OBA Departments and the Member Services They Provide

Volunteer leaders may be the chief engineers who keep any professional association on track, but it is the staff who provides the power to move forward. Member services are an essential part of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Learn more about what each department offers members, and put a name together with a face in photos of the employees who work for you — bar association members.

Administration

The responsibilities of the Administration Department are multi-faceted, but its primary emphasis is handling finances, human resources, Annual Meeting planning, bar center operations and maintaining official membership information. Specific duties include:

• scheduling bar center meeting rooms
• coordinating and scheduling meetings utilizing video conference equipment in Oklahoma City and Tulsa
• assisting committees and sections with mailings to their members
• providing mailing labels of bar members to committees and sections
• tracking expenditures for all committees and sections
• providing monthly committee and section accounting reports upon request
• ensuring the bar center interior and exterior facilities are maintained so members can take pride in their building
• maintaining and updating member roster information
• invoicing senior members and non-members for Oklahoma Bar Journal subscriptions
• managing the Legal Intern Program
• producing certificates of good standing for our members
• processing expense claims for OBA officers, YLD officers, and section and committee members
• managing OBA mail room and OBA office equipment
• contract negotiations with Annual Meeting hotels, scheduling and coordinating Annual Meeting events, exhibitors, and committee and section meetings
• accounting and budgeting for all departments
• investing association reserves
• management of employee benefit programs

Phone: (405) 416-7000 Membership: (405) 416-7080

Communications

The Communications Department has responsibility for the OBA’s member communications and external public relations efforts. Areas of major emphasis are:

• publishing 34 issues of the Oklahoma Bar Journal every year
•  managing the content of the OBA’s main Web site to ensure its organization and up-to-date information
• assisting the Law Day Committee in accomplishing extensive Law Day statewide activities and community service projects that generate significant positive public recognition for the legal profession
• publishing the OBA Annual Meeting program and House of Delegates book and promoting award winners, the meeting itself and election results

More specific duties that benefit members are:

• editing information submitted by and about bar members for the FYI and Bench & Bar Briefs section of the bar journal
• reviewing Web content submitted by committees and sections and assisting them with organization and content ideas
• publishing the monthly E-News for OBA members with e-mail addresses
• expediting information requests from the news media
• issuing news releases about association events
• assisting OBA committees, sections and divisions in publicizing their projects to both members and the media
• working with sections to publish short law articles related to the section’s focus
• assisting sections and committees with placing and designing free ads in the bar journal to promote their activities to other members

The department serves as a liaison for one board and several committees and assists in accomplishing their goals. A summary of services provided to those groups are:

• working with the 10-member Board of Editors that reviews articles submitted and plans for future theme-related Oklahoma Bar Journal issues; once articles are approved for publication, the staff has charge of editing, proofreading and layout
• assisting the Communications Committee in its projects including overseeing the publication of 16 brochures on such topics as divorce, landlord tenant rights, advanced directive and lawyers and legal fees; Brochures are distributed free as a community service to individuals, libraries, nonprofit organizations, etc., and staff handles the continuous demand for those materials to be mailed across the state

Law Day Committee — Communications Department staff members work closely with committee members in their efforts to promote Law Day, celebrated nationwide on May 1. Activities include:

• conducting statewide contests for Oklahoma students
• providing county Law Day chairpersons with both event and promotion ideas for county celebrations
• coordinating the statewide Ask A Lawyer community service project in which volunteer attorneys give free legal advice to people who call in
• producing public service announcements and other marketing strategies to promote the Ask A Lawyer free legal advice
• produce a one-hour, interview style TV program, in cooperation with OETA (the state’s PBS affiliate) featuring lawyers and other experts discussing three legal topics

The department also assists the Awards Committee, Disaster Response and Relief Committee, Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee and Young Lawyers Division.

Phone: (405) 416-7004

Education

Continuing Legal Education

The most recent OBA Membership Survey established that more than 80 percent of our members identify OBA Continuing Legal Education as an important service to them- more than any other OBA service. The staff of OBA/CLE is honored that members hold that view and will continue to work with the aspiration of becoming an even more integral part of each member’s legal life by providing the best, the most creative, the most timely and the most practical in CLE programming and publications. OBA/CLE is a necessity, not a requirement!

Let us know what else you want and need because OBA/CLE wants to be your continuing legal education provider. Call CLE Director Donita Douglas at (405) 416-7028 with your ideas.

