2009 oklahoma tax legislation 2009 oklahoma tax legislation · 12/12/2009 · okc: dec. 17, 2009...

ALSO INSIDE

• 2009 Oklahoma Tax Legislation• Bar Journal 2009 Index

Volume 80 u No. 33 u December 12, 2009

• 2009 Oklahoma Tax Legislation• Bar Journal 2009 Index

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Vol. 80 — No. 33 — 12/12/2009 The Oklahoma Bar Journal 2529

2530 The Oklahoma Bar Journal Vol. 80 — No. 33 — 12/12/2009

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Plus2578 Taxation Law Section Note:

2009 Oklahoma Tax Legislation By Sheppard F. Miers Jr.

2586 OklahOma Bar JOurnal 2009 Index2602 Get Involved – Volunteer for

a Committee2616 OBA Financial Planning

Subcommittee Report

DePartments2532 From the President

2604 From the Executive Director

2606 Law Practice Tips

2612 Ethics/Professional Responsibility

2614 OBA Board of Governors Actions

2618 Oklahoma Bar Foundation News

2621 Access to Justice

2623 Young Lawyers Division

2624 Calendar

2625 For Your Information

2626 Bench and Bar Briefs

2629 In Memoriam

2605 Editorial Calendar

2632 The Back Page

Features 2535 Frequently Asked Ethics Questions

By Gina Hendryx and Travis Pickens

2545 The Monster in the Mirror: Declining Civility in the Practice of LawBy David K. Hale

2551 Social Ethics By Travis Pickens

2555 Appellate Advocacy and the Standards of Professionalism By Justice John F. Reif

2561 Ethical Issues with Employee Acts or Omissions By Gina L. Hendryx

2567 How to Stay in the Other 94 Percent: Avoiding Attorney Grievances By Janis Hubbard

2573 Attorneys Behaving OutrageouslyBy Gian R. Johnson

pg.2578TaxationLawSectionNote

Theme:eThics &

Professional resPonsibiliTyEditor: James T. Stuart

contentsDecember12,2009•Vol.80•No.33

pg.2586OklahOma Bar JOurnal2009 Index


theCle cruise totheCaribbe-aninJuly.TheWomen in law Committee put on one of thebest events of the year. Theconference featured CherieBlair, wife of former BritishPrimeMinisterTonyBlair.Herspeechwastrulyinspirational.Thatsameweek,theOBAhost-ed its first ever technology Fair, which was free to mem-bers,wellattendedandagreat

seminar with lotsof practical infor-mation.

The highlight ofthe year for mewas the annual meeting. It wasexhilarating to seeideas that I had inJanuary turn intoreality in Novem-ber. Gene Kranz,the NASA flightdirectorduringtheApollo13incident,was an amazingluncheon speaker.

The plenary session tribute toAbrahamLincolnwaswonder-ful.ThefirstOBAComedyClubwithcomedianHenryChowasa great success. Overall, theAnnualMeetingwasoneofthebesteverheld.

The Board of Governors ofourbardidagreatjobthisyear.If you know one of them, takethe time to say, “Thank you!”Theydoagreat service forourassociation,volunteeringcount-

FROM THE PRESIDENT

2009 A Great YearBy Jon K. Parsley

Wow! I cannot believe I am already writingmylastpresident’sletter.Ithasgonebysofast.ThisyearhasbeenawonderfulyearfortheOklahomaBarAssociation.

We began the year with a legislative session thatwasturbulent,tosaytheleast.Therewerenumerousproposedbillswhichweredetrimentaltoourassocia-tion and to the rights of the citizens of Oklahoma. Iissuedacalltoarmsandwasneversoproudaswhenalmost400lawyersshoweduptomarchontheCapi-tol to express our concerns about the legislation. IappointedtheAdministrationofJusticeTaskForcetoreviewandadvisetheBoardofGovernorson the pending legislation. They did agreat job. The session ended with ourassociationintactandminimaldamagetotherightsofOklahomacitizens.

Another important event at the begin-ning of the year was the hiring of a new general counsel for our association. Thesearchcommitteeperformedanationwidesearch.Wehadnumerousapplicants,whowereinterviewedonseveraloccasionsandpareddowntothreefinalists.TheBoardof

GovernorsthenhiredGinaHendryxasournewgeneralcounsel.Shehasbeendoingawonderfuljob.

Oklahomahosted the president of the american Bar association for a visit. Wewere very honored to have theABA presidentfeelitwasimportanttovisitOklahoma.Shortlythereafter, we celebrated law Day. Law Daywasahugesuccessasalways. IwasespeciallyproudtobeinattendanceinWewokaattheLawDay celebration at which Justice Hargravereceivedhis60-yearpin.

Severalothereventsstandoutinmymindasgreat happenings this year: We graduated ourfirst ever leadership academy class in May.This was a very distinguished group of futurebarleaders.Thesolo and small Firm ConferencewasagreateventinJunethatwasfollowedby

President Parsley practices in Guymon.

[email protected] (580) 338-8764

I am honored to have served

in the capacity of president this year.

continued on page 2576


tHe OKlaHOma Bar JOurnal isapublicationoftheOklahomaBarAssociation.Allrightsreserved.Copyright©2008OklahomaBarAssociation.Thedesignofthescalesandthe“OklahomaBarAssociation”encirclingthescalesaretrademarksoftheOklahomaBarAssociation.LegalarticlescarriedinTHEOKLAHOMABARJOURNALareselectedbytheBoardofEditors.

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL (ISSN 0030-1655) IS PUBLISHED THREE TIMESA MONTH IN JANUARy, FEBRUARy, MARCH, APRIL, MAy, AUGUST, SEPTEM-BER,OCTOBER,NOVEMBERANDDECEMBERANDBIMONTHLyINJUNEANDJULy.ByTHEOKLAHOMABARASSOCIATION,1901N.LINCOLNBOULEVARD,OKLAHOMACITy,OKLAHOMA73105.PERIODICALSPOSTAGEPAIDATOKLA-HOMACITy,OK.POSTMASTER:SENDADDRESSCHANGESTOTHEOKLAHOMABARASSOCIATION,P.O.BOx53036,OKLAHOMACITy,OK73152-3036.SUBSCRIP-TIONSARE$55PERyEARExCEPTFORLAWSTUDENTSREGISTEREDWITHTHEOKLAHOMABARASSOCIATION,WHOMAySUBSCRIBEFOR$25.ACTIVEMEM-BER SUBSCRIPTIONSARE INCLUDEDASA PORTION OFANNUAL DUES.ANyOPINIONExPRESSEDHEREINISTHATOFTHEAUTHORANDNOTNECESSAR-ILy THAT OF THE OKLAHOMA BARASSOCIATION, OR THE OKLAHOMA BARJOURNALBOARDOFEDITORS.

OFFICers & BOarD OF GOVernOrsJonK.Parsley, President,GuymonAllenM.Smallwood,President-Elect,TulsaLindaS.Thomas,Vice President,BartlesvilleJ.WilliamConger,Immediate Past President,OklahomaCityJackL.Brown,TulsaMarthaRuppCarter,TulsaCharlesW.Chesnut,MiamiCathyChristensen,OklahomaCityDonnaDirickson,WeatherfordStevenDobbs,OklahomaCityW.MarkHixson,yukonJerryL.McCombs,IdabelLouAnnMoudy,HenryettaDeborahReheard,EufaulaPeggyStockwell,NormanJamesT.Stuart,ShawneeRichardRose,OklahomaCity,Chairperson, OBA/Young Lawyers Division

Bar Center staFFJohnMorrisWilliams,Executive Director;GinaL.Hendryx,General Counsel;DonitaBournsDouglas,Director of Educational Programs;CarolA.Manning,Director of Communications;CraigD.Combs,Director of Administration;TravisPickens,Ethics Counsel; JimCalloway,Director of Management Assistance Program;RickLoomis, Director of Information Systems;BeverlyS.Petry,Administrator MCLE Commission;JaneMcConnell,Coordinator Law-related Education;LoraineDillinderFarabow,DebbieMaddox,TedRossier,Assistant General Counsels;KatherineOgden,Staff Attorney,TommyButler,SharonOrth,DorothyWalosandKrystalWillis, Investigators

NinaAnderson,ManniArzola,DebbieBrink,MelissaBrown,BrendaCard,SharonDotson,MorganEstes,JohnnyMarieFloyd,MattGayle,SusanHall,BrandonHaynie,SuziHendrix,MistyHill,DebraJenkins,JeffKelton,DurrelLattimore,DeboraLowry,HeidiMcComb,ReneeMontgomery,WandaReece-Murray,TracySanders,MarkSchneidewent,RobbinWatson,LauraWillis&Robertayarbrough

eDItOrIal BOarDEditorinChief,JohnMorrisWilliams,News&LayoutEditor,CarolA.Manning,Editor,MelissaDeLacerda,Stillwater,AssociateEditors:ScottBuhlinger,Bartlesville;EmilyDuensing,Tulsa;JohnMunkacsy,Lawton;PandeeRamirez,Ok-mulgee;JuliaRieman,Enid;JamesStuart,Shaw-nee;LeslieD.Taylor,OklahomaCity;JudgeLoriM.Walkley,Norman;JanuaryWindrix,Poteau

nOtICeofchangeofaddress(whichmustbeinwritingandsignedbytheOBAmember),undeliverablecopies,ordersforsubscriptionsorads,newsstories,articlesandallmailitemsshouldbesenttotheOklahomaBarAssociation,P.O.Box53036,OklahomaCity,OK73152-3036.

OklahomaBarAssociation(405)416-7000TollFree(800)522-8065FAx(405)416-7001ContinuingLegalEducation(405)416-7006EthicsCounsel(405)416-7055GeneralCounsel(405)416-7007Law-relatedEducation(405)416-7005LawyersHelpingLawyers(800)364-7886Mgmt.AssistanceProgram(405)416-7008MandatoryCLE(405)416-7009OBJ&Communications(405)416-7004BoardofBarExaminers(405)416-7075OklahomaBarFoundation(405)416-7070

15 Death Oral Argument;PhillipAnthonySummers;D-2008-313;10a.m.;CourtofCriminalAppealsCourtroom

16 Ginsburg March Meeting;12p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:LindaSamuel-Jaha(405)609-5406

18 OBA Appellate Practice Section Meeting;11:45a.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:BrianGoree(918)382-7523

25 OBA Closed–ChristmasHoliday

1 OBA Closed–NewYear’sDayObserved7 House of Representatives Rule Making Seminar;

1p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:AmyAldin(405)962-7603

8 OBA Family Law Section Meeting;3p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCityandOSUTulsa;Contact:AmyWilson(918)439-2424

12 Death Oral Argument;ClarenceRozellGoodeJr.;D-2008-43;10a.m.;CourtofCriminalAppealsCourtroom

14 OBA Leadership Academy;8:30a.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:HeidiMcComb(405)416-7027


OBA Board of Governors Meeting;8:30a.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:JohnMorrisWilliams(405)416-7000

16 OBA Young Lawyers Division Committee Meeting; 10a.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:MollyAspan(918)594-0595

18 OBA Closed–MartinLutherKingJr.Day20 Ruth Bader Ginsburg American Inn of Court;5p.m.;OklahomaBar

Center,OklahomaCity;Contact:DonaldLynnBabb(405)235-161121 OBA Law-related Education Committee 2010 Supreme Court

Teacher and School of the Year Judging;12p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:JackG.ClarkJr.(405)232-4271

eVents CalenDar

For more events go to www.okbar.org/news/calendar.htm

tHe OKlaHOma Bar JOurnal isapublicationoftheOklahomaBarAssociation.Allrightsreserved.Copyright©2009OklahomaBarAssociation.Thedesignofthescalesandthe“OklahomaBarAssociation”encirclingthescalesaretrademarksoftheOklahomaBarAssociation.LegalarticlescarriedinTHEOKLAHOMABARJOURNALareselectedbytheBoardofEditors.

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL (ISSN 0030-1655) IS PUBLISHED THREE TIMESA MONTH IN JANUARy, FEBRUARy, MARCH, APRIL, MAy, AUGUST, SEPTEM-BER,OCTOBER,NOVEMBERANDDECEMBERANDBIMONTHLyINJUNEANDJULy.ByTHEOKLAHOMABARASSOCIATION,1901N.LINCOLNBOULEVARD,OKLAHOMACITy,OKLAHOMA73105.PERIODICALSPOSTAGEPAIDATOKLA-HOMACITy,OK.POSTMASTER:SENDADDRESSCHANGESTOTHEOKLAHOMABARASSOCIATION,P.O.BOx53036,OKLAHOMACITy,OK73152-3036.SUBSCRIP-TIONSARE$55PERyEARExCEPTFORLAWSTUDENTSREGISTEREDWITHTHEOKLAHOMABARASSOCIATION,WHOMAySUBSCRIBEFOR$25.ACTIVEMEM-BER SUBSCRIPTIONSARE INCLUDEDASA PORTION OFANNUAL DUES.ANyOPINIONExPRESSEDHEREINISTHATOFTHEAUTHORANDNOTNECESSAR-ILy THAT OF THE OKLAHOMA BARASSOCIATION, OR THE OKLAHOMA BARJOURNALBOARDOFEDITORS.

TheOklahomaBarAssociation’sofficialWebsite: www.okbar.org

DECEMBER 2009

JANUARY 2010


Frequently Asked Ethics QuestionsBy Gina Hendryx and Travis Pickens

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Ethics &

1) What is the difference between the OBa’s Offices of General Counsel and ethics Counsel?

Generally,underthesupervisionofthePro-fessionalResponsibilityCommission,theOfficeofGeneralCounselischargedwiththeinvesti-gationandprosecutionofallegedmisconductorincapacityofanylawyer.Theproceduresareoutlined in the Rules Governing DisciplinaryProceedings.1

The Office of Ethics Counsel was created toprovide all Oklahoma lawyers a resource forspecific and confidential guidance as to ethicsquestions and to encourage the proactive con-sideration and handling of ethics issues. Theguidance provided is a privileged, confidential

communicationandisnotsharedwiththeofficeof General Counsel (unless at the lawyer’srequestinrespondingtoabarcomplaint).

2) am I responsible for the conduct of non-lawyers such as paralegals and law clerks I supervise?

Nonlawyerssuchasstudent lawclerksandparalegalsarenotdirectlyboundbytheORPC,but their supervising lawyers are and mustmakereasonableeffortstoensurethatthefirmhas effected precautionary measures and thenonlawyer assistants’ conduct is compatiblewiththeprofessionalobligationsofthelawyer.ThesupervisinglawyerwillberesponsiblefortheORPCviolationsofthepeopletheysuper-viseifthesupervisinglawyerorders,ratifiesor

Itisprobablyagoodsignthatethicsissuescountformanyofthequestionsposedtomembersof theOBAstaff.Lawyersarepeoplewholiketofollowtherules,anditisoneofour

goals to make it easier for lawyers to follow them, especiallywhentherules involvetheRulesofProfessionalConductandthe supervision of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. We haveselected some of the questions most often asked (or the mostinteresting) and provided an advisory response. Practitionersshouldkeepinmindthattheultimateauthorityinethicsissuesis theOklahomaSupremeCourt;everyoneelse issimplypro-vidingthebestguidancetheycan.AnyethicsquestioncanbeaddressedtoEthicsCounselbytelephoneat (405)[email protected].


fails tomitigate the resultof themisconduct.3“Measures” is a key word. Measures couldincluderequiringstafftoreadtherulesannu-ally, discuss the rules with their supervisingattorneysandtoauditCLEethicscourses.Themeasuresshouldbesetout in theemployee’semploymentcontract.

3) Is there a “federal” code of professional conduct?

Thereisnota“national”codeofprofessionalconduct, although federal courts have theirown admission requirements and local rulesthatmustbefollowedandwhichmayproviderulesof“conduct.”TheABAhaspromulgated“model” rules of professional conduct thathave been widely adopted by various states,with various modifications. The OklahomaORPC closely tracks the ABA’s model rules,makingABAethicsopinionsahelpfulresearchresource. The Oklahoma modifications to theABArulesaresetoutinthecommentsthatfol-loweachRuleofProfessionalConduct.

4) With what code of professional conduct am I bound when I am practicing law outside the state of Oklahoma, when in a case pro hac vice for example?

As an Oklahoma lawyer, you are subject tothe disciplinary authority of this jurisdictionregardlessofwhere theconductoccurs–as isanout-of-statelawyerpracticinginOklahoma.youmaybesubjecttothedisciplinaryauthori-tiesofbothjurisdictionsforthesameconduct.4

ChoiceoflawrulesintheORPCseektolimittheexerciseofonlyonesetofrulestoalawyer.Generally,withmatterspendingbeforeatribu-nal, the rules of the jurisdiction in which thetribunal sits will control.5 For any other con-duct,therulesofthejurisdictioninwhichthelawyer’s conduct occurred should control,unlessthepredominanteffectoftheconductisinadifferentjurisdiction.6

5) are the “standards of Professionalism” and “lawyer’s Creed” adopted by the OBa Board of Governors part of the OrPC?

No.The“StandardsofProfessionalism”and“Lawyer’sCreed”foundontheOBAWebsiteare separate from the ORPC. They were pro-mulgated by the OBA Board of Governors toarticulate the high ideals and civil behaviorthat every Oklahoma lawyer should emulateandhonor.Theywerenot intendedasabasis

fordisciplineortoestablishstandardsofcon-ductinanactionbroughtagainstalawyer.

6) Does the violation of a OrPC give rise to a cause of action or a presumption that a legal duty has been breached?

No.Therulesaredesignedtoprovideguid-anceand toprovidea structure for regulatingconduct through disciplinary agencies. Theyarenotdesignedtobeabasisforcivilliability.7

7) What resources are available to attorneys on ethics issues through the Office of ethics Counsel?

Thereareavarietyofresources:

•Usethe“Ethics&Professionalism”tabonthe OBA’s Web site, www.okbar.org. Thetab has links to applicable rules, com-ments,opinions,ethicsarticlesandtips.

•[email protected]

•CalltheEthicsCounselat(405)416-7055,ortoll-freeat1(800)522-8065.

8) What should I expect when I call or write the ethics Counsel with a question?

The office is a resource for lawyers withquestionspertainingtotheirownpracticesandcases.Therefore,whenyoucallwithaquestionpertaining to your own situation, the advicewillbeadvisoryinnature,butstilldirectandspecific. Research into Oklahoma ethics opin-ions,ABAethicsopinionsandcaselawmaybenecessarytogiveyouthebestadvisoryadvicepossiblebaseduponthetimeallowed.

If you call with respect to the behavior orethical issue as to another lawyer, counsel willendeavortoprovideyoureferencestothepor-tionsoftheORPCandethicalopinionsorcasesthat may apply to the question but does notofferan“opinion”orpre-judgethesituationasthereareundoubtedlyotherpertinentfactsorfactorsthatmightaffecttheadvice.TheEthicsCounsel does not arbitrate or “decide” ethicsissues.

Noadviceorethicsguidanceisprovidedtoclients or members of the general publicwhomaycall except perhaps for polite referral to theOBA’sWebsite.TheOfficeofEthicsCounselisa resource to help members of the OBA. Onaverage, 10-20 calls or contacts with ethicsquestionsaremadetotheofficeeachday.


9) What is the procedure to obtain a written ethics opinion?

AdvisoryopinionsoftheEthicsCounselareprimarilyinformalandbytelephoneore-mail,althoughwrittenmaterialsaresometimesfor-warded or a written response provided inappropriateinstances.

TheOBALegalEthicsAdvisoryPanel(LEAP),ontheotherhand,servesinanadvisorycapac-ity for OBA members seeking formal writtenopinions concerning compliance with theORPC.Theopinionsareintendedasaguidetoresponsible professional behavior. Advisoryopinionsaresimplythat,andarenon-binding.Binding interpretation and application of theRules of Professional Conduct remain exclu-sivelywiththeOklahomaSupremeCourt.

The Legal Ethics Advisory Panel is a bodymadeupoftwodivisions,onesittinginTulsaCounty and the other in Oklahoma County.Requests are made to the panel coordinator(therulesforapplicationareontheOBA’sWebsite).Therequest shouldrelate toprospectiveconductonlyandcontainacompletestatementof facts pertaining to the intended conduct,togetherwithaclear,concisequestionoflegalethics.Thepanelthenvotestoacceptorrejecttherequest.Itmustraiseaseriousethicalissueofgeneralconcern.Theopinionwillfocusonlyupon the Rules of Professional Conduct, notissuesoflawbeinglitigated.NoLEAPopinionshall be binding on any lawyer disciplinarybody.Theopinionsshallnotbeconstruedtobeanything other thanadvisory innature;how-ever, following the guidance given can helpavoid harmful ethical missteps and can beusedasamitigatingfactorintheeventofdis-ciplinaryscrutiny.

10) Is there a duty to self-report?

No,althoughitmaybeusedasamitigatingfactor in the event of a later disciplinaryreview.

11) How long should I keep a closed case file?

Unfortunately, there is no hard and fastanswertothisquestion.Moststateethicscom-mitteesagreethatlawyersarenotobligatedtokeep client files indefinitely. However, mostjurisdictions concur that “clients and formerclients reasonably expect from their lawyersthat valuable and useful information in thelawyer’sfiles,andnototherwisereadilyavail-

abletotheclients,willnotbeprematurelyandcarelesslydestroyed.”8

TheORPCdonotprovidespecificdirectionorguidelinesonthesubjectoffileretention.How-ever, ORPC 1.15(a) does require that completerecordsofclientaccountfunds(trustaccounts)andotherclientpropertybekeptforfiveyearsafterterminationoftherepresentation.

Thelengthoftimethatafileshouldberetainedmaydependonvariousfactors,suchas:

•Filespertainingtoclaimsofminorsshouldbemaintaineduntilthechildisbeyondtheageofmajorityandanystatutesoflimita-tionshaveexpired.

•Someprobate,estateand/orguardianshipmatters may require an indeterminateretentionperiod.

•Realestatetitleopinionsandtitleinsuranceworkmayrequireafarmorelengthyreten-tionofworkproduct.

•Statutesoflimitation.•Thenatureoftheparticularcaseandrelat-

edsubstantivelaw.•Theclient’sneeds.•yourfeeagreementorotherunderstanding

withtheclient.•Requirementsofyourmalpracticecarrier.

12) should our firm have a document reten-tion policy?

yes.Alllawyersandlawfirmsshouldimple-ment a written file storage, management andretention policy and should follow the policyuniformly. Some provisions for the retentionpolicyshouldinclude:

•Fileswillbemaintainedonlyforaspecifiedperiodoftime.

•Original documents will be returned to theclientuponconclusionoftherepresentation.

•Theclientmayhave the fileuponexpira-tionofthetimeperiod.

•Ifnotretrievedbytheclient,thefilewillbedestroyedoncethetimeperiodpasses.

Clientsshouldbesentaclosingletternotify-ingthemoftheirrighttotakeanydocumentsnotpreviouslyfurnishedtothemandadvisingthemofthedatethatthefiledocumentswillbedestroyed.Thepolicycanbemadeapartoftheclient’sfeeagreement.


13) How should I dispose of a client’s file material?

Alawyermustprotectaclient’sconfidenceswhen disposing of file contents. This gener-allymeansthatthefilemustbeshreddedorincinerated. Care should be taken if thesetasks are contracted to outside companies.Thelawyershouldensurethatdocumentsaredisposed of without review of confidentialinformationbythecontractor’semployeesorothers. There are companies familiar withthese duties of confidentiality that marketspecificallytolawfirms.

you should consider retaining an index ofdestroyed files, copies of your fee agreement,aswellasanyotherkeydocuments.

14) What rights do I have to retain the file from the client or successor counsel if I have not been paid?

Two different scenarios prompt the sameinquiry. Is it proper to retain, until the fee ispaid,aclient’spapers,moneyandotherprop-ertythatcameintotheattorney’spossessioninthe course of the professional employment?Oklahomarecognizes thecommonlawretain-ing lien,alsoknownasagenerallienorposses-sory lien. The retaining lien is an attorney’sclaimtoholdaclient’sfile,moneyorpropertyuntilthefeeissatisfied.Theretaininglienmaybeapplicablewhenaclient’sfailuretocomplywith a fee agreement has led to a lawyer’swithdrawalorwhenaclienthasdischargedanattorneyandthereremainsanoutstandingfeebalance.

InthecaseBritton and Gray PC v. Shelton,9theOklahoma Court of Civil Appeals set forthguidelines to assist in determining when it isproper to assert and enforce a retaining lien.“Oklahomalawrecognizestwotypesoflienbywhich a lawyer may secure payment for ser-vices:1)astatutorycharginglienand2)acom-mon-lawgeneralpossessoryorretaininglien....The retaining lien generally attaches to allproperty, papers, documents, securities andmoniesof theclientcomingintothehandsofthe attorney in the course of the professionalemployment.”

However,“alawyer[maynot]takemoneyorproperty entrusted to him for a ‘specific pur-pose’andapplyittotheattorney’sfeeclaim.”10Forexample,moneypaidtoanattorneyforthe“specificpurpose”oftakingadepositionwouldnotbesubjecttoaretaininglien.

InBritton,thecourtheldthattheassertionofaretaininglienthatisprejudicialtotheclientisinconsistentwiththelawyer’scontinuingdutytotheclient.Whendeterminingwhetherornottoclaimaretaininglientooriginaldocumentsyou should assess 1) whether the client willsufferseriousconsequenceswithoutthedocu-mentsand2)whetheranyprejudicetothecli-ent can be mitigated by means other than areturnofthedocuments.

Avalidretaininglienwillonlyattachwhenthere are reasonable fees due and owing. Itmaynotbeasserted for legal servicesnotyetperformed,whetherornottheclienthasagreedto pay for the future services. The attorneyclaiming the lien has the burden of proof onreasonablenessandindebtedness.Oncemet,itisupontheclienttoproveprejudice.

Inshort,theattorney’slegalrightstosecurepayment for services rendered must be bal-anced with the ethical responsibilities not toharm the client.11 This overarching consider-ationmakesthiscollectiontoolsomewhatdan-gerous to employ. Frankly, there are betterwaystoensurepayment.

Is it proper to retain, until the fee is paid, a client’s papers, money and other property that

came into the attorney’s possession in the course of the professional

employment?


Before you hold a client’s file “hostage,”weighthecompetingfactors:

•By holding the property, do I prejudice theclient’sabilitytogoforwardwiththematter?

•Cantheclientgettheretainedmaterialbyothermeans?

•Aremyfeesreasonable?•Aremyclaimedfeesforcompletedwork?

15) When is it proper to communicate with a represented person?

ORPC4.2prohibitsalawyerfromcommuni-cating about the subject of the representationwith a person the lawyer knows to be repre-sentedbyanotherlawyerinthematter,unlessthelawyerhastheconsentoftheotherlawyerorisauthorizedbylawtodoso.Byrestrictinglawyers from communicating directly withpersons who are represented, Rule 4.2 pre-servestheattorney-clientrelationship,protectsclients against overreaching by other lawyersandreducesthelikelihoodthatclientswilldis-closeconfidentialordamaginginformation.12

The rule applies even though the representedperson initiates the communication.you shouldimmediatelyterminatetheconversationonceyoulearnthepersonisrepresentedinthematter.

16) may I give a second opinion?

yes,ifyouareasyetuninvolvedinthematter.13

17) What if I am not sure the person is represented?

Consent of the opposing lawyer is notrequired to talk with a represented personunless you know a person is represented.“Knowledge” has been defined as actualknowledge, but it may be inferred from thecircumstances.Thesmartthingtodoistoaskfirst.14

18) What if their client calls my client?

Apartytoamattermayspeaktootherpar-ties, even though both are represented bycounsel.SeeORPC4.2.However,alawyermaynot “mastermind” the communicationsbetween a client and a represented person inanefforttoelicitconfidentialinformationorasettlement.

19) Is videotaping the opposing party the same as “communicating”?

Observingaparty isnot thesameas“com-municating”withtheparty.15

However,takingtheactbeyondmereobser-vation tocontactwith the representedpersonmaybeimproper.Alawyershouldnotcauseanonlawyer to contact a represented person.The lawyer may not use an investigator orotherpersontodowhattheattorneymaynot.Therefore, the investigator shouldnot engagethe represented person in conversation or ex partecommunications.

A lawyer should not necessarily accept aperson’s statement thathehas firedhisattor-ney.Somestatesholdthatyoumustcontacttheopposing counsel to confirm the termination.Ataminimum,oneshouldgetwrittenconfir-mation from the client that the attorney hasbeen fired. ABA Formal Ethics Op. 95-396(1995)statesthatalawyershouldseekconfir-mation that a representation has been termi-nated.Inacaseinvolvingacourtappointment,the lawyer should confirm that the court hasgrantedcounselleavetowithdraw.

These are only but a few of the dilemmasfacedbyattorneyswhencomplyingwithRule4.2 communications. Much more complexissuesareraisedwhentherepresentedpartyisan organization with current and formeremployees.Careshouldbetakentoreviewtheapplicable case law before contactingpersonswhomayberepresentedinamatter.Violationof the rule may result in suppression of theevidence,returnofdocuments,monetarysanc-tions,disqualification,anddiscipline.

20) my client owes me a lot of money for legal services and advanced expenses. may I charge the client interest on the unpaid balance?

yes,assumingthemoneyisoverdueandtheclienthasagreed.SeeEthicsOpinionNo.286,which can be found at www.okbar.org/ethics/286.htm.EthicsOpinionNo.286notesthat attention should be paid to applicablestateandfederallaw.

In light of the Committee’s opinion itmerits mention that there are specificrequirements under the Oklahoma Uni-form Consumer Credit Code providingforthedisclosureofinterestundervarioussituations.Itissuggestedthattheattorneyreviewthestatutesbeforeproceedingwiththe charging of interest so that he fullycomplieswiththerequirementsapplicabletohissituation.


Ethics Opinion No. 286 does not explicitlyrequiretheagreementtobememorializednordoes Oklahoma require all fee agreements tobe inwriting.ORPC1.5 requiresonlycontin-gency fees be in writing while encouragingother fee agreements to be communicated totheclientinwriting.However,ifanOklahomaattorneyintendstoattachfinancechargestoanunpaid legal fee,hewouldbewise toget theclient’sagreementtosameinwriting.Thefol-lowingaresuggested:

•Communicate the basis or rate of the feealongwiththeintenttochargeinterestonanyunpaidbalancetotheclientbothorallyandinwriting.

•Communicatetotheclienthowtheinter-estwillbe computedbothorallyand inwriting.

•Affirmtheclient’sagreementtothefeeandinterest by having the client sign the feeagreement.

•Keeptheoriginalofthefeeagreementandgivetheclientacopy.

•Theinterestratemustbereasonable,withinlegallimits,andnotusurious.

•The total amount sought from the client(feesplusinterest)mustbereasonable.

21) Can I lend a client money?

Itisnotuncommonduringthecourseofliti-gationforaclient,especiallyonewithapend-inginjuryclaim,toaskforfinancialassistancefrom his or her attorney. The request may befor an “advance,” “loan” or “guarantee.”Regardlessof the form,ORPC1.8(e)provides“A lawyer shall not provide financial assis-tancetoaclientinconnectionwithpendingorcontemplated litigation, except that a lawyermayadvancecourtcostsandexpensesof liti-gation,therepaymentofwhichmaybecontin-gentontheoutcomeofthematter.”

Advancinglivingexpenses(e.g.rent)toacli-entisprohibitedinOklahoma.16

The exception for “costs” and “expenses”encompasses most of the generally acceptedcharges directly associated with litigation.Costsincludefilingfees,feesforserviceofpro-cess,andotherdisbursementsthataretaxableand included in the judgment.17 Expenses oflitigation have been interpreted to includeinvestigationcosts,expensesofmedicalexami-nations,andthecostsofobtainingandpresent-ingevidence.Feesforlegitimatetravelrelatedto litigationhavebeenheld tobeexpensesoflitigation. However, other jurisdictions have

heldtheadvancementoffundsfortransporta-tion to a medical office for treatment or forpaymentoftreatmenttobeimproper.

Theruleprohibitsanattorneyfrommakingaloan to a client and likewise prohibits the“guaranteeing”of same.Theattorney, subjectto attorney/client confidence considerations,mayconfirmthependencyofasettlementandrecognize any lawfully obtained liens orencumbrances.

Inthepast,clientswereultimatelyliableforalladvancedcourtcostsandexpensesoflitiga-tion.Rule1.8(e)allowsrepaymenttobecontin-gent upon the outcome of the litigation. Thecontingent fee agreement must be in writing,and among other things, must state whetherthe client is responsible for reimbursementofexpenses.18

22) may I split a fee with another lawyer who only refers the case?

