The Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors met at the Homsey Courtroom at the Oklahoma City University School of Law in Oklahoma City on Friday, Feb. 22, 2008.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Conger reported he attended the ABA Midyear, NCBP and SCBP meetings in Los Angeles, Bar Center Facilities Committee meeting and Charlotte Nelson's retirement reception at the OBA Center. He also gave the keynote address at the LRE "We the People" competition at the State Capitol and participated in numerous conference calls concerning the Rule of Law Conference.

REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Vice President Mordy reported he attended the swearing-in ceremony for the board, Creek County Bar Association meeting, January board meeting and the has beens’ party.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT

President-Elect Parsley reported he attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new board, January board meeting, NCBP/SCBP meetings at the ABA Midyear Meeting and was an Oklahoma delegate to the ABA House of Delegates.

REPORT OF THE PAST PRESIDENT

Past President Beam reported he attended the has beens’ party, Custer County Bar Association meeting, Solo and Small Firm Conference Planning Committee meeting, ABA Midyear Meeting, ABA House of Delegates, ABA Solo and Small Firm Division Midyear Meeting, roast of Past YLD Chairperson Chris Camp, Justice Reif’s swearing-in ceremony and the Board of Governors swearing in ceremony.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Williams reported that he attended the Bar Center Facilities Committee meetings, Leadership Conference Task Force meeting, NABE, NCBP and SCBP meetings in conjunction with the ABA Midyear, meeting with ABA Executive Director Hank White, OBA directors meeting, several meetings with the building contractor and architect, staff meetings on Communications Task Force issues, telephone conference meetings with President Conger and Rule of Law Conference Committee and legislative committee hearings. He also attended the swearing-in ceremony of Judge Rief, Hail to the Chiefs event sponsored by OCU honoring the chief judges of the 10th Circuit, monthly staff celebration, retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson, YLD dinner and funeral services for Justice Simms.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

Governor Bates reported she attended the January board meeting and social events, swearing-in ceremony for new OBA officers and governors, ceremonial, swearing in for new Supreme Court Justice Reif, Judge Robert Henry’s investiture as chief judge of the 10th Circuit and reception, retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson and has beens’ party. Governor Brown reported he attended the ABA Midyear Meeting Judicial Division meetings and Lawyers Conference meetings, OBA Rule of Law Conference Planning Committee meeting and LASO Board of Directors meeting. He also attended the OBA Bench and Bar Committee meeting, Bench and Bar subcommittee meeting on proposed revisions to the Model Code of Judicial Conduct and reviewed proposed Oklahoma legislative bills affecting the justice system. Governor Christensen reported she attended the Bar Center Facilities Committee meeting, Bench and Bar Committee meeting, Bench and Bar Model Code of Judicial Conduct Subcommittee meeting, board swearing-in ceremony, board Thursday night dinner, luncheon hosted by President Conger, has beens’ dinner in Tulsa and reception for Charlotte Nelson. She participated in many telephone conference call meetings regarding the upcoming Rule of Law Conference. Governor Dirickson reported she attended the January board meeting, swearing-in ceremony for President Conger and officers of the board and Justice Reif’s swearing-in ceremony. Governor Farris reported he attended the January board meeting, Legal Intern Committee meeting, Tulsa County Bar Association Mentor Committee meeting, Tulsa County Bar Association Foundation meeting, Tulsa County Bar Association Quality-Of-Life/Mental Health meeting, TCBA Community Outreach Committee meeting and ABA House of Delegates meeting on behalf of the TCBA. He also attended the January board dinner, President Conger’s luncheon, has beens’ dinner and OBA board and officers swearing-in ceremony. Governor Hermanson reported he attended the January board meeting and social event, American Board of Trial Advocates annual banquet at the Philbrook in Tulsa, Board of Governors/Officers swearing-in ceremony, Justice Reif’s swearing-in ceremony, President Conger’s lunch and has beens’ dinner. He also reported that he served as a judge for the OBA Law- related Education’s “We The People” competition at the State Capitol and wrote an article for the ABA GP/Solo’s Law Trend E-Newsletter. He also reported that he had the first interview with his mentor colleague and that it went very well. Governor Hixson reported he attended the January board meeting, swearing-in ceremony of President Conger and new board members, February Canadian County Bar Association meeting and retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson. Governor Stuart reported he attended the Board of Editors meeting, has beens’ dinner in Tulsa, orientation for new board members, board swearing-in ceremony, investiture of Judge Robert Henry in Norman and observed the mock trial in Shawnee.

SUPREME COURT LIAISON REPORT

Justice Taylor reported the Supreme Court approved the amendments to the legal internship rules that were recommended by the OBA Legal Intern Committee. He also said the Administrative Office of the Courts is working with the Oklahoma Office of State Finance and State Treasurer on a project enabling all 77 court clerks to accept payments by credit cards.

