By Donita Bourns Douglas, Director, OBA Educational Programs

Karen J. Mathis, unopposed candidate for ABA president-elect, and Sherri Coale, OU women's basketball coach, are the featured speakers at the 2004 Women in Law Conference, "Extreme Makeover: Women, Life and Law." The conference is scheduled for Oct. 22 at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. The OBA Women in Law Committee has developed programming that should be of interest to OU law students, and significant law student attendance at the conference is expected.

"This conference is an opportunity for attorneys from all types of practices to discuss issues common to us all: balance of life, strategies for success and effective communication skills, to name a few," said Faith Orlowski, co-chair of the OBA Women in Law Committee.

Cathy Christensen agrees with Ms. Orlowski's assessment of the conference opportunities. "We all face challenges in putting it all together. This conference will frame some of these important life issues in a relevant way for law students and lawyers from any practice area," said Christensen, co-chair of the OBA Women in Law Committee.

Ms. Mathis' presentation is titled, "The Legal Fraternity - in Need of an Extreme Makeover? Past, Present and Future of Women in Our Profession." After the keynote presentation, Ms. Mathis will participate in a panel discussion that includes Oklahoma legal leaders: Susan Loving, attorney at law, Edmond; Rep. Jari Askins, speaker designate, District 50, Duncan and attorney at law; Jim Priest, McKinney & Stringer, Oklahoma City; Kay Bridger-Riley, Bridger-Riley & Associates, Tulsa; and Aletia Timmons, Timmons & Associates, Oklahoma City.
Ms. Mathis practices in Denver with the firm Hall & Mathis. She has served as the chair of the ABA Commission on the Status of Women and has been former speaker of the ABA House of Delegates.

Coach Sherri Coale is noted for, not only her coaching skills, but her motivational presentations. Her presentation for this conference, "On, Off and In Court: Surviving and Succeeding," will provide registrants with positive tools for success, recognizing that what works on the court will probably work in court also.

Coach Coale's strategies for success are proven. She has taken the OU women's basketball program from close to extinction to national prominence. Coach Coale has produced successful athletes and students, stressing the whole student. In the meantime, she has also produced teams with winning records - taking OU to the NCAA Final Four in 2002.
Another topic to be tackled: "Balance of Life: What is a 'Rich' Life?" features panelists Judge Millie Otey, Special District Judge, 14th Judicial District of Oklahoma, Tulsa; Melanie J. Jester, law clerk for United States Magistrate Judge Valerie K. Couch, Oklahoma City; Professor Judith Maute, OU College of Law, Norman; and J. William Conger, general counsel, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City. This presentation will take a fresh look at law careers, firm culture and taking a different road.

This conference will have no lulls with valuable information being shared from beginning to end. Other conference presentations include "Finding Your Style - Starting with Voir Dire" by Pattye High, assistant district attorney of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma City and "Ethics Issues Confronted by Women in Law" presented by Dan Murdock, OBA general counsel, Oklahoma City.
The Women in Law Committee honors outstanding women attorneys each year at the Women in Law Conference luncheon by awarding the Mona Lambird Spotlight Awards. The OBA Young Lawyers Division is sponsoring the awards lunch at the conference as a service to the conference and the OBA Women in Law Committee, and additionally, to make contact with law students -members-to-be of the OBA/YLD Division.

After the conference, the tradition of networking and the champagne and strawberries reception will continue. All presenters and registrants are invited to the reception.

The Women in Law Committee was formed by the Oklahoma Bar Association to help address certain problems unique to female attorneys and to promote those skills women possess. The committee's goal is to strengthen the skills of female attorneys to create better and stronger members of the profession as a whole. Attorney registration for the seminar is $125; law student registration for the seminar is $35. Please check this bar journal, future bar journals, CLE brochures, and the OBA Web site for registration details. If you have questions about the event, call the OBA/CLE at (405) 416-7006.