The Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors met at the Oklahoma Bar Center on Friday, Dec. 8, 2006.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Grimm reported the Communications Task Force survey of all bar members is in the mail and on the Web site. He said he received notes of appreciation regarding the new OBA Medal of Valor Award and from visiting bar presidents. He expressed pleasure at serving during the year as OBA president. At the Annual Meeting he attended the president’s reception, past presidents’ dinner, breakfast with keynote speaker Arthur Miller, plenary and joint Oklahoma Judicial Conference session, annual luncheon, Oklahoma Bar Foundation Board of Trustees meeting, Board of Governors alumni reception, OBA and OBF reception and president’s prayer breakfast, at which he introduced guest speaker Dr. Mouzan Biggs. He also presided over the General Assembly and had lunch with visiting Arkansas Bar Association President and Mrs. Jim Sprott. In Oklahoma City he attended the OBA staff appreciation luncheon, Oklahoma County Bar Association holiday party, Hartzog Conger Cason & Neville holiday party and OBA holiday party.

REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Vice President Conger reported he attended numerous events at the OBA Annual Meeting in Tulsa.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT

President-Elect Beam reviewed the 2007 meeting schedule and January festivities surrounding the Jan. 19, 2007, swearing-in ceremonies. He reported he had dinner with the Supreme Court, presided at the House of Delegates and has worked countless hours on appointments. He attended various meetings during the OBA Annual Meeting, OBF meeting, Custer County Bar Association meeting, OBA CLE seminar in conjunction with the Hornets game, Jerome Holmes investiture, meeting with Justice Winchester, OBA budget hearing before the Supreme Court, Custer County bar Christmas party, OBA employee appreciation lunch and many meetings with OBA staff members.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Williams reported he attended the OBA Annual Luncheon, meetings of the Rules and Bylaws Committee, Credentials Committee, Resolutions Committee, General Assembly and House of Delegates. He also attended the swearing in of Judge Jerome Holmes, presented the budget and strategic financial plan to the Oklahoma Supreme Court and met with the contractor and architect. He participated in a staff directors meeting and staff Annual Meeting debriefing.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

Governor Bates reported she attended events at the OBA annual convention, Board of Governors meeting in Tulsa, investiture for Jerome A. Holmes, Oklahoma County Bar Association board meeting and OCBA holiday reception. Governor Caudle reported he and his wife enjoyed hosting the visiting bar president from Arkansas and his wife at the bar convention. At the OBA Annual Meeting he attended the Board of Governors meeting, General Assembly, House of Delegates as a delegate, Resolutions Committee meeting, State Legal Referral Service Task Force meeting, dinner with board members and Supreme Court justices, president’s prayer breakfast, OBA annual luncheon, OCU law school annual luncheon and reception for Justice Watt. He also attended the Oklahoma County Bar Association holiday reception and OBA staff appreciation luncheon. Governor Christensen reported she attended events at the OBA convention including the OBF/OBA Just Desserts reception, YLD casino night, Jon Parsley for president suite, “Sure Things” suite, OBF suite, OBA annual luncheon, OCU alumni luncheon, dinner with board members and Supreme Court justices, Board of Governors meeting, Women in Law Committee meeting, General Assembly and House of Delegates. She also attended the ceremonial swearing in of the Honorable Jerome A. Holmes, Oklahoma County Bar Association board meeting and OCBA holiday reception. Governor Farris reported he attended the OBA Audit Committee meeting in Norman, two Tulsa County Bar Association Long-Range Planning Committee meetings, TCBA Awards and Nominating Committee meeting, OBA Annual Meeting, dinner with board members and Supreme Court justices, OBA annual luncheon, TU law school luncheon, Board of Governors meeting, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel breakfast, OBA Legal Intern Committee meeting, OBA Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting, OBA Diversity Committee program, board alumni reception, president’s prayer breakfast, General Assembly, House of Delegates meeting as a delegate and Tulsa County Bar Association annual holiday party. Governor Hermanson reported he attended the OBA Annual Meeting, State Legal Referral Service Task Force meeting, dinner with board members and Supreme Court justices, Board of Governors meeting, General Assembly and House of Delegates meeting, OBA YLD Fellows breakfast, reception for Justice Watt and Board of Governors alumni reception. He conducted the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section meeting in Tulsa and was elected section chair. He attended the Criminal Law Section meeting in Tulsa and received the Golden Quill Award. He moderated and spoke at an OBA/CLE seminar in Tulsa and was snowed in at the hotel for two days. Governor Hogan reported he attended the Pittsburg County Bar Association meeting, OBA Annual Meeting, November Board of Governors meeting, General Assembly and House of Delegates meeting as a delegate and reception for Justice Watt. Governor Kennemer reported he attended the OBA convention, State Legal Referral Service Task Force meeting, dinner with board members and Supreme Court justices, Board of Governors meeting, General Assembly and House of Delegates at which he served as a delegate. He also attended the OBA staff appreciation luncheon at the bar center. Governor Mordy reported he attended the Board of Governors meeting in Tulsa, OBA Annual Meeting events including the House of Delegates, Jerome Holmes investiture and OBA staff appreciation luncheon. Governor Parsley reported he attended events at the OBA convention including the Board of Governors meeting, YLD fellows breakfast, OBA House of Delegates Credentials Committee, General Assembly and House of Delegates. He also attended the ceremonial swearing in of Judge Jerome A. Holmes and the Oklahoma County Bar Association holiday reception. Governor Reheard reported she attended the dinner with Supreme Court members, OBA Annual Meeting and the November board meeting. She participated as a panelist in both the plenary session on the judiciary and at the Law Student Division meeting. Governor Souter reported he attended the dinner with Board of Governors members and Supreme Court justices, OBA Annual Meeting in Tulsa, Board of Governors meeting, General Assembly and House of Delegates as a delegate for Creek County.