Department services include:

• developing and producing 80-100 live seminars throughout the state
• offering video replays of the live seminars
• developing and producing online video and audio seminars, including webcast seminars
• offering recent seminar publications and CDs for sale to association members
• developing and producing the multi-track, multiple session CLE at the OBA Annual Meeting
•  coordinating with the Management Assistance Program to plan the annual Solo and Small Firm Conference
• coordinating with the Management Assistance Program to plan the New Lawyer Experience seminar
• coordinating with the Women in Law Committee to plan the annual Women in Law Conference
• coordinating with OBA officers to plan leadership training for OBA members
• coordinating with various OBA sections in the planning of OBA/CLE section co-sponsored CLE seminars
• attracting and securing nationally-recognized experts to present continuing legal education programming to OBA members
• publishing volumes (non-seminar) to members to assist in their practice, including form books, practice manuals and treatises
• providing online registration for OBA/CLE to members
• applying attendance credit electronically to enable members to have an up-to-date view of accumulated OBA/CLE credit on my.okbar.org

Phone: (405) 416-7006 E-mail: cle@okbar.org

Law-related Education

The Law-related Education (LRE) Department of the Oklahoma Bar Association was established in 1989 to further the OBA’s goals of increasing public service and enhancing public understanding of the law and the legal system. To that end, LRE endeavors to educate citizens in a constitutional democracy and to create an active, responsible citizenry.

LRE conducts programs independently and in partnership with non-profits, civic organizations and educational groups. Programs include professional development for teachers and others in the civic community via institutions and workshops. Classroom materials are created and distributed for programs administered by LRE at no cost to educators.

LRE aims to join the education and law communities in its mission of fostering civic-mindedness. An understanding of the role of the law in society is essential to informed participation in democracy. Creating active citizens requires active civic education.

LRE is under the direction of Jane McConnell, Law-related Education coordinator and Debra Jenkins, administrative assistant. Among the many programs and resources available are:

• Lawyers in the Classroom: Attorney guest presenters instruct students on topics in law, the Constitution, citizenship and the new INFORM (Information Now for Oklahomans Rejecting Meth) Program. Participating attorneys are trained in making presentations to K-12 students and provide a unique perspective on topics related to scheduled courses. Attorneys are provided reference lesson plans if desired.
• Young Adult Guide: “You’re 18 Now — It’s Your Responsibility!” Updated in spring 2007. This booklet explains the rights and responsibilities of adult citizens under U.S. and Oklahoma law. Approximately 13 areas of law are addressed, including consumer credit and contracts, criminal law and family law matters such as divorce and parental rights and responsibilities. A new Spanish edition is available in electronic and print format. Both guides are available free of charge and on the Web site at www.okbar.org.
• Pocket Constitutions: These handy editions include the full text of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. They are available for class-wide distribution and also free of charge.
• Supreme Court Awards: School of the Year and Teacher of the Year. These awards are given annually to those who develop creative, innovative approaches to civic education programming. Members of the Oklahoma Supreme Court recognize outstanding service by presenting honorees with awards and stipends in a ceremony held in the Supreme Court Courtroom.
• Civitas: An International Civic Exchange Program. The Civitas exchange program partners U.S. teachers and civic education leaders with their counterparts in countries with developing democracies. OBA/LRE participates in a partnership with Michigan, Colorado, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
• LRE Media Library: The Media Library, housed in the Oklahoma Bar Center on Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City, is open for teachers to browse and preview materials available on loan from LRE. LRE will ship free of charge videos and books to all parts of the state for teachers’ use in the classroom.
• YLD High School Mock Trial Committee: The LRE coordinator serves as the liaison to the committee. LRE staff supports Mock Trial Coordinator Judy Spencer with efforts related to the rounds of competition that lead to the finals competition that determines Oklahoma’s state champion, who advances to nationals.
• The PACE Institute: PACE (Programs Advancing Citizenship Education) guides educators through a focused examination of a topic in law-related education. During the week-long summer session, presenters provide both content and strategies to apply the subject in the classroom. Participants are required to develop lesson plans based on the selected topic, to be added to the LRE resource library and our Web page at www.okbar.org/public/lre. The institute’s goal is to educate participants in a topic in citizenship education, to expose them to creative methods in presenting the subject matter to their students, and to encourage them to develop and share their own strategies in teaching law-related education. PACE is offered free of charge to educators. PACE is sponsored by the Oklahoma Bar Foundation.
• We the People: Project Citizen: This is a portfolio-based program for elementary through high school students. As a class, the students identify and study a public-policy issue and develop an action plan for implementing a policy change. The final project is a portfolio including a research binder and presentation boards displaying the group’s efforts. Our state winning portfolio (Grades 5-8) will compete at the nationals in New Orleans, La., in August.
• We the People: The Citizen & The Constitution: Students demonstrate their understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens by testifying in a simulated congressional hearing before panels of judges, which include, among other dignitaries, OBA/LRE committee members, concerning the values and principles found in the Constitution and its conception and development. The winning class will represent Oklahoma at the national competition in Washington, D.C., early May.
• PROS (Peers Responsible for Oklahoma Students): PROS is a collaborative project of the Early Settlement Programs administered by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, Administrative Office of the Courts and LRE. This school-based peer mediation program encourages young people to resolve conflicts in a positive and constructive manner. Regional trainings will be held in September at the bar center.
• 2008 Foundations of Democracy – LRE Basic 101 Summer Teacher Training Institute will guide educators through a focused examination of K-12 curricular programs based on concepts fundamental to an understanding of politics and government such as authority, privacy, responsibility and justice. This multi-disciplinary institute will draw upon such fields as political philosophy, political science, law, history, literature and environmental studies.