Feedivisionamonglawyersmostcommonlyoccurswhenonelawyerrefersacasetoanoth-erlawyer.Otherscenariosmayincludewhenaclient’s original attorney withdraws and isreplacedbyasuccessororalawyerwithdrawsorretiresfromafirm.Regardlessofthecircum-stances,lawyersfromdifferentfirmswhoworkon the same case may agree to split the legalfeesearnedonthecase.19

A division of fee between lawyers who arenotinthesamefirmmaybemadeonlyif:

1) the division is in proportion to the servicesperformedbyeachlawyer,oreachlawyerassumesjointresponsibilityfortherepresentation;

2) the client agrees to the arrangement andtheagreementisconfirmedinwriting;and

3)thetotalfeeisreasonable.

Theattorneysarenotrequiredtodisclosetotheclientthepercentageshareeachattorneyistoreceiveasbetweenthemselves,butmustascompared to the client. The total fee must bereasonable.

Jointresponsibilityentails,at least, theobli-gations required of the lawyer in ORPC 5.1.Thisruleplacestheattorneyisa“supervisorycapacity”toberesponsibletosomedegreefortheother lawyer’sworkand tomake reason-able efforts to ensure the other lawyer con-formstotherulesofprofessionalconduct.Jointresponsibility includes assumption of respon-sibility to the client “comparable to that of apartner in a law firm under similar circum-


stances,includingfinancialresponsibility[and]ethical responsibility to the extent a partnerwouldhaveethicalresponsibilityforactionsofotherpartnersinalawfirminaccordancewithRule5.1.”20Becarefulinyourreferralsasyourresponsibility is more than you may havethought.

The best practice is to have fee divisionagreementsinwritingspecifyingthereferringattorney’sroleinthecaseandthetermsofthesplit. There should be an agreement with theclientandasbetweenthetwolawyers.

23) What if the presiding judge is a former partner with me or my opposing counsel?

Howlongshouldajudgeberequiredtodis-close previous professional relationships withattorneysappearing in the judge’s court?TheJudicial Ethics Advisory Panel has been reti-cent to set a specific timeline for how long ajudge should continue to disclose previousprofessionalrelationships.“Wehaveprevious-lystatedthatwhenanewjudgeassumesoffice,the judge should, for a reasonable period oftime,discloseany immediatepast associationwithanattorneyappearingbeforetheJudge.”21Thequestionbeforethepanelinvolvedajudgewho was a sole practitioner for seven yearsimmediately prior to becoming a judge andhadbeenonthebenchfortwoyears.Thepanelstated that thiswascertainlymore thansuffi-cient time to no longer require disclosure ofpast relationships. Criteria to consider beforerequestingrecusalbasedonpriorprofessionalrelationshipsinclude:

•the length of the judge’s association withtheotherattorneyorfirm;

•theclosenessoftheassociation;•the amount of time since the association

ended;•thesizeofthefirm;

•whetherthecourtislocatedinanon-met-ropolitanarea;

•any financial dealings the judge has withtheformerpartners;

•thedurationandclosenessofpersonalrela-tionships between the judge and formerpartnersandassociates;

•whether the judge has a personal bias orprejudice toward the former partner orfirm;

•whetherthejudgeisstillreceivingmoneyfromthefirmorlawyer;

•anycontinuingsocialrelationshipwiththeattorney.

24) my client doesn’t want me to pay his doctor’s bill. What should I do?

InOklahoma,alawyermayhaveastatutoryduty to protect the claims of third partiesagainstclientfundsorpropertyinthelawyer’spossession.ORPC1.15(d)and(e)provide:

(d)Uponreceivingfundsorotherpropertyin which a client or third person has aninterest,alawyershallpromptlynotifytheclient or third person. Except as stated inthisRuleorotherwisepermittedbylaworbyagreementwiththeclient,alawyershallpromptlydelivertotheclientorthirdper-son any funds or other property that theclientorthirdpersonisentitledtoreceiveand, upon request by the client or thirdperson, shall promptly render a fullaccountingregardingsuchproperty.

(e)Wheninthecourseofarepresentation,alawyerpossessesfundsorotherpropertyinwhichboththelawyerandanotherper-son claim interests, the funds or otherpropertyshallbekeptseparatebythelaw-yeruntilthereisanaccountingandsever-ance of their interests. If a dispute arisesconcerning their respective interests, theportionindisputeshallbekeptseparatebythe lawyer until the dispute is resolved,and the undisputed portion of the fundsshallbepromptlydistributed.

Themostprevalentexampleiswhenamedi-calproviderfilesalienforservicesrendered.Ifa medical lien comports with the applicablestatutory requirements, an attorney must rec-ognize the validity of the lien and safeguardthefunds.22

Ifthereisalegitimatedisputeoverthedistri-butionofthefundsorownershipoftheproperty,the lawyer should not unilaterally assume to

The best practice is to have fee division agreements in writing specifying the referring attorney’s

role in the case and the terms of the split.


arbitrateadisputebetweentheclientandathirdparty. Further, where there is a dispute overentitlement to the funds, the attorney cannotsimplyholdthefundsindefinitely.Theattorneyshouldseek,ifnecessary,toinstituteappropriateproceedingstoresolvethedispute.23

The lawyer may be required to protect theinterests of a third party that do not have avalid lien. For example, if a client signs anagreement to pay a medical provider out ofsettlement proceeds, the attorney may berequired to recognize the agreement and notfollow client’s subsequent instructions to dootherwise.24

25) Why is it important to have and prop-erly maintain an IOlta trust account?

Participation in the Interest on Lawyers’TrustAccount(IOLTA)programismandatoryfor OBA members that hold client or third-party funds in connection with a representa-tion,unless it isnotfeasibleforthelawyerorlaw firm to establish an interest-bearing trustaccountforreasonsbeyondtheircontrol.Iftheclient funds are nominal in amount or to beheld for a short period of time, they must beplaced in an interest-bearing pooled trustaccount with the interest going to the Okla-homaBarFoundation.Thefoundation’staxI.D. number will be assigned to the IOLTAaccount.25

Nominal in Amount or Held for Short Period of Time

To determine whether the client funds are“nominal inamount”or“tobeheld forashortperiodoftime,”thelawyershallconsiderwheth-erthefundscouldbeinvestedtoprovideaposi-tivenetreturnorbenefittotheclienttakingthefollowingfactorsintoconsideration:

a)theamountofinterestthefundswouldearn during the period the funds areexpectedtobedeposited;b)thecostofestablishingandadminister-ingtheaccount,includingthecostoflaw-yer’sservicesandthecostofpreparinganytaxreportsrequiredforinterestaccruingtoaclient’sbenefit;and,c)thecapabilityofthefinancialinstitutiontocalculateandpayinterest to individualclients.ORCP1.15(h)(5)

Clientfundsthatdonotmeetthenominalorshorttermdefinitionsmaybeplacedinasepa-rateaccountthatmayearninterestforthecli-

ent’s benefit. The client’s tax I.D. numbershouldbeusedonsuchanaccount.

Trustaccountviolationsareamongthemostserious.CarefulattentiontothegoverningruleORPC 1.15 must be paid, as there are otherrequirements than those discussed in thisresponse.There isadditional informationandexplanation provided on the OBA Web site.When in doubt, contact the office of EthicsCounselor theOklahomaBarFoundation forassistance.

2009 – Amendment to ORPC:

ORPC1.15(g)hasbeenamendedtorequirechanges pertaining to IOLTA accounts to bereportedwithinthirtydaysofwhenthechang-es were actually made, not annually as for-merlyrequired.1.15(g)nowreads,inpart,asfollows:

EffectiveJanuary1,2009,…[e]achmemberoftheBarshallprovidetheOklahomaBarAssociationwith thenameof thebankorbanksinwhichthelawyercarriesanytrustaccount,thenameunderwhichtheaccountis carried and the account number. Thelawyer or law firm shall provide suchinformation within thirty (30) days fromthedatethatsaidaccountisopened,closed,changed, or modified. The Oklahoma BarAssociation will provide on-line accessand/orpaper formsformembers tocom-plywiththesereportingrequirements.Pro-visionwillbemadeforaresponsebylaw-yerswhodonotmaintaina trust accountand the reason for not maintaining saidaccount.InformationreceivedbytheAsso-ciation as a result of this inquiry shallremainconfidentialexceptasprovidedbytheRulesGoverningDisciplinaryProceed-ings.Failureofanylawyertorespondgiv-ingtheinformationrequestedbytheOkla-homa Bar Association, Oklahoma BarFoundation or the Office of the GeneralCounselof theOklahomaBarAssociationwillbegroundsforappropriatediscipline.

COnClusIOn

Inconclusion,animportantpartofour jobsis tohelpyousuccessfullynavigate theRulesof Professional Conduct. We frequently writefor this publication and write and speak forcontinuingeducationprogramsinanefforttoprovide as much assistance as possible. Thephrase“alawyershouldavoideventheappear-


ance of impropriety” is still good advice, butthereareanincreasingnumberofopinionsandrulestoknow.Wethinkmostlawyerswilldothe right thing, if they know what the rightthing is.Wehope thisandotherarticles fromourofficeshelp.

1.5O.S.Ch.1.App.1-A.2.OklahomaRulesofProfessionalConduct(ORPC)5O.S.Ch.1.

App.3-A,Rule8.3(d).3.ORPC5.3.4.ORPC8.5(a).5.ORPC8.5(b)(1).6.ORPC8.5(b)(2).7.ORPCScope[20].8.ABAStandingCommitteeonEthicsandProfessionalResponsi-

bility,InformalOp.1384(1977).9.Britton and Gray PC v. Shelton,2003OKCIVAPP40,69P3d.1210.10.State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Ass’n v. Cummings,1993OK127,863

P.2d1164,1170.11.ORPC1.16(d).12.SeeABAFormalEthicsOp.95-396(1995).13.See, e.g., State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Ass’n v. Butner,1998OK132,

976P.2d542(Okla.1998).14.See, e.g., State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Ass’n v. Harper,2000OK6,995

P.2d1143(Okla.2000).15.Hill v. Shell Oil Co.,209F.Supp.2d876(N.D.Ill.2002).16.See State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Ass’n v. Smolen,2000OK95,17P.3d456.17.Sellers v. Johnson,1986OKCIVAPP6,719P.2d476,479.18.ORPC1.5(c).19.ORPC1.5(e).20.ABAInformalEthicsOp.85-1514(1985).21.JudicialEthicsOpinion2003-6,2003OKJUDETH6,84P.3d808.22.See Saint Francis Hospital v. Vaughn,1998OKCIVAPP167,971

P.2d401.23.See State of Oklahoma ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Association v. Taylor,2003

OK56,71P.3d18.24.SeeABAInformalEthicsOpinion1295(1974).25.ORPC1.15.

Gina Hendryx is the General Counsel for the Oklahoma Bar Association. A licensed attorney for the past 25 years, she received her J.D. and B.S. degrees from OCU. She supervises a staff of 12 and serves as the association’s counsel on other legal matters. She works with the Professional Responsibility Commission and

serves as a liaison to the OBA Board of Governors, OBA committees, the courts, and other local and national entities concerning lawyer ethics issues.

Travis Pickens serves as OBA Ethics Counsel. He is responsible for addressing ethics questions from OBA members, working with the Legal Ethics Advisory Panel, monitoring diversion pro-gram participants, teaching class-es and writing articles. A former litigator in private practice, he has served as co-chair of the

Work/Life Balance Committee and as vice-chair of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program Committee.

AbOuT THE AuTHORS


The Monster in the Mirror: Declining Civility in the

Practice of LawBy David K. Hale


Ethics &

Senior lawyers lament the lackofcivility inup-and-coming lawyers. They share war sto-riestoreinforcethenotionthattheprofessionis takinga turn for theworse.Senior lawyerssay that indayspast, thepracticeof lawwasmorefun.Thenextthingtheydoisgooutandtell law students and young attorneys abouthow the best and brightest attorneys are theones who are stepping outside the bounds ofcivility.

Itishardtoarguethatmanyattorneysaban-don what little professionalism they havelearned in law school once they enter in thepressure-filledmarketplaceofprivatepractice.1Someattorneyslosesightofthehumansideofthelawandadoptawin-at-all-costsstrategyinthe quest to win cases, increase profits, gainclientsandbuildstrongreputations.Theques-

tion many senior lawyers ask is why this ishappeningtothenextgenerationoflawyers.

Whileitmaybeatoughpilltoswallow,theanswertothisquestionisstaringbackatseniorlawyerseverymorningwhentheylookinthemirror.Itishardtofindaseniorattorneywhodoesnothaveawarstoryortwotheylovetoshare. It may be a personal experience or anattorneytheyknoworhaveworkedwith,butthestoriestendtohaveacommontheme.Thetheme that echoes through the halls of lawschools is that underhandedness and ethicaltightropewalkingisrewardedhandsomely.

A recent article published by the AmericanBarAssociationheldupsevenmenas“Lionsof the Trial Bar.”2 This article detailed whythese men had obtained the status that theyhad. Two examples stood out exemplifying

Mostofusbegintolearntheimportanceofgoodmannersfromour families.Thisprocess continuesat church, inschool and social settings as we learn about the stan-

dards for behavior considered appropriate in particular placesand situations. Most young attorneys are first exposed to theacceptedmannersofthelegalprofessioninlawschool,althoughverylittleeducationinprofessionalismisapartofthecorecur-riculum.Asaresult,aninterestingparadoxhasdevelopedinthelegalprofession.


whyyounglawyersoftodayarenotascivilasseniorlawyersfeeltheyshouldbe.

Thefirst“Lion”wasanattorneyfromGeor-giabythenameofBobbyLeeCook.3Idonotknow Mr. Cook, I have no first hand experi-ence to comment about his legal skills anddon’tdoubthe is fineattorney.That said, thesubheadonhiswriteupsaysitall:“BobbyLeeCook:Kickin’AssesthatneededKickin.’”Thearticlegoesontodetailhowhepulledasheriffoutofthewitnessboxandbeathimsenselessinopencourt.

Thesecond“Lion”wasJoeJamail.4TheABAarticle on Mr. Jamail detailed one of his lesscolorful moments, forging documents to getinto the Marines. However, the DelawareSupremeCourtforevermemorializedthebell-wether of legal incivility in the case of Para-mount Communications Inc. v. QVC Network Inc.5IntheParamountcase,Mr.Jamailwasadmon-ishedbythecourtintellinganopposingattor-ney that he “could gag a maggot of a meatwagon,” among other things. The court wentontosaythatwhileheservedhisclientwell,hehadalsoengagedinmisconduct.6

Howcanweexpectagenerationoflawyersto exercise civility when we tell them thatattorneyslikeMr.JamailandMr.Cookarethebestofthebest?Whilethesemenaresuccess-fulattorneys,theyareheldupasrolemodels,yet their conduct does not match what otherattorneyswanttoseeinco-counselandoppos-ingcounsel.Theanticsdescribed in theABAarticle may be exceptions to generally civilconduct by these two men, but these are thestoriesbeingcelebrated,asthesemenareheldoutasthefinestexamplesoftrialattorneysinpracticetoday.

Ofcoursetheeasywayoutwouldbetopassthesemenoffasanotherbar’sproblem.ItwouldbeeasytosaythatthelionsoftheOklahomabardonotactinsuchanuncivilmanner.Todosowouldbedisingenuousatbest.

Overthecourseofmylegaleducation,IhavebeentoldrepeatedlyaboutacertainOklahomaattorneywhoisthepinnacleoffinelawyeringandanexcellentexampleofwhatanattorneyshouldaspireto.yet,theonewarstoryIknowaboutthisattorneyisthatheintentionallybur-ied opposing counsel with bankers boxes fullof paper in response to a discovery request,someofwhichheknewwerenotresponsivetothe request, in an effort to hide a “smokinggun”memo.Thislawyerwentonadmitthathe

buried opposing counsel knowing that theylackedthecapacitytoreviewallthedocumentsproduced prior to trial. The story goes on torevealthatthisattorneygotaverdict infavorof his client, but in subsequent litigation thememo was located and the results of subse-quenttrialswerenotsofavorable.

IsthisamanIshouldemulate?Ihavebeentoldrepeatedlythatthecorrectanswertothatquestion is yes. However, how do I reconcilehis actions with the cry for civility as I beginmy career in the next few months? The mes-sageIamreceivingisthatIshouldaspiretobelike theseseasoned, respectedattorneys. Iamtoldstoriesabouthowtheyactedoutinsome-times blatantly improper, uncivil ways. I amtoldstoriesabouttimestheystretchedtheethi-cal rules to their breaking point. In the nextbreath, Iamtold that Ineedtoact inamuchmore civil manner than what is described inthewarstoriesIcommonlyhear.

WhileIamnotinapositiontosaywhethercivilityistrulydeclining,Icanofferthisobser-vation as a soon to be member of the bar.Actionsspeakmuchlouderthanwords.Whensomeone tells me to emulate Mr. Jamail andthendescribeshowheabusesopposingcoun-selortellsmetobeliketheattorneyinthenextoffice, and then tells me how he buried thesmokingguninanavalancheofunresponsivepaper,whatlessondotheyreallyexpectmetotakeaway?

Throughoutmylegaleducation,Ihavebeensentconflictingmessagesastowhattheproperboundsofcivilityreallyare.Beingthefirsttoenterthepracticeoflawinmyfamily,immedi-ate and extended, my perceptions of how toplay nice with others and have a successfulcareer are still in the early formative stages.Many of my classmates find themselves insimilarsituationsandareenteringanincreas-ingly competitive legal market. How do wemakesurethatpeoplelikemeavoidthelackofcivilitydetailedearlierinthisarticle?

Tocuretheailmentof incivility intheprac-ticeoflaw,itneedstobetreatedmuchthesame

…he pulled a sheriff out of the witness box and beat him senseless in open court.


wayyouwouldanyillnessyouface.Thedis-easehasbeendiagnosedasdecliningcivilityinthe practice of law. The medication that isneededisastrongmentoringprogram.

Thesyrupmaylooklikethepenicillinachildtakesforanearache,butitcouldnotbefartherfromthetruth.Mentoringwillnotprovideanovernightcure,butratherasteadydoseoveralongperiodoftimewillberequiredifcivilityisto be developed and maintained at the levelsmanywouldliketosee.

Mentorsneedtobewillingtotaketimeawayfromtheireverydaypracticetohelpayoungerattorney learn not only proper practice tech-niques,buthowtoplaywellwithothers.Whilementoring is important within the walls of afirm, itneeds toreachbeyondtheconfinesoffirms and their new associates. The reality ofthelegalprofessionisthatmostattorneyswillfind work in small firms and offices as theycomeoutofschoolandformtheirlegalperson-ality.There is adanger in such scenarios thatmentoringwillbeinsufficientorevennonexis-tent. Lawyers who are fully invested in thefutureoftheOklahomalegalcommunityneedto step up to the plate and take the time tomoldthenextgenerationoflawyers.Indoingso,theycanhelpinfluencethecivilityofprac-ticeoverall.

Additionally,formentoringtobesuccessful,weneedtoovercomethemyththatonepersoncanbeanadequaterolemodel.Mostnewlaw-yerswillneedmultiplementors tohelp themfindtheirvoicewithinthelegalcommunity.Astheircareersmature,theywillnaturallygravi-tate away from some mentors and closer tootherswhohavebuiltapracticesimilartotheone they are building and have done so in awaythatresonateswiththeirpersonality.

Tostemtheerosionofcivilityinthepracticeoflaw,mentorsareneeded.Muchastheblindlistentothefamiliartonesofaudiblesignalstocut through the sounds of a busy city andguide them to safety as they cross the street,law students and young attorneys need astrong,familiarvoicetodrownoutthecurrentcacophonyofmessagesbesiegingthem.Whentheyhavethatvoicetofollow,theywilldevel-opintowell-roundedmembersofthebar,whounderstandwhatcivilitytrulymeans.

1.ForadiscussionofeconomicpressuresandtheircontributiontothedeclineofcivilityinseeAmyMashburn,Professionalism in the Prac-tice of Law,28VAL.U.L.REV.657,689(1994).

2.MarkCurriden,Lions of the Trial Bar,ABAJournal,availableatwww.abajournal.com/magazine/article/lions_of_the_trial_bar/ (lastvisitedNovember29,2009).

3.MarkCurriden,Lions of the Trial Bar,ABAJournal,availableatwww.abajournal.com/magazine/article/bobby_lee_cook/ (last visit-edNovember27,2009).

4.MarkCurriden,Lions of the Trial Bar,ABAJournal,availableatwww.abajournal.com/magazine/article/joe_jamail (last visited No-vember29,2009).

5.Paramount Communications Inc. v. QVC Network Inc.,637A.2d34(Del.1994).

6.Id.at54.

David K. Hale is a third-year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He will complete his studies this December. During his legal edu-cation, he has volunteered in excess of 300 hours while coor-dinating service projects for the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, in addition to volunteering as a

mediator with Early Settlement Mediation. However, his greatest accomplishments come at home as a proud father and husband.

AbOuT THE AuTHOR


Market

www.okbar.org

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NOTICE OF JUDICIAL VACANCYTheJudicialNominatingCommissionseeksapplicantstofillthefollowingjudicialoffice:

District Judge seventh Judicial District, Office 6

Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

ThisvacancyisduetotheretirementoftheHonorableVirgilC.Black,effectiveJanuary1,2010.

to be appointed to the office of District Judge, Office 6, 7th Judicial District, one must be a registered voter of Oklahoma County at the time (s)he takes the oath of office and assumes the duties of office. additionally, prior to appointment, such appointee shall have had a minimum of four years experience as a licensed practicing attorney, or as a judge of a court of record, or both, within the state of Oklahoma.

ApplicationformscanbeobtainedbycontactingTammyReaves,AdministrativeOfficeoftheCourts,1915NorthStiles,Suite305,OklahomaCity,Oklahoma73105,(405)521-2450,oronlineatwww.oscn.netunderthelinktoOklahomaJudicialNominatingCommission.Appli-cationsmustbesubmittedtotheChairmanoftheCommissionatthesameaddressno later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, December 18, 2009. If applications are mailed, they must be post-marked by midnight, December 18, 2009.

MarkD.Antinoro,ChairmanOklahomaJudicialNominatingCommission

We have the flexibility to handle your

Professional Liability Insurance Needs

As well as…

Court Bonds Office Package Policy

(General Liability/Property Insurance)

405/471-5380 800/318-7505 [email protected]


Social EthicsBy Travis Pickens


Ethics &

you know what’s about to happen is inevi-table. you hopelessly shrug your shouldersandturn to faceyourpursuer.Hegrabsyourarmandgetsclose,inyourface,violatingtra-ditionalcustomsofpersonalspace.Hisbreathstinks of nacho cheese and scotch. He has aquestion,a legalquestion,andhewantsyou,the lawyer, to stop mid-party, mid-fun awayfromwork,andgivehimaspecificlegalopin-ion on his “unique” fact situation that takeshim a full 10 minutes to relate – because hedoesn’t know how to get to the point andthinksnopoint canbemadewithout“a littlebackground,” which of course includes ency-clopedic detail, meaningless asides, a host ofrationalizations, and most important of all,hintsbyinflectionandcurledlipsastohowhewantsyoutocomedown.

HefinishesadiatribethatmakesFidelCastrolookmeek, leansinevencloser,andwaitsforyoutosaythewordssomeclientsprizeaboveall others, “Gee, I can see why you did that!you are as right as you can be! I agree withyou!” or the corollary, “Gee, I cannot believethathappened!That’sblatantlyillegalandtheycan’tdothat!”

Then,ofcourse,ifyoudoagree(acompellingoption because you know it’s the only way tobreakfreefromthissmotheringboreintimetogetanotherdrinkbeforethebarcloses),thisguywill tell everyone he sees and knows that “mylawyer agrees with me completely” and thatwhateverwas“clearlylegal”or“highlyillegal,”themeaninglessmodifiers thrown in foreffect.Hewillquoteyou inconversationsandletters,each time making your advice more pointed,moreurgentandmoreoutraged.

Andasquickashecame,hewillbackawayfrom you, the lawyer, with a satisfied smile,followed by a couple of knowing nods, andthen turn and leave without a “thank you,”any offer to make an appointment at youroffice,orevenbuyyourlunch.you’vejustbeenavictimoflawyerabuse.

How do you avoid this personal tragedy?First, leaveworkat theoffice.Physiciansandaccountantsdo,wecan,too.Second,whenyouare ensnared by this abuser, grab him by thearm, interrupt him and say something like,“Whoa, Icanseethissituation isupsettingtoyou, but I really can’t discuss this right now.This kind of [big deal] requires my absolutefullattention.Iwillneedtorunaconflictcheck

youareatthepartyandyouseehimcoming,theguyacrosstheroomyoubarelyknow,butheknowsyouarealawyer.He fixeshis stareonyou likea laser-guidedmissileona

Taliban safe house. If you break for the buffet table, he breakswithyou. Ifyouturn for thebar,heswivels likeapointguardandisstillwithyou.He’swalkingfasterandclosingfast.


andvisitwithyouatlengthinmyofficebeforeIcandiscusseventhepossibilityofrepresent-ingyou.Whydon’tyoucallmyofficeMondaymorningtomakeanappointment?”

you do not want the abuser to arguablybecome a client or potential client now, andyoudon’twanttolearnanyconfidentialinfor-mation, triggering restrictions and duties, forseveralreasons.One,it’saparty,notanofficeconference. There will never be a fee. Two,whateveryouutterwillbefrozenintheabus-er’smemoryas“TheTruth”forevermore.youwillneverbeabletomodify,muchlessretractit. Three, you will open yourself up to a nui-sancemalpracticeclaimorbarcomplaintiftheabuseractson incompleteadviceand it turnsout there is more to the story (there will be)that would have changed whatever you said.Four, you will have to maintain the abuser’sconfidences,whichissomethingelseyouwillbe doing for nothing. Fifth, you might get totheofficeMondayandfindoutyourdamningopinionrelatedtoaclientofanotherlawyerinyouroffice.

Rule of Professional Conduct 1.18 (a) statesthat“[a]personwhodiscusseswitha lawyerthepossibilityofformingaclient-lawyerrela-tionshipwithrespecttoamatterisaprospec-tiveclient.”RPC1.18(b)says“[e]venwhennoclient-lawyer relationship ensues, a lawyerwho has had discussions with a prospective

client shall not use or reveal informationlearnedintheconsultation,exceptasRule1.9wouldpermitwithrespecttoinformationofaformerclient.”

Therefore,youdo not want to discuss represen-tation or learn anything at the party. There isabsolutelynothingtogain,andperhapsalottolose.But,youreallydon’twanttoloseapoten-tialclient.Theabusermayinfacthavealegiti-mateissueandbewillingtopayyourfullfeeforthehelp.So,youarepoliteandinvitehimtosetupatimeatyouroffice.Ifheisserious,hewill.Ifnot,you’vewastednotime.

Then,youcangobacktothepartyandhavesomefun.

Travis Pickens serves as OBA Ethics Counsel. He is responsi-ble for addressing ethics ques-tions from OBA members, work-ing with the Legal Ethics Advi-sory Panel, monitoring diversion program participants, teaching classes and writing articles. A former litigator in private prac-tice, he has served as co-chair of

the Work/Life Balance Committee and as vice-chair of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program Committee.

AbOuT THE AuTHOR

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Appellate Advocacy and the Standards of Professionalism

By Justice John F. Reif

“We judges and lawyers of the State of Oklahoma recognize our responsibility to uphold the longstanding traditions of professionalism and civility within the legal system.”

Preamble, Standards of Professionalism1


Ethics &

Among those watching the individual andcollectivejugglingeffortsinthepracticeoflawaretheprofessionalorganizationsthatoverseetheconductandcompetenceoftheirmembers.Inrecentyears,professionalorganizations,liketheOklahomaBarAssociationandtheAmeri-can College of Trial Lawyers, have observedthatprofessionalismandcivilityarethingsthattheburdenedlawyerhasdroppedmoreoften(or at least more noticeably) than otherdemands.Inresponse,theOklahomaBarAsso-ciationandAmericanCollegeofTrialLawyershavetakenstepstohelp lawyers individuallyandcollectivelyrecognizethatprofessionalismandcivilityactuallymakejugglingthedemandsofpracticeabetter,morebalancedprocess.

Inthefallof2003,theOklahomaBarAssocia-tionBoardofGovernorsadoptedStandardsofProfessionalismtoarticulateandpromote“thelevel of behavior we [lawyers and judges]expectfromeachotherandthepublicexpectsfrom us in our dealings with the public, thecourts,ourclientsandeachother.”Thesestan-dards go beyond the minimum standards alawyer must meet under the Rules of Profes-sional Conduct to avoid discipline. However,thesestandardsarenotintendedtobeusedasabasisfordisciplineorasstandardsofcareinanactionagainsta lawyer.Theyare intendedasguidance“toupholdthelongstandingtradi-tionsofprofessionalismandcivilitywithinthelegalsystem.”

Thepracticeoflawisademandingandchallengingexperi-ence. A lawyer is a lot like a carnival juggler who hasattentionandeffortconstantlyfocusedonseveralthings

atthesametime.Likethejuggler,thelawyeriswatchedwiththeexpectationthatnothingwillbedropped.Intime,however,boththejugglerandthelawyerwilleventuallydropsomethingwhenthenumberofthingsbecomestooburdensome.


Inthesummerof2005,theAmericanCollegeofTrialLawyersadoptedstandardsofpretrialconductandreviseditsstandardsoftrialcon-duct. Its new standards of pretrial conductrecognizethatlawyersoweimportantdutiesof“courtesy,candorandcooperation”tothejudi-cialsystem,tootherlawyersandtothepublic,and“canprotect[theirclient’s]interestswhilestillapplying thehigheststandardsofprofes-sionalism.”LiketheOBAStandardsofProfes-sionalism,theACTLStandardsareintendedtosupplement local rules, procedural rules andrules of professional conduct. Also, like theOBA Standards of Professionalism, theACTLStandards“shouldnotgive rise toanyclaim,createapresumptionthatalegaldutyhasbeenbreachedorformthebasisfordisciplinarypro-ceedings or sanctions.” The standards aremeant to provide guidance to lawyers onproperprofessionalconduct.

InconjunctionwiththeadoptionoftheStan-dards of Professionalism, the OBA Board ofGovernors also amended the Lawyer’s Creed,originallyadoptedNov.17,1989.TheLawyer’sCreedrecognizesthatalawyer’sconduct“isnotgovernedsolelybytheOklahomaRulesofPro-fessionalConduct,butalsobystandardsoffun-damentaldecencyandcourtesy.”TheamendedCreed pledges “conduct… in a manner consis-tent with the Oklahoma Bar Association Stan-dardsofPro-fessionalism.”TheLawyer’sCreedalsoidentifiesaspectsof“thelevelofbehavior”that the Standards of Professionalism seek topromotesuchas“afundamentalsenseofinteg-rity and fair play,” “accommodation,” “funda-mental decency,” “courtesy,” “punctual[ity]”and“civility.”

While professionalism and civility promotepublic respect for the legal profession, andmutual respectamong itsmembers, theyalsoserve a very practical purpose. As the ACTLStandardsobserve,“thedignity,decorumandcourtesy which have traditionally character-ized the courts of civilized nations are notempty formalities [but] are essential to anatmosphereinwhichjusticecanbedone.”

The ACTL Trial Conduct Standards stressthatthedifficulttasksofdiscoveringthetruthandapplyingthefactstothelaw“aredemand-ing and cannot be performed in a disorderlyenvironment [and without] order… reasoncannotprevail.”TheLawyer’sCreedsimilarlyrecognizesthat“[r]udebehaviorhinderseffec-tive advocacy,” while OBA Standard 2.7remindsthat“effectiverepresentationdoesnot

require, and in fact is impaired by, conductwhich objectively can be characterized asuncivil,rude,abrasive,abusive,vulgar,antag-onistic,obstructiveorobnoxious.”

Professionalismandcivilityarenotjustcher-ished values or occasional practices to beemployed when required for advantage orappearance. They provide the best possibleenvironment in which advocacy can occur toproducedecisionsthatmakethelawworkandtoachievejustresults.

