August 2023 Tulsa Lawyer

2022-2023 TCBA CONTACTS, COMMITTEE & SECTION CHAIRS

www.tulsabar.com

PHONE: 918-584-5243 FAX: 918-592-0208

1446 South Boston, Tulsa, OK 74119-3612

Executive Director

Tami Williams

tamiw@tulsabar.com

Ext. 1002

Membership Director CLE, Sections & Committees

Heather Heck heatherh@tulsabar.com

Ext. 1001

Front Desk Coordinator General Inquiries frontdesk@tulsabar.com

Ext. 1000

Accounting accounting@tulsabar.com

Lawyer Referral & Community Resource Navigator

Jeril Haug jerilh@tulsabar.com

Ext. 1003

Tulsa Lawyer Editor - Michael Taubman michael@tulsafirm.com

Associate Editor - Milly Dunlap

Tulsa Lawyer Submissions - tulsabarnews@yahoo.com

TCBA OFFICERS

President........................................................................Philip Hixon

Past President...............................................................Kara Vincent

President-Elect............................................................Mike Esmond

Vice President......................................................Stephanie Jackson

Secretary....................................................................... Lizzie Riter

Treasurer.............................................................. Michael Taubman

Budget/Internal Operations.........................................Austin Birnie

Foundation President ............................................Hon. Ann Keele

Sears

Birnie

Pratt

Struble

Smith

Morrissey

Director at Large (2) Public Sector.........................Hon. Ann Keele

ABA Delegate............................................................. Molly Aspan

OBA Delegate................................................................Rick White

Library Trustee (1)........................................................ Julie Evans

Library Trustee (2)..................................................... Kim Vojvoda

Presiding Judge .......................................... Hon. Doug Drummond

Chief Judge, U.S. District Court ...................Hon. John F. Heil, III

Chief Judge, Tulsa Municipal Court..........Hon. Gerald Hofmeister

TU Law School Student Representative ..............Taylor Williams

FOUNDATION APPOINTMENTS

Law Day ................................................Hon. Martha Rupp Carter

Law Day Co-Chair....................................................Mary Clement

Community Outreach................................................ Ashley Webb

Golf Chair...................................................................Brian Keester

Scholarship Chair.......................................................Randy Lewin

Submission, Grapevine & Advertising- Visit www.tulsabar.com

Subscriptions to Tulsa Lawyer are available for $40.00 a year to those who are not Tulsa County Bar Association members or others who do not currently receive the publication. Contact tamiw@tulsabar.com

Tulsa Lawyer is a monthly publication of the TCBA. The TCBA does not necessarily share or endorse the opinions expressed in the materials published. The views are those of thoughtful contributors. Similarly, advertising does not imply endorsement by the TCBA of products or services or any statements concerning them.

FOUNDATION

President.................................................................Hon. Ann Keele

Foundation Vice President...........................................Justin Munn

Treasurer......................................................................Philip Hixon

Trustee.................................................................... Hon. Ann Keele

Trustee........................................................................ Justin Munn

Trustee......................................................................... Philip Hixon

Trustee...........................................................................Lizzie Riter

Trustee.......................................................................Chad McLain

Trustee ......................................................................Jim Gotwals

Trustee Catherine Hoopert

Trustee................................................................ Michael Taubman

TCBA President......................................................Philip D. Hixon

TCBA Pres. Elect.......................................................Mike Esmond

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

Access to Justice..........................................Pansy Moore-Shrier

Animal Law ..........Katy Inhofe

Bench & Bar Kevinn Matthews

Children & the Law....................................................Lizzie Riter

Children & the Law Vice Chair..........Timothy Michaels-Johnson

CLE...............................................................Pansy Moore-Shrier

Diversity......................................................Ruth Addison Martin

Fee Arbitration............................................................Gary Crews

Law Related Education / Street Law.............................Co-chairs

....................................................Pierre Robertson , Kara Vincent

Lawyer Referral .......Karen Wilkins

Membership Services....................................................Kara Pratt

Mentoring ......Shena Burgess

Military/Veterans ...Mitchell Garrett

Military/Veterans Co-Chair Hon. David Guten

Nominations & Awards ........Kara Vincent

Pro Bono............................................................... Mac Finlayson

Pro Bono Co-Chair......................................................Aaron Tifft

Professionalism................................................ ...........Rick White

Public Relations....................................................Steve Layman

Social Media.................................................... ....Collaborative

Special Events .......Natalie Sears

Tulsa Lawyer Michael Taubman

Young Lawyers Division...........................................Billy Duncan

SECTION CHAIRPERSONS

ADR/Mediation..........................................................Melissa Fell

ADR/Mediation Co-Chair................................ ....Lauren Lindsey

Bankruptcy Hon. Paul Thomas

Business/Corporate......................................Whitney Humphreys

Criminal Law ........Daniel Levy

Energy & Mineral Law...........................................Buford Pollett

Employment Law............................................. ....Jonathan Shook

Family Law ..Jordan Dalgleish

Health Law ......Brenna Wiebe

Juvenile Law.................................................... ..........Lizzie Riter

Juvenile Law Co-Chair.......................Timothy Michaels-Johnson

Litigation...............................................................Mark A. Smith

Litigation Co-Chair......................................Mbilike Mwafulirwa

Municipal Law............................................................Cassia Carr

Paralegals/Legal Assistant....................................Kathryn Keener

Paralegal /Legal Assistants Vice Chair.....................Gloria Jones

Probate/Estate/Elder.......................................................Co-chairs

................................Kelly Hunt, Phillip Jennings, John Gotwals

Solo/Small Firm .............................................Colton Richardson

Tax...........................................................................John Gotwals

Technology ...................................................Pansy Moore-Shrier Workers Comp.........................................................Valerie Evans

* Section Chairs will be updated as positions are filled

Allen E. Barrow, Jr. JD, John H. Lieber, RN, JD, and Jill Warnock, MD. Ph.D

Philip D. Hixon

A Message from the President 2022-2023

THE END OF THE LINE

In at least five articles I have submitted this year inclusive of this one, I have cited the online version of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. My first article in September 2022 cited the definition of “community.”