REPORT OF THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION

Governor Williams reported she attended events at the OBA convention including the OBF/OBA Just Desserts reception, YLD casino night, Jon Parsley for president suite, OBA annual luncheon. Board of Governors meeting, YLD Annual Meeting and board of directors meeting, YLD fellows breakfast and General Assembly. Also at the Annual Meeting she moderated a panel at the Law Student Division’s Forum and served as a teller and as a delegate at the House of Delegates. She attended the ceremonial swearing in of Judge Jerome Holmes.

REPORT OF THE SUPREME COURT LIAISON

Justice Edmondson reported the OBA’s 2007 budget was approved by the Supreme Court. He said that he and Suzanne have appreciated the hospitality during the past year and thanked the board. He reported the assignment of who will serve as the Supreme Court liaison to the OBA has not yet been decided.

REPORT OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

General Counsel Murdock shared a status report of the Professional Responsibility Commission and OBA disciplinary matters. He reported Janna Dunagan Hall has been hired as an assistant general counsel.

MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

President-Elect Beam reported the Member Services Committee recommended Fastcase as the provider for online national legal research as a member benefit several months ago, which the board approved. He wanted the board to confirm that decision before a contract was signed. The board approved Fastcase as the selected legal research vendor. Management Assistance Program Director Calloway reviewed the description of the online legal research provider that will be a member service.

CLIENTS’ SECURITY FUND

Clients’ Security Fund Chairperson Micheal Salem reviewed the committee’s recommendation for reimbursement of claims. He asked the board to approve the recommendations and to authorize a news release to be distributed regarding the payments. It was noted claims are down this year. General Counsel Murdock clarified that claims are paid to clients of former lawyers. The board approved claims totaling $41,846.51 and authorized a news release.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO YLD BYLAWS

Governor Williams reported the YLD board met at the OBA Annual Meeting and is recommending proposed changes to the Young Lawyers Division bylaws. She reviewed the proposed changes. The board approved the changes to the YLD bylaws.

CARRYOVER OF EXCESS 2006 YLD FUNDS

The board voted to allow the YLD to carry forward any funds remaining in its budget from 2006 into 2007 to help pay expenses in hosting the South Central Regional Conference being held in April in Oklahoma City. Governor Williams reviewed events planned. It was agreed that any excess funds not used for the conference will go back to the general fund. Governor Williams said she has volunteered to chair the event.

OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL CONTRACT 2007-2008

Public Information Director Manning described the process used to bid the two-year Oklahoma Bar Journal contract for design, printing and mail preparation. She reported only one bid was received and that bid was from the current vendor, Printing Inc. of Oklahoma City. She said based on the company’s excellent customer service and quality product produced, she recommended the contract be approved. The board approved the new bar journal contract. Manning reviewed the price increases that were slightly higher than projected for the 2007 budget. She said the number of court issue pages fluctuates every year, and she cautioned that expenses may exceed 2007 projections.

AMENDMENTS TO RULE 1.4 RULES GOVERNING DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

Executive Director Williams reported changes were needed to Rule 1.4 to be consistent with action recommended by the House of Delegates. The board approved the recommended changes and to submit them to the Supreme Court for its consideration.

CREATION OF ANNUAL MEETING TASK FORCE

The board approved President-Elect Beam’s recommendation to create an Annual Meeting Task Force and to appoint Melissa DeLacerda, Stillwater, as its chairperson. The task force will look at ways to increase attendance at the bar convention.

CREATION OF LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE TASK FORCE

The board approved President-Elect Beam’s recommendation to create a Leadership Conference Task Force and to appoint Linda S. Thomas, Bartlesville, as its chairperson. President-Elect Beam said he will be asking the task force to explore conference ideas.

GENERAL PRACTICE, SOLO AND SMALL FIRM SECTION PROPOSED BYLAWS CHANGES

Governor Hermanson, who is section chair-elect, reported the section met at the OBA Annual Meeting and is recommending changes to its bylaws. The board approved the section bylaws changes.

SELECTED 2006 FUNDS TO CARRYOVER TO 2007

The board approved that excess 2006 funds from the Women in Law Conference and the Solo and Small Firm Conference be allowed to rollover to 2007.

APPOINTMENTS

The board approved the following:

Appoint committee chairpersons, vice chairpersons, board liaisons and YLD liaisons as recommended by President-Elect Beam

Board of Editors Chairperson - reappoint Melissa DeLacerda, Stillwater, for a one-year term (expires 12/31/07)

Board of Editors - reappoint Julie Rieman, Enid, Dist. 4; Judge Lori A. Walkley, Norman, Dist. 5; and John Munkacsy, Lawton, Dist. 9 for three-year terms (expires 12/31/09)

Professional Responsibility Commission - appoint J. Daniel Morgan, Tulsa, for a three-year term (expires 12/31/09)

Oklahoma Indian Legal Services Inc. - appoint Julie Strong, Clinton, and Leslie Guajardo, Oklahoma City, for three-year terms (expires 12/31/09)

Clients’ Security Fund - reappoint James Lang, Tulsa, and Daniel T. Sprouse, Pauls Valley, for three-year terms (expires 12/31/09); appoint Judge Jill Weedon, Arapaho, and Brett Willis, Oklahoma City, for three-year terms (expires 12/31/09); appoint Lori Veazey, Clinton, as a non-lawyer member for a three-year term (expires 12/31/09)

MCLE Commission Chairperson - appoint Margaret Hamlett, Tulsa, for a one-year term (expires 12/31/07)

MCLE Commission - reappoint David A. Poarch, Norman; appoint Richard J. Phillips, Clinton, and Richard D. Ogden, Oklahoma City, for three-year terms (expires 12/31/09)

Legal Ethics Advisory Panel - appoint Luke Gaither, Henryetta, for a three-year term (expires 12/31/09).

BAR CENTER FACILITIES REPORT

Executive Director Williams reported Oklahoma Bar Center renovation is projected to begin in October 2007. Vice President Conger will continue to serve as Bar Center Facilities Committee chair next year. The committee will be looking at incorporating technology needs into renovations.

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

Executive Director Williams reviewed details of the ceremony that will take place Jan. 19, 2007, at 10 a.m. at which new officers and board members will take their oaths of office at the Supreme Court Courtroom at the State Capitol Building.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The board voted to go into executive session, met and voted to come out of session.

NEXT MEETING

The board will meet at the Oklahoma Bar Center in Oklahoma City on Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, immediately following the 10 a.m. swearing-in ceremony at the State Capitol Building.