The Board of Governors of the Oklahoma Bar Association met at the Oklahoma Bar Center in Oklahoma City on Friday, May 12, 2006.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Grimm reported the National High School Mock Trial Championship being hosted by the OBA in Oklahoma City was currently underway. Since the previous board meeting he spoke to new lawyers at the swearing in ceremony at the state Capitol and spoke at the Seminole County Bar Association's Law Day luncheon in Wewoka. He was involved in meetings with Executive Director Williams and staff for OBA Annual Meeting planning, with Chief Justice Watt and President Elect Beam to discuss strategic financial planning for improvements to the building and with Anne Sublett to discuss statewide Children's Law Center for training lawyers on children's issues. He also attended meetings of the State Legal Referral Service Task Force, Access to Justice Advisory Committee, National High School Mock Trial Task Force, Oklahoma Bar Foundation and OBA Bar Center Facilities Committee. He attended Ask A Lawyer at OETA in Oklahoma City, OBA Day at the Capitol and reception for legislators, Oklahoma County Bar Association's Law Day luncheon in Oklahoma City, Pittsburg County Bar Association's Law Day banquet in McAlester, Tulsa County Bar Association's Law Day luncheon in Tulsa and National High School Mock Trial activities. He participated in a telephone conference call regarding building ownership issues and a separate telephone conference call with OBF President Hal Ellis regarding the same issue. He had numerous conversations with Executive Director Williams regarding bar matters.

REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Vice President Holmes reported he attended the April Board of Governors meeting, the reception hosted by the Tulsa County Bar Association honoring President Grimm, swearing in ceremony for John Richter, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, segments of the OBA Day at the Capitol program, including the evening reception for Oklahoma legislators, OU College of Law awards ceremony, Oklahoma County Bar Association Law Day luncheon, Tri County Bar Association's Law Day dinner in Idabel, Comanche County Bar Association Law Day luncheon in Lawton, Hudson Hall Wheaton and Council Oak/Johnson Sontag American Inns of Court awards banquet in Tulsa and OU College of Law luncheon reception honoring international law professor Stephen Smith. He also gave a Law Day speech to the Heartland Rotary Club of Oklahoma City.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT ELECT

President Elect Beam reported he attended the Board of Governors meeting and Philbrook Museum reception in Tulsa, OBA Day at the Capitol, Ask A Lawyer at OETA in Oklahoma City, several National High School Mock Trial Task Force meetings, Access to Justice Advisory Committee meeting, Oklahoma Bar Foundation meeting and ABA GPSOLO Division spring meeting in Kansas City. He also met with Chief Justice Watt and President Grimm and met with President Grimm and Executive Director Williams on strategic financial planning.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Williams reported he attended the OBA/Tulsa County Bar Association dinner, new attorney swearing in ceremony, OBA Day at Capitol member orientation, lunch at the state Capitol and legislative reception. He participated in the Annual Meeting planning meeting and attended meetings of the National High School Mock Trial Task Force, Oklahoma Bar Foundation, Access to Justice Advisory Committee meeting, Tri County Law Day dinner in Idabel, Oklahoma County Bar Association Law Day luncheon, Pontotoc County Bar Association Law Day event honoring Judge Lee West and the Tulsa County Bar Association Law Day luncheon.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

Governor Bates reported she attended the April board meeting in Tulsa, OBA Day at the Capitol and reception at the bar center, State Legal Referral Service Task Force meeting and Oklahoma County Bar Board of Directors meeting. She also worked on the National High School Mock Trial awards.

Governor Caudle reported he attended the Comanche County Bar Association Law Day luncheon and related Law Day events, Comanche County Ask A Lawyer hotline program at the legal aid office, county bar monthly meeting and CLE in addition to the April board meeting in Tulsa with a special roasting of President Grimm. He also chaired the initial State Legal Referral Service Task Force meeting at the bar center that was well attended and generated many ideas for future agenda meeting items.

Governor Farris reported he attended the April board meeting, museum reception hosted by the Tulsa County Bar Association, new attorney swearing in ceremony, OBA Day at the Capitol and legislative reception and TCBA Law Day luncheon. He answered phones for Ask A Lawyer, chaired the Tulsa County Bar Foundation meeting and answered legal questions for the Lawyer in the Library Law Week project.

Governor Hermanson reported he attended the April Board of Governors meeting in Tulsa, reception hosted by the Tulsa County Bar Association honoring President Grimm and OBA Day at the Capitol that included lunch at the Capitol and reception with the legislators. He attended meetings of the State Legal Referral Service Task Force, Access to Justice Advisory Committee, OBA Member Services Committee and OBA Professionalism Committee. He was interviewed by KIXR radio station for Law Day and wrote a column for the OBA Criminal Law Section newsletter. He attended the ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division meeting in Kansas City. He noted that Tulsa attorney Dwight Smith chairs that division, which is the fourth largest ABA entity, and two other officers are from Oklahoma.

Governor Kennemer reported he attended the April board meeting in Tulsa and reception at the Philbrook Museum, OBA State Legal Referral Task Force meeting, Seminole/Hughes County Bar Association luncheon and Communications Task Force meeting. He said the Seminole County Law Day Forum included a five hour CLE seminar with the luncheon that featured President Grimm as the keynote speaker. Seven Oklahoma Supreme Court justices attended, and the Seminole County Bar Association was recognized by President Grimm for its notable community service and charitable donations.

Governor Mordy reported he attended the April Board of Governors meeting, reception hosted by the Tulsa County Bar Association and swearing in of new attorneys in Oklahoma City.