January 2023 cited the definition of “professionalism.”

June 2023 cited a definition of “diversity.” July 2023 cited the definition of “membership.” My over-reliance on this quite useful resource was not planned, yet by happenstance, there has been some thematic overlap among the prior citations. For this, my last, article, I cite it for the definition of the phrase, “the end of the line,” which means “the end (as of a condition or situation).” Of course, the applicable condition or situation in this particular case is the end of my term.

The Association has had a good year. Early in the fiscal year, we evolved the Young Lawyer Committee into a Young Lawyer Division with a semi-autonomous board and launched the inaugural YLD Leadership Academy. The YLD itself began several new projects of its own, including its successful “WINe IT ALL” fundraiser. We refreshed the covers of this publication with various Tulsa landmarks and scenes. We hosted a Judicial Forum moderated by Judith Nole of Public

Radio Tulsa for the lone contested district court judicial race between Judge Tanya Wilson and now-Judge Kevin Gray. We presented gavels to eight judges.

As in years past, the Association offered its membership hours of free continuing legal education: 76 hours to be precise (with 20 hours of ethics credit). The Bench and Bar Committee offered nine one-hour Brown Bag CLE sessions—again, free of charge to members—at the Tulsa County District Court.

The Association continued its active involvement in the broader community. The Street Law program entered its second year, serving 18 students from the KIPP University Prep High School. The Court Assistance Program (CAP) logged nearly 160 hours assisting tenants facing eviction on the Tulsa County FED docket. The Children and the Law Committee and the Juvenile Law Section sponsored the eighth annual Holiday Challenge, aiding twenty-five families reuniting with their children. The Veterans and Military Committee sponsored a fitness challenge, raising funds to support the Veterans Treatment Court program.

Everyone who contributed to these programs and events, and to the multitude not mentioned above, has my sincere gratitude. You have achieved the community I envisioned in my September 2022 article.

The Association’s (and Foundation’s) annual meeting and awards ceremony is August 17 at the Discovery Lab across the street from the Gathering Place. We’ll recognize several of our peers. Our speaker, John Erling, will share information and stories from his Voices of Oklahoma oral history project. I encourage you to check out the website: https://voicesofoklahoma.com/ It contains a wealth of interviews with notable Oklahomans of all walks of life, including several Tulsa area attorneys. If you haven’t already, please purchase your tickets for the annual meeting. Seating is limited due to the unique venue.

It has been my privilege and honor to serve the Association this past 12-months, and I will forever cherish the experience. Thank you for the opportunity.

Phiip D.Hixon TCBA President, 2022-2023

Annual Meeting Featured Guest Speaker John Erling

For 30 years John Erling entertained Tulsans as the stimulating host of Erling in the Morning on KRMG radio. Known for his interviews with people of all walks of life—from politicians to celebrities to everyday people—John’s talk show provided the perfect forum to deliberate the hottest local and national topics.

As a well-respected community leader and member of both the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame, Erling devotes his energy and enthusiasm to Voices of Oklahoma. He deeply believes that preserving the stories of Oklahomans will reveal the depth of emotion and pride that built our great state. By introducing inspirational stories in an accessible, lively format he hopes to educate and motivate future generations. To share the experience of real, heartfelt conversations with many of Oklahoma’s greatest assets, join John as he spotlights the most original, fascinating voices of our time.

AROUND THE BAR...

A Brown Bag CLE was held on Wednesday, June 21st with Judges Keele and Seibert. The meeting ended with a surprise going away party for Judge Keele, who is leaving the bench to join the firm of Hall Estill.

Brown

July 7th Member Appreciation Candle Making Class with Soaplahoma at Heirloom

Rustic Ales

SANDLOT MEMBER EVENT

The TCBA hosted a Member Appreciation event at Philbrook Museum's Film on the Lawn, The Sandlot, on Friday, June 16th. Members could come and tour the grounds, partake in activities, and enjoy the film. A prime spot on the lawn, snacks, and beverages were provided by the TCBA!

See page 19 for August TCBA events!

"Thanks so much for setting this up. My family had a great time! My son will never forget playing Sandlot ball on the Philbrook lawn before watching The Sandlot. The food trucks were delicious, and the TCBA provided the perfect movie time snacks and drinks. It was extra nice to avoid the crowd and have a section of the lawn dedicated to the TCBA. It can be tough having two lawyers for parents, but every once in a while, there is a nice benefit. The Parrilli family appreciates you and the TCBA making this happen!"

~ Rachel Parrilli

Photos courtesy of Rachel Parrilli and family.

Photos courtesy of Tiffany White and family.

Snacks on the Lawn Photo courtesy of Victoria Eller.

Mental Health Awareness is a Must in the Legal Profession

By Scott Goode

We all know that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a widespread physiological disaster worldwide. Strangely enough, it also placed a spotlight on mental health. In the past few decades mental health and emotional wellbeing has been moving up in our community’s hierarchy of importance but the shock of the COVID-19 shutdown seems to have brought it to the forefront. Due to this, our legal community and individual lawyers have become more acutely aware of the particular mental and emotional strains we lawyers suffer in our day-to-day professional lives.