The OBA Standards of Professionalism andtheACTLStandardsbothaddresscivilityandprofessionalconductinparticularcontextsandareas of practice. Both sets of standards calluponthelawyertodo,orrefrainfromdoing,avarietyofthings,dependinguponthesituationfacedbythelawyer.Whilethestandardsplacethe most emphasis on professionalism andcivility in litigation,manystandardsapply toappellateadvocacyaswell.

tHe PrOBlem OF unPrOFessIOnal aPPellate aDVOCaCY

To be sure, problems with unprofessionalconductandincivilitydonotoccurasofteninthecalmer,reflectivecontextofappellateadvo-cacy as they do in the heat-of-the-momentworldofdailypracticeandlitigation.Howev-er,appellateadvocacyisnotwithoutitslapsesinprofessionalismandcivility.

Afewexampleswillillustratethispoint:

1)Inthestatementofthecaseinapetitioninerror,theappellant’sattorneywrote:

•“In a typical rape of justice commonlyoccurringinOklahomacourtrooms,[JudgexandAppellee]conspiredbyprivateprioragreementtodeprive[Appellant]ofaccesstocourt.”

•“[Judgex]liedbyclaimingtohaveexam-ined the pleadings, heard testimony andreviewedtheevidence.”

•“It issufficient tosay that [Judgex] isanembarrassmentandadisgrace;[Judgex]ismerelyatypicaljudge.”

•“[Judgex]statesinhisorderthat[Appellee]appearedbyherattorney.[Judgex]shouldbe compelled to appear before the multi-countygrandjuryandstatewhetherornothe knows that attorneys are not witnessesand cannot present evidence to the courtexceptthroughacompetentwitness.”


•“TheSupremeCourtofOklahomaishere-by noticed: The people of Oklahoma arefedupwiththistypeofcrapcomingoutofthe district courts of Oklahoma and thisSupremeCourt’sappellatedivisions.”

2) In a brief in chief, appellant’s attorneywrote:

•“When reading the trial transcript… itbecomes painfully apparent that this trialjudge was biased in his feeble attempt todispensejustice.”

•“[Judgex]camefromaninsurancedefensebackgroundand lostallcommonsenseoffairnessuponappointmenttobench[whichwas]amandatetoassistbigbusinessandinsurancecompanies.”

•“[Judgex]nomoreunderstandshisroleasa jurist than Dennis the Menace under-standsgrowingupand leadingaproduc-tivelife.”

•“Thetrialcourtfailedmiserablyatitsjobasajurist,butexceededwithstellarmarksinfollowing[a]plantosacrificetheworkingmenandwomenofOklahoma.”

•“Respectfullysubmitted,…”

3)Inapetitionforcertiorari,seekingreviewofacourtofcivilappealsdecision,thepetition-ers’attorneywrote:

•“This excerpt from the Decision… reekswith a reweighing of the factual conclu-sionsreachedbytheTrialCourt.”

•“Thisis[sic]Courtiswellawarethat[Divi-sion x] has taken upon themselves… toinject their own personal philosophy andpolicyconsiderationsintodecisionshand-eddownfortheirreview.”

•“[Division x] has reached the point ofabsurditywiththeiracrosstheboardrever-salofvirtuallyeverycaseagainstRespon-dent/Employer/InsuranceCarrier.”

•“Ifit issupposedtobeasecret, it isnotavery well kept one and surely this Courtmustknowoftheanticsof[Divisionx].”

•“IfClaimantsseetheystandaoneinfourchanceofgetting[Divisionx]andgettingtheir case returned in their favor, thatchanceisstillenoughtopromotethecon-tinuedfilingoffrivolousappeals.”

•“Todenycertiorariinacasesuchasthisisliterallytosubsidize[Divisionx’s]improp-eruseofitspower.”

•“[A]ll that we can do is ask the SupremeCourttostepinandsupervisetheprepos-terousdecisionsreachedby[Divisionx].”

Ingeneral, sanctionsandprofessionaldisci-pline are effective ways to deter this type ofadvocacy. However, such measures deal withunprofessionalconductandincivilityafterthefactanddolittletopromotepublicconfidenceintheprofession.Ontheotherhand,thestan-dards of professionalism, though lacking anenforcementmechanism,promotebothprofes-sionaldevelopmentandpublic confidencebyidentifyingprofessionalconductthatisproperand respected and by condemning behaviorthatisunacceptableanddamagingtothepro-fession.Insimplerterms,thestandardsarticu-latethe“thoushalts”and“thoushaltnots”forthepracticeoflaw.

OBa anD aCtl stanDarDs OF PrOFessIOnalIsm aPPlICaBle tO aPPellate aDVOCaCY

Whileappellateadvocacywasnotspecificallyaddressed in the OBA and ACTL Standards,Section4oftheOBAstandardsaddresses“Law-yers’ResponsibilitiestotheCourtsandAdmin-istrativeAgencies.”OBAStandards4.1and4.5inSection4aregenerallyapplicabletooralandwrittenadvocacy,whileOBAStandard4.9spe-cificallydealswith“WritingsSubmitted to theCourtorTribunal.”Inaddition,OBAStandard4.10addresses“Ex ParteCommunicationswiththeCourt.”

OBA Standard 4.1 calls upon lawyers to“speakandwritecivillyandrespectfullyinallcommunicationswiththecourt.”Thisstandardisaspecialapplicationofthegeneraldeclara-tion in OBA Standard 1.7 that “Our publiccommunicationswillreflectappropriatecivili-ty,professionalintegrity,personaldignity,andrespectforthelegalsystemandthejudiciary.”

OBAStandard4.5directsthatlawyers“neverknowinglymisrepresent,mischaracterize,mis-quote,miscitefactsorauthorities,orotherwiseengageinconductwhichmisleadsthecourt.”ThisstandardcomplementsOBAStandard1.2that directs lawyers “not knowingly misstate,distort or improperly exaggerate any fact,opinionorlegalauthority.”

OBAStandard4.9(a)callsfor“[w]rittenmate-rialssubmittedto[thecourtto]befactualand


concise,accuratelystatecurrentlaw,andfairlyrepresenttheparty’spositionwithoutunfairlyattackingtheopposingpartyoropposingcoun-sel.” Factual accuracy is further stressed inStandard 4.9(b) that declares: “Facts that arenotproperlyintroducedinthecaseandpartoftherecordintheproceedingwillnotbeusedinbriefsorargument.”AsimilarruleisfoundinACTL Pretrial Standard 3(a): “Written briefsandmemorandashouldnotrefertoorrelyonfacts that are not properly a part of therecord.”

OBA Standard 4.9(d) instructs the advocate“[to]avoiddisparagingtheintelligence,ethics,morals, integrity, or personal behavior of theopposing party, counsel or witnesses unlessanysuchcharacteristicsoractionsaredirectlyand necessarily at issue in the proceeding.”The corresponding ACTL Pretrial Standard3(b) similarly provides: “Neither written sub-missionsnororalpresentationsshoulddispar-agetheintegrity,intelligence,morals,ethics,orpersonalbehaviorofanadversaryunlesssuchmattersaredirectlyrelevantunderthecontrol-lingsubstantivelaw.

OBA Standard 4.10(a) condemns “ex partecommunications involving the substance ofpendingmatters…whetherinperson(includ-ing social, professional or other contexts), bytelephone,andinlettersorotherformsofwrit-tencommunication.”Ex parte communicationsare likewiseaddressed inACTLPretrialStan-dard8.Giventhefactthatnearlyeveryaspectofappellatepracticeisdoneinwritingwithacorresponding opportunity to respond, theopportunity for and actual occurrence of expartecommunication in appellate advocacy isextremelyrare.Itismentionedheremoreasageneral reminder than a necessary guide orprecautiontotheappellatepractitioner.

In addition to the standards in Section 4,standardsinothersectionshaveadirectbear-ing on appellate advocacy. For example, theconcept of “public communications” in OBAStandard1.7 isbroadenough toextend toallfilings in the public record, like appellatepleadings, motions and briefs. Standard 1.7calls forall suchcommunications“[to] reflectappropriatecivility,professionalintegrity,per-sonaldignity,andrespectforthelegalsystemandthejudiciary.”

OBAStandard1.7doesallowfor“goodfaithexpressionsofdissentorcriticisminpublicorprivate discussions when the purpose is to

promote improvements in the legal system.”Undoubtedly, the authors of the examplesabove believed they were expressing needed“criticism”ofthecourtwhoseordertheywereappealing.Evenassumingthattheyintended“to promote improvement in the legal sys-tem,”theiradvocacydidnotreflectappropri-atecivilityorrespectforthelegalsystemandthejudiciary.

AnotherexampleofageneralstandardwithadirectbearingonappellateadvocacyisOBAStandard 1.10 in Section 1. This standarddeclaresa lawyer“will refrain fromengagingin professional conduct which exhibits or isintendedtoappealtoorengenderbiasagainst

apersonbaseduponthatperson’srace,color,nationalorigin,ethnicity,religion,gender,sex-ualorientationordisability.”Asimilardeclara-tion is found inACTL Pretrial Standard 4(a):“Lawyers should refrain from acting upon ormanifestingbiasorprejudicetowardanyper-son based upon race, sex, religion, nationalorigin, disability, age, sexual orientation, orsocioeconomicstatus.”

Further, OBA Standard 2.7 in Section 2 con-demns“conductwhichobjectivelycanbechar-acterized as uncivil, rude, abrasive, abusive,vulgar,antagonistic,obstructiveorobnoxious.”This standard also directs that “[i]ll feelingsbetween clients will not dictate or influence alawyer’s attitude, demeanor, behavior or con-duct.” A corresponding direction appears inACTL Pretrial Standard 4(a): “In dealing withothers,counselshouldnotreflectanyillfeelingsthatclientsmayhavetowardtheiradversaries.”

Finally, OBA Standards 2.10 and 2.11 con-cerning alternative dispute resolution areapplicabletotheappellatepractitionerinlightof the appellate settlement conference proce-dure provided in Supreme Court Rules 1.250

OBA Standard 4.1 calls upon lawyers to ‘speak

and write civilly and respectfully in all communications with the court.’


through 1.253, 12 O.S. 2001, ch. 15, app. 2.UnderStandard2.10,anappellatepractitionershould“considerwhethertheclient’sinterestscanbeadequatelyservedandthecontroversymoreexpeditiouslyandeconomicallyresolvedby… alternative dispute resolution.” Underthis standard, an appellate practitioner “willraise the issue of settlement and alternativedispute resolutionas soonas [themerits] canbe evaluated and meaningful compromisenegotiationscanbeundertaken.Standard2.11requires“goodfaith”participationinanalter-native dispute resolution process and con-demns “use [of] the process for purpose ofdelay or for any other improper purpose.”Comparable directives concerning settlementandalternativedisputeresolutionarefoundinACTLPretrialStandard9.

COnClusIOn

TheOBAandACTLStandardswillnottrans-form every lawyer into a “perfect lady” or“perfectgentleman.”Manylawyersbynaturehavestrong,aggressivepersonalitieswhichareas valuable as their expertise in a particularareaoflaw.Thepurposeofthestandardsistoguidetheindividualizedexpressionofourper-sonalities so that we preserve the appearanceofprofessionalismaswecarryoutourprofes-sionalresponsibilitytoclientsandsociety.

Frequent reminders of the principles andpracticesset forth in thestandardswillhope-fully have the effect of a lawyer “thinkingtwice” when tempted to resort to offensiveconduct. Stopping and thinking about theappearanceandeffectofourconductnotonlydetersdiscourteousandoffensiveconduct,but

canalsotransformone’sattitudeingeneral.AsJamesAllenpointedoutinhisbook,As a Man Thinketh: “Everythoughtseedsownorallowedto fall into the mind, and to take root there,produces its own, blossoming sooner or laterintoact,andbearingitsownfruitageofoppor-tunityandcircumstance.”

Statedanotherway,theOBAandACTLStan-dardsrepresent“rightthinking,”that littlebylittle,willtranslateintoproperactionthatwillin turn yield recognition and respect for law-yers and our profession. In the final analysis,ourindividualsuccessaslawyersandthesuc-cessofourprofession,dependuponthethoughtgiventotheconductwevalueandrespect,asmuch as the thought given to achieve a justresultforagivenlegalproblem.

1.ApprovedbytheOklahomaBarAssociationBoardofGovernorsNov.20,2002,andtheOklahomaJudicialConferenceonDec.20,2002.

Justice John Reif of Skiatook was appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court by Gov. Brad Henry in October 2007. He has served in the state judiciary for over 28 years. Before joining the Supreme Court, Justice Reif served as a member of the Okla-homa Court of Civil Appeals for 23 years. He has also served as a

special district judge and an assistant district attor-ney in Tulsa County. He earned a law degree and a bachelor’s degree at the University of Tulsa.

AbOuT THE AuTHOR


Ethical Issues with Employee Acts or Omissions

By Gina L. Hendryx


Ethics &

A.Partners or lawyers with managerialauthorityshallmakereasonableeffortstoensure that the firm has in effect, mea-surestoprovideassurancethatalllawyersinthefirmconformtoethicalstandards.

B.Lawyerswithdirectsupervisoryauthorityover another lawyer shall make reason-ableeffortstoensurethattheotherlawyerconformstoethicalstandards.

ParagraphAincludesmembersofapartner-ship,theshareholdersinalawfirmorganizedasaprofessionalcorporation,andmembersofother associations organized to practice law.Thisincludeslawyerswithmanagerialauthor-ityinalegalservicesorganizationorinagov-ernment setting. These managerial lawyersmustestablishinternalpoliciesandproceduresdesignedtoprovidereasonableassurancethatall lawyers in the firm will comply with theOklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct.Thesepoliciesandproceduresshouldaddressdetectionandresolutionofconflictsofinterest,docketingprocedures,clientfundandpropertyaccounting,andensurethatinexperiencedlaw-yersareproperlysupervised.Theadequacyof

these measures will be weighed by factorsincludingthetypeofpractice,sizeofthefirmandstructureofthefirm.Forexample,asmallfirmofexperiencedlawyersmayrequireonly“informal supervision and periodic review ofcompliancewiththerequiredsystems,”whileatlargerfirmsorinpracticesituationsinwhichcomplexethicalissuesoftenarise,“moreelabo-rate measures may be necessary.” OklahomaRuleofProfessionalConduct5.1,cmt.[3].SeeIn Re Cohen, 847 A.2d 1162 (D.C. 2004) (firmfailed to offer associates rudimentary ethicstraining or mechanism for review and guid-ancebysupervisors).

Paragraph B applies to lawyers who havesupervisoryauthorityovertheworkofotherlawyers in a firm. In In Re Ritger, 556 A.2d1201(N.J.1989)thecourtheld“whenlawyerstakeonthesignificantburdensofoverseeingthe work of other lawyers, more is requiredthatthesupervisorsimplybeavailable.”Therearemanylawyerethicscasesfromotherjuris-dictionsdiscipliningsupervisoryattorneysforfailing to supervise and train inexperiencedassociates. Assigning excessive caseloads to

Asupervisorylawyermusttakereasonablestepstoensurethe compliance of firm lawyers with ethical standards.OklahomaRuleofProfessionalConduct5.1requirespart-

nersandsupervisorylawyersmakereasonableeffortstoassurethat other lawyers in the firm conform to the Rules. Require-mentsuponsupervisorylawyersinclude:


inexperienced lawyersmayalsoviolateRule5.1(b). ABA Formal Ethics Op. 06-441 (2006)states that it is the supervisory lawyer’sresponsibility to ensure that subordinate’scaseloadisnotsoexcessivethatlawyercannotprovide competent and diligent representa-tiontotheclients.

ParagraphCofRule5.1statesthatalawyermaybeheldresponsibleforanotherlawyer’sethical violations if the lawyer “orders” or“ratifies”thespecificconductinvolvedorfailsto take appropriate remedial action uponlearningof the improperconduct.Seee.g. In Re Weston, 442 N.E.2d 236 (Ill. 1982)(lawyerdisciplined for failing to correct problemscaused by mentally ill associate once theybecameknown).

Whether a lawyer may be liable civilly orcriminally for another lawyer’s conduct is aquestionoflawbeyondthescopeoftheRules.SeeRule5.1,cmts.[7]and[8].

suPerVIsIOn OF nOn-laWYers

Atsometimeinmostformsoflegalpractice,thelawyerwillemploytheassistanceofanon-lawyer. These persons include the traditionalsecretary and bookkeeper, but more and morelawyersareemployingtheservicesofnontradi-tional aides including engineers, nurses, com-puter specialists and lobbyists. Regardless oftitle,non-lawyersarenotboundby theethicalrules that apply to attorneys. Therefore, therulesrequirethelawyermakereasonableeffortstoensurethatthenon-lawyeremployeeorinde-pendentcontractor’sconductiscompatiblewiththeprofessionalobligationsofthelawyer.

Oklahoma Rule of Professional Conduct 5.3setsout the lawyer’s responsibilities regardingnon-lawyerassistants.AswithRule5.1,lawyerswith managerial authority over non- lawyersmustmakereasonableeffortstoestablishinter-nalpoliciesandproceduresdesignedtoprovideassurancethatthenon-lawyerswillactinawaycompatiblewiththeRulesofProfessionalCon-duct. These policies and procedures shouldincludeappropriateinstructionandsupervisionpertainingtotheethicalaspectsoftheirjobs.Ofparticularimportanceisthedutyofconfidenti-ality owed to the clients and the obligation tonotrevealinformationrelatingtoarepresenta-tion.InState ex. Rel. Okla. Bar Ass’n v. Mayes,977P.2d9(Okla.1999),alawyerwasfoundtohaveviolatedRule5.3byfailingtomakereasonableefforts to ensure that non-lawyer assistant

adheredtohisprofessionalobligations.Hewasalso found to have failed to take reasonablyremedialmeasures.

A lawyer who turns over the day to dayoperationofalawofficetoanon-lawyerassis-tant does so at her own peril. In State ex. rel. Okla. Bar Ass’n v. Patmon,939P.2d1155(Okla.1997), the lawyer regularly allowed non-law-yer assistant to sign lawyer’s name and filecourtdocumentswithoversight.Assistantfileda misleading motion and lawyer was disci-plinedforinadequatesupervision.

Maintaining client funds is a nondelegablefiduciary responsibility. Lawyers may employnon-lawyer assistants such as bookkeepersand/or accountants to assist in fulfilling thisduty,however lawyersmustprovideadequatetraining and supervision to ensure that ethicaland legal obligations are met. With regard toclient funds, “there must be some system oftimely review and internal control to providereasonableassurancethat thesupervising law-yerwilllearnwhethertheemployeeisperform-ing the delegated duties honestly and compe-tently.”In re Cater,887A.2d1(D.C.2005).

Alawyerwhoisapartneroradirectsupervi-sor of a non-lawyer has an obligation to takeremedialactionifthelawyerlearnsofmiscon-duct by the non-lawyer in time to avoid ormitigate the consequences of the conduct. InState ex. rel. Okla. Bar Ass’n v. Taylor,4P.3d1242(Okla. 2000), the lawyer was disciplined forratifying the conduct of his wife/office man-ager who improperly endorsed client’s settle-mentchecks.

Courtsgenerallyholdthefollowingasnon-delegabletasks:

1)Establishingalawyer/clientrelationship2)Maintainingdirectcontactwithclients3)Givinglegaladvice4)Exercisinglegaljudgment

A lawyer who turns over the day-to-day operation of a law

office to a non-lawyer assistant does so at her own peril.


OF COunsel relatIOnsHIPs

Theterm“ofcounsel”denotesarelationshipthatis“close,regularandpersonal.”ABAFor-malEthicsOp.90-357(1990).Mostmalpracticecarriersrequire“ofcounsel”lawyerstobecov-ered on the firm’s insurance policy. Whetherethics rulesonsupervisionapplydependsonthe relationship between lawyers and not onthedesignation.“Ofcounsel”ismostlikelyaninappropriatedesignationifthereisasupervi-soryroleofoneoveranother.

ORPC 5.1 and 8.4 (a) impose disciplinaryresponsibility for the conduct of a partner,associate or subordinate. “Whether a lawyermaybe liablecivillyorcriminallyforanotherlawyer’sconduct isaquestionof lawbeyondthescopeoftheseRules.ORPC5.1cmt.[7].

Gina Hendryx is the General Counsel for the Oklahoma Bar Association. A licensed attorney for the past 25 years, she received her J.D. and B.S. degrees from OCU. She supervises a staff of 12 and serves as the association’s counsel on other legal matters. She works with the Professional Responsibility Commission and

serves as a liaison to the OBA Board of Governors, OBA committees, the courts, and other local and national entities concerning lawyer ethics issues.

AbOuT THE AuTHOR


Do therightthing.We will agree, consistent with existing law and court orders, to reasonable requests for extensions of time when the legitimate interests of our clients will not be adversely affected.Standards of Professionalism §3.4a

The OBA Professionalism Committee encourages you to review all the standards at www.okbar.org/ethics/standards.htm

Do therightthing.Written materials submitted to a court or tribunal will be factual and concise, accurately state current law, and fairly represent the party’s position without unfairly attacking the opposing party or opposing counselStandards of Professionalism §4.9a

The OBA Professionalism Committee encourages you to review all the standards at www.okbar.org/ethics/standards.htm


How to Stay in the Other 94 Percent: Avoiding Attorney Grievances

By Janis Hubbard

“I always find that statistics are hard to swallow and impossible to digest. The only one I can ever remember is that if all the people who go to sleep in church were laid end to end they would be a lot more comfortable.”

Mrs. Robert A. Taft1


Ethics &

Wecanspeculateastowhythepercentageofgrievanceshasdroppedinthelast10years.Itcouldbebecausewehavebetter lawprac-ticemanagementtoolsandbettercommunica-tion systems with e-mail and cell phones. Itcouldbethattheaddedmemberservicesup-portprogramsofthebarassociationareassist-ingattorneystobetterhandleclientandcaseissues. Or, it could be that attorneys are justtryingharder.The truth is, thepercentageof

grievances has decreased – and that reflectswellonourprofession.

GrIeVanCes are COnstant

“Statisticscanbemade toproveanything–eventhetruth.”~ Author Unknown

What does remain constant is that clients,andothers,continuetofilegrievancesagainstattorneys.Somelawyersreceivemorethanonegrievance. In 2008, the Office of the General

Can it be? yes. Percentage wise, fewer grievances werelodged against attorneys in 2007 and 2008 than in yearspast.TheannualreportoftheProfessionalResponsibility

CommissionandProfessionalResponsibilityTribunalforcalen-daryear20082reflectsthattherewere1,522grievancesinvolvingatotalof988attorneysreceivedbytheOBA’sOfficeoftheGen-eralCounsel.The2008annualreportalsoreflectstotalmember-shipof16,275attorneys.Thismeansthatsixpercentofattorneysreceivedgrievancesin2008.Theannualreportsfiledinpreviousyearsreflectthepercentageofattorneysreceivinggrievanceswassevenpercentfiveyearsagoin2003,andaboutninepercent10yearsagoin1998.


Counselreceived1,522grievances,opened283grievances for investigation against 201 attor-neys and handled informally by correspon-dence1,239grievancesinvolving885attorneys.The types of attorney misconduct alleged inthegrievancesopenedforformalinvestigationhavenotchangedsignificantlyoverthelast10years.Byfar,thehighestnumberofcomplaints,49 percent, concerned allegations of neglect.Runningadistantsecond,thirdandfourthareallegations involving an attorney’s personalbehavior,misrepresentationand trustaccountviolations, respectively. The areas of practicereceiving the most complaints in 2008 werelitigation(26%),familylaw(23%)andcriminallaw(20%).Overthelast10years,theseareasoflaw generally receive more complaints thananyothertypesoflaw.

COmmunICatIOn Is KeY

“Whiletheindividualmanisaninsolublepuzzle, in the aggregate he becomes amathematicalcertainty.youcan,forexam-ple,never foretellwhatanyonemanwillbe up to, but you can say with precisionwhat an average number will be up to.Individuals vary, but percentages remainconstant.Sosaysthestatistician.”

~ Arthur Conan Doyle

Howdoyoustay in theother94percentoflawyers who don’t receive a complaint? Indi-vidually,wecantakestepstodecreasethepos-sibilityofreceivingagrievanceandtokeepupthe good trend in these statistics. First, com-municate well and often with your clients.Communicationisstillthesourceofmostcom-plaints, which oftentimes includes allegationsofneglectoftheclient’scase.Todayisthedayofinstantinformation.Withhigh-techabilities,clients expect instant access to their attorneyand immediate responses to their inquiries.Whenclientse-mailtheirlawyer,theyexpectapromptresponse.Ifaclientdoesnotreceiveaquickresponsetorepeatede-mailstotheattor-ney, theclientmaywriteagrievance letter totheOfficeoftheGeneralCounsel.Itispossibletherewillbeanincreaseingrievancesagainstattorneyswhodonotquicklyrespondtothesehigh-techcommunicationsfromtheirclients.

Rule 1.4, of the Oklahoma Rules of Profes-sionalConduct,3(ORPC),states,inpart,thata“lawyer shall promptly comply with reason-ablerequestsforinformation.”Allclientswillneverbehappyallofthetime,howevermostclientswillbettertoleratehavingtowaitfora

response from their lawyer if they have beenreceiving regular communications apprisingthemoftheircasestatus.4

Begingoodcommunicationandunderstand-ing with your clients by having a written feeagreement,whichisrequiredforacontingentfee.5 If the attorney-client agreement is notrequired to be in writing, at least have anengagementlettersettingforththetermsoftherepresentation. Maintain your billing recordsand bill your client regularly and note all ofyourcommunicationsonyourbills.

Communicationscanbe in the formof tele-phone calls or letters sent the old-fashionedwayorbye-mail.Itisrecommendedtofollowup telephone calls with a letter summarizingyourconversation.However,awordofwarn-ingtoattorneysinrespondingtoe-mails–takeasmuchcareinwritingane-mailtoyourclientas you would writing and sending a letterthroughtheU.S.mail.Justlikeletters,e-mailscanbecomeevidenceandusedagainstyouinabardisciplinecomplaintoracivilsuit.

Further,besuretoreturncallstoyourclientand respond to their inquiries. Better yet, beproactiveandsendyourclientcopiesofallofyour correspondence in the case. If there arelong periods in which there is no correspon-dence, then send out a brief status letter toyourclient,preferablyeverymonth.

IF a COmPlaInt Is FIleD

Shouldsomeonefileagrievanceagainstyou,theOfficeof theGeneralCounselwill informyou.Intheirlettertoyou,theywillexplaintheallegation and the rules implicated, whetheryou need to respond to the grievance, andwhetheryouaretosendyourresponsetotheclientortheOfficeoftheGeneralCounsel.

Whatever you do, do not fail to respond totherequestoftheOfficeoftheGeneralCoun-sel! If you do fail to respond, it can cause aninformalmattertobeopenedforinvestigationorevenformalchargestobefiledagainstyoufor failure to respond to the Oklahoma BarAssociation.6Further,yourresponsetothealle-gations submitted to the OBA must be a fulland fair response, or again, the Office of theGeneralCounselcanopenthematterforinves-tigationandrequestthefilingofformalchargesagainstyou.7FailuretorespondtotheOfficeoftheGeneralCounselandthecourthasresultedin disbarment.8 As in all other cases, youshouldhaveanattorneyrepresentyouinthis


process.Ifyouchoosetohandleagrievanceonyour own, you should at least have anotherattorneyreviewyourresponsebeforeyousub-mitittotheOfficeoftheGeneralCounsel.

IftheOfficeoftheGeneralCounselopensaformal investigation against you, it will bethoroughlyinvestigatedandthenpresentedtothe Professional Responsibility Commissionforaction.Thearticle“WhatDoestheGeneralCounselDo?”explainingtheproceduresusedby the Office of the General Counsel in pro-cessing grievances against attorneys is avail-ableontheOBAWebpageatwww.okbar.org/members/gencounsel/about.htm.

ShouldtheProfessionalResponsibilityCom-missionauthorizethatformalchargesbefiledagainstyou,theOfficeoftheGeneralCounselwill file a formal complaint with the clerk ofthe supreme court. you have 20 days to fileyour response.9 Generally, the public docketreflects these charges within 20 days after fil-ing.AtrialpaneloftheProfessionalResponsi-bilityTribunalisselectedwithin10daysandahearingissetnotlessthan30normorethan60daysfromthedateofappointmentofthetrialpanel.10 Generally, the hearing is open to thepublic.11TheProfessionalResponsibilityTribu-nalpresidesoverthehearingandreceivesevi-dence. The Oklahoma Supreme Court, whichhas the exclusive original jurisdiction in allattorneydisciplinematters,12 thenreceivesthetranscript, evidence and entire record. Thecourt issuesabriefing scheduleandwhenallbriefsareinorwaived,thecourtconsidersthematterandrendersanopinionthat,generally,ismadepublic.

COnClusIOn

Donotbecomeastatistic—except tobe inthe high percentage of attorneys who do notreceiveacomplaint.Ifyouhaveconcernsaboutaparticularsituation,theOBAEthicsCounselisavailabletoansweryourquestions.

1. Mrs. Robert A. Taft was married to the son of U.S. President(1909-1913),WilliamHowardTaftandtheninthChief Justice.BeforeDwightEisenhowerdefeatedhim,RobertA.Taft,wasthefrontrunneroftheGOPforthepresidentialnominationin1952.

2. See OBA Web page link at: www.okbar.org/members/gencounsel/2008AnnualReport.pdf.

3. Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct, 5 O.S. 2001, Ch. 1,App.3-A(Supp.2008).

4.Rule1.4.Communication(a)Alawyershall:

1)promptlyinformtheclientofanydecisionorcircumstancewithrespecttowhichtheclient’sinformedconsent,asdefinedinRule1.0(e),isrequiredbytheserules;

2) reasonably consult with the client about the means bywhichtheclient’sobjectivesaretobeaccomplished;

3)keeptheclientreasonablyinformedaboutthestatusofthematter;

4) promptly comply with reasonable requests for informa-tion;and

5)consultwiththeclientaboutanyrelevantlimitationonthelawyer’sconductwhenthelawyerknowsthattheclientexpectsassistancenotpermittedbytheRulesofProfessionalconductorotherlaw.(b)Alawyershallexplainamattertotheextentreasonablynec-essarytopermittheclienttomakeinformeddecisionsregardingtherepresentation.

4.Rule1.4,ORPC, COMMENT,statesat¶4:A lawyer’s regular communication with clients will minimizetheoccasionsonwhichaclientwillneedtorequestinformationconcerningtherepresentation.Whenaclientmakesareasonablerequest for information, however, paragraph (a)(4) requirespromptcompliancewiththerequest,orifapromptresponseisnotfeasible,thatthelawyer,oramemberofthelawyer’sstaff,acknowledgereceiptoftherequestandadvisetheclientwhenaresponse may be expected. Client telephone calls should bepromptlyreturnedoracknowledged.

5.Rule1.5oftheOklahomaRulesofProfessionalConduct,5O.S.2001,Ch.1,App.3-A(Supp.2008)

(c)A fee may be contingent on the outcome of the matter forwhichtheserviceisrendered,exceptinamatterinwhichacon-tingentfeeisprohibitedbyparagraph(d)orotherlaw.Acontin-gentfeeagreementshallbeinwritingsignedbytheclientandshall state the method by which the fee is to be determined,includingthepercentageorpercentagesthatshallaccruetothelawyerintheeventofsettlement,trialorappeal; litigationandotherexpensestobedeductedfromtherecovery;andwhethersuchexpensesaretobedeductedbeforeorafterthecontingentfeeiscalculated.Theagreementmustclearlynotifytheclientofanyexpensesforwhichtheclientwillbe liablewhetherornottheclientistheprevailingparty.Uponconclusionofacontingentfee matter, the lawyer shall provide the client with a writtenstatement stating the outcome of the matter, and, if there is arecovery,showingtheremittancetotheclientandthemethodofdetermination.

6.Rule5.2,RulesGoverningDisciplinaryProceedings,(hereinafterRGDP),5O.S.2001,Ch.1,App.1-A(Supp.2008).

Thefailureofalawyertoanswerwithintwenty(20)daysafterserviceofthegrievance(orrecitaloffactsorallegations),orsuchfurthertimeasmaybegrantedbytheGeneralCounsel,shallbegroundsfordiscipline.

7.Id.8.State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Ass’n v. Kinsey,2008OK98,205P.3d866.9.Rule6.4,RGDP.10.Rule6.7,RGDP.11.Rule6.9,RGDP.12.State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Ass’n. v. Thomas,1995OK145,¶2,911

P.2d907.

