In 2005 the American Bar Association released its preliminary report from the Joint Commission to Evaluate the Model Code of Judicial Conduct. It has been 16 years since the judicial ethics policies set forth in the Code of Judicial Conduct were subjected to comprehensive review. The OBA Bench and Bar Committee established the Oklahoma Model Code of Judicial Conduct Subcommittee to study the existing Oklahoma Model Code of Judicial Conduct and to make recommendations to bring the Oklahoma Model Code current. Subcommittee Chairs David Swank and Cathy M. Christensen led a team of Oklahoma judges and lawyers in an in-depth and comprehensive examination of Oklahoma’s code.

The revised draft code is now available for viewing and comment by OBA members. Judges and lawyers are highly encouraged to submit comments on the proposed code online to Professor Swank, who will share the information with the Bench and Bar Committee. The deadline for comments was March 31, 2008.

Summary of the Committee Process

Current Code of Judicial Conduct

Proposed Code of Judicial Conduct for Oklahoma (162 pages)

ABA Model Code (50 pages)

OBA Bench & Bar Committee Members