Governor Parsley reported he attended the April board meeting, Philbrook Museum of Art reception hosted by Tulsa County Bar Association, OBA Day at the Capitol and legislative reception and two meetings of the Texas County Bar Association. He also served on his local phone bank panel for Ask A Lawyer.

Governor Reheard reported she attended the April board meeting, reception at the Philbrook Museum of Art, McIntosh County Bar Association Ask A Lawyer event and Pittsburg County Law Day banquet that featured Gov. Henry as the keynote speaker.

REPORT OF THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION

Governor Williams reported she attended the April board meeting, special reception for President Grimm at the Philbrook Museum, OBA Day at the Capitol, new attorney reception at Bricktown Brewery in Oklahoma City and Tulsa County Bar Association Law Day luncheon. She presided over the April YLD board meeting in Tulsa and spoke at the new attorney swearing in and reception at the state Capitol. She set up a display and answered questions about YLD involvement prior to the "New Lawyer Experience" CLE. She also met with new YLD Children and the Law Committee chairs, discussed annual plans with YLD committee chairs, gathered "freebies" for the Women in Law Conference Committee grab bags and participated in a telephone conference with Nathan Johnson about materials for a YLD CLE presentation at the Solo and Small Firm Conference.

REPORT OF THE SUPREME COURT LIAISON

Justice Edmondson expressed appreciation for invitations to Law Day events held across the state. He noted that seven of the nine Supreme Court justices were able to attend the Seminole County Law Day luncheon in Wewoka. He said President Grimm did an excellent job as keynote speaker.

REPORT OF LAW STUDENT DIVISION

LSD Chair McGill expressed appreciation for the experience of serving as a liaison to the Board of Governors and said she hopes to be involved in the OBA in the future. President Grimm presented her with a certificate of appreciation. Kendra Robben will officially become the new liaison at the next board meeting. The division reported it had an executive committee meeting in Tulsa in late April with the new officers who will be taking over the next school year. They began planning for summer recruitment events and 1L orientation at all schools in addition to fall semester programming. They have also been working with the YLD Law School Committee chair to plan some joint activities for the fall semester. Incoming LSD Liaison Robben will bring their executive board to the upcoming Solo and Small Firm Conference. Information Services Director Rick Loomis created a Law Student Division listserv, which has been very helpful. Ms. Robben and Annual Conference Coordinator Trevor Pemberton met with Educational Programs Director Douglas to begin planning for the OBA Annual Meeting.

REPORT OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

General Counsel Murdock, not present for the meeting due to mock trial responsibilities, submitted a written status report of the Professional Responsibility Commission and OBA disciplinary matters.

LAW DAY COMMITTEE REPORT

Law Day Committee Co Chairperson Leland Schilling reviewed the success of this year's statewide activities. He reported the contests drew 1,917 entries, the Ask A Lawyer television show was the best ever and more than 2,000 people called in for free legal advice given by over 200 volunteer attorneys. The board complimented Mr. Shilling and the committee on its outstanding effort that generates an enormous amount of positive public relations for the legal profession.

REPORT FROM THE MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE

Management Assistance Program Director Calloway reported the Member Services Committee is recommending the endorsement of LawWare, a document assembly software. President Grimm asked that the contract be reviewed by board members before voting at next month's meeting. Chuck Hanson with LawWare answered questions.

ACCESS TO JUSTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT

President Grimm asked board members to review the lengthy report and to discuss at the meeting next month.

LEGAL ETHICS ADVISORY PANEL APPOINTMENTS

President Grimm said the board approved a version of the rules at the previous meeting, however, upon further review more clarification is needed. He asked Legal Ethics Committee Chair Roger Scott to add language to allow OBA members with senior status to be able to serve on the panel in addition to active members. The board voted to amend the rules. The board asked for the Oklahoma Legal Ethics Advisory Panel Rules to be posted to the OBA Web site. President Grimm said the slate of appointments will be submitted via e mail to board members for a vote so the panel can begin work.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AND DAY AT THE CAPITOL REPORT

Executive Director Williams reported OBA Day at the Capitol was very successful with more than 100 lawyers participating. The evening reception for legislators was well attended. He also reviewed current legislative activity.

BAR CENTER FACILITIES COMMITTEE REPORT

Executive Director Williams reported the committee met and discovered a 7 percent payment to the architect was not included in the itemized expenses. He said the total project cost is still under the $250,000 approved by the board. He said the construction permit has not yet been granted, and the construction start date has been moved to early June.

SOLO AND SMALL FIRM CONFERENCE

President Grimm urged board members to register for the conference. Director Calloway reviewed details. President Elect Beam shared his past experience and urged attendance for the entire meeting.

ETHICS 2000 REPORT

Vice President Holmes shared the background of proposed changes to Rule 6.1. Judith Maute addressed the board urging adoption of the minority view that would quantify a goal of 50 hours of pro bono service per Oklahoma attorney. She reviewed handouts of amendments recently made in other states. Rick Bozarth addressed the board to voice support for Maute's amendments. The board approved the current Oklahoma E2K rule. Guy Clark addressed the board regarding the minority report on Rule 1.17. Vice President Holmes spoke, and discussion followed. The board accepted the committee recommendation with the change retaining the language of ORPC 1.17 current subsection "e." The board approved the committee's recommendation for Rule 1.8. The board approved the committee's recommendations of Rule 1.10 with the addition of "in writing." to (c). The board approved the committee's recommendation for Rule 1.16. It was noted there were significant changes to Rule 1.7, and discussion followed. The board approved Rule 1.7 with the amendment to strike the word "civil" from Comment [23]. The board approved Rules 1.18, 2.4 and 6.5.

NEXT MEETING

The board will meet Thursday, June 22, 2006, at 4 p.m. at Tanglewood Resort as part of the Solo and Small Firm Conference.