The Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors met at the Museum of the Red River in Idabel on Friday, March 28, 2008.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Conger reported he attended two Leadership Academy Task Force meetings, the February board meeting and Charlotte Nelson’s retirement reception. He participated in several telephone conferences regarding the Rule of Law Conference and presented the LRE Teacher of the Year Award and School of the Year Award.

REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Vice President Mordy reported he attended Charlotte Nelson’s reception, February board meeting, OCU luncheon and Law Schools Committee meeting.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT

President-Elect Parsley reported he attended the Bar Leadership Institute in Chicago, February board meeting, board dinner at Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse, retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson and a luncheon at the OCU law school.

REPORT OF THE PAST PRESIDENT

Past President Beam reported he attended the February board meeting, Civil Procedure Committee meeting, Custer County Bar Association meetings for February and March, retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson and volunteered at the OETA Festival.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Williams reported that he attended the NABE Chief Staff Retreat, ABA Bar Leadership Institute and NABE Program Committee meeting in Chicago, Supreme Court School and Teacher of the Year award presentation and monthly staff celebration. He also attended meetings and conferences with legislators, President-Elect Parsley regarding the 2009 OBA cruise, President Conger regarding the OBA Leadership Academy, Carol Manning and Supreme Court Clerk Mike Richie regarding publication of court material, Mock Trial Coordinator Judy Spencer, OBA directors, OBF and Board of Bar Examiners staff regarding planning the move back into the remodeled space. He also met with the heat and air contractor regarding the service agreement, builder, decorator, architect and artist regarding signage for the board room.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

Governor Bates reported she attended the Oklahoma County Bar Association Board of Directors meeting, Cleveland County Bar meeting, OCBA awards meeting, February board meeting, retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson and a luncheon at the OCU law school. She also participated in multiple calls and discussions regarding judicial code changes. Governor Brown reported he attended the Bench and Bar Committee meeting, February board meeting, retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson, luncheon at OCU law school and participated in a conference call meeting of the Rule of Law Committee. Governor Christensen reported she attended the Bench and Bar Committee meeting and subcommittee meeting, Oklahoma County Bar Association Board of Directors meeting, February Board of Governors meeting, retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson and luncheon hosted by OCU School of Law and President Conger. She also participated in the OCU Law School Pro Bono and Public Interest Career Fair, numerous discussions regarding the Rule of Law Conference and multiple discussions regarding the proposed revised model code of judicial conduct. Governor Dirickson reported she attended the Custer County Bar Association monthly meeting, February board meeting, board dinner at Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse, retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson and luncheon at OCU law school. Governor Hermanson reported he attended the Member Services Committee meeting, Bench and Bar Committee meeting, February Board of Governors meeting, Board of Governors dinner, retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson, luncheon at OCU law school. He also answered the phones for the OBA at the OETA Festival and moderated an ABA/CLE teleconference on blogging. Governor McCombs reported he attended the February board meeting, board dinner, retirement reception for Charlotte Nelson, luncheon at OCU law school and McCurtain County Bar Association luncheon. He also reported that he sent out invitations to paying invitees to the Tri-County Bar Association for the upcoming board banquet, as well as to the other invitees, met with the Museum of the Red River director regarding final arrangements for the banquet and met with Chef A.J. regarding final dinner arrangements. Governor Souter reported that in January he attended the swearing-in ceremony for the Board of Governors, January board meeting, Creek County Bar Association meeting and “Has Beens” party. In February he attended the Creek County Bar Association meeting. Governor Stockwell reported she attended the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee meeting, Cleveland County Bar Association Executive Committee meeting and Charlotte Nelson’s retirement reception. Governor Stuart reported he attended the February board meeting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma High School Mock Trial final round at OU in Norman and volunteered at OETA Festival for the OBA.

REPORT OF THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION

Governor Warren reported she chaired the YLD February Board of Directors meeting, participated in numerous discussions on the YLD Gift of Life Committee and the YLD Wills for Heroes Committee. She said the Gift of Life Committee has many brochures to distribute to the public encouraging organ donation. The Wills for Heroes Committee is working with the OBA Communications Department to develop a Web page for the community service project.