Even prior to the pandemic, us lawyers were starting to realize that there was an emotional and mental toll paid for practicing the law. However, it wasn’t until 2016 before any major study was conducted on this topic. That year the American Bar Association and the Betty Ford Foundation joined forces and conducted a study on nearly 13,000 practicing lawyers and 3,500 law students. The study involved 15 state bar associations and the two largest counties of an one other state. It involved alcohol use, drug use, and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. It found that between 21% and 36% qualified as problem drinkers; 28% suffered from mild or higher levels of depression; 19% suffered from mild or higher levels of anxiety; and 11.5% suffered from suicidal thoughts at some point in their career.

It found that law students weren’t doing much better. The study showed that 17% suffered from depression; 14% suffered from severe anxiety; 23% suffered from moderate anxiety; 6% suffered from suicidal ideation; 43% reported binge drinking at least once in the two weeks leading up to the study; 25% reported binge drinking twice or more in the two weeks leading up to the study; and 25% fell in the area of risk for alcoholism. The students haven’t even started practicing law and yet, they were well above the general population in all of these areas.

Then in 2021, ALM Intelligence, as part of the Mind Over Matters Project, conducted a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Survey on 3,200 practicing lawyers. 52% were male and 48% were female. 44% of the

respondents agreed that mental health and substance abuse are at a crisis level in the legal profession. 55% agreed that mental health and substance abuse were worse in our profession than in any other professions (only about 9% did not agree). 35% stated they suffered from depression and about two thirds stated they suffered from anxiety. Also, about 64% stated their personal relationships suffer due to their practice of law and about 75% stated their profession detriments their mental health over time. Finally, 19% reported that they have contemplated suicide. Based on my own personal experience and my experience as a volunteer with Lawyers Helping Lawyers, I believe that these statistics are more representative of reality than the ABA study in 2016.

When asked to select factors that negatively impact their mental wellbeing 72% stated always being on call and not being able to disconnect. 59% stated that the pressure of billable hours was what was causing the most problems for them. 57% stated that the lion share of their problems came from client demands and 55% stated that lack of sleep causes the most turmoil in their personal lives.

These studies show that anywhere between 20% and 66% of us practicing lawyers suffer from severe anxiety. That number is astronomical! In applying this number to my own personal life, I tend to believe the actual percentage of us that suffer from anxiety is closer to the 66% range. We are in competition all day, every day. Either with ourselves or with opposing counsel or with some other attorney in the firm. This is the one negative emotion that I feel more than all others in my everyday professional life. I am constantly under pressure from clients, judges, opposing counsel and trial. This list goes on and on. Due to this anxiety issue, I tended to work constantly and stay late almost every night at the office. Even when I was home, I was still at work going over research and trial strategy in my head. I remember lying in bed at night with my eyes open thinking about if I had failed to list that one extremely important witness on my witness and exhibit list, or did I fail to ask that one very specific interrogatory that might have gotten that piece of information I needed. My brain would not turn off and

I was getting less and less sleep as the years went by. I think it is important to compare that rate of anxiety in the legal profession to the rate in the general population. Where probably half of all lawyers that are in practice today suffer from severe or moderate anxiety, only about 18% of the general population suffer from the same. Not even a quarter! Finally, 19% of lawyers suffer from suicidal ideation when studies show only between 4% and 7% of the American population at large suffer from suicidal thoughts. That is staggering.

The results from both of the studies are clear. Lawyers and others in legal support professions obviously suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues at a much higher rate than everyone else. If we would only look up from our computers, transcripts and trial prep to look around every once in a while, we would see that this fact is being demonstrated for us. I personally know of two lawyers who have taken their own lives this year alone. I was having a conversation with a mentor of mine who has volunteered with LHL for decades and she relayed that there was a time not too long ago when we were, on average, losing a lawyer a month to suicide. It is impossible to even imagine the numbers we have lost to overdose and physiological conditions attributable to drug and alcohol addiction.

Upon coming to this realization, I couldn’t help but to ask myself, why. Why was this happening to us? Just a short period of introspection upon my own problem answered that question for me. Even before law school I had been obsessive and a perfectionist. I thrived in competition and structure. Becoming an attorney meant everything to me and when I finally achieved that goal, nothing much mattered except for work. I threw myself into it headfirst. I lived and breathed my client’s problems, and in doing so, ignored my own. I worked 15 hour days, 7 days a week, taking barely any time for myself. The short periods of time I wasn’t in the office were spent either obsessing over legal matters that should’ve been left at the office or drinking with my colleagues/friends from the office while we discussed, you guessed it…work. It took only one catastrophic event in my private life to push me over the edge.

In 2008 my father died from lung cancer. I sat with him during the last week of his life and witnessed him suffocate. I was utterly unprepared and still, went straight back to work before his body was even cold. Very soon thereafter I was prescribed Xanax and thus began an 8-year drug and alcohol addiction. In 2010 I attempted suicide. Shortly thereafter I reached out to Lawyers Helping Lawyers and my mentor showed me that I was not alone. In 2015 (yes I am a slow learner) I

entered into an in-patient treatment center and have been clean, sober and capable of being happy ever since. Then in 2019 I began mentoring other lawyers through LHL. By going through my own battle and being front row for other lawyers going through theirs, it has become very clear that the attributes that make us exceptional and capable of great things, are also our greatest weaknesses and could, in the right circumstances, become deadly.

I believe the question of “is there a mental health problem in the legal profession” has been answered. Yes, there is a problem, and that problem is apparent. Just look around the courthouse, read the bar journal or look into the studies I referenced earlier. Since that question is answered, I now have to ask myself, “what causes this problem.” I think for me the answer is simple, I was wholly unprepared for what the practice of law actually entailed and gave 100% of myself to my clients, leaving nothing left over for me at the moment that I needed to deal with my father’s death. In a more general view, us lawyers have attributes that make us great and are unaware that those same attributes can be detrimental. Couple that with the extremely high level of negative emotions we have to deal with in our daily lives due to our profession, and you have the perfect storm. Now knowing there is a problem and where it stems from, what can we do about it?

