The section continues its involvement in advancing legislation affecting commerce and financial institutions at a state and federal level. Specifically, the Legislative Review Subcommittee for the Uniform Commercial Code Committee has monitored the progress of numerous acts, providing comment and input to the drafters. Special thanks to Alvin Harrell and Fred Miller for their efforts on this front. The section continued to provide support to NCCUSL, and in general, promotes the advancement of uniform laws affecting commerce.

The section remains committed to sponsoring and assisting with educational seminars and conferences of interest to its members and addressing issues significantly impacting Oklahoma commerce. The section continues its support by hosting a luncheon for those attending the Commercial Law Update CLE program held each December in Oklahoma City, co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Bar Review CLE and the Conference on Consumer Finance Law. The section is exploring opportunities to expand its sponsorship of these and other CLE seminars and conferences which focus on topics affecting commerce and financial institutions.

Section committee members continue to work towards bringing the section members announcements and summaries of cases and news of interest to its section members. The newsletter in the past has been a wealth of information on issues affecting section members and with insightful academic information. Plans for the upcoming year include frequent electronic notifications to its section membership.

Once again the section is sponsoring a writing competition for students or junior members of the Oklahoma Bar Association. The competition requires submission of an article of general interest to members of the section. The winning author receives a cash payment award of $1,500 and a certificate of recognition, together with recognition at the annual Commercial Law Update program in Oklahoma City in December.

Officers for the section for 2007 were John “Butch” Koemel, chair; Michael A. Rubenstein, vice-chair; Mark Lovelace, secretary/treasurer; Paul R. Foster, program officer; Brian W. Pierson, past chair; and Kali Strain, student representative. The section officers meet on an as needed basis to plan section activities and sponsored events. The annual meeting of the section will be held in conjunction with the OBA Annual Meeting in November. Officers for the coming year will be selected at that time.

John E. Koemel Jr.
Chairperson