The Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors met at the Sheraton Hotel in Oklahoma City in conjunction with the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Beam reported 726 bar members registered for the meeting, which is the second highest total in recorded OBA history. Luncheon ticket sales are a sellout at more than 400, the highest ever. The CLE plenary session has also attracted a large number planning to attend. Annual Meeting Task Force members and staff members asked to be present at the board meeting were thanked for their efforts to make this year’s bar convention a success of epic proportion. Board members applauded to show their appreciation.

President Beam reported he attended the Custer County Bar Association meeting, October Board meeting and scheduled events in Custer County, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee meeting, final OBA Annual Meeting Task Force meeting, Oklahoma City Association of Black Lawyers scholarship reception, YLD “Wills for Heroes” training and the YLD “Wills for Heroes” signing event in Oklahoma City. He reported that he spent all of his additional time working on Annual Meeting preparation for numerous events.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT

President-Elect Conger reported he participated in a conference call with Leadership Conference Task Force Co-Chairs Linda Thomas and Laura McConnell to discuss the task force’s mission and other details, worked on committee appointments and served as a judge for the Oklahoma County Bar Association Chili Cook Off, tasting 17 different varieties of chili.

REPORT OF THE PAST PRESIDENT

Past President Grimm reported details of the “has been” party planned for January in Tulsa.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Williams reported he attended the board meeting and related social events in Custer County, Oklahoma City Association of Black Lawyers reception, meeting with President Beam and others regarding the unauthorized practice of law, staff meeting on Web design, Annual Meeting planning meeting and Annual Meeting staff meeting. He met with OBA Governor-Elect Jerry McCombs in Idabel to plan a March 2008 board meeting and met with the architect, decorator and furniture builder to discuss the new board room table. He also met with the builder and architect regarding the start date of remodeling, in addition to meeting with the abatement contractor regarding completion of the abatement project. He spoke on resolutions at an Oklahoma County Bar Association meeting. He reported 90 bar members had signed up for 2008 committee service by using the online registration on the Web site. At the OBA, Adobe 8 Professional software is being installed on most staff member computers as a first step toward less paper and better file organization. A preliminary training was held in October and more in-depth training held in November.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

Governor Caudle reported he attended the October board meeting in Custer County, Custer County Bar Association golf tournament and dinner, in addition to the Comanche County Bar Association monthly luncheon. Governor Christensen reported she attended the October board meeting and social events in Custer County, Oklahoma County Bar Association meeting, OBA Bench and Bar Committee meeting, and a subcommittee meeting on the Code of Judicial Conduct. Governor Dirickson reported she attended the Custer County Bar Association fall party and the October board meeting in Custer County. Governor Farris reported he attended the Custer County Bar Association golf tournament and dinner, Board of Governors breakfast at Stephen and Elizabeth Beam’s home and October board meeting in Custer County. He continued to teach the new elder law course at the University of Tulsa College of Law, and he ate lunch with his sixth grade “lunch buddy” at Hamilton Middle School as part of the Tulsa County Bar Association “Lunch Buddy” program. Governor Hermanson reported he attended the Custer County Bar Association dinner, breakfast at the Beams prior to the October board meeting and the October board meeting in Custer County. He worked on the meeting plans for the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section meeting at the OBA Annual Meeting. Governor Hogan reported he attended the October board meeting and luncheon in Custer County and Pittsburg County Bar Association meeting that featured CLE presented by OBA General Counsel Murdock. He assisted the Pittsburg County Bar Association president with the planning and coordination of the CLE and upcoming Christmas party, and he began work on the annual Christmas project for rural Pittsburg County schools. Governor Kennemer reported he attended the social events and golf tournament hosted by the Custer County Bar Association, breakfast hosted by Stephen and Elizabeth Beam and Donna Dirickson, October board meeting in Custer County at the General P. Thomas Stafford Space Museum, and the Seminole/Hughes counties bar luncheon honoring special guest Judge Gary Snow, who attended for the first time since his serious auto accident in April. Governor Reheard reported she attended the McIntosh County Bar Association meeting. Governor Souter reported he attended the Leadership Conference Task Force post-conference meeting, September board meeting and October Creek County Bar Association meeting with speaker Janis Hubbard, OBA first assistant general counsel. Governor Stockwell reported she attended the October Board meeting in Custer County and Cleveland County Bar Association Executive Committee meeting.

YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION REPORT

Governor Camp reported Wills for Heroes will-signing events are occurring more frequently. President Beam said he attended one, and people were indeed grateful. President Beam announced the YLD has received an ABA grant to help fund the project in Oklahoma. Governor Camp reported he attended the Custer County Bar Association dinner and reception, October board meeting in Custer County and the Wills for Heroes will-signing event in downtown Oklahoma City at the FOP Lodge. In addition, he reported that the YLD CAP/Wills for Heroes Committee hosted its third will-signing ceremony at the Oklahoma County Jail.

SUPREME COURT LIAISON REPORT

Justice Taylor reported new Justice John Rief will attend his first Supreme Court conference next week. He said the new justice comes to the court with much experience. No date has been set yet for the formal swearing-in ceremony. Justice Taylor gave credit to President Beam for the outstanding Annual Meeting attendance.

LAW STUDENT DIVISION LIAISON REPORT

LSD Chair Pappy reported the division will hold a dinner tomorrow, and all board members are invited. A record high of 60 law school students have signed up to attend the Annual Meeting.

GENERAL COUNSEL REPORT

General Counsel Murdock shared a status report of the Professional Responsibility Commission and OBA disciplinary matters.

BAR CENTER RENOVATIONS

As Bar Center Facilities Committee chairperson, President-Elect Conger reported not much has changed since his report at the previous board meeting. Executive Director Williams reported the abatement was estimated to take one more week. He said that prompt completion is needed because the negative air flow used in the abatement process has disabled the heating system in the main building. Oil-filled radiant heaters for space heating were acquired, but they are not sufficient should the weather turn cold for any length of time. The construction company has assured him they can make up the time loss by and still meet the May 1, 2008, completion deadline.

COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION

Communications Director Manning reviewed the E-News policies and distribution schedule proposed by the Communications Task Force. The board voted to make minor amendments to the proposed policies, then approved the amended policy and the distribution schedule.

STATE LEGAL REFERRAL SERVICE TASK FORCE REPORT

As task force chairperson, Governor Caudle reviewed the task force proposal to create a state legal referral service operated by the Tulsa County Bar Association, which was presented at the October board meeting. Financial aspects of the proposal were reviewed. TCBA Executive Director Sandra Cousins spoke. A motion was made to approve the concept of a state referral service and to move forward to determine details. The vote resulted in a tie, and the motion failed.

LEGAL INTERN COMMITTEE RULE CHANGE - RULE 7.6 CIVIL REPRESENTATION LIMITATIONS

Governor Farris, committee board liaison, reviewed the change proposed. Following discussion, Governor Farris withdrew the proposal and will ask the committee to consider a suggested change.

LEGAL INTERN COMMITTEE RULE CHANGE - RULE 10.1 FEES

The board approved changes recommended by the Legal Intern Committee to make application and change of supervisor fees nonrefundable.

REIMBURSEMENT POLICY OF PAST PRESIDENT ATTENDING ABA HOUSE OF DELEGATES

Executive Director John Morris Williams reported a reimbursement policy already exists for the past president. The board approved an amendment to the policy to include attending the House of Delegates meeting at the ABA annual and midyear meetings.

LEGAL INTERN COMMITTEE

Governor Farris explained the committee in a new rule interpretation has expanded the definition of supervising attorney. He also reviewed the changes the committee proposed to Regulation No. 3 regarding the written licensed legal internship examination.

AUDIT COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT

President-Elect Conger reported he has reappointed Governor Robert Farris, Tulsa as the Audit Committee chairperson to serve a one-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2008.

STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON

President Beam announced OBA staff members will be treated to a catered lunch at the Oklahoma Bar Center on Wednesday, Dec. 12, in appreciation for their hard work during the year.

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