Janis Hubbard, an attorney with Derryberry & Naifeh LLP in Oklahoma City, focuses her practice in the areas of profes-sional responsibility, administra-tive law, criminal defense and general civil litigation. She was admitted to the Oklahoma bar in 1993. She previously served as First Assistant General Coun-

sel for the Oklahoma Bar Association for almost a decade. During her tenure at the bar association, she developed an expertise in issues concerning attorney professional responsibility.

AbOuT THE AuTHOR


Volume 78 u No. 35 u Dec. 22, 2007

Court Material

You now have a choice.Continue receiving your printed Oklahoma Bar Journal court issues (two per month) in the mail – or receive an e-mail with a link to the electronic version instead. Mailed copies stop. There’s no dues reduction, but you save some trees.

If you want the electronic version of the court issues and didn’t indicate that on your dues statement go online to http://my.okbar.org/Login and sign in. Click on “Roster Info” to switch to electronic. Be sure your e-mail address is current.

Want the print version? No need to do anything.

Print or Electronic?


Attorneys behaving OutrageouslyBy Gian R. Johnson


Ethics &

Lastyear,aNewOrleansattorneyreceivedafive-year suspension from the New Orleansdistrictcourtafterfailingtoheedwarningstochange his unprofessional behavior. Amongthemultiplecomplaintsagainsthim,theattor-neywaschargedwithusing“abusivelanguagetochallengethecourt’sauthority.”1Evenafterreceiving his punishment from the districtcourt,theattorneywasunapologeticabouthisbehaviorandcontinuedtoallegethatthecourtwascorrupt,refusingtocomplywiththepun-ishment received. Specifically, he was quotedassayinghewould“submittoangermanage-mentclassesonlyupontheconditionthateachmember of the court first complete charmschool.”2Hisstatementsexemplifythe lackofrespect some attorneys are beginning to havefor the judicial system. The courtroom was

once seen as a place where judges were theultimaterulersandnoonedaredchallengethewordsbeingspokenfromthebench.

Thiscaseisanexampleoftherecent180thathas taken place. Not only do attorneys nowfeelfreetochallengejudgesinopencourt,buttheyalsobelieve it isacceptable todoso inadisrespectfulanddistastefulmanner.Possiblythebiggestproblemisthatthistypeofbehav-iorisnotspecifictooneareaofthecountry,butratherisagrowingproblemacrossthenation.

InMaryland,oneattorneyaccompaniedhisclient in breaking into the client’s soon-to-beex-wife’shouse.Whilesearchingforevidenceto use in their case against her, the attorneyvandalizedthehome,stolepropertyandevenkilledakittenbymicrowaving it.3Evenmore

Intoday’ssociety,behavinginalessthanrefinedmannerisnolongermetwiththesamelevelofdisdainfulstaresthatitoncewas. Instead, improper outbursts are excused away or met

withalightslaponthewrist,followedbyanobligatorypromisenottorepeatsuchbehaviorinthefuture.Whilethedaysoffor-maletiquetteclassesarebehindus,thesometimes-utterdisregardforbasicmannersseemstohaveplacedmodernsocietyinarealmofuncertainty,whereanoutrageousoutburstcanoccuranytimeand anywhere. Even the courthouse is not immune from thegrowing influx of outrageous behavior. Within the last year,countlessattorneyshavefoundthemselvesfacingsanctions,sus-pension and even disbarment after conducting themselves in alessthanprofessionalandethicalmannerbothinandoutofthecourtroom.


shockingthantheatrociousactionshecommit-tedwas thepunishmenthereceivedfromthestate bar association: suspension with theoptiontoapplyforreinstatementafterayear.While the Supreme Court handed down aharsherpunishment–disbarment–theslaponthe wrist received from the state bar associa-tion seems to be the norm for attorneys. TheMarylandBarAssociationadmittedtheymustreceive multiple complaints from several cli-ents before an investigation will take place.Thiswaitingperiodgivesattorneysafreepasstoactastheypleasewhilethestatebarturnsablindeyetotheharmtheyarecausingtoboththeirclientsandthereputationofthelegalpro-fession. Waiting for multiple complaints doesnot ensure the quality of the allegations; itmerelycreatestheopportunityformoreoutra-geousbehaviortooccur.

AnotherMarylandareaattorneyexemplifiesthis.Hecommitteda streamofunethicalactsbefore the state bar finally held disbarmentproceedingsagainsthim.Forhisfirstunethicalact,hesettledaclient’scasewithoutconsenttodoso,subsequentlyforgingtheclient’ssigna-tureonthesettlementcheckanddepositingitin his personal account. He spent part of thesettlement money before the client recoveredthe remainder in a lawsuit against him.4 Fol-lowing these actions, the attorney was pun-ished with only a brief suspension. The sus-pension, however, was not enough to derailhim. During his suspension, he continued totakeonclientsandmisuseclientfunds.Hewasreinstated and suspended several additionaltimes before finally being brought before thestatebarforpunishment.Disbarmentoccurredatahearingherefusedtoattend.Hadthepun-ishment following his first unethical act beenharsher, the extent of the total harm causedcouldhavebeensubstantiallymitigated.

Presently, commissions exist, both on thestate and national level, that are tasked withthe job of ethics enforcement. These commis-sionsaremadeupoffellowattorneysandhearcharges brought against attorneys beforeassigning punishments determined by theassociation’scivilitystandards.Somecommis-sions,suchastheonesetupbytheMarylandbar,haveminimumstandardsthatmustbemetbeforetheywillbegininvestigatinganattorneyfor allegations of misconduct.As is often thecase, the commissions were undoubtedly cre-ated with the best of intentions, but unfortu-natelythatisnotalwaysenough.Uponcloser

observation,asystemfilledwithloopholesandareasforimprovementisquicklyrevealed.

Whileethicscommissionsallowattorneystobe tried by their peers, there are some draw-backs. Mainly, although a trial before one’speersisoneofthefoundationsoftheAmericanjusticesystem,atrialforunethicalconductbyanattorney,beforeapanelofattorneys,hasallthe makings of a biased situation. While theoutrageousbehavioroftheirpeersmayangersomeonthepanel,itisequallylikelythattheoffenders will find sympathizers. These sym-pathizersmayseektogivesofterpunishmentsbecause they think, “Their behavior wasn’tthatbad,”or,“If Imadeamistake like that, Iwouldwantthepaneltogoeasyonme.”Whileitmaybethoughtthathandingdownalighterpunishmenttoone’sbrethrenisbeingkindorhelpful, it is actually doing more harm thangood. Some offenders may be thankful thattheygotoffeasy,makingasolemnvowtowalkthe path of the straight and narrow for theremainderoftheirlegalcareers;otherswillnotbedeterred from futurewrongful acts.Worseyet,becausethepunishmentreceivedwaslessseverethananticipatedordeserved, theywillthinktheiroutrageousbehaviorwasworth it;teaching them that they can get what theywant in the present without having to sufferharshconsequencesforitinthefuture.

Tocombattheriseofoutrageousandunethi-cal behavior by attorneys, there are two keyareasthatmustundergochange.First,changesneed to be made to the limits state bars areallowed to set before they will conduct aninvestigation into allegations of misconduct.Insteadofrequiringanattorneytoreceivemul-tiplecomplaintsfromdifferentclients,statebarassociationsshouldhandle the firstallegationasseriouslyastheydosubsequentallegations.

…he settled a client’s case without consent to do so,

subsequently forging the client’s signature on the settlement

check and depositing it in his personal account.


Althoughthismaybemoretimeconsuming,itwillbeworthitinthelongrun.Bygivingattor-neysagetoutofjailfreecarduntiltheallega-tions have mounted against them, they havelittle incentive to alter their behavior the firsttimearound. This free ticket allowsattorneystoactfearlesslyinasense,astheycontinuetobehaveinamannerthatdisgracestheprofes-sionandinflictsharmoncountlessindividuals.Asseen in theexamplesabove,attorneyscangetoffwithawarningforforginglegaldocu-ments and stealing from clients, not learningtheir lesson the first time around. Worse yet,under the current rules, one attorney wasallowed to steal from and deceive additionalclients before the state bar finally decided tosubjecthimtoaninvestigation.Hadtheinves-tigationbeen initiatedafterhis initialoffense,thesubsequentclientsaffectedbyhisunethicalanticscouldhavebeensubstantiallyreduced.

Second, severity of punishments receivedshould be increased. When an attorney finallydoesmakeit tothepunishmentstage, it isnotuncommon for the punishment received to betheequivalentofamereslaponthewrist,espe-ciallyifitistheattorney’sfirstchargedoffense.Disbarment is a last resort, rightfully reservedforthemostseriousofoffenses,butthealterna-tivesdo little in termsofdeterring futuremis-conduct. While sanctions and suspensions arean acceptable norm, it is the gravity in whichthey are received which needs altering. Sus-pendinganattorneyforayearafterhehascom-mitted multiple felonies or forging a client’snameonasettlementcheckishardlywhatonewouldconsideraharshsentence.

Theattorneyswhoreceivedthepunishmentsmay argue that a suspension, no matter thelength, adversely affected their livelihood.While some suspensions are from a certaincourthouse, as seen in the case of the NewOrleans attorney, others are from the practiceoflawentirely.Attorneyswhoreceivedthelat-ter punishment have a better argument thatthey were taught a costly lesson. Likewise,theseattorneysarealsotheonesmostlikelytoabandontheiroutrageousandunethicalways.Those receiving suspension only from a par-ticularcourthouse,however,areprovidedwithloopholesthatallowthemtocontinuepractic-

ing law, possibly in an unfit and unethicalmanner.Thisnotonlypreventsattorneysfromrecognizing the gravity of their actions, butdoeslittletodiscouragefuturewrongdoingsaswell. In these cases, it is likely the victimswould have preferred to see the punishmenttime of their offenders be greater, especiallywhentheattorneyreturnstohisoldwaystheminutethepunishmentends.

Thelegalprofessionisroutinelyjokedaboutasbeingonethatlacksmoralsandethics.Tele-vision shows emphasize dramatic courtroomperformances as the mark of good attorneyswherethemessageseemstobe:“themoredra-maticandoutrageoustheattorneybehavesinthecourtroom,thebetter.”Thisisunfortunate.In real life, the majority of attorneys are bothmoralandethical,butit’sthesmallgroupthatinsists on behaving in an outrageous mannerthatsocietytypicallyusestolabelallattorneys.By conducting investigations earlier andincreasingthepunishmentsreceivedforethicsviolations or outrageous conduct, attorneyscan work to minimize the negative exposuregenerated by the extreme acts of a few andhopefullystarttorebuildthetarnishedreputa-tionofthelegalprofession.

1.SusanFinch,“NewOrleansLawyerSuspendedfromCourtforLanguage, Frivolous Claims,” Times-Picayune, Nov. 11, 2008, www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/new_orleans_lawyer_suspend-ed_f.html[lastvisitedNov.24,2009].

2.Id.3.Anju Kaur, “Bad Lawyers Worsen Under Mild Punishments,”

Capital News Service,Jan.2,2008,tinyurl.com/y88szt6[lastvisitedNov.24,2009].

4.Id.

Gian Johnson is currently a third-year law student at the University of Oklahoma. She is an Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher and Oklahoma Bar Association Scholarship recipient and a member of several student orga-nizations. Her educational con-centration is in health law, and she has recently interned for

Legg Mason and the Maryland attorney general.

AbOuT THE AuTHOR


lesshours.Theboardthisyearfacedsomeverysignificantandimportant issues. Board mem-bershelpedmeindealingwiththese issues with tenacity andhard work. The Board of Gov-ernors did an outstanding jobthisyear,asdidmyvicepresi-dent,LindaThomas.Iwasveryproudtohavetheboardmeet-inginOctoberinGuymon—afirstinOBAhistory.

TheOBa directors and staff also did a great job this year.Every idea I had was turnedinto reality by the men andwomenwhoworksohardforus.TheOBAhasasupersetofdirectors, led by John MorrisWilliams. Many other eventstoonumeroustomentionwerea success this year because ofourstaff.Thestaffatourasso-ciationisabsolutelytopnotch.

Iamhonoredtohaveservedin the capacity of presidentthisyear. It isayear thatwillbringfondmemoriestomeintheyearstocome.Ithasbeendifficult continuing the prac-tice of law in Guymon whileattendingtothedutiesaspres-ident, but I would not tradethisexperienceforanythinginthe world. Thank you forallowing me to serve as yourpresident.Iamveryconfidentin the future leadership ofAllen Smallwood and DebReheard. I leavethepresiden-cy of our association in verycapablehands.

Wehavehadagreatyear!

continued from page 2532

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Being a MeMBer Has its Perks

q www.okbar.org — main site or front door for the OBA with links to all other OBA Web presences and much infor-mation for members as well as a great deal of information for the public.

q Online CLE — quality OBA/CLE online programming, plus online seminar programs from other state bar associations. It’s a convenient way to get up to six hours MCLE credit.

q Practice management/ technology hotline service — free telephone calls to the Management Assistance Program (MAP) staff and the OBA Director of Information Systems for brief answers about practical management and technology issues, such as law office software, understanding computer jargon, staff and personnel problems, software training oppor-tunities, time management and trust account management. Call (405) 416-7008.


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Legislationenactedinthe2009sessionoftheOklahoma Legislature included the changessummarizedbelow,whicharesomeofthenewOklahomastatelawsontaxation.

InCOme taX

Armed Forces Pay Exemption

Thesalaryorcompensationreceivedbyanyperson from the United States, other thanretirementbenefits,asamemberoftheArmedForcesshallbe100percentdeductedfromtax-able income for state income taxpurposesonorafterJuly1,2010.Thedeductionallowedfortaxableyearsbefore July1,2010, is limited tothe first $1,500 of compensation. For taxableyears beginning Jan. 1, 2015, and all yearsthereafter the 100 percent deduction shall besubjecttoadeterminationbytheStateBoardofEqualization that revenue collections exceedrevenuereductions.Ifapositivedeterminationisnotmade,thedeductionwillrevertbacktothefirst$1,500ofactivedutyArmedForcessal-aryorcompensation.ASpecialCommitteeonSoldierReliefisestablishedtoreviewstatetaxrevenue generated by members of the armedforces.SB881,§§1-4;amending68O.S.Supp.2008, §2358; adding 68 O.S. Supp. 2009,§§2355.1C;2355.ID.effectiveJuly1,2010.

Investment Credit/Change of Entity

TheOklahomaincometaxinvestmentcreditwasamendedtoprovidethatifaCcorporationqualified for the credit, subsequently changesitsstatustothatofapass-throughentitywhichisbeing treatedas thesameentity for federaloperating tax purposes, the investment creditwill continue to be available as if the pass-throughentityhadoriginallyqualifiedforthecredits subject to the limitations otherwise

applicable.SB318,§9;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§2357.4;effectiveJan.1,2010.

Qualified Clean-Burning Motor Vehicle Credit

Thestateincometaxcreditallowedforinvest-mentsinqualifiedclean-burningmotorvehiclefuelpropertywasmodified.Theperiodofthecredit was extended to tax years beginningbeforeJan.1,2015.Thedefinitionof“qualifiedclean-burning motor vehicle fuel property”was modified to add equipment installed tomodifyamotorvehiclesothatitmaybepro-pelled by a hydrogen fuel cell. The creditallowed for methanol or a mixture of 85 per-cent methanol and gasoline (M-85), and for acombinationofat least50percentnaturalgaswere discontinued. Such modification equip-ment must be new and must not have beenpreviouslyusedtomodifyorretrofitanyvehi-cle propelled by gasoline or diesel fuel. Thesame changes will apply as to originallyequipped motor vehicles. The credit allowedfor property directly related to delivery ofalternateclean-burning fuelswasmodified tospecificallyexcludeabuildingoritsstructuralcomponents, to extend to delivery of hydro-gen,andexcludedeliveryofmethanolandM-85. The credit will be allowed for a metered-for-fee, public access recharging system forvehiclespropelledinwholeorinpartbyelec-tricity,ifthepropertyisnewandhasnotbeenpreviously installedorusedtorefuelvehiclespoweredbycompressednaturalgas,liquefiednaturalgas,liquefiedpetroleumgas,hydrogenor electricity. The credit will be allowed forproperty directly related to the compressionand delivery of natural gas from a privatehome or residence, for noncommercial pur-poses,intoafueltankofamotorvehiclepro-pelled by natural gas, if the property is new

Taxation Law Section

Oklahoma Tax LegislationBy Sheppard F. Miers Jr.

SECTION NOTE


andhasnotbeenpreviouslyinstalledorusedtorefuelvehiclespoweredbynaturalgas.Thedefinitionof“qualifiedelectricmotorvehicle”wasamendedtodeletefromthedefinitionthewords“totheextentofthefullpurchasepriceof the vehicle” with respect to vehicles origi-nallyequippedtobepropelledonlybyelectric-ity. The definition of a “motor vehicle” wasamended to mean a motor vehicle originallydesignedbythemanufacturertooperatelaw-fully and principally on street and highways.Thecreditallowedis50percentofthecostforequipment to modify a motor vehicle to bepropelledbyclean-burning fuel fororiginallyequipped motor vehicles and electric motorvehicles;aper locationcreditof75percentofthecostofqualifyingclean-burningfueldeliv-eryequipment;andaperlocationcreditofthelesser of 50 percent of the cost or $2,500 forprivateresidencenaturalgascompressionanddeliveryproperty.TheOklahomaTaxCommis-sionwasgiventhepowertopromulgaterulesbywhichthecreditshallbeadministered,andthepowertoestablishandenforcepenaltiesforviolations. HB 1949, §1; amending 68 O.S.Supp.2008,§2357.22;effectiveJan.1,2010.

Federal Net Operating Loss Carryback

For tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2007,andendingbeforeJan.1,2009,thefederalnetoperating loss deduction shall be adjusted sothatyearstowhichlossesmaybecarriedbackshall be limited to two years. For tax yearsbeginning after Dec. 31, 2008, the years towhich losses may be carried back shall bedetermined solely by reference to Section 172oftheInternalRevenueCode,withtheexcep-tion that the terms “net operating loss” and“taxableincome”shallbereplacedwith“Okla-homanetoperatingloss”and“Oklahomatax-able income.” SB 318, §10; amending 68 O.S.Supp.2008,§2358;effectiveJune9,2009.

Small Business Expense Add Back

For tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1,2009,andendingonorbeforeDec.31,2009,anyamount in excess of $175,000 which has beendeducted as a small business expense underSection 179 of the Internal Revenue Code asprovided in theAmerican Recovery and Rein-vestment Act of 2009 shall be added to Okla-homataxableincome.SB318,§10;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§2358;effectiveJune9,2009.

Real Estate Investment Trust Add Back

The dividends-paid deduction otherwiseallowedunderthefederal tax lawincomput-ingnetincomeofarealestateinvestmenttrustthat is subject to federal income tax shall beaddedbackincomputingthestateincometaxif the trust is a captive real estate investmenttrust. The timing of classification of a realestate investmenttrust isclarified.SB916,§1;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§2358;effectiveJan.1,2010.

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Increase

For the taxable year beginning Jan. 1, 2009,and ending Dec. 31, 2009, in the case of indi-vidualswhousethestandarddeduction—theOklahoma adjusted gross income shall beincreased by any amounts paid for motorvehicle excise taxes which were deducted asallowedbytheInternalRevenueCode.SB318,§10;amending68O.S.Supp.,2008§2358;effec-tiveJune9,2009.

Unemployment Compensation Increase

For taxable years beginning after Dec. 31,2008,taxableincomeshallbeincreasedbyanyunemploymentcompensationexemptedunderSection85(c)oftheInternalRevenueCode.SB318,§10;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§2358;effectiveJune9,2009.

Livestock Show Award Exclusion

For taxable years beginning after Dec. 31,2008,anypaymentinanamountlessthan$600receivedbyapersonasanawardforparticipa-tioninacompetitivelivestockshoweventshallbeexemptfromtaxableincome.Thepaymentshallbe treatedasa scholarshipamountpaidbytheentitysponsoringtheeventanditshallcausethepaymenttobecategorizedasaschol-arship in its books and records. SB 318, §10;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§2358;effectiveJune9,2009.

ARRA Bonus Depreciation Add Back

For income tax returns filed after Dec. 31,2007, by corporations and fiduciaries, federaltaxableincomeshallbeincreasedby80percentofanyamountofbonusdepreciationreceivedunder the American Recovery and Reinvest-ment Act of 2009, under Sections 168 (k) or1400LoftheInternalRevenueCode,forassetsplacedinserviceafterDec.31,2007,andbeforeJan. 1, 2010. SB 318, §11; amending 68 O.S.Supp.2008,§2358.6;effectiveJune9,2009.


Income Tax Withholding

Effective March, 2010, every employerrequired to remit federal withholding undertheFederalSemiweeklyDepositScheduleshallfileOklahomawithholdingreturnspursuanttothe Tax Commission’s electronic data inter-changeprogram.Employersshallpayovertheamount withheld under the Oklahoma with-holding tax provisions on the same dates asrequiredundertheFederalSemiweeklyDepos-it Schedule. For employers making paymentsunderotherthanbyelectronicfundstransfer,awithholding return shall be filed with eachpayment,andforemployersmakingpaymentbyelectronicfundstransfer,areturnshallnotbe required to be filed with each payment.Awithholding return for payments made byelectronicfundstransfershallbefiledmonthlyon or before the twentieth day of the monthfollowingthecloseofeachmonthlyperiod.SB318,§12;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§2385.3;effectiveNov.1,2009.

Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program

FordocumentedexpendituresmadeinOkla-homadirectlyattributabletotheproductionofafilm,televisionproduction,ortelevisioncom-mercial,arebateof35percentshallbeallowedfor expenditures made after July 1, 2009. Therebate is increasedbyanadditional2percentof documented expenditures if a productioncompany spends at least $20,000 for use ofmusiccreatedbyanOklahomaresidentthatisrecorded in Oklahoma — or for the cost ofrecordedsongsormusicinOklahomaforuseintheproduction.Theeligibilityrequirementsfor rebate were modified to provide that theproduction company must have filed or willfileanyOklahomataxreturnortaxdocumentrequiredbylaw,andtheminimumbudgetforafilmshallbe$50,000,ofwhichnot lessthan$25,000 shall be expended in Oklahoma. NoclaimsforrebateforexpendituresmadeonorafterJuly1,2009,shallbepaidpriortoJuly1,2010.SB318,§14;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§3624;effectiveJuly1,2009.

Armed Forces Casualty Exclusion

Any payment made by the U.S. DepartmentofDefense (DOD)asa resultof thedeathofamemberoftheU.S.ArmedForceswhohasbeenkilled in action in a designated DOD combatzone shall be exempt from Oklahoma incometax during the taxable year in which the indi-vidual is declared deceased by the ArmedForces.Incomeearnedbythespouseofsuchan

individualshallalsobeexemptfromOklahomaincometaxinthatyear.AnyOklahomaincometaxcollectedintheyearshallberefunded,andthe statute of limitations on refunds shall notapply. SB 721, §1; adding 68 O.S. Supp. 2009,§2358.1A;effectiveJan.1,2010.

Refund Donation to Folds of Honor Scholarship Program

The state income tax individual and corpo-rate tax return forms for tax years beginningafterDec.31,2009,shallcontainaprovisiontoallowadonationfromataxrefundforthepur-pose of providing academic and vocationaltrainingscholarshipsadministeredthroughtheFolds of Honor Scholarship Program, fordependentsofmilitaryservicememberskilledor wounded in action in Iraq orAfghanistan.SB721,§2;adding68O.S.Supp.2009,§2368.17;effectiveJan.1,2010.

Refund Donation to YMCA Youth/Government Program

The state income tax individual and corpo-rate tax return forms for tax years beginningafterDec.31,2009,shallcontainaprovisiontoallow a donation from a tax refund not toexceed $25 for the benefit of the Oklahomachapterof theyMCAyouthandGovernmentprogram. HB 1661, §1; adding 68 O.S. Supp.2009, §2368.17 (or non-duplicative sectionnumber);effectiveJan.1,2010.

sales anD use taX

Sales Tax Exemptions; Conservancy Districts

The sale of tangible personal property andservicestotheArbuckle,FortCobb,FossRes-ervoir,MountainParkandWaurikaLakeMas-terConservancyDistrictsshallbeexemptfromOklahomasales tax.SB318,§8,amending68.O.S.Supp.2008,§1356;effectiveJuly1,2009.

Notice of Municipal Annexation

Thestatutespertainingtoannexationofter-ritory by cities and towns were amended torequire notice of annexation be mailed to theSales and Use Tax Division of the OklahomaTax Commission. The Tax Commission isrequiredtonotifyallknownsalestaxvendorswithin the boundaries of annexed territoriesregarding the applicable rate of sales tax. SB517,§§1-3;amending11O.S.Supp.2008,§§21-103, 21-104; adding 68 O.S. Supp. 2009, §119;effectiveNov.1,2009.


estate taX

Oklahoma Uniform Principal and Income Act

TheOklahomaUniformPrincipalandIncomeActwasamendedtomodifythedefinitionsofpaymentandseparatefund(401(k)Plan,IRA),andtoprovideforthetreatmentofaseriesofpayments toa trustqualifying for the federalestate tax marital deduction under Section2056(b)(7)or2056(b)(5)oftheInternalRevenueCode. A trustee shall determine the internalincomeofeachseparatefundasiftheseparatefundwereatrustsubjecttotheact—anduponrequestof thesurvivingspouseshalldemanddistribution of the internal income, and allo-cate to income of the recipient trust to theextentof the internal income fromsuchsepa-rate fund and distribute the amount to thesurviving spouse, and allocate any excess toprincipaloftherecipienttrust.Aprocedurefordetermining value based internal income ofsuch a separate fund is provided. The provi-sions of the act pertaining to apportionmentandpaymentofincometaxrequiredtobepaidbyatrusteeofatrustweremodified,andtran-sitional effective dates are prescribed for thechanges enacted. SB 981, §§1-4; amending 60O.S. 2001, §§175.409, 175.505; adding 68 O.S.Supp.2009,§175.603;effectiveNov.1,2009.

GrOss PrODuCtIOn taX

Extension of Exemptions

The expiration of dates of exemptions fromthegrossproductiontaxforsecondaryrecoveryprojects,tertiaryrecoveryprojects,horizontallydrilledwells,re-establishedinactivewells,pro-duction enhanced projects, certain deep wells,new discovery wells and three-dimensionalseismic shoot wells were extended to includeproduction,wellsandprojectscompletedpriorto July 1, 2012. SB 313, §1; amending 68 O.S.Supp.2008,§1001;effectiveJuly1,2009.

aD ValOrem taX

State Board of Equalization; Assessment of Video Service Providers

The Ad Valorem Tax Code is amended todefine the terms video programming andvideoserviceproviderasasubclassofpublicservice corporations assessed by the StateBoardofEqualization.VideoserviceprovidersshallberequiredtofileacertificationoftotalgrossreceiptswiththeStateBoardbyApril15,which shall determine assessment using thestatewide average of the assessment ratios

appliedtoassetsofcabletelevisioncompanies.Thestatewideaverageassessmentratioappliedto personal property of cable television com-panies shall be assumed to be 12 percent. SB314,§1;amending68O.S.2001,§2808;effectiveJan.1,2010.

Manufacturing Facility Exemption Requirements

The five-yearadvaloremtaxexemption forqualifying manufacturing plant facilities wasamended to provide that if a facility fails tomeettheincreasedannualizedpayrollrequire-ment for exemption that such requirementshall be waived for claims for exemptionsinvolved meeting certain specified conditionsrelated to location, type of manufacturing,workforceandplantsize.Theamendmentpro-videsthatiftheapplicantobtainingsuchwaiv-erofthepayrollrequirementceasestooperateall of its facilities in Oklahoma on or beforefour years after any initial application forexemption is filed by such applicant that allsums of property taxes exempted under theamendmentthatrelatetotheapplicationshallbecome due and payable as if the sums wereassessed in the year in which the applicantceasestooperateallitsfacilitiesinOklahoma.SB 318, §13; amending 68 O.S. 2008 Supp.,§2902;effectiveJune9,2009.

Manufacturing Facility Exemption; Marine Engine Plant

Therequirementsforthefive-yearadvalor-em tax exemption for qualifying manufactur-ing plant exemption were modified withrespect to certain applications for exemptionfiledonorafterJan.1,2004,andonorbeforeMarch 31, 2009, and all subsequent annualexemption applications filed related to suchinitialapplicationsforamarineenginemanu-facturingplantmeetingspecifiedemploymentrequirements.SB929,§§1-3;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§2902;effectiveMay29,2009.

Sale of Property for Delinquent Taxes

The Ad Valorem Tax Code was amendedwith respect to collection of delinquent advalorem taxes by modifying provisions per-taining tonoticeof saleofproperty for taxes,the definition of an incapacitated taxpayerwith respect to the right to redeem propertysold for delinquent taxes, and for the time ofdisposition of any proceeds from a sale inexcessoftaxes,penalties,interestandcostdue.HB1048,§§1-4;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§§3106,3113,3131;effectiveNov.1,2009.


CIGarette anD tOBaCCO PrODuCt taXes

Licensing, Fees, Reporting, Penalties Modified

The state cigarette and tobacco product taxstatutes were modified to clarify language,increase and modify license fees and applica-tions for licenses; provide for agreements byapplicants,prohibitcertainactivitybylicensedretailersofcigarettes,modifyreportingrequire-mentsandprocedure,andamendpenalties.SB608, §§1-24; amending 68 O.S. Supp. 2008,§§113,304,305,309,312,312.1,316,348,350.1,360.4,360.5,378;amending68O.S.2001,§§309,312, 348, 350.1, 403.1, 413, 415, 418, 425, 426,427, 428; repealing 68 O.S. 2001, §§349, 427.1,427.2; adding 68 O.S. Supp. 2009, §§349.1,360.9;effectiveJan.1,2010.

eCOnOmIC DeVelOPment; taX/FInanCIal InCentIVes

21st Century Quality Jobs Incentive Act

AnacttoprovideincentivestoattractgrowthindustriesandsectorstoOklahomainthe21stcentury through a policy of rewarding busi-nesseswithahighlyskilled,knowledge-basedworkforce was enacted. The act provides forquarterly incentivepaymentsbasedongrosspayrollfora10-yearperiodtobusinessesthatqualifybymeetingcertainprescribedrequire-mentsofadefined“basicindustry.”Toqualify,a business must apply to the Department ofCommerce, be engaged in a defined “basicindustry,”hireatleast10full-timeemployeesinOklahomawithin12quarters,payanaver-age annualized wage that equals or exceeds300 percent of a specified average countywage level, have a basic health benefit plan,andnothavereceivedorqualifiedforapprov-alforincentivepaymentsundercertainotherincentive payment statutes. The act containsincentive payment, reporting, other state taxincentiveexclusionandcontinuingeligibilityprovisions and requirements. SB 938, §§1-11;adding68O.S.Supp.2009,§§3911-3920;effec-tiveNov.1,2009.

Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act; Investment Tax Credit

Any establishment which has qualified toreceive quarterly incentive payments undertheOklahomaQualityJobsProgramAct,fora10-year period with a project start date afterJan. 1, 2010, shall be eligible to receive theOklahoma income tax investment tax creditprovided for in68O.S.Supp.2009, §2357.4 if

theestablishmentqualifiesforthecreditbasedoninvestmentmadeafterJan.1,2010,paysanaverage annualized wage which equals orexceedstheaveragestatewage,andobtainsaletterfromtheOklahomaDepartmentofCom-merce that the business activity of the entitywillresultinapositivenetbenefitrate.SB909,§1;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§3607;effec-tiveJan.1,2010.

Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act; Federal Contractors

The Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Actwas amended to provide for incentive pay-ments to be made to a qualified federal con-tractor that performs testing, research, devel-opment,consultingandotherservicesinOkla-homa. HB 1468, §1; amending 68 O.S. Supp.2008,§3603;adding68O.S.Supp.2009,§3604.1;effectiveJuly1,2009.

Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act; Wind Industry

The Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Actwas amended to provide that a “basic indus-try”inwhichabusinessmayqualifyforincen-tive payments includes support, repair andmaintenance service activities for the windindustry.HB1953,§1;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§3603;effectiveNov.1,2009.