Phone: (405) 416-7024 E-mail: janem@okbar.org

Ethics Counsel

The Office of Ethics Counsel is a membership service available only to OBA members. It was created to assist members with conflict dilemmas, confidentiality questions, communication concerns and other ethical inquiries unique to the profession. The Office of Ethics Counsel is completely autonomous from and independent of the Office of the General Counsel. Members seeking assistance with ethical questions are afforded an “attorney/client” relationship with the full expectation of confidentiality of disclosed information.

Through the Office of Ethics Counsel, Oklahoma Bar Association members can obtain informal advice and interpretations of the rules of professional conduct. Responsibilities of the Ethics Counsel include:

• answering ethics questions from members of the Oklahoma Bar Association
• memorializing questions presented and advice given
• researching and writing ethics materials for the Oklahoma Bar Association Web site and the Oklahoma Bar Journal
• preparing and presenting CLE programs on the topics of ethics and professionalism
• working with the Legal Ethics Advisory Panel to produce practical written advice and opinions
• monitoring attendance and compliance of diversion program attendees
• creating, supervising and administering training in the areas of trust accounting, ethics and professionalism
• coordinating the registration of out-of-state attorneys

Phone: (405) 416-7083 E-mail: ginah@okbar.org

General Counsel

The Office of the General Counsel has certain enumerated powers and duties regarding disciplinary actions pursuant to the Rules Governing Disciplinary Procedure as written by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Included among those powers and duties are:

• investigating alleged lawyer misconduct or incapacity to practice law
• reporting to the Professional Responsibility Commission the results of those investigations
• making recommendations to the commission concerning the disposition of any investigation, and prosecuting all disciplinary and reinstatement proceedings before the Professional Responsibility Tribunal

Many grievances received include complaints from clients about a lack of communication, in that their lawyer will not return phone calls or respond to letters or requests for information concerning the progress of their case. In October 1987 the Office of the General Counsel created a “two-week letter” that requests the attorney communicate with the client concerning the status of the case and send the general counsel a copy of that communication. This procedure has proven to be an effective method of allowing a problem to be resolved on an informal basis and is appreciated by both attorneys and their clients.

In a one-year period the Office of the General Counsel receives and handles:

• about 450 formal grievances involving approximately 340 attorneys
• over 1,100 informal grievances involving nearly 800 attorneys
• about 300 items of general correspondence

All activities of the Office of the General Counsel, including investigation, prosecution of attorney discipline, criminal summary proceedings, reinstatements, resignations and suspension of attorneys for personal incapacity to practice law are performed under the supervision of the Professional Responsibility Commission.

Also as a member service, the general counsel, his staff and the Professional Responsibility Tribunal and Commission members speak to county bar association meetings, Continuing Legal Education classes and various civic organizations at no charge. In these sessions, disciplinary and investigative procedures, case law and ethical standards within the profession are discussed. This effort directs lawyers to a better understanding of the disciplinary process and informs the public of the efforts of the OBA to regulate the conduct of its members.