LAW STUDENT DIVISION LIAISON REPORT

LSD Representative Janoe reported the division is working on increasing its membership. He said holding member-only events is one idea they are exploring. They are also working on building the division into a more cohesive group instead of as three separate law school entities. He said they will be asking board members for help.

GENERAL COUNSEL REPORT

General Counsel Murdock shared a status report of the Professional Responsibility Commission and OBA disciplinary matters. He reported he attended a meeting of the PRC, OBA director’s meeting and monthly OBA employee celebration. He participated in the annual OBA OETA evening program to raise money for public television, OCU Law School Pro Bono and Public Interest Career Fair, evening reception and benefit auction for the Pro Bono and Public Interest Career program a week later, personally donating an auction item. He spoke at a Career Day program to the gifted and talented student program involving 75 sixth grade students at the Mustang Education Center, presented a Saturday CLE in Tulsa to the national meeting of the Association for Legal Support Professionals and a noon CLE to the Garfield County Bar Association in Enid. He discussed with the OBA auditor improved procedures for processing payments received by the Office of the General Counsel and had implemented those recommended procedures.

BOARD LIAISON REPORTS

Governor Brown reported the Bench and Bar Committee’s deadline for accepting comments on the proposed Code of Judicial Conduct is March 31. People submitting comments will be invited to the April 24 committee meeting. He said the committee has received a number of comments and will submit a detailed report to the board.   

BAR CENTER RENOVATIONS

Executive Director Williams reported the injured construction supervisor is back on the job. He said a new roof is being installed on both buildings. Recent heavy rains resulted in leaks in bar center vestibule, which will need to be repainted at some point. He reviewed details of construction progress, including that the elevator will take days to assemble. He reported a staff meeting was held, and a timeline for the move has been created. The custom table for the board room will arrive in late May.

LAWYER’S CREED

The board voted to ratify its e-mail vote to amend the Lawyer’s Creed by replacing reference to the Guidelines of Professional Courtesy that no longer exist with the Standards of Professionalism.

OKLAHOMA ATTORNEYS MUTUAL INSURANCE CO. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The board approved President Conger’s recommendation to reappoint Jo Angela Ables, Oklahoma City, and Michael Mayhall, Lawton, for three-year terms to OAMIC expiring June 1, 2011.

GUIDE FOR COMMITTEES AND SECTIONS POLICY AMENDMENT

Executive Director Williams reviewed the proposed policy amendments to no longer require board approval of presidential committee leadership and membership appointments and to allow Law Student Division members and other non-OBA members to serve as ex officio committee members. The board approve the proposed amendments with the addition of a sentence that ex officio committee members will be non-voting members, plus the correction of a typographical error.

OBA REIMBURSEMENT POLICY

The board approved the amendment to change the word ”spouse” to “guest” in all instances.

LAW DAY

Communications Director Manning reported contest winners have been selected and winning entries are posted on the Web. Production for the Ask A Lawyer TV show is under way. She encouraged board members to assist their county Law Day chairpersons to hold events, which are an excellent opportunity for positive public relations.          

RULE OF LAW CONFERENCE

President Conger thanked Governors Christensen and Brown for their work on the April 11 conference. Board members should have received their invitations. He reviewed the names of speakers participating.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Executive Director Williams reviewed current activities taking place at the Oklahoma Legislature.

OETA FESTIVAL

President Conger reported more than $4,100 had been raised in private donations for the OBA’s sponsorship. Several board members said they renewed their annual pledges when they received the mailing from OETA, so their donations were not included on volunteer night. Director Manning said she would inquire about adding those donations to the total, which would keep the OBA in the top level of donors recognized monthly in OETA’s program guide.

RESOLUTION FOR MCCURTAIN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

President Conger presented a resolution of appreciation to the McCurtain County Bar Association for its hospitality in hosting the governors in Idabel.

NEXT MEETING

The board will meet at the Oklahoma Bar Center at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2008.