Oklahoma Community Economic Development Pooled Finance Act

A new Oklahoma Community EconomicDevelopmentPooledFinanceActwasenacted.The act is to encourage and provide for localgovernmentsinthestatetocooperatetodevel-opregionalinfrastructureandeconomicdevel-opment projects. The act authorizes pooledfinancing of regional projects involving localgovernmentalentities.HB2067,§§1-21,adding62 O.S. Supp. 2009, §§891.1-891.15; amending68O.S.2001,§§2705,1370;74O.S.2001,§1004;effectiveJuly1,2009.

taX aDmInIstratIOn anD PrOCeDure

Interest/Income Tax Refunds

ForincometaxreturnsfiledafterJan.1,2010,ifataxrefundisnotpaidtothetaxpayerwith-in90daysafterthereturnisfiled,theTaxCom-missionwillberequiredtopayinterestontherefundatthesameratespecifiedforinterestondelinquenttaxpayments.Inthecaseofincometax returns filed electronically, interest onrefundspayablebytheTaxCommissionshall


runbeginning20daysafterthereturnisfiled.SB11,§1;amending68O.S.Supp.2008,§217;effectiveJan.1,2010.

Disclosure of Delinquent Taxpayers

The Oklahoma Tax Commission shall pre-pare,maintainanddisclosealistofallpersonswho owe delinquent taxes, including interestpenalties, fees and costs in excess of $25,000,whichareunpaidformorethan90daysafterallappealrightshaveexpiredandforwhichawarranthasbeenfiled.ThelistshallbepostedontheInternet.Aspecialpageshallshowthosepersons who have the 100 largest delinquenttaxpayeraccounts.Adelinquenttaxpayermustbegiven90dayspriornoticeofintendedpost-ing of the taxpayer’s name on the list.A tax-payermustberemovedfromthelistwithin15days after payment in full or entering into apayplanagreementwiththeTaxCommission.SB 318, §§2, 3; amending 68 O.S. Supp. 2008,§205;adding68O.S.Supp.2009,§205.5;effec-tiveNov.1,2009.

Professional License Renewal/Reissuance

The statutory provisions governing non-renewal of professional licenses for non-compliance with state income tax laws wereamendedtorefertoactiontonotreneworreis-sue a license. HB 1295, §1; amending 68 O.S.Supp.2001,§238.1;effectiveNov.1,2009.

Tax Commission Notices; Taxpayer Change of Address

For purposes of notices given by the TaxCommission to taxpayers by mail to the last-knownaddressofthetaxpayer,iftheTaxCom-mission receives an address from the U.S.PostalServiceasresultofachangeofaddresssubmitted to it, the “last-known address” ofthetaxpayershallmeantheaddressprovided.SB318,§4;amending68O.S.2001,§208;effec-tiveJune9,2009.

Tax Commission; Debt Collection Agency Fees

ThemaximumfeespayablebytheTaxCom-mission to a debt collection agency under acontractforcollectionofdelinquenttaxeswasincreasedto35percentof thetotalamountofdelinquent taxes, accrued penalties and inter-est collected from the taxpayer and shall be

addedtothetaxpayerdelinquency.SB318,§5;amending 68 O.S. Supp. 2008, §255; effectiveJuly1,2009.

taX anD FIsCal POlICY

Communications Tax Study

The Oklahoma Tax Commission shall con-ductastudyoftheadministrativeissuescon-cerningstateandlocalcommunicationstaxes,and focus on identifying the administrativesimplificationsandlawchangesthatwouldberequiredinOklahomatocomplywithnationalproposalsimpactingsuchtaxes.TheTaxCom-mission shall work with impacted local gov-ernment entities and businesses. It shall pre-pare and present a report of its findings andpresentthereporttotheGovernorandleader-shipoftheLegislaturepriortoDec.1,2009.SB318,§18;(notcodified),effectiveJuly1,2009.

Task Force to Study Transferable Tax Credits

Ataskforcetostudytransferabletaxcreditsistobecreatedbyappointmentof9membersbytheGovernorandleadersoftheLegislature.Thetaskforceistoconductastudyregardingalltaxcreditsthataretransferabletoanyper-sonorentityotherthantheentitytowhomorto which credits are initially made availablepursuanttothestatutecreatingthecredit.Thestudyshall include justificationforenactmentof transferable tax credits based on relevanteconomics of an industry or economic sector,the economic impact of utilization of credits,and analysis of utilization of credits by taxcreditpurchasers.Thetaskforceisrequiredtoproduce a final written report of its findingsand recommendations and submit it to theGovernor and leaders of the Legislature byDec. 31, 2009. HB 1097, §1; adding 68 O.S.Supp.2009,§2357.11A,effectiveMay27,2009.

Sheppard F. Miers Jr. is a shareholder in the Tulsa office of Gable & Gotwals and practices in the areas of federal and state taxation. The author acknowl-edges substantial assistance received on the subject of this article from Alicia Emerson, senior policy ana-lyst, research division, Oklahoma Senate.

AbOuT THE AuTHOR


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Adair, KenTheRighttoaSpeedyTrial:ThePathLessTraveled 80 26 1813 10/10/09

Alfred, Paula J.PeacockBlue 80 7 560 03/14/09

Barbush, John E. IfyourClientRecords,DoyouGettoPressPlay?WiretappinginFamilyLaw 80 31 2383 11/21/09

Barnett, Judge David A. DéjàVu 80 4 312 02/14/09

Bickle, Brandon C. and Sidney K. SwinsonAdministrativeExpenseClaimsinBankruptcy§503(b)(9):“The20-DayClaim” 80 20 1571 08/08/09

Boutot, Michael W.CreditCardBalanceTransfersasRecoverablePreferencesinChapter7Proceedings 80 20 1565 08/08/09

Bradford, Reagan E. and L. Mark Walker TheBasicsofOklahomaWaterLaw—WhatEveryPractitionerShouldKnow 80 23 1748 09/05/09

Brightmire, Kristen L.ADefendant’sPerspective:KruchowskiRaisesMoreQuestionsThanAnswers 80 7 519 03/14/09

Brockett, B.J.BrownietheThrush 80 10 856 04/11/09

TheSpareOffice 80 31 2456 11/21/09

Bushyhead, JulieWhatyouNeedtoKnowAboutNewHB2639:The‘NontestamentaryTransferofPropertyAct’ 80 1 33 01/10/09

AuTHOR-ARTICLE INDEX

Oklahoma bar Journal Index for 2009, Volume 80


Calloway, JimPracticingLawinToughEconomicTimes 80 1 54 01/10/09

MoreThoughtsonPracticingLawinToughEconomicTimes 80 4 281 02/14/09HomeSweetOffice 80 10 826 04/11/09AFewWebSitestoVisitin2009 80 13 1083 05/09/09LawyersandAlligators 80 20 1599 08/08/09ThePaperlessOfficeasaRiskManagementEnterprise 80 23 1762 09/05/09CanaLawyerReallyUseTwittertoMarketaLawPractice? 80 26 1874 10/10/09EveryoneLovesaFewHandyTips 80 31 2430 11/21/09

Calloway, Jim and Mark A. RobertsonClientDirectedBilling:ShiftsinWhoDefinestheValueofLegalServices 80 33 2606 12/12/09

Carter, Martha Rupp IntheWakeofContagiousDiseases,LookingfortheBalancebetweenPersonalPrivacyandPublicHealth 80 7 471 03/14/09

Chancey, Anita K.UpNext:TheGeneticInformationNondiscriminationAct 80 7 491 03/14/09

Chase, Melissa M.TheICEStormCometh:EmployerComplianceandWorksiteEnforcement 80 4 259 02/14/09

Cox, Janet L.CalltoArms 80 23 1784 09/05/09

Dowling, Elaine M.WhatEveryLawyerShouldKnowaboutthe2005BankruptcyReformAct 80 20 1551 08/08/09

Drummond, JimGantTKOsBeltonintheFourthRoundBeltonDemandsRematch:TheMillennium’sMostSignificantFourthAmendmentDecisionSoFar 80 26 1799 10/10/09

Duggan, Michael and Teresa RendonFloridLanguage:EnglishOnlyanditsEffectonStateServices 80 4 255 02/14/09

Dupler, Bryan Lester’HisWorksDoFollowHim’:JudgeHenryFurmanandtheDawnofOklahomaCriminalLaw 80 26 1823 10/10/09


Epperson, Kraettli Q. WellSiteSafetyZoneAct:NewLifeforAct 80 13 1061 05/09/09

MaritalHomesteadRightsProtection:ImpactofHill v. Discover Card 80 31 2409 11/21/09

Ferrell, Shannon L.WindEnergyAgreementsinOklahoma:DealingwithEnergy’sNewFrontier 80 13 1015 05/09/09

TheOklahomaSurfaceDamageAct:Basicsforthe‘Non-Oil-and-Gas’Practitioner 80 13 1049 05/09/09

Garrison, Tracey TheInterplayBetweenBankruptcyandDivorce 80 20 1581 08/08/09

Goble, CindyMakingEqualJusticeforAllaReality,OneClientataTime 80 20 1609 08/08/09

LegalAidProBonoOutreachProjectsLevelingthePlayingFieldforVictimsofDomesticViolence 80 31 2440 11/21/09

Gray, TraeDon’tGiveAwaytheFarm:NegotiatingSurfaceDamageCases 80 13 1057 05/09/09

Gungoll, Wade D.TheSemGroupBankruptcyandtheRamificationsforOklahomaProducers 80 13 1041 05/09/09

Haggerty II, D. Michael JudicialImmunityandtheOklahomaJudge 80 1 45 01/10/09

Hale, David K.TheMonsterintheMirror:DecliningCivilityinthePracticeofLaw 80 33 2545 12/12/09

Hammons, Mark TheLatestDevelopmentinOklahoma’sWrongfulDischargeDoctrineAPlaintiff’sPerspective:TheRiseofKruchowskiandtheDemiseofList 80 7 509 03/14/09

Harrell, Alvin C. and Laurie A. LucasTheFairDebtCollectionPracticesAct:ATenthCircuitPrimer 80 10 803 04/11/09

Harrington, Michelle C.IsCommonLawMarriageHeretoStayinOklahoma? 80 31 2371 11/21/09


Hart, AllisonGrandparentalVisitationinOklahoma:AnOverview 80 31 2401 11/21/09

Hendryx, GinaChangestoTrustAccountReporting 80 1 57 01/10/09

PaymentsofFeesbyaThirdParty 80 4 286 02/14/09

RepresentingMultipleClientsintheSameTransaction 80 7 534 03/14/09

BreakingUpShouldNotBeSoHardtoDo 80 10 829 04/11/09

BewareofInternetScams 80 20 1602 08/08/09

GrievancesandHowtoAvoidThem 80 31 2433 11/21/09

EthicalIssueswithEmployeeActsorOmissions 80 33 2561 12/12/09

Hendryx, Gina and Travis PickensFrequentlyAskedEthicsQuestions 80 33 2535 12/12/09

Hird, TomPlantiff’sMotiontoAmendWritingStyleandBriefinSupport 80 13 1104 05/09/09

Houghton, CaroleTheRuggedResistanceto20-DayAdministrativeExpense 80 20 1577 08/08/09

Houts, Mark B.OnceRejected,AlwaysRejected:RecentAmendmentsto36O.S.§3636 80 23 1745 09/05/09

Hubbard, JanisHowtoStayintheOther94Percent:AvoidingAttorneyGrievances 80 33 2567 12/12/09

Hufnagel, Emily and Collin WalkeAmericanswithDisabilitiesActBasics:WhatAttorneysNeedtoKnowabouttheADAandRepresentingtheDeafandHard-of-Hearing 80 33 2621 12/12/09

Izadi, Tina AnnualCelebrationFocusesonBridgingthePastwithToday 80 10 759 04/11/09

Johnson, Eric L.Oklahoma’sSecurityBreachNotificationAct 80 7 479 03/14/09

IdentityTheftRedFlagsandAddressDiscrepancies 80 7 499 03/14/09

Johnson, Gian R.AttorneysBehavingOutrageously 80 33 2573 12/12/09


Kane, Matthew C. and Daniel G. Webber Jr.FederalSentencing:TheNewFrontierofModernLegalAdvocacy 80 26 1791 10/10/09

Langley, Lawrence L.MaybeWeShouldJustDoAwaywithJuvenileCourt 80 10 813 04/11/09

Lohrke, Mary L. and Stephanie Johnson ManningTheNew,BroaderAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct:CongressEnactsSubstantialChanges 80 1 49 01/10/09

DOLOverhaulsFamilyandMedicalLeaveActRegulations:ImportantChangesyouShouldKnowAbout 80 4 271 02/14/09

Lucas, Laurie A. and Alvin C. HarrellTheFairDebtCollectionPracticesAct:ATenthCircuitPrimer 80 10 803 04/11/09

Manning, Stephanie Johnson and Mary L. LohrkeTheNew,BroaderAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct:CongressEnactsSubstantialChanges 80 1 49 01/10/09


Maute, Judith and Kade McClureMakingaDifferenceinOklahoma 80 1 64 01/10/09

McCarty, Lisbeth L.ModelPrisoner 80 26 1904 10/10/09

HolidayGifts 80 33 2632 12/12/09

McClure, Kade and Judith MauteMakingaDifferenceinOklahoma 80 1 64 01/10/09

Merritt, Kenni B.ForBetterorWorse:TheUnionofFamilyLawandERISA 80 31 2377 11/21/09

Miers Jr., Sheppard F. 2009OklahomaTaxLegislation 80 33 2578 12/12/09

Mize, T. Anne youthCourtinOklahoma 80 26 1819 10/10/09

Morris, JarodIt’sJustaSocialSecurityNumber,Right? 80 7 485 03/14/09


O’Brien, William F.ProBonoorReducedCostLegalServicesRelatingtoImmigration 80 4 293 02/14/09

O’Brien, William and Vance WinninghamU.S.ImmigrationBenefitsforForeignInvestors 80 4 249 02/14/09

Parsley, Jon K.AdministrationofJustice:It’sOurJob 80 4 236 02/14/09

SOS!WeNeedAllHandsonDeck:IfNotNow,ThenWhen?IfNotUs,ThenWho? 80 7 468 03/14/09

ALegacyofLiberty 80 10 756 04/11/09

OBASelectsNewGeneralCounsel 80 13 1012 05/09/09

MidyearReview 80 20 1548 08/08/09

CometotheBarConventioninNovember 80 23 1724 09/05/09

AnnualMeetingJustAroundtheCorner 80 26 1788 10/10/09

AnnualMeetingaCompleteSuccess 80 31 2356 11/21/09

2009AGreatyear 80 33 2532 12/12/09

Pickens, TravisTheOfficeoftheEthicsCounselisforyou 80 26 1877 10/10/09

SocialEthics 80 33 2551 12/12/09

LawyerlyBlessings 80 33 2612 12/12/09

Pickens, Travis and Gina HendryxFrequentlyAskedEthicsQuestions 80 33 2535 12/12/09

Ratheal, Donelle H. ‘TheTimesTheyArea-Changin’:WhenandHowtoModifyChildSupport 80 31 2395 11/21/09

Ray, Ryan A.TheOilandGasLeaseinOklahoma:APrimer 80 13 1031 05/09/09

Reif, Justice John F.AppellateAdvocacyandtheStandardsofProfessionalism 80 33 2555 12/12/09

Rendon, Teresa and Michael DugganFloridLanguage:EnglishOnlyanditsEffectonStateServices 80 4 255 02/14/09

Robertson, Mark A. and Jim Calloway ClientDirectedBilling:ShiftsinWhoDefinestheValueofLegalServices 80 33 2606 12/12/09


Rose, MichaelConsumerBankruptcyandMeansTesting:AnOverviewofPracticeintheWesternDistrictofOklahoma 80 20 1557 08/08/09

Ross-Petherick, Casey and Kelly Gaines Stoner MakeNoAssumptions:BarrierstoJusticeforDomesticViolenceVictims 80 23 1771 09/05/09

Rysted, KarlUtilityAssistanceProgramsinOklahoma 80 13 1090 05/09/09

Salamy, Richard J. ImmigrationDueDiligenceinMergersandAcquisitions 80 4 265 02/14/09

Smith, Bob A.TheLuckoftheDraw 80 1 80 01/10/09

Stoner, Kelly Gaines and Casey Ross-Petherick MakeNoAssumptions:BarrierstoJusticeforDomesticViolenceVictims 80 23 1771 09/05/09

Stump, Kelli J. and T. Douglas StumpDada V. Mukasey:TheSupremeCourtAddressestheConflictbetweentheMotiontoReopenandVoluntaryDepartureProvisions 80 4 241 02/14/09

Stump, T. Douglas and Kelli J. StumpDada V. Mukasey:TheSupremeCourtAddressestheConflictbetweentheMotiontoReopenandVoluntaryDepartureProvisions 80 4 241 02/14/09

Swinson, Sidney K. and Brandon C. BickleAdministrativeExpenseClaimsinBankruptcy§503(b)(9):“The20-DayClaim” 80 20 1571 08/08/09

Swisher, A. KyleTheDivisionofMilitaryRetirementBenefitsinOklahomaDivorceProceedings 80 31 2389 11/21/09

Thomas, Paul PlanBasaWayofLife:SpecialOlympics—2009 80 20 1632 08/08/09

Walke, Collin and Emily HufnagelAmericanswithDisabilitiesActBasics:WhatAttorneysNeedtoKnowabouttheADAandRepresentingtheDeafandHard-of-Hearing 80 33 2621 12/12/09

Walker, L. Mark and Reagan E. Bradford TheBasicsofOklahomaWaterLaw—WhatEveryPractitionerShouldKnow 80 23 1748 09/05/09


Webber Jr., Daniel G. and Matthew C. KaneFederalSentencing:TheNewFrontierofModernLegalAdvocacy 80 26 1791 10/10/09

Williams, John MorrisTheLastyearoftheFirstDecadeoftheNewMillennium 80 1 52 01/10/09

youngerthanUsual 80 4 279 02/14/09

StriketheTitle 80 7 532 03/14/09

ChangestotheWeb 80 10 824 04/11/09

SwineFlew 80 13 1081 05/09/09

ItHappenedAgain 80 20 1597 08/08/09

ICan’tReadMyTelephone 80 23 1760 09/05/09

InterestingCall 80 26 1872 10/10/09

FailureWasNotanOption 80 31 2428 11/21/09

BrightLights,BigCity 80 33 2604 12/12/09

Wilson, Amy E. TheNewChildSupportGuidelines:WhatyouNeedtoKnowaboutChangestotheGuidelinesStatute 80 31 2359 11/21/09

Wilson, BradStudentsforAccesstoJustice:LeadingthroughService 80 10 838 04/11/09

Winningham, Vance and William O’BrienU.S.ImmigrationBenefitsforForeignInvestors 80 4 249 02/14/09

Wolfe, Jeffrey S.OklahomaasaLex Mercatoria?ScrutinizingOklahoma’sNewArbitralRemedy 80 1 36 01/10/09

Yancey, Mark A. UnderstandingtheInterstateAgreementonDetainersAct:TenQuestionsandAnswers 80 26 1805 10/10/09


aCCess tO JustICe

Goble, CindyMakingEqualJusticeforAllaReality,OneClientataTime 80 20 1609 08/08/09

LegalAidProBonoOutreachProjectsLevelingthePlayingFieldforVictimsofDomesticViolence 80 31 2440 11/21/09

Hufnagel, Emily and Collin WalkeAmericanswithDisabilitiesActBasics:WhatAttorneysNeedtoKnowabouttheADAandRepresentingtheDeafandHard-of-Hearing 80 33 2621 12/12/09

Maute, Judith and Kade McClureMakingaDifferenceinOklahoma 80 1 64 01/10/09

O’Brien, William F.ProBonoorReducedCostLegalServicesRelatingtoImmigration 80 4 293 02/14/09

Ross-Petherick, Casey and Kelly Gaines StonerMakeNoAssumptions:BarrierstoJusticeforDomesticViolenceVictims 80 23 1771 09/05/09

Rysted, KarlUtilityAssistanceProgramsinOklahoma 80 13 1090 05/09/09

Wilson, BradStudentsforAccesstoJustice:LeadingthroughService 80 10 838 04/11/09

arBItratIOn

Wolfe, Jeffrey S.OklahomaasaLex Mercatoria?ScrutinizingOklahoma’sNewArbitralRemedy 80 1 36 01/10/09

Oklahoma bar Journal Index for 2009, Volume 80

SubJECT INDEX


BaCK PaGe

Alfred, Paula J.PeacockBlue 80 7 560 03/14/09

Barnett, Judge David A.DéjàVu 80 4 312 02/14/09

Brockett, B.J.BrownietheThrush 80 10 856 04/11/09

TheSpareOffice 80 31 2456 11/21/09

Cox, Janet L.CalltoArms 80 23 1784 09/05/09

Hird, TomPlantiff’sMotiontoAmendWritingStyleandBriefinSupport 80 13 1104 05/09/09

McCarty, Lisbeth L.ModelPrisoner 80 26 1904 10/10/09

HolidayGifts 80 33 2632 12/12/09

Smith, Bob A.TheLuckoftheDraw 80 1 80 01/10/09

Thomas, PaulPlanBasaWayofLife:SpecialOlympics—2009 80 20 1632 08/08/09

BanKruPtCY

Boutot, Michael W.CreditCardBalanceTransfersasRecoverablePreferencesinChapter7Proceedings 80 20 1565 08/08/09

Dowling, Elaine M.WhatEveryLawyerShouldKnowaboutthe2005BankruptcyReformAct 80 20 1551 08/08/09

Garrison, TraceyTheInterplayBetweenBankruptcyandDivorce 80 20 1581 08/08/09

Houghton, CaroleTheRuggedResistanceto20-DayAdministrativeExpense 80 20 1577 08/08/09

Rose, MichaelConsumerBankruptcyandMeansTesting:AnOverviewofPracticeintheWesternDistrictofOklahoma 80 20 1557 08/08/09


Swinson, Sidney K. and Brandon C. BickleAdministrativeExpenseClaimsinBankruptcy§503(b)(9):“The20-DayClaim” 80 20 1571 08/08/09

CrImInal laW

Adair, KenTheRighttoaSpeedyTrial:ThePathLessTraveled 80 26 1813 10/10/09

Drummond, JimGantTKOsBeltonintheFourthRoundBeltonDemandsRematch:TheMillennium’sMostSignificantFourthAmendmentDecisionSoFar 80 26 1799 10/10/09

Dupler, Bryan Lester’HisWorksDoFollowHim’:JudgeHenryFurmanandtheDawnofOklahomaCriminalLaw 80 26 1823 10/10/09

Kane, Matthew C. and Daniel G. Webber Jr.FederalSentencing:TheNewFrontierofModernLegalAdvocacy 80 26 1791 10/10/09

Mize, T. AnneyouthCourtinOklahoma 80 26 1819 10/10/09

Yancey, Mark A. UnderstandingtheInterstateAgreementonDetainersAct:TenQuestionsandAnswers 80 26 1805 10/10/09

emPlOYment laW

Brightmire, Kristen L.ADefendant’sPerspective:KruchowskiRaisesMoreQuestionsThanAnswers 80 7 519 03/14/09

Hammons, MarkTheLatestDevelopmentinOklahoma’sWrongfulDischargeDoctrineAPlaintiff’sPerspective:TheRiseofKruchowskiandtheDemiseofList 80 7 509 03/14/09

etHICs anD PrOFessIOnal resPOnsIBIlItY

Hale, David K.TheMonsterintheMirror:DecliningCivilityinthePracticeofLaw 80 33 2545 12/12/09

Hendryx, GinaChangestoTrustAccountReporting 80 1 57 01/10/09

PaymentsofFeesbyaThirdParty 80 4 286 02/14/09


RepresentingMultipleClientsintheSameTransaction 80 7 534 03/14/09

BreakingUpShouldNotBeSoHardtoDo 80 10 829 04/11/09

BewareofInternetScams 80 20 1602 08/08/09

GrievancesandHowtoAvoidThem 80 31 2433 11/21/09

EthicalIssueswithEmployeeActsorOmissions 80 33 2561 12/12/09

Hendryx, Gina and Travis PickensFrequentlyAskedEthicsQuestions 80 33 2535 12/12/09

Hubbard, JanisHowtoStayintheOther94Percent:AvoidingAttorneyGrievances 80 33 2567 12/12/09

Johnson, Gian R.AttorneysBehavingOutrageously 80 33 2573 12/12/09

Pickens, TravisTheOfficeoftheEthicsCounselisforyou 80 26 1877 10/10/09

SocialEthics 80 33 2551 12/12/09

LawyerlyBlessings 80 33 2612 12/12/09

Reif, Justice John F.AppellateAdvocacyandtheStandardsofProfessionalism 80 33 2555 12/12/09

FamIlY laW

Barbush, John E.IfyourClientRecords,DoyouGettoPressPlay?WiretappinginFamilyLaw 80 31 2383 11/21/09

Epperson, Kraettli Q.MaritalHomesteadRightsProtection:ImpactofHill v. Discover Card 80 31 2409 11/21/09

Harrington, Michelle C.IsCommonLawMarriageHeretoStayinOklahoma? 80 31 2371 11/21/09

Hart, AllisonGrandparentalVisitationinOklahoma:AnOverview 80 31 2401 11/21/09

Merritt, Kenni B.ForBetterorWorse:TheUnionofFamilyLawandERISA 80 31 2377 11/21/09


Ratheal, Donelle H.‘TheTimesTheyArea-Changin’:WhenandHowtoModifyChildSupport 80 31 2395 11/21/09

Swisher, A. KyleTheDivisionofMilitaryRetirementBenefitsinOklahomaDivorceProceedings 80 31 2389 11/21/09

Wilson, Amy E.TheNewChildSupportGuidelines:WhatyouNeedtoKnowaboutChangestotheGuidelinesStatute 80 31 2359 11/21/09

FrOm tHe eXeCutIVe DIreCtOr

Williams, John MorrisTheLastyearoftheFirstDecadeoftheNewMillennium 80 1 52 01/10/09

youngerthanUsual 80 4 279 02/14/09

StriketheTitle 80 7 532 03/14/09

ChangestotheWeb 80 10 824 04/11/09

SwineFlew 80 13 1081 05/09/09

ItHappenedAgain 80 20 1597 08/08/09

ICan’tReadMyTelephone 80 23 1760 09/05/09

InterestingCall 80 26 1872 10/10/09

FailureWasNotanOption 80 31 2428 11/21/09

BrightLights,BigCity 80 33 2604 12/12/09

FrOm tHe PresIDent

Parsley, Jon K.AdministrationofJustice:It’sOurJob 80 4 236 02/14/09

SOS!WeNeedAllHandsonDeck:IfNotNow,ThenWhen?IfNotUs,ThenWho? 80 7 468 03/14/09

ALegacyofLiberty 80 10 756 04/11/09

OBASelectsNewGeneralCounsel 80 13 1012 05/09/09

MidyearReview 80 20 1548 08/08/09

CometotheBarConventioninNovember 80 23 1724 09/05/09

AnnualMeetingJustAroundtheCorner 80 26 1788 10/10/09

AnnualMeetingaCompleteSuccess 80 31 2356 11/21/09

2009AGreatyear 80 33 2532 12/12/09


ImmIGratIOn laW

Chase, Melissa M.TheICEStormCometh:EmployerComplianceandWorksiteEnforcement 80 4 259 02/14/09

Rendon, Teresa and Michael DugganFloridLanguage:EnglishOnlyanditsEffectonStateServices 80 4 255 02/14/09

Salamy, Richard J.ImmigrationDueDiligenceinMergersandAcquisitions 80 4 265 02/14/09

Stump, T. Douglas and Kelli J. StumpDada V. Mukasey:TheSupremeCourtAddressestheConflictbetweentheMotiontoReopenandVoluntaryDepartureProvisions 80 4 241 02/14/09

Winningham, Vance and William O’BrienU.S.ImmigrationBenefitsforForeignInvestors 80 4 249 02/14/09

InsuranCe laW

Houts, Mark B.OnceRejected,AlwaysRejected:RecentAmendmentsto36O.S.§3636 80 23 1745 09/05/09

JuDICIal COnDuCt

Haggerty II, D. MichaelJudicialImmunityandtheOklahomaJudge 80 1 45 01/10/09

JuVenIle laW

Langley, Lawrence L.MaybeWeShouldJustDoAwaywithJuvenileCourt 80 10 813 04/11/09

laBOr anD emPlOYment laW

Lohrke, Mary L. and Stephanie Johnson ManningTheNew,BroaderAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct:CongressEnactsSubstantialChanges 80 1 49 01/10/09



laW DaY

Izadi, TinaAnnualCelebrationFocusesonBridgingthePastwithToday 80 10 759 04/11/09

laW PraCtICe tIPs

Calloway, JimPracticingLawinToughEconomicTimes 80 1 54 01/10/09

MoreThoughtsonPracticingLawinToughEconomicTimes 80 4 281 02/14/09

HomeSweetOffice 80 10 826 04/11/09

AFewWebSitestoVisitin2009 80 13 1083 05/09/09

LawyersandAlligators 80 20 1599 08/08/09

ThePaperlessOfficeasaRiskManagementEnterprise 80 23 1762 09/05/09

CanaLawyerReallyUseTwittertoMarketaLawPractice? 80 26 1874 10/10/09

EveryoneLovesaFewHandyTips 80 31 2430 11/21/09

Calloway, Jim and Mark A. RobertsonClientDirectedBilling:ShiftsinWhoDefinestheValueofLegalServices 80 33 2606 12/12/09

OIl anD Gas anD OtHer enerGY resOurCes

Ferrell, Shannon L.WindEnergyAgreementsinOklahoma:DealingwithEnergy’sNewFrontier 80 13 1015 05/09/09

TheOklahomaSurfaceDamageAct:Basicsforthe‘Non-Oil-and-Gas’Practitioner 80 13 1049 05/09/09

Gungoll, Wade D.TheSemGroupBankruptcyandtheRamificationsforOklahomaProducers 80 13 1041 05/09/09

Gray, TraeDon’tGiveAwaytheFarm:NegotiatingSurfaceDamageCases 80 13 1057 05/09/09

Ray, Ryan A.TheOilandGasLeaseinOklahoma:APrimer 80 13 1031 05/09/09


PrIVaCY

Carter, Martha RuppIntheWakeofContagiousDiseases,LookingfortheBalancebetweenPersonalPrivacyandPublicHealth 80 7 471 03/14/09

Chancey, Anita K.UpNext:TheGeneticInformationNondiscriminationAct 80 7 491 03/14/09

Johnson, Eric L.Oklahoma’sSecurityBreachNotificationAct 80 7 479 03/14/09

IdentityTheftRedFlagsandAddressDiscrepancies 80 7 499 03/14/09

Morris, JarodIt’sJustaSocialSecurityNumber,Right? 80 7 485 03/14/09

real PrOPertY laW

Bushyhead, JulieWhatyouNeedtoKnowAboutNewHB2639:The‘NontestamentaryTransferofPropertyAct’ 80 1 33 01/10/09

Epperson, Kraettli Q. EppersonWellSiteSafetyZoneAct:NewLifeforAct 80 13 1061 05/09/09

taXatIOn laW

Lucas, Laurie A. and Alvin C. HarrellTheFairDebtCollectionPracticesAct:ATenthCircuitPrimer 80 10 803 04/11/09

Miers Jr., Sheppard F.2009OklahomaTaxLegislation 80 33 2578 12/12/09

Water laW

Walker, L. Mark and Reagan E. BradfordTheBasicsofOklahomaWaterLaw—WhatEveryPractitionerShouldKnow 80 23 1748 09/05/09


The ObA Needs You — Volunteer for a Committee

TheworkofOBAcommitteesisvitaltotheorganization—andthatworkrequiresvolunteers.Sure,you’rebusy,butweneedyou…whetheryouareaseasonedlawyeroranewlawyer.Pleaseconsiderbecominginvolvedinyourprofessionalassociation.Therearemanycommit-

teestochoosefrom,sothereshouldbeatleastonethatinterestsyou.Ifyoupractice inoraround theTulsametro like Ido, remember thatmeetingsare conducted

usingvideoconferencingequipmentinTulsa,whichmakesitconvenienttointeractwithothersinOklahomaCity.Notimewasteddrivingtheturnpike.

Theeasiestwaytosignupisonlineathttp://my.okbar.org/Login.Ifyouarealreadyonacom-mittee,my.okbarshowsyouwhenyourcurrenttermexpires.Othersign-upoptionsaretocompletetheformbelowandeitherfaxormailittome.I’mcountingonyourhelptomakemyyearasyourbarpresidentaproductiveone.Please sign up by Dec. 18, 2009.

