THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL 66 | AUGUST 2026 Committee will begin promoting its upcoming Heroes Days event with save-the-date fliers soliciting lawyer volunteers to be distributed to those answering phones during the Law Day event on May 1. Past President Williams and Executive Director Johnson reported the Investment Committee will begin meeting quarterly; the Professionalism Committee is searching for new leadership; the Section Leaders Council is discussing how to create partnerships and synergies between sections to use resources more effectively; and the Strategic Planning Committee is engaged in the implementation phase with an update to the board to be made at the May meeting. Governor Oldfield reported the Disaster Response and Relief Committee is meeting regularly; and the Legal Internship Committee is updating some of its rules and is discussing the placement of interns in tribal courts. Governor Cooper reported the Bar Center Facilities Committee, in coordination with Executive Director Johnon, has now produced a signed contract, and subcontractors will now be selected so that renovation work on the Bar Center can move forward. Governor Barker reported the Awards Committee has met and recommends no changes be made to the list of OBA Awards that will be presented during the Annual Meeting. Governor Hixon reported the Law Day Committee has met and is making its final preparations for the Ask A Lawyer event on May 1. Governor Locke reported the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program Committee met, and he said the Membership Engagement Committee has an upcoming meeting scheduled. Governor Norman reported the Access to Justice Committee is meeting regularly and working on various relevant issues. Governor Aspan reported the Clients’ Security Fund Committee has a meeting scheduled in April, and she said the Midyear Conference Planning Committee reports that sponsorships for the 2026 event are rolling in. Governor Dodoo reported the Bench and Bar Committee has hosted another “ICYMI” traveling law-related educational event southwestern Oklahoma. COMMITTEE CONSOLIDATION President Peckio and PresidentElect Knott jointly explained that the Executive Committee has identified certain committees that are inactive and would be more effective if realigned as subcommittees under other committees or disbanded. Specific recommendations were made for the board’s consideration. The board passed a motion to approve deactivating the Group Insurance Committee and recreating it as a subcommittee under the Membership Engagement/Member Services Committee. The board also passed a motion to approve sunsetting the Civil Procedure and Evidence Code Committee and recreate it as a subcommittee under the Bench and Bar Committee. AWARDS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS The board passed a motion to approve the OBA Awards Committee’s recommendation that no changes be made to the standing list of OBA Awards in 2026. APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COMMISSION TO REVIEW GRIEVANCE The board passed a motion to approve a recommendation made by General Counsel Hendryx to appoint Melissa G. DeLacerda, Stillwater; Kimberly Hays, Tulsa; and James T. Stuart, Shawnee; to serve on a special three-member commission to review a grievance submitted against a member of the Professional Responsibility Commission in compliance with Rule 3.3(b)(2) of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings. OBA SECTION SPONSORSHIP INQUIRY Executive Director Johnson discussed a recently received inquiry related to a non-law-related third Governor Cooper reported the Bar Center Facilities Committee, in coordination with Executive Director Johnon, has now produced a signed contract, and subcontractors will now be selected so that renovation work on the Bar Center can move forward.
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