First and foremost, after honestly admitting that there is a problem, I have to take active steps to better myself. I personally do a few things to ensure my own emotional wellbeing stays healthy. I get up early and go to the gym and break a sweat. I attend therapy monthly but in the early days of my sobriety, I went weekly. I have instituted healthy boundaries at work with my colleagues and clients. When I am in a suit during my business day, I am all business. But when I leave the office and my day is over, I am not a lawyer and don’t check emails or voicemails. I take trips and vacations as often as possible and will even schedule a day off without a trip just to break free and reset as often as possible. I have hobbies that I do as often as possible. Healthy coping

mechanisms are a must for me and these are not ideas that were taught to me in my youth. I didn’t learn they were necessary until my life was out of control. Not everyone has to get to the bottom that I did to begin instituting these ideas in their own lives. Just be aware of how you feel and be honest with yourself that you feel the way you do, and then do something about it.

Also, we need to dismantle the stigma of weakness that is incorrectly attributed to mental health issues and substance abuse. This is the reason behind me being as open as I am about my own past. Let’s be honest, we all have some form of mental health issue. If I were to call someone “normal” (which I never do by the way), I would only mean that their issues are not yet exhibiting themselves in a way that cannot yet be seen by a bystander. Notice I said “yet”. We all have mental health problems. The only real questions are, do I recognize mine and, if so, what am I doing about it. Admitting this and doing something about it takes courage and honesty. Ignoring and/or not accepting the fact I have an issue and doing nothing about it is a weakness. Not the other way around.

And most importantly, we have to remember that we are all in this together. We have to be able to battle for our clients and, at the same time, treat each other with respect and dignity. Be mindful of that opposing counsel that comes to court disheveled and unprepared or that opposing counsel that is always unreasonable and gets personal for no reason, and instead of ridiculing them behind their backs to your friends at the office, ask them how their day is going. Go to lunch with as many other lawyers as possible and make connections. Not for networking but to make friends. Once a day text another lawyer and let them know that they are on your mind. I doubt that my LHL mentor knew the impact he had on my life…and my wife’s and children’s lives, by simply letting me know that I was not alone in this. If you are feeling alone, if you feel that you are so unique in your personal issues that you stand no chance of ever solving them and finally being happy, remember there are those of us that have been there. There are those of us who tried to end it and couldn’t even do that right. Yet only a matter of time later, we find ourselves writing articles for distinguished periodicals hoping to make yet another connection with a lifelong friend.

About the Author

Scott B. Goode is the co-owner and managing partner at Military Law Group and the Chairman of the Oklahoma Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program.

After serving in the U.S. Navy onboard USS Enterprise, CVN-65, launching and recovering aircraft on the flight deck, Scott studied Business at Northeastern State University and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa in 2005. In addition to being a certified Native American Lawyer, he also has expertise in criminal defense, divorce, paternity, child support, property and debt distribution, and civil litigation. He thoroughly enjoys representing veterans, reservists, and active-duty men and women of the Armed Forces.

The Lawyers Helping Lawyers Program has a long history of supporting legal professionals through difficult times. From the beginning, as an informal network of attorneys in recovery to the current structure of a formalized committee, the purpose and mission has remained a constant – be there for each other.

Success by the Numbers!

Suitcases: 38

Duffle Bags: 44

Totes: 24

Backpacks: 12

Thank you from the Juvenile Law Section and the Children and the Law Committee for all of the donations of NEW and GENTLY USED suitcases or large duffle bags for kids in the foster care system.

Often, foster youth are given trash bags to collect their things. when being removed from their home or when being moved from place to place while in state care. Providing these youth with a suit case or travel bag of their own can help restore some dignity.

Suitcase Drive Donors

• Teresa Burkett + her team members with Conner & Winters, LLP

• Jacque Ruhl + her community connections - See note below!

• Wendy Brooks + her team members with Vital Energy, Inc

• Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

• Pray Walker, PC

• Kirsten Palfreyman + her team members with Atkinson, Brittingham, Gladd, Fiasco, Edmonds, PC

The Impact....

"The collected luggage for the suitcase drive was contributed by various sources, including my personal household, some fellow law students, friends from church, as well as members of the Verdigris and Claremore communities. While a piece of luggage may not eradicate the trauma experienced by children upon their removal from their homes, it undeniably serves as a valuable means in mitigating the exacerbation of their circumstance, sparing them the distress of resorting to using a trash bag.

I am grateful that I could help and for all those who were generous in donating to the cause."

~ Jacqueline Ruhl

In regard to having access to your own luggage , "It's not only dignity, but also privacy"

~ A former Foster Kid herself who once had to carry her personal items in a trash bag, Kirsten Palfreyman

Can Attorneys Peacefully Co-Exist with Stress? Maybe….It Depends on the Attorney ….and the Stress.

By Allen E. Barrow, Jr. JD, John H. Lieber, RN, JD, and Jill Warnock, MD. Ph.D

Stress is inevitable, especially in the practice of law. But it can be successfully managed with the right strategies. There are two important components of successful stress management: stress prevention and stress coping. Let’s take a look at both of these.

1. Take a Step Back.

Can you steer away from the path that led to too much stress? Attorneys are analytical and self-reflective. Use that superpower to your advantage. If your stress level

too high, is it because you made some wrong turns in your personal or professional journey?

Did you choose the wrong law firm, specialty or relationships? If so, consider making a change. It may be impossible to disengage immediately, but you can start now to make plans for an eventual change that will happen a year or two down the road. In our attorney healthy living seminars, many attorneys tell us they are so much happier after quitting the wrong legal job and finding a more suitable one. Taking a step back can also include: 1) developing and nurturing social connections and 2) finding purpose and meaning in life.

