Oklahoma Bar Journal
April 2020 | Law Day
Feature Articles
Law Day 2020: A Day of Service and Outreach
In just a few weeks’ time, we will have the opportunity to celebrate Law Day. The OBA is again sponsoring the Ask a Lawyer TV program on OETA. Although some events may be scaled back or cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, lawyers are still working to serve their communities. Law Day is also a chance for attorneys to help educate their neighbors about the role of the legal system in society.
Law Day Contest Winners
The OBA Law Day Committee would like to thank Oklahoma educators, students and their families for participating in the 2020 Law Day Contest. This year, nearly 1,300 students in 46 different Oklahoma towns entered the contest and more than $4,000 in prize money was awarded.
County Law Day Chairpersons
Contact your local chairperson to find out more about your county's activities.
County Bar Association Activities
Some events may be scaled back or cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Check with your county bar association for the most current information.
Make Law Day Year Round With Pro Bono Service
Every year, hundreds of Oklahoma lawyers across the state come together to volunteer their time for Law Day. From the Ask A Lawyer service, answering thousands of questions from Oklahomans, to the events sponsored by county bar associations, it is one of the highest profile pro bono opportunities in our state. We are fortunate that many dedicated Oklahoma attorneys volunteer their time and expertise regularly throughout the year. This service makes an incredible difference in the lives of those people they can help. Sadly, vast numbers of Oklahomans still navigate our complex legal system without the assistance of a lawyer because they cannot afford one, and our civil legal aid programs simply do not have the capacity to serve everyone.
Plus Articles
25th Bombing Anniversary: OBA Members Remembered
The events of April 19, 1995, forever changed our nation. On this, the 25th anniversary of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing, the Oklahoma Bar Association remembers its members who were killed. Thank you to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum for allowing the OBA to publish these tributes and photos that are part of the museum’s collection.
Another Successful Season for the Oklahoma High School Mock Trial Program
Contact your local chairperson to find out more about your county's activities.
Caution – Slow Progress Ahead: Accessing and Researching Tribal Court Opinions
In 1997, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor noted, “Today, in the United States, we have three types of sovereign entities, the Federal government, the States, and the Indian tribes. Each of the three sovereigns has its own judicial system, and each plays an important role in the administration of justice in this country.”1 Despite its importance, much tribal law, particularly tribal court opinions, can be very difficult to locate or access.
Seeking Default Judgment: After Schweigert
The general rule of law is that “This Court [the Oklahoma Supreme Court] has consistently viewed default judgments with disfavor, preferring, ‘whenever possible, that litigating parties be allowed their day in court so that a decision on the merits can be reached.’”