The Women in Law Committee was formed in the mid-1990s by then-Oklahoma Bar President Willie J. Baker. Each year the committee presents an annual conference furthering the goals of developing educational and pertinent programming, bringing nationally known speakers to Oklahoma and offering statewide networking opportunities. Teleconferences were held throughout the year with members in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Norman to plan the 2007 conference and banquet.

“Powerhouse Communication Tools for Today’s Women Lawyers” was the theme for this year’s Oklahoma Bar Association Women in Law (“WIL”) Conference, which was held in Oklahoma City on Sept. 27, 2007.

Renowned communication expert and educator Dr. Joan Goldsmith presented three workshops at the conference all providing tips for better communication. She began instructing attendees on how to create success by creating a five-year plan. Dr. Goldsmith encouraged women to start the plan as she was explaining how to do it at the conference. She spoke about the importance of planning not just on the career front, but also for family, health, community and financial issues.

Later in the morning, Dr. Goldsmith discussed how to succeed in mediations and gave six strategies for being successful. After lunch, she gave tips on how to reduce conflict and how to successfully handle communication when there is conflict.

LeAnne McGill moderated a panel of experienced women - Deborah Reheard, Judge Reta Strubhar and Linda Martin, who provided women’s wisdom to the next generation of women attorneys. Linda Martin provided an overview of the National Association of Women Lawyer’s report regarding retention and promotion of women lawyers, which reports that many women lawyers are still not compensated at the same level as their male counterparts.

The lunch keynote speaker was attorney/author Elizabeth Joyner. Ms. Joyner gave a light-hearted speech about her new book, “Love Renewed: Looking into the Heart and Soul of the One You Love.” The book, due out in December 2007, helps couples in committed relationships to renew their love and intimacy with an opportunity for better communication between them.

After lunch, etiquette guru Ann Hoover presented known and not-so-known etiquette rules for making sure that the women shine inside and outside of the courtroom with polished manners and etiquette rules.

We also enjoyed the annual chocolate strawberry and champagne reception, which was sponsored by the Williams Companies Inc. and Doerner Saunders.

In the evening, we celebrated the Mona Lambird Spotlight Awards with presentation to the 2007 winners: Renee DeMoss, Donita Douglas, Melanie Jester, Phyllis Zimmerman and Linda Scroggins. The Spotlight Awards have been given annually to five women who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession and who have helped light the way for other women. Each year all previous winners nominate and select the current year’s recipients. A plaque bearing the names of all recipients hangs at the the Oklahoma Bar Center in Oklahoma City. The awards presentation was followed by a lively theatrical production entitled “The Women Lawyers Club”. The montage focused on the contributions that women have made in the law and legal practice throughout American history. The evening production was dedicated to Oklahoma’s own Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher. The Fisher family attended the evening dinner and play as the guests of the Garrett Law Firm and WIL Committee member Amber Peckio Garrett. A second one-hour panel discussion followed “The Women Lawyers Club”. Judge Robin Cauthron, U.S. District Court for the Western District, Oklahoma City; Judge Carol Hansen, Oklahoma Court of Appeals, Oklahoma City; Professor Judith Maute, University of Oklahoma College of Law, Norman; and Melissa DeLacerda, attorney at law, Stillwater; were all participants in the discussion led by moderator Cathy Christensen, Oklahoma City.

In summation, the 2007 Women in Law Conference was a successful 12-hour conference impacting approximately 350 women for all or part of the day.

The Women in Law Committee continues to be an excellent forum for continuing legal education and camaraderie amongst the female members of the Oklahoma Bar Association. The issues presented at the annual conferences are not issues relevant solely to females. The Women in Law Committee continues to invite our male brethren to the annual conference and committee meetings. The male attorneys who attended the 2007 conference or prior year conferences will confirm the high quality of the CLE presentations.

The committee appreciates the support of the Oklahoma Bar Association, especially Donita Douglas and her staff and thanks each member of the board of directors and the executive director for their continued financial support.

On Oct. 8, 2007, Cathy Christensen and Elizabeth Joyner were guests on The Verdict, a cable television program hosted by Kent Meyers to discuss the 2007 OBA Women in the Law Conference. It will be televised on Dec. 2, 2007, in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The 2007 Women in Law Committee also co-sponsored the annual walk “Hope in Oklahoma” offering gynecologic cancer support and education. The WIL partnered with the Oklahoma University physicians on Sept. 22 in providing an educational program and reception including a balloon release on the steps of the Capitol. Approximately 350 non-lawyers attended the event.

The Women in Law Committee is currently planning holiday events in OKC and Tulsa. Planning for the 2008 program and a long-range plan for the committee will begin soon.

Elizabeth A. Joyner
Co-Chairperson

Cathy Christensen
Co-Chairperson

Faith Orlowski
Co-Chairperson