2. Just Say No!

Some attorneys realize that a major source of their stress is from over committing. This is a real dilemma in a law practice, because declining to handle a legal matter has economic and professional consequences: less money coming in, fewer referrals in the future, etc. Over committing in matters not involving law may be easier to solve. Think hard about agreeing to anything that will encroach on your valuable time. Consider just saying no when you are asked to serve as the treasurer of your homeowners association, chair your high school reunion, etc.

Just say no to potential to clients who will not secure their account with a credit card or retainer. Where else in our economy can you reserve a hotel room or place an order for anything without providing a credit card? Try seeing a doctor without insurance or a credit card! Why should lawyers be any different? Maybe Charles Dickens said it best in David Copperfield: “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.”

3. Make the Best of What You Cannot Change.

We all have sources of stress in our lives that are beyond our control and not likely to change. For example, if you have a stressful personality conflict with a boss, a co-worker or family member, you will probably not be able to change their personality. You may find yourself focusing on their difficult personality, which will escalate your stress. If you can reframe your view of them, you can look for some characteristic in them that you can learn from. You can then focus

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Allen Barrow, Jr. JD is a retired attorney. He was one of the founding shareholders of the Tulsa Law Firm of Barrow and Grimm, PC. Allen established the employee wellness program at Barrow and Grimm over ten years ago.

John Lieber is a Tulsa attorney and registered nurse. His law practice focused on litigation, real estate and general business matters. His nursing work includes leading workshops for bar associations and other groups on a variety of health topics such as healthy eating, stress management, physical activity, sleep improvement, stroke prevention and diabetes management. He has helped many employers, including law firms, plan and implement wellness programs.

Julia “Jill” K. Warnock, M.D., Ph.D. is currently Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at OSU where she teaches and supervises psychiatric residents on an intermittent, part-time basis. She moved with her family to Tulsa to work as Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma

more of your attention on that characteristic than on their personality. For example, if your co-worker has a difficult personality, but is very good at his or her job, you can decide to accept the difficult personality and focus on how he or she can teach you to be a better lawyer.

4. Find Enjoyable Ways to Release Your Stress.

If stress is not released, it continues to build and can cause a breakdown. Some attorneys overuse drugs or alcohol to release the stress or handle the breakdown. Judicious use of alcohol and drugs can be part of successful stress management. Instead of or in addition to drugs and alcohol, try to find stress releasing activities that you enjoy doing. The key is to find something that you like to do, so it isn’t a chore. In our attorney healthy living seminars, the attorneys have told us about a wide variety of their successful stress relievers, including gardening, knitting, pickle ball and watching the Andy Griffith show.

Continued on next page...

Health Sciences Center from 1993 until 2016. She provided psychiatric consultation at the Indian Health Care Resource Center from 1994 until 2020. She also provides psychiatric consultation to Clarehouse Hospice Home in Tulsa.

She received the M.D. from the University of Tennessee and completed her residency in Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri. She is board certified in Psychiatry. Her Ph.D. in Psychology was completed at the University of Kansas.

Dr. Warnock has been an invited speaker at over 500 national and regional medical and professional meetings and teleconferences in various areas of Psychopharmacology and Women’s Health. In addition, she has over 60 publications in peer reviewed journals and book chapters, and she has served as a Principal Investigator in over 30 psychopharmacologic research projects related to depression, anxiety disorders, and hormone related mood disorders. She is a past President of Oklahoma Psychiatric Physicians Association (OPPA) and has received several teaching awards including Outstanding Faculty Award at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Of note, she has been nominated by her peers and selected by Castle Connelly, as Oklahoma’s Psychiatrist in Top Docs from 2006 to 2018.

Dr. Warnock’s current interest is focused on Psychopharmacology, Palliative Care, Nutritional Psychiatry, Stress Management, and Women’s Health.

5. Maintain Your Body.

Keeping your body healthy will help you withstand the inevitable loss of control that happens in life and law. Four pillars of wellness are healthy eating, physical activity, adequate sleep and stress management. Mindfully take pleasure in nutritious foods,..because we feel more resilient when we do. Enjoy movement in your body.. become physically vibrant; not because you should, but because it feels good, now. Lastly,..make time for sleep. Without sleep, you cannot maintain health. As we all know, our health is our most important asset.

Conclusion

Stress is inevitable in life and law but it doesn’t have to be unbearable. With effort spent on stress prevention, attorneys can hopefully reduce the stress coming into their lives. With a little more effort, attorneys can develop strategies that will help them successfully cope with everything else

Lawyers Hel ping Lawyers

Monthly meeting led by a Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee member. The small group discussions are intended to give group leaders and participants the opportunity to ask questions, provide support and share information with fellow bar members to improve their lives – professionally and personally.

Tulsa Meetings are held 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the office of Scott Goode, 1437 S. Boulder Ave., Ste. 1200, Tulsa.

scottbgoode@gmail.com

Meeting Dates: May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 19, Sept. 14.

Oklahoma City Meetings are held 6-7:30 p.m., Visit okbar.org for dates or email debraj@okbar.org. In-person meetings in Oklahoma City are held at the office of Tom Cummings, 701 NW 13th St., Oklahoma City. The group will also meet virtually at the same time using BlueJeans. Email debraj@okbar.org for login information.

In June 2023, Tulsa County Bar Association Energy Minerals Section (the EM Section) started planning our events for the upcoming 2023-24 year. As part of this process, we kindly ask you save the date for the following upcoming events.

The EM Section is hosting Alex R. Telarik and Ethan T. Mock for a lunch meeting tentatively set for Wednesday, September 13th. Alex concentrates his practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, oil and gas litigation and appellate law. Ethan’s practice focuses in the areas of energy law and oil and gas title examination. We are looking to make this a joint meeting between the TCBA Energy Mineral in Litigation Sections.

