YLD BOARD MEMBERS ATTEND NATIONAL CONFERENCE

OBA/YLD Directors Kimberly Warren and Doris Gruntmeir attended the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Fall Conference in San Diego, Calif., for three days in October. The ABA/YLD Fall Conference provided extensive networking opportunities for young lawyers, a forum for CLE and professional development programming.

The conference started on Thursday evening with a welcome reception. Friday’s programming started with a timely and informative speaker: Captain Jack spoke on the value of the (military) code of conduct and its practical application. The dean of the University of Detroit School of Law also spoke on their innovative “Project Salute.” This project takes professors and law students on a national road tour in a mobile (Winnebago) law office stopping to assist veterans in filing for benefits and training local attorneys to do the same. More information on this program may be found at www.law.udmercy.edu.

The military theme of the conference continued providing opportunities for one-on-one financial planning and career counseling, as well as CLE programming including etiquette before a judge, Guantanamo detainees and the right to fair trial, same-sex marriage, the anatomy of an appeal and a Supreme Court update with renowned scholar Erwin Chemerinsky. A ticketed luncheon provided a unique insight into the road to becoming general counsel with guest speakers including the GC from the San Diego Chargers and Padres. That evening, conference attendees were treated to a dinner and reception on the U.S.S. Midway, the longest serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Navy history.

The meeting was capped off with the reveal of this year’s public service project: Voices Against Violence. The program is a call to action for young lawyers around the country to join forces and end domestic violence. The Voices Against Violence video on teen dating violence and domestic violence awareness and prevention toolkit as well as other information on the program may be found on the ABA/YLD Web site at www.abanet.org/yld/dv/. In addition to her role as one of the OBA delegates to the Fall Conference, Director Gruntmeir carried out her responsibilities as the ABA/YLD district representative for Oklahoma and Arkansas.

RECEPTIONS HONOR NEW BAR MEMBERS

On Sept. 25, 307 new attorneys were sworn in at the House of Representatives Chamber at the State Capitol. Following the opening remarks by Chief Justice James R. Winchester and OBA Vice President Michael Mordy, OBA/YLD Chair-Elect Richard Rose briefly spoke, urging honorees to become active in the YLD and other OBA committees and sections. Immediately after each of the three swearing-in ceremonies, the YLD held a reception in the Capitol rotunda for the new admittees and their families and friends in attendance.

The YLD hosted a less formal reception and happy hour at Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse in the Bricktown area of Oklahoma City on Oct. 2. A second reception was held at Leon’s in Tulsa on Oct. 9. Thanks to everyone who turned out to honor our new admittees. Also, very special thanks go to Molly Bircher and John Weaver for coordinating the well-attended events.