AllenSmallwood,President-Elect–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Standing Committees ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

• Access to Justice• Awards• Bar Association Technology• Bar Center Facilities• Bench and Bar• Civil Procedure• Communications• Disaster Response and Relief• Diversity• Evidence Code

• Group Insurance• Law Day• Law-related Education• Law Schools• Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program• Lawyers with Physical Challenges• Legal Intern• Legislative Monitoring• Member Services

• Paralegal• Professionalism• Rules of Professional Conduct• Solo and Small Firm Conference Planning• Strategic Planning• Uniform Laws• Women in Law• Work/Life Balance

Note: No need to sign up again if your current term has not expired. For terms, check www.okbar.org/members/committees/

Please Type or Print

Name ____________________________________________________ Telephone _____________________

Address ___________________________________________________ OBA # _______________________

City ___________________________________________ State/Zip_________________________________

FAX ______________________________________ E-mail ________________________________________

Committee Name

1st Choice ___________________________________

2nd Choice __________________________________

3rd Choice __________________________________

Have you ever served on this committee?

qYesqNoqYesqNoqYesqNo

If so, when? How long?_______________________________________________________________

q Please assign me to only one committee.q I am willing to serve on (two or three - circle one) committees.

Besides committee work, I am interested in the following area(s):

________________________________________________________________________________________

Mail: Allen M. Smallwood • 1310 S. Denver Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119Fax: (918) 582-1991 • E-Mail: [email protected]


2010 OBA DAY AT THE CAPITOL

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010

Mingle and visit with members of the Okla. Legislature at the OBA

Day at the Capitol about the OBA legislative agenda.

Register and meet at the Oklahoma Bar Center for the day’s briefing at 10:30 a.m.

Lunch will be provided at Noon.

Visit with the legislators at 1 p.m.

Reception at the Bar Center for legislators and bar members

at 5 p.m.

HELP SHOW OUR LEGISLATORS

HOW MUCH WE CARE!


GrowingupinStonewall,goingto“theCity”wasabigdeal.Wedidn’toftengoatnight,butwhenwedid,IalwaysknewwewereclosewhenIbegantoseebillboardsthatwerelightedup.Iknowthatsoundsabitstrangethesedays.Wedidn’tevenhaveatrafficlight,soalightedbill-boardwassomethingtobehold.

Thethingthatintriguedmeaboutthelightedbillboardswasthattheywerealwaysvisible.Themessagewasavailable24/7—alwayson.Ittookabitmoreexpenseandabitmoreequipment,buttheywereworkingallthetime—alwaysatthereadyforanypasserby.Forthosepassingby,itdidn’tcostthemanythingtolook,andthebillboardsservedasbeaconsthatsome-thingbigandexcitingwascomingupsoon.

Everyyearatthistime,Ibegintoreflectabitontheyearthathaspassed.Itisusu-allyabittersweettime.Imar-velatwhathasbeenaccom-plishedduringtheyear,thegoodtimesIhavehadwithourleadershipandothermembers,thegreateventsandtheprogresswehavemadeintryingtoenhancetheprofes-sionallivesofourmembers.

Ontheotherhand,itisatimeofsadnessaslead-ershipandboardpositionschange.PeoplewhoIhaveworkedcloselywithforyearsarenolongergoingtobeaspresentastheyoncewere.Ihavebeenfortu-natetoworkwithsuchkindandfor-

givingpeople.Theyhaveencouragedme,acceptedmylimitationsandcoachedmetobebetterthanIam.Tolosethatkindofsupportandfriendshipisatoughthing.

Fortunately,wehavesomegreatfolkscomingontheboardandmovingintoleader-shippositions.ItiswithexcitementandhighhopesthatIlooktothenewyear.

EveryyearIalsoreflectonwhatIhaveparticularly

learnedfromthepresident.IhavehadtheopportunitytoworkcloselywithastringofgreatOBApresidents.JonParsleywasalit-upbillboardforsure.IknewbeforetheyearstartedthatIwasapproachingsomethingbigandexciting.Theguyjustlightsupeverythingaroundhimwithhisenthusiasm,andhelitupthisbarassociation.

Letmetellyousomethingsthathappenedifyouarenotaware.First,hefundedafull-timeWebeditorpositionsothatdailywhenyou“drive”byourWebsiteyouseeanewmessage.Jontookfirmandresponsiblepositionstopro-tectourprofessionandtheassociation.Underhisleader-shipanewgeneralcounselwashired,andweheldsomegreatevents.TheTechFairandAnnualMeetingbeingjustacoupleofrecentexam-ples.EmersonHallwasremodeledintoastate-of-the-artmeetingfacility.Thesearebutafewofthemanygreatthingsaccomplishedunderhisleadership.

Iwouldberemissbynottellingyousomeotherthings.First,Jonwasthefirstmegatext-messagingpresidentIhaveencountered.ByaboutMarchIgotprettygoodatit.Imustadmitthatitwasafunandeffi-cientwaytodobusiness.

FROM THE EXECuTIVE DIRECTOR

bright Lights, big CityBy John Morris Williams


Second,Jonwasachampion-shipdebater.Heenjoysthe“pro”andthe“con”andseesbothsideswell.Heknowshispreferences,buthewillhearoutbothsides.Justbecareful—oncethewheelsstartturningthere’snouseinarguing’causeyouwillprobablylose.Fortu-nately,wedidnothaveanyofthat.Isawthebrightlightsearlyandknewtojustenjoytheride.

Astheyearcomestoaclose,IwanttothankJonandallofthosewhoservedingover-nancefortheassociationthispastyear.Iamluckytoworkwithsuchtalented,givingandcompassionatepeople.Iappre-ciatethemembersoftheOkla-homaSupremeCourtwhogiveussupportandencouragementfromtheirsuperintendingposi-tion.TothegreatstaffhereattheOBA,many,manythanksforallyoudoeveryday.Last,butnotleast,Iwanttothankeachofyou,ourmembers,fortheopportunitytoserveyouthisyear.

Fromhereatmydesk,Iambeginningtoseeintonextyear.Untilthen,Iwishallofyouthebestoftheholidayseason.Brightlights,bigcityherewecomeagain!

To contact Executive Director Williams, e-mail him at [email protected]

If you would like to write

an article on these

topics, contact the editor.

Oklahoma bar Journal Editorial Calendar

2010 nJanuary: meet Your OBa

Editor:CarolManning

nFebruary:Indian lawEditor:[email protected]:Oct.1,2009

nMarch:Workers’ CompensationEditor:[email protected]:Jan.1,2010

nApril:law DayEditor:CarolManning

nMay:Commercial lawEditor:[email protected]:Jan.1,2010

nAugust:Oklahoma legal HistoryEditor:[email protected]:May1,2010

nSeptember:Bar ConventionEditor:CarolManning

nOctober:ProbateEditor:[email protected]:May1,2010

nNovember:technology & law PracticemanagementEditor:[email protected]:Aug.1,2010

nDecember:ethics & Professional responsibilityEditor:[email protected]:Aug.1,2010


Certainlytheyear2009hasseenalotofhighprofilediscus-sionaboutalternativebillingforlawfirms.Inthelast60days,morethan80articlesinbothlegalandgeneralcircula-tionpublicationshaveappeareddiscussingalternativebillingandhowtoappropriate-lyvaluelegalservices.FromBigLawtoMainStreetlawyers,manyarestrugglingtoaddresstheincreasingdemandsbycli-entstousesomemeasureotherthanthebillablehourtovaluelegalservices.

Eventhelabelhaschanged!Whatwelawyershavedis-cussedforyearsas“alterna-tivebilling,”isnowoftencalled“alternativefeearrange-ments”(AFA).That,too,seemslikeatermcoinedbyclientsratherthanlawfirms.

Areweseeingashiftinhowandwhodefinesvaluefortheworkwedo?Considerthefol-lowingitems.

EvanCheslerintheJan.12,2009,editionofForbesmaga-zine,wroteapiecetitled“KilltheBillableHour”tinyurl.com/77uoln.ThiswasparticularlynoteworthybecauseCheslerisapresidingpartneratCravath,Swaine&Moore,oneofthemosteliteofthemega-law

firms.HesayslawyersshouldbilllikeJoetheContractordoes.

Hewrites:

“Clientshavelonghatedthebillablehour,andIunderstandwhy.Thehoursseemtopileuptofilltheavailablespace.Theclientsfeeltheyhavenocontrol,thatthereisnocorrelationbetweencostandquality….

“Thebillablehourmakesnosense,notevenforlaw-yers.Ifyouaresuccessfulandwinacaseearlyon,youputyourselfoutofwork.IfyougetboggeddowninalandwarinAsia,youmakemoremoney.Thatisfranklynuts….

“Contractorsbillalot,too.LastyearmywifeandIdecidedtoputinanewkitchen.Wecalledinacontractor(let’scallhimJoe).Joearrivedwithaclipboard,measuringtapeandcalculator.Wetoldhimwhatcabinetsandapplianceswewanted.Hemeasuredandcalculated.Afewdayslaterhecamebackwithaprice.Wethoughtthepricewasfairandagreedtoit.Wedidn’t

carehowmanyhoursJoe,orhiselectricianorhisplumber,wouldberun-ningtheirmeters.ThatwasJoe’sproblem;wehadourprice.”Id.

OnMonday,Aug.24,2009,thedebateaboutalternativestothebillablehourinthelegalindustrybecameevenmorehighprofileasarticlesappearedaboutthetopicinboththeWall Street JournalandCorporate Counsel.The Wall Street Journalpiece,“BillableHourUnderAttack”began:

“Withtherecessioncrimp-inglegalbudgets,somebigcompaniesarefightingbackagainstlawfirms’longstandingpracticeofbillingthembythehour.

“Thecompaniesareditch-ingthehourlystructure—whichcriticscomplainofferslawfirmsanincen-tivetorackupbiggerbills—infavorofflat-feecon-tracts.Onesurveyfoundanincreaseofmorethan50percentthisyearincor-poratespendingonalter-nativestothetraditionalhourly-feemodel.

“Theshiftcouldfurthersqueezeearningsattoplaw

Client Directed billing: Shifts in Who Defines the Value of Legal ServicesBy Jim Calloway and Mark A. Robertson

LAW PRACTICE TIPS


firms.Thepast18monthshavebeenbrutalforsomebiglawfirms…”

OnDec.1,2009,coverageofasurveyinCorporate Counsel magazinesupportedtheideaofchange.“Justoverhalfofthe231companiessurveyedbytheHildebrandtconsultingfirmsaidtheyeitherhavestartedorwillstartnegotiatingnon-hourlybillingarrange-mentswiththeiroutsidecoun-sel.Justoveraquartersaidtheyareconsideringthem.Andonly18percentsaidtheyhavenoplanstoabandonthebillablehour.

“TheAmericanLawyerandtheAssociationofCorporateCounseljointlysurveyed587generalcounselandchieflegalofficersinOctober,andfoundthat39percentpaidlawfirmsmoremoneythisyearunderalternativefeearrangementsthantheydidin2008.Mean-while,justoverhalf,53per-centsaidspendingonalterna-tivefeearrangementshadstayedthesame.Only8percentsaidithadfallen.”The Bell is Tolling for the Billable Hour: ‘Change is Here to Stay’tinyurl.com/y8f7tpd

BruceMacEwenonhiswell-regardedAdamSmith,Esq.blogrespondedwithagreatanalysisofthisdiscussioninhispostThe Billable Hour Debate Is Not About the Billable Hour.Weencourageyoutoreadhisthoughtsonlineattinyurl.com/nnyw9jwherehewrites:

“What’swrongwiththebillablehour?

“Frommyfundamentaleco-nomicperspective,allyouneedtoknowisthatitstartsandendsthepricingdeter-minationbasedon‘costofproduction’ratherthan

‘valuetoclient.’Inmybook,that’sperseirrational….

“It’sjustplainaweirdwaytopriceproductsorservic-es,becauseitfundamen-tallydisconnectspricefromperceivedvalueintheeyesofclients.”Id.

FromFortune500companiestoMainStreetshopsandindi-vidualsneedinglegalhelp,theeconomyisforcingeveryonetolookatthecoststheyincurinhiringlawyers.Moreandmore,clientsaredirectinghowthevalueofthelegalservicestheyuseisdeterminedandmanyofthemarelookingatalternativestohourlybilling.Thisissuemayrepresentoneofthegreat-estfuturechallengestoourprofession.But,ofcourse,wehaveboththoughtthatforsev-eralyearsnow.Ourlatestbook,Winning Alternatives to the Bill-able Hour: Strategies That Work: Third EditionwaspublishedbytheAmericanBarAssoci-ationinthesummerof2008.

Arehourlytimesheetsgoingaway?No–westillneedtokeeptrackofourtimetoknowwhatitcostsustodelivertheservices.(AlthoughalternativebillingguruRonBakersaysthisispointless“costaccounting.”)Arehourlybillingsgoingaway?No–therearestillmattersthatwillbetoocomplextoadequatelyesti-mateorbudget,toomanyvariablestoconsiderandtoomanyinhousebean-countersouttherethatwanttoseethetimerecords,stillbelievingthatitisasoundwaytomea-surevalue.Havingsaidthat,

somelawfirmsstatetheyhavedonethatverything.

LawyersonWallStreetandonMainStreetneedtolookathowtheybillandbeproactiveinprovidingclientswithchoicesonhowtobebilledforlegalservicesthatmeettheirdefinitionofvalue.

Wearelivinginatimeofgreatchange—botheconomicandclientdriven.Weseethesuccessfulbusinesses.Weknowthattheyembracetheefficien-ciesoftechnology,theyadapttochangingconsumerneedsanddemands,theyprovidegoodcustomerserviceandtheycontinuetoimproveandevolve.Theyaredemandingwedothesameifwearegoingtobetheirtrustedadvisors.

Ifitwereeasy,allthesmartlawyerswouldhavealreadydoneit.Buttherearesmartlawyersandsmartclientswho

areusingalternativebillingmethods.Howdoyoustart?Letussuggestmodeststeps.yourecalltheoldsaying“Howdoyoueatanele-phant?”Answer:“OneBiteatatime.”

Solitigators,aretheresomeroutinetasksthatshouldbe


billedonataskcompletedbasisratherthananhourlybasis?Whataboutfilingdoc-umentswithgovernmentclerks?Hourlyorfixed?Considerthisandreviseyourpoliciesaccordingly.

It’s all aBOut rIsK

Oneofthebusinessprinci-palsatworkintheconsider-ationofbillingmethodsotherthanstrictlyhourlybasisistheallocationofrisk.Inhourlywork,theclientassumesalloftheriskofaprojecttakingmoretimethananticipated.Inapersonalinjurycontingencyfeesituation,theattorneyassumestheriskofnotbeingpaidifthereisnorecovery.

Justasmuchasthelawyerdoesnotwishtoworkforfree,themodernclientdoesnotwishanopen-endedunlimitedcommitmenteither.Thetradi-tionalhourlymodelshiftsalloftheriskofunanticipateddemandsorcomplicationstotheclient,withthelawyerbeinginthepositiontobillandcollectmoreinthatevent,sub-jectonlytotheriskofclientnonpayment.Anyalternativebillingstrategywillentailthelawfirmassumingsomedegreeofriskofcomplications.Butifimplementedcorrectly,fixedfeescancombinewithimprovementsindelegationanduseoftechnologytofreeupthelawyer’stimetodothemorecomplexandinterestinglegalworkwhileincreasingfirmrevenues.

tasK-BaseD BIllInG as OPPOseD tO Flat Fees

Somelawyersthinkofaflatfeeforanentirematterastheonlyalternativetohourlybill-ing.Butthemorefairandworkableplanislikelysomehybridarrangementthatincludesflatfeesforcertaintasksandperhapsevensome

limitedhourlycharges.Mostlawyerswouldbeunlikelytoagreetoanunlimitednumberofdepositionsforafixedfeeatthebeginningofanuncertainmatter,forexample,andsomemightarguethatsuchanarrangementhasthepotentialtocreateaconflictofinterestbetweenlawyerandclient.Itcouldbeagreed,however,thatpreparationforandtakingofeachdepositionwouldbechargedata“perdeposition”fee,withonerateforin-stateandanotherforout-of-state.

emPlOYInG CHanGe OrDers

Supposealawyerwasbuild-ingahomeand,inearlycon-struction,thelawyer(orspouse)decidedgranitecoun-tertopswereneededinthekitcheninsteadofthematerialspecifiedinthecontract.Whatwouldthebuilderdo?Thebuildercouldsay“No,toolate.yousignedthecontract.”Orthebuildercouldsay“Well,that’salotmoretroubleandexpenseforme,butI’lldoit.Nocharge.”Butonlyasoft-heartedlawyerwouldagreetodoextraworkfornocharge.

Inreality,thebuilderwouldfigureoutthecostsofthemodi-ficationandsomeadditionalprofitandgivethecustomeraformcalleda“changeorder”thatspecifiedadditionalcharg-esand/ordelaysandrequiredthecustomer’ssignature.

Lawyerswhoenterintoalternativebillingarrange-mentswouldbewellservedtofollowthebuilder’sexam-ple.First,theoriginalagree-mentshouldspecifyindetaileverythingthatthelawyerisobligatedtodounderthefixedfeeortask-basedbillingarrangement.Thenwhentheclientdecidessomethingelseisneededorthereisachangeinplans,thelawyerprovides

TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING ALTERNATIVE BILLING

1. Take your time, using “bite-sized” steps.

2. Mine your closed files for objective data. Your recollection may be a bit biased.

3. Start with things that make sense to you and the client. e.g. a flat fee for courthouse filing, no matter who does it.

4. Written agreements and documentation are keys.

5. Pay special attention to areas where you can dele-gate and automate better.

6. Look at the goals from client’s viewpoint: predictability is at least as important as cost.

7. Do other aspects of firm management need to change to reflect this reality?

8. If your firm rewards based on billable hours, change the focus to dollars billed and received. (We should have done this all along).

9. Could one aspect of your practice be transformed? e.g. Corporate formation, minute book and first year’s minutes, up to two hours of phone questions answered, running your new business advise letter, all bundled together. Client gets predictability and “free” calls to lawyer. You get a year to prove how valuable you are.

10. Keep reviewing and improving the process.


achangeorderfortheclienttosign,specifyingtheaddi-tionalstepsandadditionalattorneyfees.

Notallclientswillwillinglyandimmediatelysignthechangeorder,butaswelawyersliketosay,wenowhaveframedtheissuesfordiscussion.

YOur Fee aGreement sHOulD eVOlVe OVer tIme as YOu learn FrOm eXPerIenCe

Unknowncontingenciescanincreasethecostoflegalrepresentation.Thelawyerwithexperienceinthetypeofmatterisofteninabettersit-uationtoanticipatethesecon-tingenciesandprovidefortheminatask-basedattor-ney-clientagreement.Some-timesacorporateclientorinsurancecompanymayhaveabetterunderstandingofthepossibilitiesthanthelawyer.Butthereisalwaysthepossi-bilityofunusualeventsthatwerenotanticipated.Inthatcase,onewillturntothelan-guageoftheoriginalattorney-clientagreement.Sometimestheclientwillbeobligatedtopaymoreandsometimesafair

readingofthecontractwillrequiretheattorneytohandlethecomplicationfornoaddi-tionalpayment.

Ratherthanrailabouttheunfairnessofworkingforfree,thelawyeriswellservedtojustdotheworkandinformtheclientthattherewillbenoadditionalcharge.Hopefullytheclientwillbeimpressedwiththelawyer’sintegrity.

Butthelawyermaytakethisopportunity,ifneeded,tomodifythetemplatefortheattorney-clientagreementforfuturemattersandprovidehowthissituationwillbehan-dlednexttime.Hopefully,overtheyears,thecontractwillevolvesothatunforeseencomplicationswillbemuchlesslikelytooccur.

GO “CIsCO” On YOur Fee PrOPOsals

CiscoSystemsisabuilderofcomputernetworkequipment.AllofCisco’soutsidelegalworkishandledunderalter-nativeagreementsreportedNeilRubin,itsvicepresidentoflitigationinarecentCorpo-rate Counselarticletinyurl.com/yzuu5yd.Twomodelsareused.Simplerorroutinemattersarebundledtogether,andfirmsareinvitedtobid,onaflatfeebasis,forthework.Formorecomplexorprotractedclaims,Ciscopaysaflatmonthlyfee,plusabonusforafavorableresult.“Thesedayseveryone’stalkingaboutthis,”saysRubin,“butwe’vebeendoing[alternativefeeagreements]foralongtimenow.”Ciscohasbeenusingthesealternativefeearrange-mentssince2002.

“Ourgoal[withnovelfeearrangements]isn’tforfirmstobelessprofitable,”saysRubin,“It’stotie[Cisco’s]successtothelaw

firm’ssuccess.”Payingsuccessfulfirmsabonusontopofaflatmonthlyfeedoesjustthat,hesays.What’smore,thebonusCiscopaysdecreasesovertimetofurtherincentivizeoutsidelawyerstogetgoodresultsquickly.

“Rubinacknowledgesthatnovelfeeagreementsre-quiremoreup-frontworkthansimplynegotiatinganhourlybillingrate.Out-sidecounselandin-houselawyersneedfirsttositdownanddiscusswhat’smostimportanttothecli-ent,notjustdecidewhenthecheckwillarrive.Butit’sbeenRubin’sexperi-encethatfirmsaregettingmoreandmorereceptivetohisflatfee/incentive-basedmodel.”

Considerinvestingsometimereviewingfilingsforafirmclientoverseveralyearsandaskyourself—canIpro-poseaflatfeetothisclientforthistypeofwork?Howcanwemeasurevaluetotheclientandarewardforthelawyersifthereisasuccessfuloutcome?

sOlO anD small FIrms rePresentInG COnsumer ClIents FaCe DIFFerent CHallenGes anD OPPOrtunItIes

ThemajorityoflawyersintheUnitedStatespracticeinasoloorsmallfirmsetting.Theselawyersoftenfacedif-ferentchallengesconcerningpricingfortheirservices.yet,inmanyways,asmaller-sizedpractice—withitslackofbureaucracyandcertaininsti-tutionaltraditions—allowslawyerstomovemorenimblyinadoptingchanges.

Soloandsmall-firmlawyersoftenrepresentindividualcon-sumersonpersonalandsmall

Although some may view this

reluctance as an attempt to conceal

something from the consumer, in

reality, the lawyer is exercising time-tested

judgment.


businessmatters.Clientswhoareoftencost-conscious,oftenexpectaflatorfixedfeeoracontingentfeeratherthanthebillablehour.Theirexperiencewithlawyersisusuallyverylimited.

Forconsumerlegalservices,feesareoftenbaseduponmar-ketforcesandlawyerexperi-ence,ratherthannegotiationwithprospectiveclients.Butthese“inexperienced”clientsarethosewhomightmostappreciatetheclarityofmanyalternativefeearrangements.

Formanyconsumerclients,astatementofthelawyer’shourlyrate—thecostperhour—isnotsufficientinfor-mation.Almostimmediately,thenextquestionis,“Howmanyhourswillittake?”or,“Whatwillthetotalcostbe?”Thisiswhenlawyersoftengiveamostunsatisfactoryanswer:“Itdepends.”

Itisnotsurprisingthatthiscanbeasourceoffrustrationforthepotentialclient.Afterall,mostconsumerpurchasingexperiencesdonotworkthisway.Evenacardealerwillmakeafirmoffer.Infact,theMainStreetlawyerhasafairlyaccuratementalunderstand-ingofwhatanaveragefeeforthismatterwilltotal.Buttheestimatecommunicatedtotheclientisoftencouchedinbroadterms,withmanydis-claimers.Thelawyercannotgiveanexactquotewhenthenumberoftotalhourstobeexpendedisunknowntothelawyer,aswellastheclient.

Althoughsomemayviewthisreluctanceasanattempt

toconcealsomethingfromtheconsumer,inreality,thelaw-yerisexercisingtime-testedjudgment.Theexperiencedlawyerknowsthatifanaver-agefeeismentioned,theclientmayfocusonthatnumberas“thefee.”Ifthelawyerquotesanestimateof$2,000,thelaw-yerwillviewafinaltotalbill-ingof$2,165toberightontar-get.Buttoomanyclientswouldrespondwith,“No,wait,yousaid$2,000.”Sothelawyerlearnstoexpresstheestimateasarange,withplen-tyofroomatthetopendoftherangetoensurethatthetotalfeewillalmostcertainlybelessthanthehighestnum-bermentioned.Inthisexam-ple,thelawyer,ifpressed,wouldquotearangefromalowof$2,000toahighof$4,000or$5,000.

Imaginehowmuchmoreconsumer-friendlyandnon-threateningthistransactionwouldbeifthelawyersimplysaid,“Thisprobatecasecanallbeyoursforthelowpriceof$x.”Manylawyerswillobjectthattherearemanyvariables,andmanycontingencies.

Butthelawyerdoesunder-standthevariables—farbet-terthantheclient.Lawyersknowtheywilltreataclientfairly,buttheyalsowanttomakesuretheyarenottreatedunfairlybyworkingmanyextrahourswithoutadditionalcompensation.

Thealternativefeearrange-mentneednotbebasedupononlyoneflatfee.Thefeeagreementmaycovernumer-ouscontingencies:ifeventAhappens,onefeewillbe

charged;ifBhappens,thenanotherfee.Themostimpor-tantthingisfortheclienttobeabletounderstandandcom-prehendfeesquotedinthismanner.Writtenmaterialsfortheclienttotakehomeandreviewareextremelyimpor-tantinthesesituations.

Hourlybillingmaybesim-pleforthelawyer,butacon-sumerwillappreciatetheclar-ityandcertaintyofafixedfee—evenifthatcertaintyisembodiedinaroadmapwithadozenpossibletotalfees,dependinguponfuturevari-ables.

COnClusIOn

If2009isanyexample,wearegoingtoseealotmoreinterestinalternativefeearrangementsin2010.Bothlawyersandclientsareengagedinthisanditseemsextremelydoubtfulthatwewillreturntobusinessasusual.

Jim Calloway is the director of the OBA Management Assistance Program. His award-winning blog is Jim Calloway’s Law Practice Tips at http://jimcalloway.typepad.com. He co-authored Winning Alternatives to the Billable Hour with Mark Robertson.

Mark A. Robertson is a partner in the Oklahoma City law firm of Robertson and Williams. He is a former chair of the American Bar Association Law Practice Manage-ment section, currently a Delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates and co-author of the book, Winning Alternatives to the Billable Hour (3 ed).


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NOTICE OF JUDICIAL VACANCYTheJudicialNominatingCommissionseeksapplicantstofillthefollowingjudicialoffice:

District Judge twenty-first Judicial District, Office 1

Cleveland County

ThisvacancyisduetotheappointmentoftheHonorableWilliamC.Hetherington,tothecourtofCivilAppealseffectiveNovember19,2009.

to be appointed to the office of District Judge, one must be a registered voter of Cleve-land County at the time (s)he takes the oath of office and assumes the duties of office. additionally, prior to appointment, such appointee shall have had a minimum of four years experience as a licensed practicing attorney, or as a judge of a court of record, or both, within the state of Oklahoma.

ApplicationformscanbeobtainedbycontactingTammyReaves,AdministrativeOfficeoftheCourts,1915NorthStiles,Suite305,OklahomaCity,Oklahoma73105,(405)521-2450,oronlineatwww.oscn.netunderthelinktoOklahomaJudicialNominatingCommissionandmustbesubmittedtotheChairmanoftheCommissionatthesameaddressno later than 5:00 p.m., tuesday, January 5, 2010. If applications are mailed, they must be postmarked by midnight, January 5, 2010.

MarkD.Antinoro,ChairmanOklahomaJudicialNominatingCommission


ActivistandwriterAnneLamottsaystherearetwoprayers:“Helpme!Helpme!Helpme!”and“Thankyou!Thankyou!Thankyou!”Welawyers(religiousornot)knowthatprayer,don’twe,whenlookingforamissingtrialexhibitortryingtogetthatextensionoftime?

Weshouldbegivingthanks,instead,forthingsperhapslessimmediatelyconsequentialandmoreprofoundlysignificant.WeshouldgivethanksforthethingsthatstillmakeAmericathebestplacetoliveintheworldandbeingalawyerinAmericathebestcareerintheworld.Weshouldgivethanksforcourtsthatwork,where,almostallofthetime,thejudgeorjurymakesalogicaldecisionthatissupportedbytheevidence.Weshouldpausetoadmiretheoperationofourjudicialsystem.Foralltherulesandrequirementsimposeduponitsparticipants,itisinfactlargelyself-regulated,guidedbythesimpleinherenthones-tyandhonorofitspartici-pants.Likewise,weshouldbethankfulforasystemthathonorsthetruthaboveallandisdesignedtofinditevenwhenitmaybehiddenordistorted.

Weshouldbethankfulfortherolethatlawyersplayineverydaylife.Anentiresec-tionoftheOklahomaRulesofProfessionalConductaredevotedto“publicservice”(ORPC6.1through6.5).Anattorneysitsonalmostevery

governingboardthereis,business,charitableorreli-gious,andusuallywithoutcompensation.

Peoplethinkweknowallthelaws.Wedon’t,ofcourse,butweknowmostorhowtofindthem,andanon-lawyerneverwill.Weareprofessionalproblem-solvers,andmostofushaveoutstandingcommu-nicationandsocialskills.Canyouimagineaworldwherenon-lawyerspopulatedeveryboard?(“Helpme!Helpme!Helpme!”).Lawyersmakesocietywork.Toputitmorebluntly,withoutlawyers,soci-etydoesnotworkatall.

Weshouldbegratefulforthepleasuresofourcompany.

WhenIlistmyclosefriends,almostallarelawyers.Iwouldbetyoursare,too.Wearethemostinterestingofpeople,atleasttoourselves.Wereadandfollowthenews.Mostofusarefluentinsports,religion,financeandpolitics.

Someofuslovethelawandwillsitinfascinationdiscussingwhatmayormaynotbeitsproperinterpretation,orbetteryet,whattheopposingcounselorajudgemaydowithit.

Becausewedealwiththetopdecisionmakersandserveourcommunities,we

knowwhatgoesonintown.Importantly,manyofustellgreatjokes.Almostallofusgetthejokes.Foramoment,thinkofyourlifewithoutyourattorneyfriends.Aren’ttheyperhapsthegreatestblessing?

Weshouldacknowledgeandthankthewomenandmenthatworkwithusaspartofourstaffs.Theyareourcap-tiveaudiencesalltheyearlong.Ioncereadabookonsomeoftheworld’sgreatgeniuses.Almostallofthemwereinsufferableinsomeway.Somelawyerssharethatcharacteristic,butstrangely,wedon’tseemtomind.Noothergroupenjoysstatingtheiropinionsmore,abouteveryoneandeverything.

ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIbILITY

Lawyerly blessingsBy Travis Pickens

For a moment, think of your life without your

attorney friends.


Whatothergrouproutinelychallengesthethinkingofeachotherlikelawyers?

Weareunderalmostcon-stantstress,financialortimepressureandcanbedifficultmanagers.Ourclients,withwhommanyofourstaffswork,areoftenscaredorangry.Thesearenottheseedsofaharmoniousworkingenvironment.Thankfully,ourstaffsarewiredforthelawjustaswe,elsetheywouldneverlastaweek.

Weshouldconsiderourcli-entsablessing.Whethertheyarerichorbroke,honestor

dishonest,anindividualorahugebureaucracy,theyareourraison d’être,andweoughtnevertoforgetthat.Withoutthem,therewouldbenoholi-daybountyforyouandme.

Finally,weshouldbegratefulforthethoughtandspiritbehindourRulesofProfession-alConduct.Nootherprofes-siondevotesthecareandatten-tiontoethicalbehavioraslaw-yers.Nootherprofessiontakesitsethicsmoreseriouslyorstrivesforhonorablebehaviormoreearnestly.Welawyersprefertobeartheincreasingburdenofregulationas

opposedtotheincreasedriskofharmtoourclients.Noteveryprofessiondoesthat.

Afteryoucontemplatethegreaterblessingsofcreationandfamilythisholidaysea-son,rememberandappreciateaswellourjudges,staffs,fel-lowlawyersandclients.SayThankyou!Thankyou!Thankyou!Forthem,forus,weshouldbegratefulindeed.

Have an ethics question? It’s a member benefit, and all inquiries are confidential. Contact Mr. Pickens at [email protected] or (405) 416-7055; (800) 522-8065.