The Rose Rock Energy Addition Conference will take place on November 15th at the University of Tulsa. We are planning this conference with our fellow professionals in AAPG, AAPL, TGS, TAPL & SPE. We plan on the Rose Rock Energy Addition Conference covering the following topics:

• CCS/CCUS in the midcontinent and the submerged Lands of the United States Gulf of Mexico Region,

• Hydrogen production, transport and storage, and

• Subsurface Fluids: The search for Geothermal Reservoirs and Critical Minerals. We are also considering other sessions this upcoming year on blockchain in energy, energy public policy, and a public utility session.

Please contact Buford Boyd Pollett, Energy & Mineral Law Section Chair, at buford-pollett@ utulsa.edu if you have any questions.

OR REMINDERS

Attorney

The attorney must execute the Oath of Attorney to Obtain OR Privileges before a notary public. The attorney submits the notarized oath to the Tulsa County Bar Association and pays a $30 fee. The Tulsa County Bar Association will give the attorney the OR card.

Release of Client

The Attorney submits the Attorney’s Affidavit of Responsibility for the Court Appearance of the Client and Statement by Defendant, along with their OR card and photo ID (driver’s license), to the Deputy Court Clerks. For the release of clients in the custody of David L. Moss, Municipal Deputy Court Clerks will approve the OR form, obtain the signature of the defendant, and issue the release. District Deputy Court Clerks will follow the same instructions for clients surrendered in court. Pursuant to Administrative Order CV-2004- 8, each OR will be assessed a preset cash bond of $1.00. Municipal Clerks will issue a receipt and forward the cash to the District Court in the matter prescribed for cash bonds. Minute Clerks will direct the Attorneys to the Criminal & Traffic Division for the payment of $1.00; when presented with the receipt, they shall issue the release.

Recording of OR Bond

OR bonds issued for District Court cases will be forwarded to the Criminal & Traffic Division. The divisional clerks will enter the information into the case docket and the bond screen.

When a Client Fails to Appear

When a client fails to appear for court, the District Minute Clerks will issue the appropriate minute, bench warrant, and Order and Judgment of Forfeiture Suspension of Attorney. The Judge must sign the Order, and the minute clerk will sign the Suspension Notice. The Order and Judgment will be forwarded to the Criminal & Traffic Division for completion of the certificate of mailing and mailing to the Attorney and the Tulsa County Bar Association by first class mail. Mailing to the Tulsa County Bar Association should be directed to the attention of the executive director.

Suspension List

The Tulsa County Bar Association will prepare and maintain the suspension list. The suspension list will be e-mailed to Chief Erik Kitch and Sgt. Tressi Mizzell with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Judge Mitch McCune at the Municipal Court Clerk’s office. After the initial suspension list is distributed, the list shall be updated and sent when additions or deletions to the list occur.

Courthouse Security Badge Update:

With input from the Tulsa County Courthouse staff and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, the oath required for the security badge now includes the following stipulation:

"I understand that I must comply with all laws and rules, including Rules of Professional Conduct and all rules of the Fourteenth Judicial District Court, and that my failure to do so will result in the loss of my access badge. In addition, without limiting the foregoing, I understand and agree that any of the following will result in the loss of my access badge: (a) any conduct that results in a finding of contempt of court; (b) any act or threat of violence against or physical confrontation with any person in the courthouse; (c) any offense or conduct that the Sheriff deems a direct or indirect threat to the security of the courthouse; (d) any offense

or conduct that is a direct or indirect threat to the operations or peaceful environment of the courthouse; (e) any open warrant for any level of offense; (f) any conviction for any crime; (g) failure to follow directions of courthouse security personnel; (h) disbarment or suspension by the Oklahoma Bar Association, or any other State or Federal Bar Association. In accordance with the foregoing, I will immediately surrender my access badge upon request of the Sheriff or Sheriff’s deputy in charge of security, the Court Administrator, or any Judge of the Court."

Jackson

TCBA Vice President 2022-2023

Rest & Reset for Wellness

Rest and Reset. As hardworking professionals, we can all stand to pull a page from our childhood recess playbook on how to take a break and have fun. Embrace rest, relaxation, and those remaining summertime sunkissed days. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is extremely important for our wellness. Last month, I encouraged you to plan a trip, take a staycation, and go exploring. I sincerely hope you all took me up on that suggestion.

This month, I want to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and test out some new activities that you have always wanted to experience. August is a great time to look into exploring ways to rejuvenate and reenergize yourself. Take some moments to simply unwind and recharge. Set aside some time to read a new book, go for a stroll, and allow yourself to be fully present while enjoying a mental health rest and reset.

Disconnecting and living in what I call the “here and now” moments can often times lead to building stronger relationships in your family life and work life.

Recently, I took a wonderful vacation with my husband to the Czech Republic. I made the intentional decision not to wear my smart watch, so that I would not be distracted by checking text messages, phone calls, and emails, instead of being present for all the fun memories and moments. In other words, I was right here, right now living in the moment with him and not multi-tasking with my mind somewhere else. It was so fun being present in mind and body during our walks, strolls, and hikes through the streets of Prague uninterrupted by constantly checking my watch and phone. It was the best rest and reset!

Again, this August I encourage you to embark on new adventures, and find solace in building stronger relationships by staying focused on your own here and now moments. These adventures can lead to creating moments that will stay with you forever. It’s Your Move! Get on board and let’s make memories and relax and reset in August! Remember, even the court takes a recess.

As always, if you have ideas to share, would like to serve on a committee, or have a TCBA project or program you would like to see highlighted, please reach out to me or Tami Williams.

Stephanie Jackson TCBA, Vice President

Mindfulness for Your Health The Benefits of Living Moment by Moment

Health Benefits of Mindfulness

Studies suggest that focusing on the present can have a positive impact on health and well-being.

