(Oklahoma City – Dec. 17) More than $90,000 will be given to 17 people to compensate them for funds misappropriated by unscrupulous or deceased Oklahoma attorneys. The Oklahoma Bar Association has announced its Clients’ Security Fund will pay the claims of the clients of six former attorneys whose acts, illness or death led to the losses.

OBA President Stephen Beam of Weatherford said the fund is a remedy of last resort for clients who cannot recover money from other sources, such as insurance, a bonding company or from the attorney involved.

Beam said, “These former attorneys have been stripped of their licenses to practice law, and reimbursing their clients’ losses is just one way the bar can reaffirm the integrity of the profession. Attorney trust is a priority for us and we work very hard to maintain that. The entire profession suffers because of the unethical practice of a few.”  

Beam said all active Oklahoma attorneys contribute to the fund through a portion of their annual bar dues, and over $1.4 million in reimbursements has been made to clients since the fund was created in 1965.

The OBA’s Clients’ Security Fund Committee annually reviews client claims and makes recommendations to the OBA Board of Governors on the merits of the claims. Committee Chair Micheal Salem of Norman said typically these claims are paid for former attorneys who have become unstable as a result of a personal crisis or substance abuse.

Salem said, “The amount of claims against dishonest attorneys has decreased this year. I believe proactive programs like the OBA’s Management Assistance Program, Ethics Counsel and General Counsel’s office have helped prevent potential claims.”

Former attorneys for whom the OBA will be paying claims, the individuals to be compensated for their losses and the reimbursement amounts are:

Donald A. Flasch, Tulsa; claimant: Brenda Ogans, Tulsa, $250.

William M. McLaughlin, Stillwater; claimant: Bodie J. Leonard, Frisco, Texas, $500.

Jeffrey Lee Parker, Tulsa; claimant: John F. Bowman, Sand Springs, $4,550.40.

Eddie D. Ramirez, Tulsa; claimants: Louis Fitzpatrick, Wentzville, Mo., $51,310.22; Kari Parent-Mojica, Tulsa, $1,000; Jamie E. Murphy, Selfridge, N.D., $6,711.97; Jason K. Rediger, Tonapatt, Ariz., $2,000; Orlando Torres, Passica, N.J., $11,805; Lee R. Vermillion, Wagoner, $2,000; Ruth R. Vickers, Owasso, $5,280.

Brett D. Sanger, Oklahoma City; claimants: Nada L. Anderson, Cache , $1,000; Larry Dean Miller, Mustang , $1,500; Gerry Price, Oklahoma City , $1,000.

Silas C. Wolf Jr., Norman; claimants: Katrina C. Chandler, Powder Springs, Ga., $3,433; Lisa Ann Chukwumoabi, Lawton, $4,600; Juan Rodrigo Gonzalez, Oklahoma City, $6,030.95; Oplhelia Wooden-Taylor, Norman, $500.

The 15,000-member Oklahoma Bar Association, headquartered in Oklahoma City, was created by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to advance the administration of justice and to foster and maintain learning, integrity, competence, public service and high standards of conduct among Oklahoma's legal community.

For more information about the Clients’ Security Fund, consult the OBA’s Web site at www.okbar.org/members/gencounsel/CFS_brochure.pdf or the Office of the General Counsel, Oklahoma Bar Association, P.O. Box 53036, Oklahoma City, OK 73152, (405) 416-7007.