Highlights of 2006 Annual Meeting CLE
By Donita Bourns Douglas, Director, OBA Educational Programs
CLE
Multi-Track Grid
Register Online
This year’s continuing legal education programming at the 2006 Annual Meeting promises to be packed with something for everyone. Customize your CLE by choosing from courses in criminal law, technology, practice tips, family law and the Constitution.
“The Third Branch of Government: Out on a Limb?” is the title of the Thursday morning plenary session, and the session is guaranteed to be a fascinating discussion of issues facing the third branch of government. Arthur Miller, Harvard University law school professor, will address current challenges facing the judiciary. Topics to be discussed will cover a wide range of current issues: “activist” judges, judges and the exercise of First Amendment rights and judicial appointment vs. election. Professor Miller will lead a discussion that will include distinguished Oklahoma judges and members of the Oklahoma Bar Association. This is a joint session with the Oklahoma Judicial Conference.
The Wednesday CLE multi-track format will be used at this year’s meeting. Members will have an opportunity to select from in excess of 20 different OBA/CLE sessions. Four tracks of simultaneous CLE programming will be offered: Family Law, Criminal Law, Bridge the Gap and “Judge Not Lest You...”
“Judge Not Lest You...” is a track that has never been offered and includes a variety of topics relating to judges and the judiciary. Planned by Tulsa attorney Sharisse O’Carroll, the track includes topics relevant to all Oklahoma attorneys, but especially litigators. Judge John F. Reif, Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, will present a “View from the Appellate Bench.” A multiple-judge panel will discuss “Issues of Professionalism.” “Expectations of the Federal Bench” and “Deposition Conduct” will be also be explored in sessions. Effective written communication with the court will be looked at by Randy Lewin with his topic, “How to Get Your Brief Read Happily.” Instruction on how to do research using the Oklahoma State Court Network (OSCN) will be provided by Jody Nathan, Tulsa attorney.
Criminal Law track planners Ben Brown and Charles Sifers continue the outstanding criminal law offering in this year’s program. A “2006 Legislative Update,” an “Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Update,” “Percolating Issues in Criminal Law” and “Ethics and Professionalism in Criminal Law” are highlights of this track. Additionally, Dwight Adams, former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory, will present on “Forensic Science.” Practice tips will be included with two other sessions: “Effective Voir Dire & Cross Examination: When Your Defense is Presented on Cross” and “Practicing in the Federal Courts of Oklahoma: ‘Knowing When to Duck.’”
Whether you’re a new family law practitioner or a little more seasoned, the Family Law track offers something for you. Donelle Ratheal has planned substantive law presentations that include an annual legislative family law update: “Oops–They Did it Again” and an overview of a relocation case: “So You Think You Have a Constitutional Right to Move?” Kenneth W. Klingenberg will present litigation practice pointers in his presentation, “Making Them Look Bad or Good: Direct and Cross Examination of the Expert.” Two technology sessions are planned: Jim Calloway will present “The ‘Virtual’ Tree of Knowledge: An Overview of E-Discovery Tools” and a panel will provide tips with the presentation, “Being Profitable & Saving Time: Technology and Helpful Tips.” In a track finale, the Parody Performers will present “A Comedy of ‘Legal’ Errors: A Day in the Life of Rambo.” This theatrical production will include acting and music.
OBA Young Lawyers Division representatives Sarah Glick and Robert Faulk planned the Bridge the Gap track. This track covers an array of basic information for new lawyers and/or for more experienced lawyers who need a “refresher” in a certain area. A basic criminal law session, “Preparing Your Case for Mitigation/Plea,” and a basic family session, “Divorce: Substantive Law and Practical Application,” are included in this track. Also, basic LLC law, basic consumer law and basic personal injury law are offered. Last, OBA Ethics Counsel Gina Hendryx will present “The Most Frequently Asked Questions of Ethics Counsel.”
The four tracks will occur simultaneously in four meeting rooms at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Each track is divided into 50-minute blocks, and breaks will coincide. Attendees can mix and match programs they attend and put together the CLE that best suits their needs. Ethics and technology sessions are scattered throughout the day. Registrants receive materials for all sessions, not just the sessions attended.
The OBA/CLE at the 2006 Annual Meeting is a nine-hour total format and is being offered on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and for three hours on Thursday from 9 a.m. until 11:40 a.m. Register Online.
British political writer Edmund Burke once said, “Laws, like houses, lean on one another.” This year’s Annual Meeting will serve to emphasize that lawyers also lean on one another – to support the law, judges, and the American judicial system, so often misunderstood by others.