Mindfulness-based treatments have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. There’s also evidence that mindfulness can lower blood pressure and improve sleep. It may even help people cope with pain.

“For many chronic illnesses, mindfulness meditation seems to improve quality of life and reduce mental health symptoms,” says Dr. Zev Schuman-Olivier of Harvard University.

Paying attention to what’s going on right this second can be hard. We often spend more time thinking about what’s coming up in the future. Or dwelling on things in the past we can’t change. We can miss out on experiencing the present.

It’s possible to train yourself to focus on the present moment. You become aware of what’s going on inside and around you—your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and environment. You observe these moments without judgment. This is called mindfulness.

“We’re looking at our thoughts and feelings with curiosity, gentleness, and kindness,” explains Dr. Eric Loucks, director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown University.

Mindfulness has its roots in Buddhist meditation. Meditation is a practice that aims to increase awareness of the mind and concentration.

In recent years, mindfulness has become a household term. Mindfulness programs are now commonly found in schools, workplaces, and hospitals.

Mindfulness can involve a sitting meditation that’s practiced in a quiet space. In this practice, you focus on your breathing or sensations in your body. If your mind wanders—like thoughts popping in about things you need to do—you try to return your mind to the present moment.

But mindfulness doesn’t have to be done sitting still or in silence. You can integrate the practice into things you do every day, like walking or eating. You can also be mindful while interacting with others.

One of the first mindfulness-based therapies was used for depression. Many studies have shown that it can be effective for some people.

Mindfulness appears to help with depression in two ways. First, it helps you develop the ability to stay grounded in the present, explains Dr. Sona Dimidjian of the University of Colorado Boulder. She studies the use of mindfulnessbased treatments to prevent relapse of depression, including among pregnant women.

With depression, “your attention can get hijacked into the past or future,” she explains. You spend time focusing on past negative experiences or worrying about things to come.

Second, mindfulness can help you “de-center” from such thoughts. “It’s like being able to sit on the riverbank and watch thoughts floating by like leaves on a stream,” Dimidjian says. “Developing the skill of mindfulness can help stop you from being pulled into any one thought and carried down the stream. People often experience thoughts like, ‘nothing ever works out for me,’ or ‘it’s always going to be this way. Over time, and with practice, you can develop the ability to stand back from these painful thought patterns.”

Researchers are now studying whether mindfulness training can help with a variety of other conditions, including PTSD, eating disorders, and addiction.

Schuman-Olivier is looking at whether mindfulness can help reduce anxiety among people being treated for opioid use. This could help prevent relapse.

Developing Healthy Habits

Being mindful may also help you make healthier choices. Loucks’s team at Brown created an eight-week mindfulness program for people with high blood pressure.

They studied whether the program increased participants’ awareness of their habits. This included how they ate. The study found that participants chose a healthier diet after taking the course.

You can bring mindfulness to your eating habits, too. Studies suggest that it can help reduce binge eating and emotional eating. Paying closer attention to your body can help you notice signals that you’re full and help you better enjoy your food.

This body awareness seems to be one part of how mindfulness helps people adopt healthier habits. If you’ve just eaten a jelly donut, you may be more likely to notice an unpleasant sugar crash, Loucks explains. Remembering this can help you to make better food choices in the future.

This goes for positive feelings too. “With physical activity, just about everybody feels better afterwards. So, with mindfulness training we’re aware of it improving our mood, and then we can use that reward to actually train ourselves,” Loucks says.

Mindfulness may also help with setting a goal. “We can place our mind on being more active or eating more fruits and vegetables. And if we place our intention there, it may be more likely that we’re going to carry through and make it happen,” Loucks explains.

Learning To Be Mindful

If you want to practice mindfulness, there are many online programs and apps. But they’re not all created equal. Experts suggest looking for resources from medical schools and universities. Check to see if they’re evidence-based.

Dimidjian’s team developed an eight-week self-guided online mindfulness program. Her studies showed that the program helped reduce symptoms of depression more than a standard treatment alone.

“If you end up having difficulty with an app, though, don’t take it personally or think that you’re somehow bad at mindfulness, or it’s not meant for you,” Schuman-Olivier says. You can also try finding a teacher or someone with the skills to guide you in mindfulness training.

And just like any skill, mindfulness takes practice. “Just because something is simple, doesn’t mean that it’s easy,” Dimidjian says.

Mental training can take time and dedication. Aim for a few minutes of mindfulness each day to start.

A body scan meditation can be a good way to connect with your body. It helps make you aware of how your body feels as you mentally scan from head to toe.

Start in a comfortable position with your eyes closed. Take several deep breaths. Then, notice your feet. How do they feel?

Let your scan travel up your body—legs, stomach, arms, hands, neck, and finally, head. Notice any sensations or discomfort. Try not to change or judge these feelings— you’re simply checking in. Doing body scans on a regular basis can help increase mindfulness.

For more tips on practicing mindfulness, see the Wise Choices Box.

Wise Choices Being Mindful

Becoming more mindful requires practice. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Take some deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose to a count of 4, hold for 1 second and then exhale through the mouth to a count of 5. Repeat often.

• Enjoy a stroll. As you walk, pay attention to your breath and the sights and sounds around you. If thoughts and worries enter your mind, note them but then return to the present.

• Practice mindful eating. Be aware of taste, textures, and flavors in each bite. Listen to when your body is hungry and full.

• Do a body scan. Bring your attention to how each part of your body is feeling. This can help you connect with your body.

• Find mindfulness resources including online programs and teacher-guided practices.