Phone: (405) 416-7007

Information Systems

The Information Systems Department is responsible for desktop computer support to staff, network management of internal servers and externally accessible servers, Web site development and maintenance, mailing list management, development of association management system and database, network security, audio/visual support to staff, monitoring of evolving technologies and assistance to all departments to utilize technology in their departments. The Information Systems Department’s functions are mostly of an internal nature; however, services directly benefiting members are:

• providing a mailing list for each committee and section through the list servers to communicate with members easily and in a cost effective manner
• maintaining a committee chairperson list and a section chairperson list serve to allow communication between the association and the chairs, as well as between the chairs themselves
• working hand in hand with the Communications Department to maintain www.okbar.org
• helping develop Web sites for Oklahoma county bar associations
• providing a members-only Web site where members can update roster information, pay dues, register for CLE, review MCLE credits, etc.
• providing free sign-up for the www.oklahomafindalawyer.com lawyer referral service

Phone: (405) 416-7045

Management Assistance Program

The OBA Management Assistance Program focuses on helping Oklahoma lawyers with the nuts and bolts of running their law offices. From “basic training” for the new lawyer to providing management and technology advice for the seasoned professional, the department has a wide array of information to assist every lawyer in every practice setting.

• Free Telephone Hotline — The OBA-MAP staff attempts to answer brief questions about management and technology issues. Our number is (405) 416-7008. The toll free number is (800) 522-8065. Advice provided is confidential.
• The OBA Solo and Small Firm Conference — Attend great CLE programs with nationally recognized experts, network with other small firm lawyers from across the state and meet with vendors in a fun family setting. Join us for the 11th Annual Solo and Small Firm Conference June 19-21, 2008, at Tanglewood Resort on Lake Texoma.
• OBA-NET — This is an incredible online resource that is free to all OBA members. Oklahoma lawyers post questions and brainstorm with other lawyers online. Additional paid premium services, such as downloadable OBA/CLE materials since 1996, are available also.
• Jim Calloway’s Law Practice Tips Blog — Weekly postings of Internet tips, law practice tips and hot news in law office management and technology are available by either visiting the blog Web site, subscribing to the e-mail alerts or subscribing to the RSS news feed. Visit the blog at http://jimcalloway.typepad.com/lawpracticetips/.
• Oklahoma Bar Journal Articles — Each theme issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal contains the regular column “Law Practice Tips” by OBA-MAP Director Jim Calloway. They are available online at www.okbar.org/members/map/articleindex.htm.
• Office “Health Checks” — These consultations take place in the lawyer’s office on a fee for services basis. A wide range of management issues can be covered. Typically all staff and attorneys will be involved both in group and individual interviews.
• Free Consultations at the Bar Center — Any lawyer who is setting up a new practice or has encountered a difficult issue that cannot be comfortably handled over the telephone is welcome to schedule a free one-hour appointment with the OBA-MAP director.
• The New Lawyers Experience: Hit the Ground Running — This innovative new program consists of a one-day seminar, scheduled twice a year in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, to assist attorneys setting up new solo practices. A companion project is the “Starting a Law Practice Web Directory” which is available to any attorney at www.okbar.org/members/map/practice.htm.
• Resource Center and Lending Library — Attorneys can browse free management resources and product information. Law practice management books, videos and audio tapes are available for lawyers to “check out” and review. We are also a distributor of ABA Law Practice Management books and offer these for sale to our members at a discounted price.
• Local Bar Presentations — The OBA-MAP director is available to speak at your county bar meetings or other organized lawyer groups at no charge.
• Grande Macros — We are the exclusive sales agent for Doug Loudenback’s Grande Macros for family lawyers who use the WordPerfect word processing program. These macros can be used to draft pleading and compute child support in a fraction of the time previously needed. For more information on the Grande Macros, go to www.dougloudenback.com.

Phone: (405) 416-7008

Mandatory Continuing Legal Education

The OBA Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Department is the regulatory office concerned with the accreditation of all continuing legal education programs and the compliance by all Oklahoma Bar members with the MCLE requirement. Often confused with the CLE Department, the MCLE Department does not sponsor CLE seminars.

Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, a program adopted by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 1986, establishes minimum requirements for continuing legal education for Oklahoma attorneys. The program is administered by the OBA Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission, which consists of nine members, that has general supervisory authority over the rules and may adopt regulations consistent with the rules.

Member services provided include:

• reviewing seminars for accreditation
• accreditation of teaching activities
• responding to requests for clarification of the Rules of the Oklahoma Supreme Court for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education
• processing the annual reports of compliance
• helping each member receive all the credit he or she is entitled to for qualified CLE activities
• keeping a record of the Oklahoma approved seminars attended by members

Phone: (405) 416-7009 E-mail: mcle@okbar.org

Don’t Know Whom to Contact?

If you need more information about which employee in a department to contact, check out the staff list. You will find a list of each OBA staff member, a summary of his or her responsibilities, and their e-mail address.

OBA Departments and the Member Services They Provide
Published 79 OBJ 19 (January 12, 2008)