THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL 62 | APRIL 2026 Tools You Can Use for Beginners,” a practical introduction to emerging technologies and how they can assist lawyers in everyday work. Cybersecurity will also be addressed in “Cybersecurity Concerns for Attorneys in the Age of Polymorphic AI,” which examines how evolving threats are reshaping digital risk for law firms and what attorneys should be doing now to protect client information. Lawyers interested in improving the business side of their practice may want to attend “The Client Experience as a Competitive Edge,” presented by Kenton Brice, which focuses on how thoughtful client service strategies can strengthen a firm’s reputation and long-term growth. Other sessions will address professional development and firm culture, including “Please Fix: The Art of Giving Feedback to Associates,” a program designed to help lawyers navigate one of the most challenging aspects of leadership in a law firm environment. Learning how to deliver clear, constructive feedback is a skill lawyers must develop as they transition from practitioner to mentor and manager. The conference will also feature programming focused on substantive law updates and emerging legal issues. For example, “Update on Oklahoma Real Property Authority 2024-2025,” presented by Kraettli Q. Epperson, will provide insight into recent developments affecting real property practice in Oklahoma. Attorneys can also attend “Intellectual Property in Real Life: Lessons From the Field for Businesses (and Their Attorneys),” presented by Kate Sullivan, which will explore how intellectual property issues increasingly intersect with everyday business operations. As innovation, branding and digital assets become central to modern business strategy, understanding the practical realities of intellectual property law is becoming important for lawyers well beyond traditional IP practice areas. Access to Justice and Professional Service Service to the public remains a central value of the legal profession, and the Midyear Conference programming reflects that commitment. A session titled “How to Easily Incorporate Pro Bono Into Your Law Firm,” presented by Katie Dilks and Jim Calloway, will provide practical ideas for attorneys who want to integrate pro bono service into their practice in manageable and meaningful ways. For lawyers interested in appellate work, a panel featuring Jana Knott, Justin Lollman and Sharon Thomas will provide insights into appeals and the issues appellate practitioners encounter in Oklahoma courts. A CONFERENCE BUILT FOR CONVERSATION The Midyear Conference schedule intentionally balances educational sessions with opportunities for lawyers to connect with one another. Breakfasts, lunches and evening events provide time for informal conversations that often prove just as valuable as the formal programming. Those conversations can lead to referrals, mentorship relationships and collaborative opportunities that extend long after the conference ends. LOOKING AHEAD The legal profession is navigating a period of rapid change, particularly as technology reshapes how lawyers work and how clients interact with legal services. The Midyear Conference provides a rare opportunity to step away from the daily pace of practice and consider those changes in a thoughtful setting alongside colleagues. Whether attorneys are interested in learning about artificial intelligence, improving client experience, strengthening firm culture or simply reconnecting with colleagues from across the state, the Midyear Conference offers programs designed to inform, challenge and inspire. To learn more about the OBA Midyear Conference and to register, visit www.okbar.org/midyear. Ms. Bays is the OBA Management Assistance Program director. Need a quick answer to a tech problem or help solving a management dilemma? Contact her at 405-416-7031, 800-522-8060 or julieb@okbar.org. It’s a free member benefit. ENDNOTE 1. OBJ, December 2025, Vol. 96, No. 10.
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