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rePOrt OF tHe PresIDent

PresidentParsleyreportedheattendedtheboardmeetinginGuymon.Healsohadvari-ousconferenceswithstaffaboutAnnualMeetingissues.

rePOrt OF tHe VICe PresIDent

VicePresidentThomasreportedsheattendedtheBoardofGovernorsdinnerwiththeTexasCountyBarAssociation,OctoberboardmeetingandthetourofthePanhandle.

rePOrt OF tHe PresIDent-eleCt

President-ElectSmallwoodreportedhehasfinalizedOBAbudgetmatters,madestandingcommitteeappoint-mentsandmadefinalprepara-tionsfortheAnnualMeetingin2010.

rePOrt OF tHe eXeCutIVe DIreCtOr

ExecutiveDirectorWilliamsreportedheattendedtheBoardofGovernorsmeeting,TexasCountyBardinner,BoardofBarExaminersannu-aldinner,BoardofGovernorsdinner,monthlystaffcelebra-tion,staffmeetingsforAnnualMeeting,meetingwiththeFamilyLawSectionregardingitspracticemanualandanOklahomaJudicialConferencereception.

BOarD memBer rePOrts

Governor BrownreportedheattendedtheOBABenchandBarCommitteemeetingandtheABAStandingCom-mitteeonJudicialIndepen-dencemeetinginWashington,D.C.Governor Carterreport-edsheattendedtheBoardofGovernorsdinnerwiththeTexasCountyBarAssociation,OctoberboardmeetinginGuymonandTulsaCountyBarAssociationCommunityOutreachCommitteemeeting.Governor ChesnutreportedheattendedthedinnerwiththeTexasCountylawyersattheParsleyhouseinGuymon,OctoberBoardofGovernorsmeetinginGuymonandtheOttawaCountyBarAssocia-tionmonthlymeeting.Gover-nor ChristensenreportedsheattendedtheOBAboardmeet-inginGuymonwiththeTexasCountyBarAssociation,OBAfunctionatPresidentParsley’sranchinGuymon,OBABenchandBarCommitteemeetingandOklahomaCountyBarAssociationmeeting.Gover-nor DiricksonreportedsheattendedtheOctoberboardmeetingandmonthlyCusterCountyBarAssociationmeet-ing.Governor DobbsreportedheattendedtheOctoberboardmeetingandthathewillbeaspeakerattheplenaryCLEattheAnnualMeeting.Heexpressedappreciationfortheflowerssentascondolenceforthedeathinhisfamily.Gover-

nor HixsonreportedheattendedthefunctionatPresi-dentParsley’sRanchwiththepanhandlelawyers,OctoberboardmeetingandCanadianCountyBarluncheon.Governor mcCombsreportedheattendedtheMcCurtainCountyBarluncheon,Guy-monbarbecueattheParsleyresidence,Guymonboardmeetingandlunchaftertheboardmeeting.Governor moudyreportedsheattendedtheTexasCountyBarrecep-tionanddinneratthehomeofPresidentParsley,OctoberboardmeetingandcelebratedtheOBACommunicationsDepartmentandLawDayCommitteeawardsandachievements.Governor reheardreportedsheattend-edtheOctoberboardmeetingwiththeTexasCountyBarAssociationandtheOctoberboardmeetinginGuymon.ShealsopresentedCLEinTulsaandOklahomaCity.Governor stockwellreportedsheattendedtheBoardofGovernorsdinnerwiththeTexasCountyBarAssociation,Octoberboardmeetingandthetourofthepanhandle.Governor stuartreportedheattendedtheTexasCountyboardmeetingandPottawato-mieCountyBarAssociationmeeting.AsamemberoftheBoardofEditors,healsoworkedonrecruitingarticlesforhisupcomingOklahoma Bar Journalissue.

November Meeting SummaryThe Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors met at the Sheraton Hotel in Oklahoma City as part of the OBA Annual Meeting on Nov. 4, 2009.

bOARD OF GOVERNORS ACTIONS


rePOrt OF tHe YOunG laWYers DIVIsIOn

GovernorRosereportedthedivisionhasagoaltoofferaqualityhospitalitysuiteattheAnnualMeetingthatwillexceedthesuccessoftheirsuitehostedduringtheSoloandSmallFirmConference.TheirthemethisyearistheWildyLDWest,andsomequalityprizeswillbegivenaway.HealsoattendedtheboardmeetinginGuymon,OctoberyLDmeetingandayLDfunctionattheKelseyBriggsRunAgainstChildAbuse.

COmmIttee lIaIsOn rePOrt

AsWomeninLawCommitteechairperson,GovernorReheardreportedaccountingfromtherecenteventisnowcompletewithmoneyremaining.

rePOrt OF tHe General COunsel

GeneralCounselHendryxreportedtheGeorge Mothershed v. Oklahoma Bar Associationcase,filedinOklahomaCountyDistrictCourt,hasbeendismissed.Sheattendedtheboardmeetingandactivi-tiesinGuymonandtheOcto-bermeetingoftheProfessionalResponsibilityCommission.ShealsogaveCLEpresenta-tionstothePottawatomieCountyBarAssociation,TulsaCountyBenchandBargroupandatanOBA/CLEprogram.Awrittenstatusreportofthe

ProfessionalResponsibilityCommissionandOBAdisci-plinarymattersforOctober2009wassubmittedfortheboard’sreview.

strateGIC PlannInG COmmIttee FInanCIal PlannInG suBCOm- mIttee rePOrt

SubcommitteeChairHarryWoodsJr.reportedthesub-committeemetseveraltimesduringtheyeartoreviewtheassociation’scurrentfinancialstatusforthepurposeofmak-ingrecommendationsforboththenearanddistantfuture.Hereviewedthesubcommittee’sreportanditsrecommenda-tions.PresidentParsleysaidthisisanefforttobefiscallyresponsibleandnottoletfinancesbecometoothinthatwouldcreateacrisissituation.Mr.Woodssaidthesubcom-mitteetookintoaccountpro-jectionsforreservefundsinmakingitsrecommendations.

Theboardvotedtoapprovethesubcommittee’srecom-mendationswhichare(a)theassociationplantoincreaseannualduesby$25,effectiveJan.1,2013,subjecttorevisionintheeventofmaterialinter-veningcircumstances;(b)theBoardofGovernorsadoptthereportofthesubcommitteeandmakeitapartoftheasso-ciation’sStrategicPlan;(c)commencingpromptlyafteradoptionofsuchaplan,itbewidelypublicizedtomembersoftheassociation;(d)inthe

interimbetweenadoptionandimplementationofsuchplan,theofficersandBoardofGov-ernorsoftheassociationmoni-torthefinancialconditionoftheassociationtodeterminewhethertherecommendedtimingandamountofthepro-posedduesincreaseremainsappropriateandifnot,makeadjustmentsasneeded;(e)aspartofthecontinuingover-sightofthismatter,thesub-committeereviewthepro-posedduesincreaseinapprox-imatelytwoyearsandadvisetheofficersandthemembersoftheBoardofGovernorswhethertherecommendedtimingandamountoftheduesincreaseremainsappropriateand,ifnot,recommendchang-estothetimingand/oramount,asappropriate;and(f)theBoardofGovernorsadoptapolicythattheassocia-tion’sgoalistomaintainageneralreserveequaltotheaverageofthreemonths’expensesfortheimmediatelyprecedingyearandthatthereservebeexclusiveofcom-mitteeandsectionfunds.

Itwasnotedthatthispro-posedactionmaybevoteduponattheHouseofDele-gatesin2012.TheboarddirectedthepublicationofthesubcommitteereporttwiceintheOklahoma Bar JournalandontheWebsiteaspartoftheOBAStrategicPlan.


Editor’s Note: The Board of Governors at its Nov. 4, 2009, meeting voted to approve the subcommit-tee’s report. This proposed action may be voted upon at the House of Delegates in 2012. The board direct-ed this report to be published twice in the Oklahoma Bar Journal and on the Web site as part of the OBA Strategic Plan.

OnMarch16,2009,President-ElectAllenM.SmallwoodappointedStephenD.Beam,ReneeDeMoss,RobertS.Farris,BrianT.Hermansonand Harry A. Woods Jr. as members of theFinancialPlanningSubcommitteeoftheStrate-gicPlanningCommittee,withHarryA.WoodsJr.toserveasthechairofthesubcommittee.Herequested that the subcommittee review theassociation’s current financial status with aneyetowardmakingrecommendationsforboththenearanddistantfuture.

ThesubcommitteemetattheOklahomaBarCenteronMay27andAug.18,2009.Subcom-mitteememberspresentatbothmeetingswereHarry Woods, chair, Stephen Beam, RobertFarris and Brian Hermanson. Member RenéeDeMoss attended the May 27 meeting, but,due to a scheduling conflict, was unable toattend the Aug. 18 meeting. Also presentat both meetings were Allen Smallwood,president-elect; John Morris Williams, execu-tive director; and Craig Combs, director ofadministration.BoardmemberStevenDobbsattendedtheAug.18meeting.Copiesofmin-utes of the meetings are available online atwww.okbar.org/members/committees/FinancialExhibit1.pdf and www.okbar.org/members/committees/FinancialExhibit2.pdf.

Priortothemeetings,staffprovidedsubcom-mitteememberswithsubstantial information,including (a) the 2004 Finance Commission

Report;(b)financialstatementsfor2004through2008; (c) the 2009 budget, (d) projected 2009actualresults;(e)theproposedbudgetfor2010,and(f)proformastatementsofrevenue,expen-dituresandreservesfor2010through2019.Atthe meetings, staff summarized the data con-tained in the materials furnished to subcom-mitteemembersandansweredquestionsposedbysubcommitteemembers.

After thorough discussion among membersandstaff, thesubcommitteedevelopedacon-sensusonthefollowingpoints:

1.Atthepresenttime,thefinancialconditionoftheassociationisexcellent.

2.Projected revenue through 2012, basedupontheexistingduesstructureandothersourcesofrevenue,shouldbesufficienttomeet anticipated expenses and reserverequirementsthrough2012.

3.Based upon reasonable assumptions, itwouldbeprudentandinthebestinterestsof the association and its members forannualduestobeincreasedby$25,effec-tive Jan. 1, 2013 (a pro forma statementwhich demonstrates the need for a duesincreaseat that timeisavailableonlineatwww.okbar.org/members/committees/FinancialExhibit3.pdf).

4.If adopted and implemented, the recom-mendedduesincreaseshouldresultinthenextduesincrease,thereafter,beingneed-ed in approximately five to seven years(i.e.2018to2020).

5.As a matter of good planning, it is desir-able to have periodic, relatively smallincreases, every five to seven years, asopposed to periodic large increases on a

ObA Strategic Planning CommitteeFinancial Planning Subcommittee Report

bAR NEWS


longer cycle (e.g. the approximately 15-year cycle between the last two duesincreases).

6.The Board of Governors should decide,thisyear,theprojectedtimingandamountofthenextduesincrease.

7.ThedecisionbytheBoardofGovernorsonthis matter should be made a part of theassociation’sStrategicPlan.

8.Commencingpromptlyaftersuchdecisionismade,itshouldbewidelypublicizedtomembersoftheassociation.

9.Thebenefitsof long-rangeplanning foradues increase and publicizing the plan,include the following: (a) future candi-dates for office, officers and members ofthe Board of Governors will be aware ofsuchplanandcanactaccordingly;and(b)members of the association will be betterandmoretimelyinformedconcerningthefinancialconditionoftheassociation.

10.In the interim, between the present andthedatewhenspecificaction is taken toimplement a dues increase, the officersandBoardofGovernorsoftheassociationshouldcontinue tomonitor the financialcondition of the association and deter-mine whether the recommended timingandamountoftheproposedduesincreaseremains appropriate and, if not, makeadjustmentsasneeded.

11.Suchmonitoringshouldincludedirectingthesubcommitteetoreviewthismatterinapproximately two years and advise theofficers and Board of Governors of theassociation whether the recommendedtiming and the amount of the potentialduesincreaseremainsappropriateand,ifnot,recommendchanges.

AttheAug.18meeting,formalmotionsweremade, seconded, and unanimously adoptedwhichrecommendthefollowing:(a)Theasso-ciation plan to increase annual dues by $25,effectiveJan.1,2013,subjecttorevisionintheevent of material intervening circumstances;(b)theBoardofGovernorsadoptthereportofthe subcommittee and make it a part of theassociation’s Strategic Plan; (c) commencingpromptly after adoption of such a plan, it bewidely publicized to members of the associa-tion; (d) in the interimbetweenadoptionandimplementationof suchplan, theofficersandBoardofGovernorsoftheassociationmonitorthe financial condition of the association todetermine whether the recommended timingand amount of the proposed dues increaseremains appropriate and if not, make adjust-mentsasneeded;(e)aspartofthecontinuingoversight of this matter, the subcommitteereviewtheproposedduesincreaseinapproxi-mately two years and advise the officers andthemembersoftheBoardofGovernorswheth-ertherecommendedtimingandamountoftheduesincreaseremainsappropriateand,ifnot,recommend changes to the timing and/oramount, as appropriate; and (f) the Board ofGovernorsadoptapolicythattheassociation’sgoal is tomaintainageneral reserveequal totheaverageof threemonths’expensesfor theimmediately preceding year and that thereservebeexclusiveofcommitteeandsectionfunds.

DATED:September3,2009

HarryA.WoodsJr.,ChairFinancialPlanningSubcommittee


AttheNovemberboardmeeting,theOklahomaBarFoundationTrusteesapprovedOBF’s2009court-houseimprovementgrants.youwillrecallthatthesegrantsweremadepossiblebyacy presawarddirectedtothefoundationbyBeaverCountyJudgeGeraldH.Riffe.Thecourt’sorderdirectedthefoundationtodedicateaportionofthecy presawardtofundimprove-mentstoOklahomacourt-houses.Inresponsetothecourt’sorder,thefoundationestablishedproceduresbywhichcountiesmaysubmitrequestsforfundingthoseprojects.Theseprocedurescontemplateannualawardsfromthefund’searnings,and2009marksthesecondyearinwhichthefoundationhasawardedcourthouseimprovementgrants.

Asonemayexpectinthisdayandage,mostoftherequeststhisyearreflectedadesiretoupdatecourthousetechnology.Alistofthe2009awardsfollowsthisarticle,andyouwillseethatsignifi-cantimprovementstocourt-housefacilitiesthroughoutthestatewillbefundedandaccesswillbeimproved.Particularlyatthistime,whengovernmentbudgetsateverylevelarestrained,theOklahomaBarFoundationis

honoredtoplayaroleinfacilitatingmuchneededimprovementsthatwillaidourstate’sjudiciary,practic-inglawyersandcitizens.

CoupledwithOBF’stradi-tionalgrants,thecourthouseimprovementgrantsbringthetotalamountawardedbyOBFduring2009toover$600,000.Iampleasedtoreportthatbyreasonoftheseawards,aggregategrantsbythefoundationsinceitsfoundinghavereachedthe$9millionlevel.Thesedol-larsareimpressive,andtheyprovideatestamenttothegenerosityofthoseOkla-homalawyerswhohaveplayedaroleinthefounda-tion’smissionovertheyears,butthedollarsarenotnearlyasimpressiveaswhattheyhavedonetoimprovethelivesofOklahomans.

Astheyeardrawstoaclose,itisappropriatetorecognizethosewhohavecontributedsomuchtothefoundation’smission.Thefoundation’sstaffhasbeenextraordinarilyhelpfulthisyear,particularlyinworkingwithOklahomabanksinestablishingelectronicreportingproceduresforIOLTAaccounts.NancyNorsworthy,thefounda-tion’sdirector,isapproach-ingher25thanniversarywiththefoundationandhasbeeninstrumentalinthefoundation’sgrowthineachofthoseyears.TommieLemasterhasbeenwiththefoundationalmostthreeyearsandRondaHellmanjoinedthefoundationearlierin2009.

Thefoundation’ssuccessispossibleonlythroughtheeffortsofdedicatedOkla-homalawyers.AnumberhaveservedasOBFTrustees.EachTrusteehascontributedinhisorherspecialwaytofurtherthefoundation’smis-sion.Manylawyershavesupportedthefoundationwiththeircontributions.Specialthanksareinorderforthemorethan1,500OklahomalawyerswhohavebecomeOBFFellowsandhavetherebycommittedtomakeannualcontributionstothefoundation.

bAR FOuNDATION NEWS

ObF 2009 Courthouse Improvement GrantsBy Richard A. Riggs

The foundation’s success is possible only through the efforts of dedicated Oklahoma

lawyers.


Iamconfidentthat2010willbeanothersuccessfulyearfortheOklahomaBarFoundation,asuccessthatwillnotonlyaccomplishgoodworksbutwillcastafavorablelightontheOkla-homabaranditsmemberattorneys.OnbehalfofthefoundationTrustees,bestwishesfortheholidaysea-sonandahealthyandpros-perous2010.

2009 Oklahoma Bar Foundation Court Grant awards

DistrictCourtofGradyCounty $5,500

Fundingforonedigitalcourtreportingsystem

DistrictCourtofMuskogeeCounty $5,000

Fundingforonevideoarraingmentsystem

DistrictCourtofOklahomaCounty $23,000

FundingforWirelessInter-netequipment(hardware)fortheOklahomaCountyCourthousefacilitytobeabletowirethreefloors(maincontroller&threefloorsonWi-Fi)

DistrictCourtofOklahomaCounty,JuvenileDivision

$11,000

Fundingtoprovideaglassenclosurewaitingareaforaseparatecourtwaitingarea

forvictimsandwitnessesfromoffenders.Thisprojectwillpavethewayfor“futureplans”fordesignatedattor-ney/clientmeetingareas.

DistrictCourtofClevelandCounty $9,500

Fundingforasoundsysteminonecourtroom

total 2009 OBF Court Grant awards = $54,000

Please note 80 OBAJ 539-540 (March 14, 2009) where additional such awards were announced during 2009.

Richard A. Riggs is president of the Oklahoma Bar Founda-tion. He can be reached at [email protected]

Season’s Greetings from YourOklahoma Bar Foundation!

One of the true joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to thank our foundation supporters

and to wish each of you the very best for a happy and prosperous new year.

The OBF Board of Trustees and Staff


mAttorneymNon-Attorney

Name:___________________________________________________________________________ (name, as it should appear on your OBF Fellow Plaque) County

Firmorotheraffiliation:___________________________________________________________

Mailing&DeliveryAddress:_______________________________________________________

City/State/Zip:__________________________________________________________________

Phone:____________________Fax:___________________E-MailAddress:_________________

__ I want to be an OBF Fellow now – Bill Me Later!

__Totalamountenclosed,$1,000

__$100enclosed&billannually

__New Lawyer 1st Year,$25enclosed&billasstated

__New Lawyer within 3 Years,$50enclosed&billasstated

__IwanttoberecognizedasaSustaining Fellow&willcontinuemyannualgiftofat least $100–(initial pledge should be complete)

__IwanttoberecognizedattheleadershiplevelofBenefactor Fellow&willannuallycontributeat least $300– (initial pledge should be complete)

signature & Date:______________________________________OBa Bar #:________________

Makecheckspayableto:OklahomaBarFoundation•POBox53036•OklahomaCityOK73152-3036•(405)416-7070

OBF sPOnsOr:____________________________________________________________________

m I/we wish to arrange a time to discuss possible cy pres distribution to the Oklahoma Bar Foundation and my contact information is listed above.

Many thanks for your support & generosity!

Lawyers Transforming Lives through educa-tion, citizenship and justice for all. Join the OBF Fellows today!

Fellow enrollment Form


Imagineyouarepullingthroughafastfooddrive-thrulineandtryingtoorderatthespeakerbox,excepttheper-sonontheinsidelisteningtoyoutalkintothespeakercan-notunderstandwhatyouaresayingbecauseyouaredeaf.Asaresult,youpulluptothewindowtomakeyourorderinperson.Thepersonwaitingonyouhascaughtonthatyouaredeafandtriestohelpyouorderinbetweengigglesandjeerswiththeotherres-taurantemployees.Bynowyouareholdingupthedrive-thruline,sotheemployeeasksyoutopulloverintotheparkinglottowritedownyourorder.Atthispointintimeyouarebecomingfrus-tratedbecauseallyouwantisaburgerandCoca-Cola.youfinallyplaceyourorder.

However,whenyourorderfinallycomes,yougetafor-eignsubstanceinyourdrinkandfoodsignificantlydiffer-entfromwhatyouordered.youaskforanewdrinkandburgerbutarerefused.Inalast-ditchefforttogetthelunchyouordered,togetherwithsomerespect,youcon-frontthestoremanagerand

demandarefund—onlytobethrownoutbyasecurityguard.

TheabovefactpatternisextremelysimilartothecaseofBunjer v. Edwards1andisaprimeexampleofwhytheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)2wasimplement-ed.Moreover,theabovefactpatternshowsyouthefrus-trationadeaforhard-of-hear-ingpersongoesthroughjusttoorderlunch;imaginewhat

frustrationadeaforhard-of-hearingpersonmusthavewhentheyaretryingtoliti-gateacase.

Thisarticleaddressesthespecialneedsofthosewithinthedeafandhard-of-hearingcommunity,aswellastheapplicationoftheADAtolawfirmsrepresentingthedeafandhard-of-hearing.

COmmunICatIOn BarrIers

InarecentpresentationtotheOBAAccesstoJusticeCommittee,GlennaCooper,divisiondirectorofCommu-nicationServicefortheDeafofOklahoma,informedthecommitteethatitcantakeasmanyas15-20phonecallsbeforeadeafclientfindsanattorneywhowillhireaninterpreter.Fewpayingcli-ents,onaverage,needtomakethatnumberofphonecallsbeforefindinganattor-neywhowillatleastmeetwiththemorevenagreetorepresentation.

TranslatorservicesinOkla-homatypicallystartat$50perhour,andundertheADA,thatcostcannotbepassed

ACCESS TO JuSTICE

Americans with Disabilities Act basicsWhat Attorneys Need to Know about the ADA and Representing the Deaf and Hard-of-HearingBy Emily Hufnagel and Collin Walke


ontotheclient.3Moreover,certainindividualsmayrequireacertifieddeafinter-preter,whichiscommonlyusedwhenanindividual’scommunicationmethodissouniqueastorequiretwointerpretersworkingintan-demtoensurecomprehen-sion.Obviously,twotransla-torsat$50anhourisanexpensethatcutsintoanattorney’sprofitmargin.However,undertheADA,lostprofitisnotasufficientjustificationtodenyrepresen-tationtoadeaforhard-of-hearingperson.4

tHe aDa

TheADAprohibitsdiscrim-inationbasedupondisabilityinplacesofpublicaccommo-dation.5Theterm“disability,”asusedwithintheADA,meansa“physicalormentalimpairmentthatsubstantiallylimitsoneormoremajorlifeactivities”ofanindividual.6Hearingisamajorlifeactivi-ty.7Thephrase“publicaccommodations”specificallyincludeslawoffices.8There-fore,theADAcoverspractic-ingattorneysandtheirlawoffices,aswellasdeafandhard-of-hearingclients.Acoveredentityisrequiredtomakereasonableaccommoda-tionsfordisabledindividuals.

SimplybecausetheADAcoverslawofficesandpro-spectivedeafandhard-of-hearingclientsdoesnotmeanthatanattorneyisrequiredtotakeadeaforhard-of-hearingperson’scase;rather,theADAprohibitsattorneysfromnottakingcasesforthesolerea-sonthattheprospectiveclientisdeaf.Inotherwords,anattorneycandeclinetorepre-sentadeaforhard-of-hearingclientforanyreasontheattor-neywoulddenyrepresenta-tiontoahearingclient.

Onceanattorneydecidestoundertakerepresentationofadeaforhard-of-hearingindividual,“[t]heADArequiresattorneysengagedinprivatepracticetoprovideequalaccesstotheirservicesbyprovidingauxiliaryaidsandservicesnecessarytoensureeffectivecommunica-tionbetweenindividualswhoaredeafandtheirattor-neys.Suchauxiliaryaidesandservicesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,qualifiedsignlanguageinterpreters,real-timecaptioningandassistivelisteningsystems/devices.”9Theseauxiliaryaidsaresomeexamplesofthe“rea-sonableaccommodations”thattheADArequiresofallcoveredentities.

Anattorneymaydeclinetorepresentanindividualwhoisdeaforhard-of-hearingbecausesuchrepresentationwouldbean“undueburden.”TheJusticeDepartmenthasoutlinedcertainfactorstodeterminewhetheranaccom-modationisan“unduebur-den,”whichincludethenatureandcostoftheaccom-modationandthefinancialresourcesofthelawfirmorpractice.10Additionally,caselawexistsallowingonetomaketheargumentthatseverereductioninprofitabil-itycreatesanundueburdenand/orfundamentallyaltersthenatureoftheservicespro-vided.11Unfortunately,exactlyhowmuchlossofprofitcon-stitutesanundueburdenisunclear.

sOlutIOn

PerhapsthebestsolutionisforattorneystofulfilltheaspirationalgoalsoftheOkla-homaRulesforProfessionalConductandactivelyseektorepresentdeafandhard-of-hearingclients.Betteryet,

considerrepresentationonaprobonoorlowbonobasis.Anotheralternativeistolookatwhatotherstatesaredoing.Somestates,notincludingOklahoma,havepooledresourcestocreate“commu-nicationaccessfunds”sothatattorneyscanapplyforreim-bursementoradvancefund-ingwhentheyneedtopayforcommunicationaccessser-vices.TheNationalAssocia-tionfortheDeafadvocatesfortheestablishmentofsuchfunds,anditsWebsitehaslinkstoseveralstatesthathavealreadyimplementedsuchprograms.12EstablishingsuchafundinOklahomawoulddramaticallyincreasedeafandhard-of-hearingper-sons’accesstothecourts.

For more information relating to establishing communication access funds or information regarding interpreters, attorneys can contact Emily Hufnagel at (405) 513-7055 or Collin Walke at (405) 837-2982.

Emily Hufnagel is in private practice with the Bass Law Firm PC in El Reno. Collin Walke is of counsel to Quick, McCown and Spradlin in Oklahoma City.

1.985F.Supp.165(D.D.C.1997).2.42U.S.C.A.§§12101etseq.3.See28C.F.R.§36.301(c).4.See1HenryH.PerrittJr.,Americans with

Disabilities Act Handbook, 421 (4th Ed.,2009)(citing Emery v. Caravan of Dreams Inc.,879 F. Supp. 640, 644 (N.D. Tex. 1995); May-berry v. Von Valtier,843F.Supp.1160,1166-67(E.D.Mich.1994)).

5.42U.S.C.A.§12182(a).6.42U.S.C.A.§12102(1)(A).7.42U.S.C.A.§12102(2)(A).8.42U.S.C.A.§12181(7)(F).9.CommunicationAccessFundsforLegal

Services, National Association of the Deaf;www.nad.org/issues/justice/lawyers-and-legal-services/communication-access-funds(lastvisitedNov.9,2009).

10. CRS Report for Congress, www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/crsdocuments/97826A.pdf (citing 28 C.F.R.§36.104)(lastvisitedOct.25,2009).

11. See note vi, supra; see also 28 C.F.R.§36.104.

12. www.nad.org/issues/justice/lawyers-and-legal-services/communication-access-funds(lastvisitedNov.9,2009).


teaCHInG lIFe lessOns On tHe FIelD

Thismonth,theyoungLawyersDivisionwantstohighlighttheworkattorneyBruceRookerisdoingasaNormanParksandRecre-ationSummeryouthSoftballLeaguecoach.

BruceRookerhasbeenanOBAmembersince1979.HepracticesatMahaffey&GorePCinOklahomaCity,spe-cializingintheareasofmin-erallawandrealpropertylaw.Likemanycoaches,Bruceoriginallystartedcoachingbecausehehadachildontheteamanditwasachancetospendsomequalitytimewithhisdaugh-

ter.Nowthathisdaughterhasgrownupandmovedaway,Brucecontinuestocoach.Brucerecognizedthattherearefewerandfewerparentswiththetimeandskillstocoach,andhereal-izedthathecouldmakeadifference,sohecontinuedtocoach.Infact,Bruceonlycoacheswhenthereisateamforwhichnoonehassigneduptocoach,which,sofar,hasbeeneveryseason.

Currently,Bruceisco-coachingwithhisgoodfriend,SteveDay.Brucesaidhehasnoplanstostopcoachingandsayshewillcontinue“solongasIhavefundoingit,andIfeelIhavesomethingtoofferthegirls

aboutthegameandgrowingup.”Bruceseescoachingasnotonlyteachingasport,butalsoasawaytohelpprepareyouthforthechal-lengesoftomorrow.Brucetoldus,“Softballistheper-fectsportforteachingwhatlifeisabout.Theteamcan’tsucceedwithoutworkingtogether,andoneplayercan’tthrowanotheroutunlessateammemberistheretocatchtheball.”Brucestartedoutusingtheselessonstohelphisowndaughter,butrealizedthatthisisagoodwaytoshowhisplayersthatwhomyouchooseasyourfriends,boy-friendsandco-workersisimportant,sincetheycanmakeyoubetterorbringyoudown.Brucetellshisteamthat,insoftball,asinlife,youhavetopracticeandworktobethebestyoucanbe.“yourcoachcantellyouwhattodo,buthecan’thittheballforyou.”

At left - Bruce Rooker (back row, left) with his softball team.

YOuNG LAWYERS DIVISION

At right - YLD Chair Rick Rose presents an award to Gabe Bass at the OBA Annual Meeting last month. Mr. Bass was

named an outstanding YLD director. Other award recipients were Chief Justice James Edmondson, Vice Chief Justice Steven Taylor, Candace Bass,

Cody McPherson, John Weaver, Robert Faulk and Roy Tucker.


15 Death Oral Argument;PhillipAnthonySummers;D-2008-313;10a.m.;CourtofCriminalAppealsCourtroom

16 Ginsburg March Meeting;12p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:LindaSamuel-Jaha(405)609-5406

18 OBA Appellate Practice Section Meeting;11:45a.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:BrianGoree(918)382-7523

25 OBA Closed–ChristmasHoliday

1 OBA Closed–NewYear’sDayObserved7 House of Representatives Rule Making Seminar;

1p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:AmyAldin(405)962-7603

8 OBA Family Law Section Meeting;3p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCityandOSUTulsa;Contact:AmyWilson(918)439-2424

12 Death Oral Argument;ClarenceRozellGoodeJr.;D-2008-43;10a.m.;CourtofCriminalAppealsCourtroom



OBA Board of Governors Meeting; 8:30a.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:JohnMorrisWilliams(405)416-7000

16 OBA Young Lawyers Division Committee Meeting;10a.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:MollyAspan(918)594-0595

18 OBA Closed–MartinLutherKingJr.Day20 Ruth Bader Ginsburg American Inn of Court;

5p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:DonaldLynnBabb(405)235-1611

21 OBA Law-related Education Committee 2010 Supreme Court Teacher and School of the Year Judging;12p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:JackG.ClarkJr.(405)232-4271

22 Oklahoma Bar Foundation Meeting;12:30p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:NancyNorsworthy(405)416-7070

23 OBA Law-related Education We the People State Finals;10a.m.;OklahomaHistoryCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:JaneMcConnell(405)416-7024

12 OBA Board of Editors Meeting;1p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:CarolManning(405)416-7016

OBA Family Law Section Meeting;3p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCityandOSUTulsa;Contact:AmyWilson(918)439-2424

15 OBA Closed–President’sDay17 OBA Law-related Education Close-Up;8:30a.m.;

OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:JaneMcConnell(405)416-7024

18 OBA Law-related Education Close-Up;8:30a.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:JaneMcConnell(405)416-7024

OBA Law-related Education Close-Up Teachers Meeting; 1p.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:JaneMcConnell(405)416-7024

19 OBA Board of Governors Meeting;8:30a.m.;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:JohnMorrisWilliams(405)416-7000

22–26OBA Bar Examinations;OklahomaBarCenter,OklahomaCity;Contact:OklahomaBoardofBarExaminers(405)416-7075

Calendar

January

December

February


FOR YOuR INFORMATION

Bar Center Holiday HoursTheOklahomaBarCenterwillbeclosedFriday,Dec.25inobservanceoftheChristmasholiday.ThebarcenterwillalsocloseFriday,Jan.1fortheNewyear’sholiday.

New OBA Board Members to be Sworn InNinenewmembersoftheOBABoardofGovernorswillbeofficiallyswornintotheirpositionsonJan.15,2010,at10a.m.intheSupremeCourtCourtroomattheStateCapitol.ThenewofficersarePresidentAllenSmallwood,Tulsa;President-ElectDeborahReheard,Eufaula;andVicePresidentMackMartin,OklahomaCity.

TobeswornintotheOBABoardofGovernorstorepresenttheirjudicialdistrictsforthree-yeartermsareGlennDevoll,Enid;DavidPoarch,Norman;RylandRivas,Chickasha;andSusanShields,OklahomaCity.

