The Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors met at the Oklahoma Bar Center in Oklahoma City on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Conger reported he attended the July board meeting, Aug. 4 special board meeting, Annual Meeting conference call, taught the Chinese students and lawyers about the American jury trial system with Judge Valerie Couch, reception for the Chinese students and lawyers, closing banquet for the Chinese students and lawyers and the first session of the OBA Leadership Academy.

Report of the Vice President

Vice President Mordy reported he attended the dinner with the delegation from China, July Board of Governors meeting, Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee meeting and OBF meeting.

Report of the President-Elect

President-Elect Parsley reported he attended the dinner and reception for Tianjin Bar Association and law students from Nankai University, July board meeting, special board meeting on Aug. 4, 2008 (via telephone), National Conference of Bar Presidents meeting, ABA Annual Meeting in New York City, OBA Annual Meeting planning meeting and Texas County Bar Association Meeting.

Report of the Past President

Past President Beam reported he attended the July board meeting, Aug. 4 special board meeting, ABA Annual Meeting in New York City, ABA House of Delegates and Civil Procedure Committee meeting. He asked for background information about the Leadership Academy.

Report of the Executive Director

Executive Director Williams reported that he attended the Annual Meeting Task Force meeting, Board of Governors special meeting, National Association of Bar Executives/National Conference of Bar Presidents meeting in New York City, 50-year OBA member certificate presentation in Pontotoc County, Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee meeting and OBA directors meeting. He participated in a conference call with legal aid representatives regarding a potential funding loss, produced a diversity program for NABE, participated on a panel for NCBP on court privacy issues, made a presentation to the entering class at the OU law school and welcomed Leadership Academy participants. For board members he reviewed events planned for the Sept. 11 open house.

Board Member Reports

Governor Bates reported she attended the dinner and reception for the Chinese delegation, July board meeting, special board meeting on Aug. 4 and OBA Awards Committee communications and nomination matters. Governor Brown reported he attended the dinner and reception for Tianjin Bar Association and law students from Nankai University, July board meeting, special board meeting on Aug. 4 (via telephone), OBA Bench and Bar Committee meeting, ABA Annual Meeting, ABA Judicial Division Meeting, OBA Annual Meeting planning meeting and numerous committee meetings. Governor Christensen reported she attended the dinner and reception for Tianjin Bar Association and the visiting law students from Nankai University, July board meeting and the special board meeting on Aug. 4 via telephone. Governor Dirickson reported she attended the July meeting of the Board of Governors, Aug. 4 special meeting of the Board of Governors, Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee meeting and the Custer County Bar Association monthly meeting. Governor Farris reported he attended the dinner and reception for Tianjin Bar Association and law students from Nankai University, July board meeting, special board meeting on Aug. 4 (via telephone), ABA Annual Meeting and ABA House of Delegates Meeting in New York City and presented a CLE seminar for Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma to volunteer attorneys from The Williams Companies Inc. and the Hall Estill law firm. Governor Hermanson reported he attended the July Bench and Bar Committee meeting, dinner and reception for the Tianjin Bar Association and the law students from Nankai University, July board meeting, Aug. 4 special board meeting, and ABA annual meeting in New York City. He also presented a CLE on opening statements for the Oklahoma County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Governor Hixson reported he attended the dinner and reception for representatives of the Tianjin Bar Association and law students from the Nankai University School of Law, July board meeting, special board meeting of Aug. 4 (via telephone), Canadian County bar social hosted by Rick J. Henthorn and Abbie M. Fisher and Canadian County Bar Association August business meeting and CLE. Governor McCombs reported he attended the dinner and reception at the bar center, July board meeting, special board meeting via telephone and the McCurtain County Bar luncheon. Governor Reheard reported she attended the Thursday night reception, Friday board meeting, special board meeting via conference call and the Bench and Bar Committee meeting. Governor Souter reported he attended the July board meeting, Board of Governors special meeting, dinner and reception for the Chinese delegation and dinner with the participants of the Leadership Academy. Governor Stockwell reported she attended the July board meeting and the Cleveland County Bar Association Executive Committee meeting. Governor Stuart reported he attended the dinner and reception for the Chinese delegation, July board meeting, special board meeting (by telephone), Pottawatomie County Bar meeting and the OBA Awards Committee meeting.

