The Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors met at the Oklahoma Bar Center on Friday, Jan. 18, 2008.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Conger reported he attended the Board of Governors Christmas party at the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, OBF Retreat in Norman, gave the commencement address for the OCU School of Law December graduation and spoke to the Garfield County Bar Association. He reported that he made and continues to make appointments to the OBA standing committees and that he has had many discussions with Executive Director Williams about bar matters for the coming year.

REPORT OF THE PAST PRESIDENT

Past President Beam reported he attended the staff appreciation luncheon at the bar center, December Board of Governors meeting and social event, Women in Law holiday reception, ethics musical by the CLE Department and had lunch with Executive Director Williams.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Williams reported he attended the December Board of Governors meeting and holiday dinner, Garfield County Bar Association luncheon with President Conger, new governor orientation and monthly staff celebration. He reported that he attended several meetings with the decorator on furniture selection for the remodeled portion of the building, two meetings on the Web redesign project and participated in two conference calls with President Conger and the task force regarding the Rule of Law Conference.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

Governor Bates reported she attended the December Board of Governors meeting, Cleveland County Bar CLE and luncheon and the Oklahoma County Bar Association Christmas party. Governor Brown reported he attended a full day retreat of the OBF Board of Trustees at the Sarkey’s Foundation in Norman, Tulsa County Bar Association committee meeting and several funerals of colleagues. He reported he has participated in two conference call meetings with President Conger, Governor Christensen, Executive Director Williams and Communications Director Manning in planning the OBA Rule of Law Conference. Governor Christensen reported she attended the December Board of Governors meeting and the holiday dinner at the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, Women in Law Committee holiday reception at the Skirvin Hotel and OBA staff appreciation luncheon. She also attended the commencement for OCU School of Law December graduation, ethics musical CLE, new governor orientation, Bench and Bar Committee meeting and participated in two planning sessions with President Conger, Executive Director Williams, Director Manning and Governor Brown regarding the Rule of Law Conference. Governor Dirickson reported she attended the December Board of Governors meeting and Christmas party at Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club and Solo and Small Firm Planning Committee meeting. Governor Farris reported he attended the December Board of Governors meeting and holiday party at Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club and Tulsa County Bar Association Mentor Committee meeting. He also completed teaching his course on elder law at the University of Tulsa College of Law. Governor Hermanson reported he attended the December Board of Governors meeting and Christmas party at the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club and January Kay County Bar Association meeting. He also presented a CLE for the ABA on “Ethics in Criminal Cases.” Governor Hixson reported he attended the Canadian County Bar Association Christmas party, new governor orientation and observed the December Board of Governors meeting. Governor Reheard reported she attended the December Board of Governors meeting and Christmas party at Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, Solo and Small Firm Planning Committee meeting, and Bench and Bar Committee meeting. Governor Souter reported he attended the December Board of Governors meeting, Christmas social and the December and January Creek County Bar Association meetings. Governor Stockwell reported she attended the December Board of Governors meeting and Christmas party, Women in Law Committee holiday reception, Cleveland County Bar Association Christmas party, Cleveland County Bar Association luncheon and Cleveland County Bar Association Executive Committee meeting.

SUPREME COURT LIAISON REPORT

Justice Taylor reported the formal swearing‑in ceremony for Justice John F. Reif will be held Jan. 23 at 3:30 p.m. in the Supreme Court Courtroom. Everyone is invited to attend.

LAW STUDENT DIVISION LIAISON REPORT

President Conger noted that LSD Chair Pappy will be unable to attend the board meetings remaining in her term due to a conflict with a required class; however, she will be able to attend Thursday evening social events in Oklahoma City. He will talk to her about perhaps designating an alternate division representative for the meetings.

BOARD LIAISON REPORTS

Governor Hermanson reported judges are needed for the upcoming We the People competition, coordinated by the OBA/LRE program. President Conger said he attended the national We the People competition and served as a judge. He encouraged others to volunteer as judges for the state level event. Governor Brown reported the Bench and Bar Committee has extended its comment period for proposed Code of Judicial Conduct to March 31, 2008. Governor Brown and Governor Christensen were commended for the substantive work being accomplished.

GENERAL COUNSEL REPORT

General Counsel Murdock shared a status report of the Professional Responsibility Commission and OBA disciplinary matters. He reported he assisted in a reinstatement hearing, participated in the ethics CLE musical in Oklahoma City and in Tulsa, presented a noon CLE to the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office, attended the Professional Responsibility Commission meeting and the monthly OBA celebration. He also conducted interviews for the vacant investigator position and met with the decorator.

BAR CENTER RENOVATIONS

President Conger reported OBA staff has suggested a picnic area be created outside to eat lunch. Expense is expected to be minimal. Executive Director Williams reported bids are being obtained for furniture and will be reviewed by the committee at its next meeting.

ABA RESOLUTION

President Conger reported the OBA has received a request from the New York Bar Association to cosponsor a resolution to promote an alternative method of financing long term care needs for older adults and the disabled. The resolution will be submitted for consideration at the ABA 2008 Midyear Meeting. Governor Farris provided background information. The board voted to support the resolution.

CREATION OF POLICY TO ALLOW ANNUAL CARRYOVER OF FUND BALANCE FOR LAWYERS HELPING LAWYERS PROGRAM

Executive Director Williams reviewed the background information, including that donations are received to support the crisis hotline program through the dues‑paying process. It was noted Oklahoma Attorneys Mutual Insurance Co. also contributes. Without this policy, unspent funds would go back into the general fund. The board approved a policy to annually carryover unspent funds designated for Lawyers Helping Lawyers.

APPOINTMENTS

The board approved the following appointments recommended by President Conger:

Board of Editors Chairperson — reappoint Melissa DeLacerda, Stillwater, for a one-year term (expires 12/31/08)

Board of Editors Associate Editors — appoint Pandee Ramirez, Okmulgee, Dist. 7; Leslie D. Guajardo, Oklahoma City, Dist. 3; and reappoint James T. Stuart, Shawnee, Dist. 8 for three-year terms (expires 12/31/10)

MCLE Commission — reappoint A. Clark Jett, Guymon, and M. Courtney Briggs, Oklahoma City; and reappoint Margaret Hamlett, Tulsa, to three-year terms (expires 12/31/10)

Professional Responsibility Commission — reappoint Michael E. Smith, Oklahoma City, and reappoint Mark W. Dixon, Tulsa, to three-year terms (expires 12/31/10)

Child Death Review Board — reappoint Jennifer King, Yukon, to a two-year term (expires 12/31/09)

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma Board of Directors — appoint Dwight Smith, Tulsa, to a three-year term (expires 12/31/10)

Clients’ Security Fund Committee — appoint Dietmar Caudle to complete the unexpired term of the late Jim Lang (expires 12/31/09) and appoint Dwight L. Smith, Tulsa, to a three-year term (expires 12/31/10)

RULE OF LAW CONFERENCE

President Conger reported planning has begun for a half‑day Rule of Law Conference with a tentative date of April 11 at OCU in Oklahoma City. He reviewed the list of distinguished speakers being asked to participate.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY

Past President Beam reported he understands bills dealing with tort reform and adding legislative involvement to the Judicial Nominating Commission appointment process are going to be introduced. Executive Director Williams was asked to keep the board informed about legislative activity on these topics.

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