Tobeswornintoone-yeartermsontheboardareImmediatePastPresidentJonParsley,Guymon;andyoungLawyersDivisionChairpersonMollyAspan,Tulsa.

Nominations Being Accepted for Educator AwardsApplicationsforthe2010SupremeCourtTeacherandSchooloftheyeararenowbeingacceptedbytheOBALaw-relatedEducationDepartment.Thewinningschoolandteacherwillbothbepresentedwitha$1,000awardduringaceremonyattheSupremeCourtinOklahomaCityinFebruary.

ApplicationsaredueWednesday,Jan.13,2010.Encouragetheeducatorsyouknowtoapplyatwww.okbar.org/public/lre/awards.htm.

OBA Member ResignationsThefollowingOBAmembershaveresignedasmembersoftheassociationandnoticeisherebygivenofsuchresignations:

DanielJosephGuarasciOBANo.1065420LawrenceBellDr.,Ste.300Williamsville,Ny14221

MichaelDavenHesseOBANo.174681518LegacyDr.,Ste.250Frisco,Tx75034-6042

RitaTeagueRussellOBANo.125119843AmbergPathHelotes,Tx78023

New Version of Old E-mail Scam Prompts OBA to Schedule Free WebcastManyOklahomalawyersrecentlyreceivede-mailsfroma“newclient”askingthemtocollectalimonyorbackchildsupport.ThesewerefollowedalmostimmediatelybydeliveryofaCitibank“OfficialCheck”inexcessof$300,000payabletothelawyer.Thesechecksareforgedchecks,butthebankingsystemmaynotreversethechargesonaforgedcheckforover10days.Iffundshavebeenwiredoutbeforethen,thelawyerbearstheloss.

ThescamhaspromptedtheOBAtosponsorafreewebcastonthistopiconDec.15atnoon.ItwillfeatureOBAGeneralCounselGinaHendryxandOBAManagementAssistanceProgramDirectorJimCalloway.Registerattinyurl.com/ylafsmy.


Robert D. nelonhasbeenelectedpresidentofthe

DefenseCounselSectionoftheMediaLawResourceCenter,anon-profitorgani-zationdedicatedtomonitor-ingissuesanddevelopmentspertainingtoFirstAmend-mentrights.

Allen Harrishasbeenreappointedtothe

AmericanBarAssociationCenterforHumanRightsAdvisoryCouncilinWashington,D.C.

Richard P. Hixhasbeenselectedasafellowofthe

LitigationCounselofAmerica.

Robert G. mcCampbellandDavid B. Donchin

havebeenelectedfellowsoftheAmericanCollegeofTrialLawyers.

Lynne Driverwasrecentlynamedafellowofthe

AmericanCollegeofBondCounsel.

Kelli stumpservedasco-chairforanAmerican

ImmigrationLawyersAssocia-tionconferenceinPuertoVal-larta,Mexico,inNovember.

Johnny Beechhasbeennamedtotheboardofthe

EdmondLacrosseClubasoneofitsfoundingmembers.

Mike Voorheeshasbeenelectedsecretaryofthe

OklahomaFoundationForMedicalQualityandwillserveontheOFMQexecu-tivecommitteeinadditiontoservingontheboardofdirectors.

TheNormanlawfirmofPitchlynn&Williams

PLLCannouncestheopeningofasatelliteofficelocatedintheCouncilOakCenter,1717S.CheyenneAve.,Tulsa,74119.Thefirmalsoannouncestheaddi-tionsoftwoassociates,stephanie moser Goinsandrachel Csar,bothofwhomwillworkintheNormanoffice.Ms.Goinsisa2008OUgraduateandformereditorinchiefoftheAmeri-can Indian Law Review.Ms.Csarisa2009OUgraduateandservedasthearticleseditor/writingcompetitiondirectorfortheAmerican Indian Law Review.

Conner&Wintersannouncestheaddition

ofDaniel CarseyasaseniorassociatetoitsOklahomaCityoffice.Mr.Carseywillfocusonenvironmental,energyandbusinessmatters.HeearnedhisJ.D.fromTUin2005,graduatingwithhighesthonors,andjoinsConner&WintersfromtheTulsalawfirmofJonesGotcher.

Crowe&Dunlevyhasnamedelizabeth Bar-

nett, Brandee Bruening, scott Butcher, Julia stein Dittberner, Wendee Grady, eric moneyandJessica reinsch Perryasitsnewestassociates.Ms.Barnettfocus-esherpracticeontheareasofappellatelawandtrialandlitigation.ShegraduatedfromtheOUCollegeofLaw.

Ms.Brueningfocusesherpracticeongenerallitigation.SheisagraduateoftheOUCollegeofLaw.Mr.Butch-er’sareaofpracticeisgener-allitigation.HegraduatedfromNewyorkUniversitySchoolofLaw.Ms.Ditt-bernerconcentratesherprac-ticeintheareasofaviationandaircraft.Sheisagradu-ateofOCUSchoolofLaw.Ms.Grady’spracticeincludesfinancialinstitu-tionsandfinance,commer-cialrealestate,corporateandsecurities,andIndianlawandgaming.ShegraduatedfromtheTUCollegeofLaw.Mr.Moneyfocuseshisprac-ticeintheareaofgeneralliti-gation.HegraduatedfromtheOUCollegeofLaw.Ms.Perryfocusesherpracticeingenerallitigation,andshegraduatedfromtheOUCollegeofLaw.

West&AssociatesannouncesthatJon C.

Frankehasjoinedthefirm.Mr.FrankeearnedhisJ.D.fromOCUin1990.Bringinghisinsurancedefenseexperi-ence,hewillprimarilybeinvolvedinplaintiffpersonalinjurypracticeandexperttestimony.

TheFrancyLawFirmannouncestheaddition

oftwonewassociatestoitspractice.Kimberly a. JantzisarecentgraduateoftheTUCollegeofLawandhaspreviouslyworkedasaninternfortheTulsaCountypublicdefender’sofficeinthejuveniledivision.Geof-frey H. Beesonpreviouslyheldapositionasastate’sattorneywithOklahomaChildSupportServicesandisatrainedmediator.

bENCH & bAR bRIEFS


FellersSniderLawFirmannouncesthatthreenew

associateshavejoinedtheOklahomaCityoffice:Kyle D. evans, Whitney a. Wal-stadandDr. michael s. Young.Mr.Evanspracticesintheareaofcivillitigation.Priortojoiningthefirm,heservedasalawclerktoJudgeJamesH.PayneoftheU.S.DistrictCourtfortheEasternDistrictofOklahoma.HegraduatedfromOSUwithaB.S.in2005andtheOUCol-legeofLawwithhonorsin2008.Ms.Walstadpracticesprimarilyintheareaofcivillitigation.ShegraduatedmagnacumlaudefromOUwithaB.B.A.infinanceandmarketingin2005.Shegradu-atedfromtheOUCollegeofLawwithhonorsin2009.Dr.youngisaregisteredU.S.pat-entattorneypracticingintel-lectualpropertylawwithemphasisonpatentprosecu-tionandlicensingofmedicalandsurgicaldevices,andbiotechnology.HehasaJ.D.fromCreightonUniversityandbothaB.S.andM.S.inbiomedicalengineeringfromBostonUniversity.HethengraduatedfromBostonUni-versitySchoolofMedicineandcompletedresidencyinneurologyandfellowshipsinelectromyography,neuroreha-bilitationandmotorcontrol.

GlassWilkinPCannounc-esthatJared K. nelson

hasjoinedthefirmasanassociateattorney.HeearnedhisB.S.ingeographyfromTexasA&MUniversityandhisJ.D.withhonorsfromTU.Hispracticeareasincludebusinessformationsandtransactions,generalcivillitigation,healthcare,construction,realestate,bankingandenergy.

SheltonVoorheesLawGroupannouncesthat

scott D. Caldwellhasjoinedthefirmasapartner.Mr.CaldwellreceivedhisJ.D.fromOUin2000.Hereceivedabachelor’sdegreeinmusiceducationfromSouthwesternOklahomaStateUniversityin1996.Hisareasofpracticeincludeplaintiff’spersonalinjury,bankruptcy,familylaw,probate,productsliabilityandtoxictortlitigation.

McAfee&Taftannouncestheadditionofseven

newlawyerstoitsTulsaoffice.robert J. Joycefocus-eshispracticeoncomplexenvironmental,toxictortandregulatorymattersandhasexperienceintherefining,aviation/aerospace,mining,petroleumandmanufactur-ingindustries.Kathy r. neal’spracticeisprimarilyfocusedontherepresenta-tionofmanagementinallaspectsoflaborandemploy-mentlaw.Chris a. Paulconcentrateshispracticeonbusinessissuesandtransac-tionalandregulatorymattersforbusinessesprimarilyengagedinhighlyregulatedindustries.leanne G. Bar-low focusesherpracticeonallaspectsofestateandbusi-nesscontinuationplanning.Chris K. millerisaregis-teredpatentattorneywhosepracticeencompassesallaspectsofintellectualpropertylaw.sharolyn C. Whiting-ralstonisatriallawyerwhorepresentsemployersinallphasesoflaborandemploymentlaw,includinglitigationbeforestateandfederalcourts,reg-ulatoryandadministrativeagencies,andarbitrationpanels.David m. Winfreybringsexperienceintheareasofenvironmental,occupationalhealthandsafe-ty,andtransportationlaw.

LesterLoving&Daviesannouncestheaddition

ofnewattorneyofcounselD. matt Hopkins.Mr.Hopkins’areasofpracticeincludeadministrativelaw,bankingandcommerciallaw,corporateandbusinesslaw,estateplanning,governmentrelationsandlobbying,guardianshipandprobate,andstateandlocalgovern-mentlaw.

NelsonRoseliusTerry&Mortonannouncesthat

Carolyn smithandmelissa sallinghavebecomeassoci-ateswiththefirm.Ms.SmithreceivedherB.A.fromPur-dueUniversityin2005andherJ.D.fromIndianaUni-versitySchoolofLawin2008.Ms.SallingreceivedherB.A.fromLouisianaStateUniversityin2006andherJ.D.fromtheOUCollegeofLawin2009.

Lori l. Youngannouncestheopeningofherlaw

office,youngLawOffice.Ms.younghasageneralpracticewithanemphasisonemploymentlaw.Theofficeislocatedat400E.Central,Ste.300E,PoncaCity,74601;(580)765-9311;www.loriyounglaw.com.

S richard Farberand. m. Jay Farberannounce

theopeningoftheirnewlawofficesofFarber&Far-berat5753NW132ndSt.,OklahomaCity,73142.Rich-ardFarberisatriallawyerwhoseprimaryfocusisinjurylaw.JayFarber,afor-merfederalandstateprose-cutorandformerpublicdefender,willconcentratehispracticeincriminallaw.Theymaybereachedat(405)[email protected].


Leah FarishaddressedtheUnitedNations’Special

PoliticalandDe-Coloniza-tionCommitteeinOctoberattheU.N.Shespoketoabout200ambassadorsandinter-nationalofficialsabouttheplightoftheSahrawipeopleheldinAlgeriancampsbypurportedleaders,thePolisario.Ms.Farishsuggestedsolutionstothe35-year-oldstalemateandwasinvitedtomeetwithofficialsbeforeandafterherremarkstoexploreadditionalremedies.

Margaret millikinrecent-lygaveapresentation

onintellectualproperty,pat-entsandtrademarksattheSocietyofWomenEngineers“SharpenyourSkills”semi-narlastmonthatthePublicServiceCompanyofOkla-homageneralofficesinTulsa.Theseminarofferedstrategiesandadviceforstart-upcompaniesandtoolsandsuggestionsformeetingtheneedsoftoday’smarket-place.

TDouglas stumppre-.sentedareporton

comprehensiveimmigrationreformonbehalfoftheAmericanImmigrationLaw-yersAssociationnationalofficeattheTexasChapterAILAFallConferenceinPuertoVallarta,Mexico.Mr.StumpisanationalexecutiveofficerfortheorganizationandprovidedanupdateondevelopinglegislationandPresident’sObama’scommitmenttoreform.

Matthew stumpspokeduringtheAmerican

ImmigrationLawyersAssoci-ationTexasChapterConfer-enceheldinPuertoVallarta,Mexico,inNovember.Thepresentationfocusedonthemostrecentissuesrelatedtooutstandingresearcher,extraordinaryabilityandnationalinterestwaiveremploymentvisas.Theses-sionwastitled,“Dotyour‘I’s’andCrossyour‘T’s’:OR,EAandNWSpecifics.”

OklahomaCountyDistrict3Commissionerray

VaughnandDeputyCom-missionerrandy GraurecentlygavepresentationsattheBethanyKiwanisClubatSouthernNazareneUni-versityandattheEngineersClubofOklahomaCityatHometownBuffet.Bothpre-sentationswereaboutthedevelopmentsattheTinkerAerospaceComplexandU.S.DepartmentofJusticeissueswiththecountyjailandpotentialsolutionsonfixingthejail.

Rick GoralewiczandPaula Davidson Wood

recentlyspoketoattendeesoftheNationalLegalAidandDefender’sAssociationannualconferenceinDenver.Theirpresentationwastitled,“Rule1.14—SafetyNetorSnare?”andconsistedofseveralcasestudiesanddis-cussionoftheethicalissuesindealingwithcognitivelyimpairedclients.

Courtney Davis Powellrecentlyspoketothe

WesternOklahomaHumanResourcesorganizationinElkCity.Thediscussionfocusedonwagegarnish-ments—whatgarnishmentsare,theprocedureforobtain-ingagarnishment,howtocalculatetheamounttobe

withheldandotheremployerorientedconsiderations.

Roy John martin,generalcounseloftheOklahoma

DepartmentofConsumerCredit,spoketomembersoftheOklahomaAssociationofMortgageProfessionalsinTulsaandOklahomaCityinOctober.Thetopicofdiscus-sionwastherecentlyenactedOklahomaSecureandFairEnforcementforMortgageLicensingAct.

Luke WallaceandDavid Humphreyspresenteda

programattheNationalCon-sumerLawCenter’sAnnualConsumerRightsLitigationConferenceinPhiladelphiaonthetopicof“JuryTrialofaTelephoneAbuseDebtCollec-tionCase.”ThepresentationfocusedonthetrialofFausto v. Credigy ServicesfromtheU.S.DistrictCourtfortheNorthernDistrictofCalifornia.

Howtoplaceanannounce-ment:IfyouareanOBAmemberandyou’vemoved,becomeapartner,hiredanassociate,takenonapart-ner,receivedapromotionoranawardorgivenatalkorspeechwithstatewideornationalstature,we’dliketohearfromyou.Informationselectedforpublicationisprintedatnocost,subjecttoeditingandprintedasspacepermits.Submitnewsitems(e-mail strongly preferred)inwritingto:

MelissaBrownCommunicationsDept.OklahomaBarAssociationP.O.Box53036OklahomaCity,OK73152(405)416-7017Fax:(405)416-7089orE-mail:[email protected]

articles for the Jan. 16 issue must be received by Dec. 21.


IN MEMORIAM

Stephen neal DeutschofEdmonddiedNov.24.He

wasbornSept.25,1958,inWashington,D.C.,attendedStateUniversityofNewyorkandgraduatedwithaB.A.fromEasternIllinoisUniver-sityin1982.HeearnedhisJ.D.fromOCUSchoolofLawin1986.HeservedasanAssistantDistrictAttorneyinOklahomaCountyfor25years.MemorialdonationsmaybemadetotheRachelandMichaelDeutschSupportTrustatMidFirstBank,P.O.Box7833,Edmond,73083.

James Carl PinkertonofTulsadiedOct.14.Hewas

bornFeb.9,1936,inTulsa.HeattendedLeeSchool,HoraceMannJuniorHighandCen-tralHighSchool.HethenwentontoPrincetonUniver-sity,graduatingin1957.In1960,hegraduatedfromtheOUCollegeofLaw.Hethenenteredthepracticeoflawwithhisfather.Hebecameanassociatebarexaminerfrom1961-1973andexaminerfrom1973-1985.In1979,hewaschairmanoftheBoardofBarExaminers.Alsoduringthistime,1978-1980,hewasthe

presidentoftheTulsaStatePlanningForumandalongtimememberofTulsaTitleandProbatelawyers.Memorialcontributionsmaybemadetothecharityofyourchoice.

Harold Culver theusofyukondiedNov.26.He

wasbornSept.26,1915,inHomer,La.HereceivedabacheloroftheologydegreefromBethanyPenielCollegein1937.During college, he had already enlisted in the Oklahoma national Guard, and when the 45th Infantry Division was called to active duty in 1940, he went to Fort sill and Camp Barkeley as a chaplain. the army air Corps, however, needed pilots, so he applied for and was accepted for fighter pilot training. He spent the rest of World War II in the army air Corps.AfterleavingtheArmyAirCorpsin1945,heenrolledinlawschoolatOU.Aftergraduationfromlawschool,hebecameanassis-tanttotheOklahomaCountyattorneyandthenmovedtoprivatepractice.In1949,hemovedtoWashington,D.C.,

wherehewaslegislativecounselfortheNationalReserveOfficersAssociation.When the Korean War brokeout, he returned to active duty and went to seoul, Korea, as a liaison officer coordinating army troop movements and naval and air Force actions. He was twice decorated for valor in combat. after Korea, he continued in the air Force reserve until his retirement in 1975 as a lieutenant colo-nel.In1955,hereturnedtoprivatelawpracticeinOkla-homaCityuntilhewasappointedasfirstassistanttothecountyattorneyandchiefofboththecivilandcriminaldivisions.In1960,hedefeatedtheincumbentcountyjudgeandservedthreeterms.In1966,hewaselecteddistrictjudgeofOklahomaCounty,whereheserveduntilhisretirementin1981.MemorialcontributionsmaybemadetotheAlzheimer’sAssociation,3555N.W.56thSt.,Suite220,OklahomaCity,73112;oracharityofchoice.


INTERESTED IN PURCHASING PRODUCING &NON-PRODUCINGMinerals;ORRI;O&GInterests.Pleasecontact:PatrickCowan,CPL,CSWCorporation,P.O.Box21655,OklahomaCity,OK73156-1655; (405)755-7200;Fax(405)755-5555;E-mail:[email protected].

ArthurD.Linville(405)636-1522

BoardCertifiedDiplomate—ABFELifeFellow—ACFE

CourtQualifiedFormerOSBIAgentFBINationalAcademy

HanDWrItInG IDentIFICatIOn POlYGraPH eXamInatIOn

OF COunsel leGal resOurCes — sInCe 1992 — Exclusiveresearch&writing.Highestquality:trialandappellate, state and federal, admitted and practicedU.S.SupremeCourt.Over20publishedopinionswithnumerous reversals on certiorari. maryGaye leBoeuf (405) 728-9925, [email protected].

serVICes

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aPPeals and lItIGatIOn suPPOrt—Expertresearch and writing by a veteran generalist whothrives on wide variety of projects, big or small.Cogent.Concise.NancyK.Anderson,(405)682-9554,[email protected].

ExPERTWITNESSES•ENVIRONMENTALGEOSCI-ENCES:Litigation•Regulatory•Transaction;Energy• Industry •Agriculture; Geology • Soils • Water •Groundwater;ContaminationTiming•Source•Trans-port•Fate;Hydrocarbons•Saltwater•Metals•Nu-trients•Radionuclides•Solvents;RemoteSensing•Mapping•SpatialAnalysis;Research•ExpertReports• Testimony • Phase IAssessments • EnvironmentalSampling;NationalExperience;ContactJ.BertonFish-er, Lithochimeia, LLC www.lithochim.com; (918) 527-2332or(918)382-9775;[email protected].

meDICal malPraCtICeNeedtofileamed-malclaim?Ourlicensedmedicaldoctorswillreviewyourcaseforalowflatfee.Opin-ion letter no extra charge. Med-mal ExPERTS, Inc.Nationwidesince1998.www.medmalExPERTS.com.888-521-3601.

LUxURyOFFICESPACE-FIVEOFFICES:Oneexecu-tivecornersuitewithfireplace($1,200.00/month);twolarge offices ($850.00/month); and two small offices($650.00each/month).Allofficeshavecrownmoldingandbeautifulfinishes.Afullyfurnishedreceptionarea,conferenceroom,andcompletekitchenareincluded,aswell as a receptionist, high-speed internet, fax, cabletelevisionandfreeparking.Completelysecure.Presti-gious locationat theentranceofEsperanza locatedat153rdandNorthMay,onemilenorthoftheKilpatrickTurnpike and one mile east of the Hefner Parkway.ContactGreggRenegarat(405)285-8118.

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ExPERT WITNESSES • ECONOMICS • VOCATIONAL • MEDICAL Fitzgerald Economic and Business ConsultingEconomicDamages,LostProfits,Analysis,Business/Pension Valuations, Employment, Discrimination,Divorce,WrongfulDischarge,VocationalAssessment,LifeCarePlans,MedicalRecordsReview,OilandGasLawandDamages.National,Experience.CallPatrickFitzgerald.(405)919-2312.

eXPerIenCeD trIal/aPPellate COunsel,previous GC of a public company and previousspecialjudgewithsignificantfamilylawexperiencewhohasmultiplepublishedopinionsandscholarlyarticles cited by other legal sources as authority,will consult with you or research and write yourmotions/briefs forareasonable fee.Contact abso-lute law (239) 349-8010, michael e. Chionopoulos, or email [email protected].

CONSULTING ARBORIST, tree valuations, diagnoses,forensics, hazardous tree assessments, expert witness,depositions, reports, tree inventories, DNA/soil test-ing, construction damage. Bill Long, ISA Certified Ar-borist, #SO-1123, OSU Horticulture Alumnus, All ofOklahomaandbeyond,(405)996-0411.

RESIDENTIAL APPRAISALS AND ExPERT TESTI-MONyinOKCmetroarea.Over30yearsexperienceandactiveOBAmembersince1981.Contact:DennisP.Hudacky, SRA, P.O. Box 21436, Oklahoma City, OK73156,(405)848-9339.

ATTy.OFFICESHARINGOKCN.CLASSENLOCA-TION.FirstFidelityBankBldg.,5100N.Classen,Firstfloor. Single attorney office and reception area deskavailable (sharekitchen/conference&storage).$500/month.ContactAnn@(405)841-6807.

traFFIC aCCIDent reCOnstruCtIOn InVestIGatIOn • analYsIs • eValuatIOn • testImOnY

25 years in business with over 20,000 cases. Experienced inautomobile,truck,railroad,motorcycle,andconstructionzoneaccidents for plaintiffs or defendants. OKC Police Dept. 22years.Investigatororsupervisorofmorethan16,000accidents. Jim G. Jackson & associates edmond, OK (405) 348-7930

OKCATTORNEyHASCLIENTINTERESTEDINPUR-CHASING producingornon-producing,largeorsmall,mineral interests. For information, contact Tim Dowd,211N.Robinson,Suite1300,OKC,OK73102,(405)232-3722,(405)232-3746—fax,[email protected].


POsItIOns aVaIlaBle

ASSOCIATE WITH 3-7 yEARS DEFENSE LITIGA-TIONExPERIENCENEEDEDbyAV-ratedTulsafirm.Insurance defense a plus. Very busy, fast-paced, ex-pandingofficeofferingcompetitivesalary,health/lifeinsurance,401k,etc.Sendresumeandwritingsample(10pg.max)[email protected].

POsItIOns aVaIlaBle

DOWNTOWNOKLAHOMACITy,AVRATED,prod-uctliabilityandinsurancedefensefirmseeksattorneywithatleast5yearsofexperience.Pleasesendresumesto“BoxL,”OklahomaBarAssociation,P.O.Box53036,OklahomaCity,OK73152.

SEEKINGPROFESSIONALPARALEGALFORSMALLFIRMindowntownOklahomaCity,withatleast3yearsof insurancedefenseexperiencerequired.Pleasesendresumes to “Box N,” Oklahoma BarAssociation, P.O.Box53036,OklahomaCity,OK73152.

ESTABLISHED OKLAHOMA CITy INSURANCEcompany seeks an Oklahoma licensed attorney toserveasSpecialCounsel in theirOklahomaCityOf-fice.Applicantsmustbeagraduateofanaccreditedlaw school with an active membership in the Okla-homaBarAssociationandfive(5)yearsexperienceinthe practice of law, with specialization in workers’compensation or property and casualty insurance.Company offers excellent benefits that include paidholidays, paid vacation and sick leave and a pretaxbenefit for health, dental and life insurance. Salaryrange$62,700-$83,600annually.EEO/AAEmployerSendresumeto“BoxQ,”OklahomaBarAssociation,P.O.Box53036,OklahomaCity,OK73152.

AV RATED TULSA FIRM SEEKS OUTSTANDINGCIVIL LITIGATION ASSOCIATE with at least 3 yearsexperience to join our mortgage banking department.Successfulcandidatemusthavestrongacademicrecordandoutstandingwritingability.Pleasesendresume,ref-erencesandwritingsample to“BoxV,”OklahomaBarAssociation,P.O.Box53036,OklahomaCity,OK73152.

ADVOCATEGENERAL:SERVESASTHECHIEFAD-MINISTRATIVE OFFICER, Advocate General, of theOffice of ConsumerAdvocacy for Oklahoma Depart-ment of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services(ODMHSAS). Serves as an advocate, not an attorney,forconsumersreceivingservicesfromfacilitiesoperat-edby,subjecttocertificationbyorundercontractwithODMHSAS.Requires:AnattorneyadmittedtopracticeintheStateofOklahomawithaminimumofthree(3)year’sexperience.$65,000-$82,225.ODMHSASoffersexcellent benefit & retirement packages; reference#09-51withjobtitleandapplytoaddressbelowwithacopyofyourmostrecentperformanceevaluation.Rea-sonableaccommodationtoindividualswithdisabilitiesmay be provided upon request. Application period:10/19/09–12/18/09.EOE.ODMHSAS-HumanRe-sources,2401NW23rd,Suite85,OKC,OK73107.Fax(405)522-4817,[email protected].

SPANISHSPEAKINGLEGALASSISTANTSIMMEDI-ATE EMPLOyMENT: Must be fluent in Spanish andmustbeabletointerpretandtranslatefromEnglishtoSpanish.Musthave5yearsexperienceinpersonalin-jury,$40kplusbenefits.Sendresume&references to:LegalResearch&ManagementSystems,Inc.P.O.Box2243,OklahomaCity,OK73101.

VACANCyANNOUNCEMENT:TheSacandFoxNationis now accepting resumes for the positions of DistrictCourt JudgesandSupremeCourt Justices.For informa-tiononminimumqualifications,pleasecontacttheCourtClerkat(918)968-2031.MailresumestotheTribalSecre-taryat920883S.Hwy99Bldg.A,Stroud,Oklahoma74079orbyfaxat(918)968-1142.DeadlineisJanuary15,2010.

TULSAAV RATED FIRM SEEKSASSOCIATE (3 - 10yearsexperience)lookingfornewchallengesandaffili-atingwithagrowinglawfirm.Provenexperienceintheareaof employment lawand/orbusiness litigation isrequired.Thetotalcompensationpackageiscommen-surate with level of experience. Applications will bekeptinthestrictestconfidence.PleasesendresumetoBox “S,” Oklahoma Bar Association, P.O. Box 53036,OklahomaCity,OK73152.

ASSOCIATEATTORNEy:BROWN&GOULD,PLLC,adowntownOklahomaCitylitigationfirmhasanimme-diatepositionavailableforanattorneywith3-5yearsoflitigationexperience.Aqualifiedcandidatemusthavesolidlitigationexperience,includingaprovenaptitudefor performing legal research, drafting motions andbriefsandconductingallphasesofpretrialdiscovery.Salaryiscommensuratewithexperience. Pleasesendresume,references,[email protected].

SMALL NORMAN FIRM SEEKS ASSOCIATE with3-7yearsofstrongcivillitigationexperience.Experi-encerequiredingeneralcivilandworkers’compensa-tion defense litigation. Computer, self-managementandgoodpeopleskillsrequired.Salaryiscommensu-rate with experience. Will consider senior associatewith compatible portables. Limited travel required.Send inquiries, and/or resume, writing sample,and salary history, in confidence, via email to:[email protected]:Barnum&Clinton,P.O.Box720298,Norman,OK73070.


THE bACK PAGE

yearsago,afterIgraduatedfromlawschool,someofmyfriendstookjobswithhigh-poweredlawfirms.Ichosetoworkforasolopractitioner.TheexperienceIgainedwasinvaluable,butnotquitethesameexperiencesmycolleagueswerehaving.

MybossrepresentedacompanywhoseplantmanufacturedMexicanfoodforsaleinthefro-zen-foodaislesofgro-cerystores.Theproductsweremuchlovedbycon-sumers;apparently,thesmellofpeppersbeingcookedwasnotembracedsohappilybytheneighborswholivedneartheplant.Thus,thecompanywasthedefendantinanuisancesuit.

AroundChristmastime,thisclientgaveeachofusemployeesourveryownbagoffrozenchilerellenos,wrappedinbrightredChristmaspaperand

adornedwithagreenstringbow.Fortherecord,accord-ingto5O.S.Supp.2008,Rule1.8,RulesofProfes-sionalResponsibility(Com-ment:GiftstoLawyers[6]),“Alawyermayacceptagiftfromaclient,ifthetransac-tionmeetsgeneralstan-dardsoffairness.Forexam-ple,asimplegiftsuchasapresentgivenataholidayorasatokenofapprecia-tionispermitted.”Thesamerulewasineffectatthetimewereceivedthebagsofchilerellenos.

AsDecemberneareditsend,almosteveryday,oneofmyfriendswork-ingatabig-namefirmwouldcallmetotellmewithexcitementthatheorshehadjustreceivedabonuscheckforso-many-hundredsofdollars.

“Whatdidyougetforabonus?”Thecallerwouldinevitablyask.

Quitehonestly,Iresponded,“Well,Ididn’tgetabonuscheckfrommyboss,

butIgotabagofchilerellenosfromaclient.Andtheyaredelicious!”

MyfriendsthoughtIwaskidding.Iwasn’t.Therel-lenosreallyweredelicious.

Ms. McCarty practices in Norman.

Editor’s Note: Have a short, funny or inspiring story to share? Law-related topics are preferred, but not required. E-mail submissions to [email protected].

Holiday GiftsBy Lisbeth McCarty

Movie Magic:How the Masters Try Cases

Back by popular demand!

Watch masters of film demonstrate award-winning results. Learn and see techniques for:

• Arguing motions • Structuring voir dire • Telling a story during open statement • Using drama in closing arguments • Forming questions for direct and cross-examination

The drama of the courtroom is often compared to the drama of film...with its suspense, comedy, starts, and bitplayers. This unique program effectively combines legal education with Hollywood entertainment as it examines litigation strategies and tactics, using courtroom scenes from:

Philadelphia The Accused starring Jodie Foster

Inherit the Wind Miracle on 34th Street starring Edmund Gwenn

A Few Good Men My Cousin Vinny starring Joe Pesci & Marisa Tomei

Steven O. RosenMr. Rosen’s law practice began at Lord, Bissell and Brook, Chicago, in 1977, where he worked as an associate. He specialized in aviation matters at that firm. Mr. Rosen formed The Rosen Law Firm in 1997, which has offices in Portland and Salem, Oregon. He and his firm specialize in litigation, trial, and appellate work in federal and state courts. Mr. Rosen has taught his continuing legal education program, “Movie Magic: How the Masters Try Cases,” in 28 states.

OKC: Dec. 17, 2009Oklahoma Bar Center - 1901 N. Lincoln Blvd.

Tulsa: Dec. 18, 2009 Renaissance Hotel - 6808 S. 107th E. Ave.

Program starts at 9:00. Lunch at 11:40. Adjourns at 2:50

6 hours MCLE, 1 hour ethics. $225 early-bird registration four days prior to show, $250 for walk-insfour days in. Register online and save $10. www.okbar.org/cle. No other discounts.

To Kill a Mockingbird starring Gregory Peck

Witness for the Prosecution

The Verdict Adam’s Rib

got ethics?

Still looking for ethics hours? Join OBA Ethics Counsel Travis Pickens on Dec. 22 forProfessional Conduct Resolutions for the New Year

This is a one hour webcast. Starts at noon and is worth one hour MCLE, all which may be applied to ethics. Register at www.okbar.org/cle

2009 oklahoma tax legislation 2009 oklahoma tax legislation · 12/12/2009 · okc: dec. 17, 2009...

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