, landowner/joint venture disputes, drilling in city limits, alleged breach of joint operating agreements and lease agreements, issues related to horizontal drilling, fracking and disposal wells (water pollution/earthquakes), and royalty/JIB accounting disputes. Leah previously worked as in-house litigation counsel for a Fortune 500 oil and gas services company. She was instrumental in updating, implementing, and communicating internal policies, preparing a strategy for effectively managing a national toxic tort docket and assessing successor liability claims. Leah said she has always considered the Sooner State her home and is happy to return with her husband Ray and their two children. Tulsa Lawyer
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Position for Litigation Associate Attorney We are recruiting an experienced partner-track Associate Attorney to handle all phases of civil litigation within a strong team setting that focuses on client service and maximizing outcomes. Our practice includes challenging procedural and technical issues, and the successful candidate will possess strong analytical and advocacy skills. We use the latest technology to maximize efficiency. We are looking for the right attorney to join our team who will take pride in the service we deliver and fit within our friendly, low-key firm environment. Candidates must have at least 5 years experience in civil litigation that reflects highly developed skill in legal research, drafting memoranda, briefs and discovery, taking depositions, managing document production, and oral argument. Candidates must have graduated within the top 25% of their law school class, and law review experience is preferred. Candidates should submit a recent writing sample and CV to smcdaniel@ok-counsel.com
Mediators & Arbitrators of Oklahoma, LLC Jon Starr * Michael Gassett Scott McDaniel * Jack Crews Mark Smiling * David Wilson Scott Ryan * Robert Coffey, Jr. Mark A. Warman * Truman Rucker Peter Erdoes * Jeff Curran Call (918) 693-7850 to schedule you next mediation TULSA PLAINTIFF'S PERSONAL INJURY FIRM SEEKS LAWYER with 0-5 years of experience. Compensation is competitive and includes benefits for a full-time attorney (i.e., health ins., 401(k) with matching from firm, paid time off, life ins., dental ins., vision ins., performance and/or production bonuses, etc.). Emphasis on litigation. Please send confidential cover letter, resume, references and writing sample to john@truskettlaw.com. Respond by 4/15/16 to be considered.
CLassiFied ads STAFF ATTORNEY: IMMEDIATE OPENING The Office of Legal Counsel to the OSU/A&M Board of Regents has an immediate opening for a Staff Attorney. The position will be based at the Tulsa campus of the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and report to and receive assignments from both the General Counsel and executives at the Center for Health Sciences. This position will render legal advice primarily related to healthcare compliance, especially but not limited to HIPAA compliance, and may also be asked to provide assistance with other regulatory issues, healthcare contracts, student and faculty discipline and oversight of certain litigation issues as time allows. The precise duties assigned to the position may vary from the above, based upon the experience and aptitude of the successful applicant. However, HIPAA compliance experience or a demonstrated ability and commitment to developing expertise in HIPAA compliance is mandatory. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree and J.D./LL.B. degree from an accredited law school, and membership in good standing in the Oklahoma Bar. The position also requires a demonstrated capability for legal research, analysis and reasoning, superior oral and written communication skills, an ability to identify and resolve complicated and sensitive problems creatively and with professional discretion, and an ability to interact and function effectively in an academic community. Salary commensurate with experience. To receive full consideration, resumes should be submitted by March 18, 2016 to: Staff Attorney for OSU-CHS Search Office of Legal Counsel OSU/A&M Board of Regents th 5 Floor - Student Union Building Stillwater, OK 74078 The OSU/A&M Board of Regents is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/E‐verify employer committed to diversity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. OSU is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and desires priority referrals of protected veterans for its openings. 30
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Tulsa County Bar Association 1446 S. Boston Ave. Tulsa, OK 74119
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