A Second Chance
By Dan Murdock, OBA General Counsel

The other night when I was watching TV and really not paying much attention to it, a singer was introduced for an interview and the person doing the interview mentioned that it had been some time since the singer toured or recorded.

The singer replied that he had taken a couple of years off “to resolve some personal issues.” That got my attention. All of us have “personal issues” and seek resolution to them. However, few of us have the luxury to take a couple of years off to do that. We must go on and work through them while continuing on with our every day life. Fortunately, most of us are able to do that in a satisfactory manner. However, some are not.

When lawyers are not able to resolve personal issues, problems occur. The Oklahoma Bar Association has provided assistance in the past. Lawyers Helping Lawyers has been around for a long time, ready to provide help. Under the skillful guidance of Glenn Mirando, and with the assistance of so many wonderful volunteer lawyers, LHL can provide great benefits. Through interventions, counseling, or referral to health care professionals, help is there.

Now a new process is available to members of the OBA. A program to provide help and assistance to those lawyers who need to “resolve personal issues” and whose deficiencies have caused them to have problems in the disciplinary system. The diversionary program, approved by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, is now functioning to provide another way of assisting those lawyers whose behavior gets attention, but maybe doesn’t warrant discipline at this time, and who need help in resolving problems long term.1

If someone is going to steal, education won’t help. But education in the areas of ethics, law office management, and trust account schools will help to get those lawyers in need back on the right track. Assistance of this type will prevent bigger problems in the future and help those who are willing to accept that help.

That is the goal - to help.

1. The Office of the General Counsel; Gina Hendryx, Ethics Counsel; and Jim Calloway, Director of the Management Assistance Program, stand ready to help.