Source: NIH News in Health, https://newsinhealth.nih. gov/2021/06/mindfulness-your-health

Elizabeth Mary McCormick

Betsy is survived by her husband, Stephen Bulmer, and her three children, Maya Lindsay (22), a rising senior at Mills College at Northeastern University, Cormac Graeme (20), a rising sophomore at the University of Tulsa, and Lachlan James (17), a rising senior at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa.

She is also survived by her mother, Barbara McCormick, siblings Pat, Teri (Hinton), Kitty (Baca), Kevin, Mary (Storch), Peggy (Newsom) and Ann (Saybolt), in-laws Margaret (Stephen’s mother), Kevin, Gregory, Wayne, Craig, Suzie (Behsman), Wally, and a gaggle of nieces and nephews on both sides.

Betsy loved to run, and enjoyed many outdoor activities with her family, including gardening, hiking and bike riding. She was an avid traveler (27 countries at last count) and held both American and Irish passports. She and her children participated in many social justice campaigns and protest marches for the rights of women, immigrants and all humans. She worked in support of oppressed groups of all kinds. Her support of democratic ideals around the globe was her hallmark.

Betsy was born in Wiesbaden, Germany on May 29,1963, to Barbara (nee Kirkpatrick) and William (Bill) McCormick. The seventh of eight children in an Air Force family, she lived in Germany, Alabama, Texas, and New Jersey before graduating from Cinnaminson (NJ) High School in 1981. She earned a B.A. at Fordham University in 1985, followed by a Master of Arts (French Language and Literature) from NYU in 1988, and finally her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1994.

Elizabeth Mary (Betsy/Lizzie) McCormick, 60, died July 7, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her husband and children, following complications related to ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. She was a brilliant lawyer and academic, a passionate advocate for the rights of the underrepresented and underserved, and a pioneer in immigration justice work. She touched and changed so many lives—as a loving wife, loyal friend, devoted sister, and a trusted colleague, teacher and advocate. But no one mattered to Betsy more than her children—she was happiest in their presence.

Upon graduation from law school, she took a job with the Philadelphia (PA) Public Defender’s office, followed by a stint as the Assistant Attorney General of the Federated States of Micronesia, where she met her husband, Steve. In 2000, they moved to Hartford (CT) where she became a Clinical Fellow at the University of Connecticut School of Law until 2004. She then spent a year lecturing at Cornell Law School in Utica, NY.

In 2005, Betsy accepted a position as an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Tulsa College of Law. She came to Tulsa to start an immigration clinic, the Immigrant Rights Project (IRP). In 2006, Betsy started what turned out to be the second

incubator program in the country, the Tulsa Immigrant Resource Network (TIRN), to work in conjunction with the Immigrant Rights Project. Her vision lives on to this day, as TIRN celebrates its 15th year.

Betsy was also a scholar and a tenured professor at the University of Tulsa College of Law. She served as the first Associate Dean of Experiential Learning here until 2019. Her scholarship was brilliant yet practical, and her commitment to the University of Tulsa College of Law was extraordinary. Betsy served as Interim Dean in the Fall of 2021 and served for several semesters as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. She retired in May of this year.

In lieu of flowers, those inclined to do so can donate to a fund established to support her family and/or a fund established in Betsy’s name to support the cost of immigration advocacy in Tulsa.

A memorial service will be held later this summer.

CELEBRATE YOU & SUPPORT YOUR TCBF

Gr apevine News

Ted J. Nelson and Spencer C. Pittman have been named as shareholders of the Tulsa law firm of Winters & King, Inc.

Mr. Nelson received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and his law degree from the O.W. Coburn School of Law at Oral Roberts University.

Mr. Pittman received his B.A. from the University of Oklahoma and his law degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Mr. Nelson and Mr. Pittman both serve on the litigation team at Winters & King. They practice in the areas of business law and transactions in addition to providing legal counsel to nonprofit organizations, ministries, and churches

Kara Vincent

By being a member of the TCBA, you are also a member of the Tulsa County Bar Foundation. As a general rule, the funds that come into the Foundation are the result of a fundraising event for our community, and the monies raised are immediately distributed back out into the community through non-profit organizations.

In an effort to assist the Foundation, we have implemented a monthly “Fund the Foundation” program. To participate we are asking each member who has a birthday this month to consider making a donation to the Foundation. You can do so with the QR Code shown here.

If you are not currently a Fellow, please consider joining that program. As a thank you (and let’s be honest, an encouragement to other members), if you donate before the 10th of the month we will include a shout out to you in the next issue of Tulsa Lawyer Magazine.

If you wish to donate or join the Fellows program, please contact Tami Williams at tamiw@tulsabar.com.

Sincerely,

Philip Hixon TCBA President, 2022-2023

C lassified a ds

The Law Firm of ATKINSON, BRITTINGHAM, GLADD, FIASCO & EDMONDS is currently seeking an associate attorney with a minimum of 2 to 5 years of experience in litigation. The associate in this position will be responsible for court appearances, depositions, performing discovery, interviews and trials in active cases filed in the Oklahoma Eastern, Northern, and Western Federal District Courts and Oklahoma Courts statewide. Atkinson, Brittingham, Gladd, Fiasco & Edmonds is primarily a defense litigation firm focusing on general civil trial and appellate practice, insurance defense, medical and legal malpractice, and Native American law. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Please provide your resume, references and a cover letter including salary requirements to Carol J. Allen at callen@abg-oklaw.com.

ATKINSON, BRITTINGHAM, GLADD, FIASCO & EDMONDS is seeking an associate attorney with zero to five years of experience who is proficient in research and writing. Atkinson, Brittingham, Gladd & Fiasco is primarily a defense litigation firm focusing on general civil trial and appellate practice, insurance defense, medical and legal malpractice, and Native American law. Compensation and benefits package will be commensurate with the applicant’s experience. Applicants should submit a resume, writing sample and transcript to James N. Edmonds at jedmonds@ abg-oklaw.com.