Law Student Division Liaison Report

LSD Chair Janoe reported division Vice-Chair Jenny Jackson attended the July meeting and reception for the Chinese law students.

Board Liaison Reports

Governor Brown reported the Bench and Bar Committee is nearing the end of a two-year project and a summary is being prepared.

General Counsel Report

A written status report of the Professional Responsibility Commission and OBA disciplinary matters was submitted for the board’s review.     

Investment Policy Changes

Investment Committee Chairperson Jon Trudgeon reported the OBA’s investment policy needed to be updated, and he reviewed proposed changes. The board voted to strike the last sentence of paragraph VI.1.B that required board approval of any action taken by the investment manager. The board approved the resolutions recommended by the Investment Committee as amended. Mr. Trudgeon also recommended that next year new members be appointed to this committee, which is a board committee and not an OBA standing committee.

Lawyers Helping Lawyers Request to Change Program Name

Executive Director Williams reported the committee proposed a compromise in a name change that retains its long-standing Lawyers Helping Lawyers name that is well known with the nationally recognized Lawyers Assistance Program name. The board approved the committee’s suggestion of changing the name to the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program. It was noted a foundation to help support the program has been created.

Legal Intern Committee Report and Licensed Legal Intern Examination Standardized Testing Protocols

Governor Farris reported the committee completed work on a new examination for prospective licensed legal interns and has adopted standardized testing protocols, which will be used at all three law schools. The board approved the committee report.

Rules Governing Disciplinary Procedures Rule 1.4

Executive Director Williams reported a revision to the rule is proposed to eliminate a card mailed annually to each lawyer requesting the name of the bank or banks in which the lawyer carries any trust account as a step toward turning this requirement into a paperless procedure. The board approved the rule change and voted to submit to the Supreme Court for its consideration.

Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.15

Executive Director Williams reported changes to Rule 1.15 regarding safekeeping property have been proposed to eliminate the need for annual reporting, instead allowing for reporting only when a trust account is opened, closed, changed or modified. The OBA would provide online access and/or paper forms for members to comply with reporting provisions. Executive Director Williams said this could be another member benefit that will save time; however, it will take two to three years to perfect the system. The board approved the proposed rule change and voted to submit to the Supreme Court for its consideration.

Application for Order to Strike Names for Failure to Pay 2007 Dues

The board authorized Executive Director Williams to file an application for an order to strike names of suspended OBA members who have not paid 2007 dues.

Application for Order to Strike Names for Failure to Comply with 2006 MCLE Requirements

The board authorized Executive Director Williams to file an application for an order to strike names of suspended OBA members who have not complied with 2006 MCLE requirements.

Amendment of Article VII of Rules Creating and Controlling the OBA

Executive Director Williams reported as a result of a recommendation by the OBA’s audit firm to remove the director of administration from the list of approved check signors, the OBA implemented the recommendation as standard procedure. Executive Director Williams said this proposed amendment formalizes that procedure change. The board approved the amendment to Article VII.

LHL Travel to National Meeting

Executive Director Williams reported this year’s national meeting for lawyers assistance programs will be held in Little Rock, Ark. He said the Lawyers Helping Lawyers chairperson is interested in attending, and it would be beneficial for two LifeFocus staff members to attend. It was noted that with the meeting’s close proximity to Oklahoma City, transportation costs will be low. The board approved sending three people to the national meeting and potentially a fourth person at Executive Director Williams’ discretion.

YLD Mock Trial Committee Request

The board approved the Young Lawyers Division Mock Trial Committee’s request to award a one-time bonus to Mock Trial Coordinator Judy Spencer in appreciation for her past performance. Funding will come from the committee’s budget.

Executive Session

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

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