LAW STUDENT DIVISION LIAISON REPORT

President Conger introduced Wayne Janoe, who will represent the Law Student Division at the board meetings in LSD Chair Pappy’s absence since a class commitment prevents her from attending. Mr. Janoe was able to attend Charlotte Nelson’s retirement reception. In a written report, Pappy said she met with division board members in Norman, created e-mails to encourage student involvement in OBA committees and created e-mails to encourage students to upload student resumes to the OBA Web site.

GENERAL COUNSEL REPORT

General Counsel Murdock shared a status report of the Professional Responsibility Commission and OBA disciplinary matters. He reported he attended the monthly OBA employee celebration, National Organization of Bar Counsel meeting at the ABA Midyear Meeting, Professional Responsibility Commission meeting, OBA directors meeting and the retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson. He spoke at a Downtown Lions Club luncheon meeting at the request of Oklahoma City attorney Bill Burkett and presented a noon CLE to the Oklahoma County Bar Association. General Counsel Murdock introduced new investigator Krystal Willis, who previously worked with the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.

BOARD LIAISON REPORTS

Governor Hermanson reported Norman High School won the We the People competition, administered by the LRE Department. Past President Beam reported the Civil Procedure Committee is working on an act to abolish the pleading code and the discovery code in favor of Oklahoma Rules of Civil Procedure authorized by the Supreme Court, much like the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. He said Oklahoma is one of only a few states that do not have this provision, and the committee will submit its recommendation to the board within the next few months.

APPEAL OF LEGAL ETHICS OPINION 2007-OK LEG ETH 01

Executive Director Williams reported Tulsa attorney Donald R. Bradford was not able to attend the board meeting and asked the board to consider his request for an appeal of the legal ethics opinion based on the brief he had submitted. Tulsa attorney Steve Balman, who serves on the Legal Ethics Advisory Panel, spoke in favor of the opinion. The board voted to deny the appeal.

BAR CENTER RENOVATIONS

President Conger reported the construction supervisor was injured in an accident in the building under construction. The construction firm stepped in to provide an interim supervisor and fixed the problem that involved the staircase. Executive Director Williams reported the injured supervisor, who was hospitalized is recovering. The construction company reports no delay will occur because of the accident. President Conger reported furniture and artwork have been ordered.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRC AND PRT

General Counsel Murdock said the annual report of the Professional Responsibility Commission and Professional Responsibility Tribunal for 2007 had been filed with the Supreme Court.

PRELIMINARY NEWSFEED WEB PAGES UNVEILED

Information Services Director Loomis introduced new employee Robbin Watson, who is the programmer in his department who worked on the concept being presented. Executive Director Williams briefed the board on the statistics of bar members who in the recent OBA communications survey indicated a preference for electronic communications. MAP Director Calloway reviewed the Web pages that utilize RSS feeds to consolidate information about recent Oklahoma appellate court decisions, U.S. Supreme Court decisions, general Oklahoma legal and government news, national news and law practice news. The concept will be beta tested to targeted groups before being promoted to OBA members. Executive Director Williams said the new Web pages are a small sample of what could be accomplished with additional resources devoted to technology. The board voted to enthusiastically support the efforts of the OBA staff to introduce technology developments.

OETA FESTIVAL

Director Manning reviewed the OBA’s annual volunteer commitment to help the state’s PBS television station raise money. She said about half of the 25 lawyers needed for the March 12 event have been recruited. Governor Hermanson and General Counsel Murdock shared their past experiences as volunteers. President Conger will be on camera live to present the OBA’s donation made possible by individual donations and to talk about the upcoming Ask A Lawyer TV show that will air on OETA May 1.

FAMILY LAW SECTION EXPENDITURES

President Conger reported the Family Law Section’s Executive Committee has authorized the expenditure of $7,000 for several section leaders to attend a conference in Chicago. The section’s bylaws require an expenditure of this amount to be approved by its entire membership; however, time constraints prevent a vote to be taken before the conference registration deadline. The board approved the section’s Executive Committee action. Executive Director Williams clarified the policy.

FASTCASE REPORT

MAP Director Calloway reviewed a monthly report of OBA member utilization of Fastcase for the past year. Calloway said the OBA has just completed the first year of its three-year agreement to provide this online legal research service as a member benefit. Numbers are strong, but did take a dip in December due to the holidays and the severe ice storm.

RULE OF LAW CONFERENCE

President Conger reported the OBA on April 11 will host a half-day conference devoted to educating community leaders about the importance of the rule of law at the OCU Meinders School of Business. Assisting him with the planning are Governors Brown and Christensen and Executive Director Williams. He reviewed the names of speakers who have been confirmed. Board members were asked to make plans to attend.

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