Health & Wellness
2020 - 2021 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
Front Desk Coordinator General Inquiries Mallory Sanstra
frontdesk@tulsabar.com Ext. 1000
Membership Director Accounting CLE, Sections & Committees accounting@tulsabar.com Lisa Laughrey Ext. 1001 Lawyer Referral &Community Resource Navigator Jeril Haug jerilh@tulsabar.com Ext. 1003
Tulsa Lawyer Editor - Michael Taubman mptaubman@taubmanlawoffice.com Associate Editor - Milly Dunlap Tulsa Lawyer Submissions - tulsabarnews@yahoo.com
TCBA OFFICERS
President................................................................ Kimberly Moore Past President......................................................... Jim Milton President-Elect............................................................ Kara Vincent Vice President.......................................................... Philip D. Hixon Secretary..................................................................... Natalie Sears Treasurer................................................................. Mike Esmond Budget/Internal Operations........................................ Lisa Creveling Foundation President ...........................................Christina Vaughn Director at Large (1) Large Firm................................. Philip Hixon Director at Large (2) Large Firm.......................... C. Austin Birney Director at Large (1) Medium Firm................................ Kara Pratt Director at Large (2) Medium Firm.................. Jennifer L. Struble Director at Large (1) Small Firm...........................Tamera Childers Director at Large (2) Small Firm...........................Linda 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)............................................ Trisha Archer Presiding Judge ..................................... Judge William LaFortune U.S. District Court .................................. Hon. John Dowdell C.J., Tulsa Municipal Court............................. Hon. Gerald Hofmeister TU Law School.......................................................... Rachel Baker
FOUNDATION APPOINTMENTS
Law Day ......................................................................Lizzie Riter Community Outreach................................................ Ashley Webb Golf Chair.......................................Trisha Archer & Brian Keester Scholarship Chair.................................................... Faith Orlowski Submission, Grapevine & AdvertisingVisit 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 Lisa Laughrey at llaughrey@tulsabar.com
FOUNDATION
President...........................................................Christina M.Vaughn Treasurer..................................................................... Philip Hixon Trustee....................................................................... Chad McLain Trustee.......................................................................... Jim Gotwals Trustee.................................................... Hon. Martha Rupp Carter Trustee....................................................................... Ken Williams Trustee...........................................................................Lizzie Riter Trustee........................................................... Honorable Ann Keele Trustee..........................................................................Justin Munn TCBA President.....................................................Kimberly Moore TCBA Pres. Elect........................................................Kara Vincent
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
Access to Justice.............................................. ......Shena Burgess Access to Justice Co-Chair...............................Hon. Tanya Wilson Animal Law..................................................... ..........Katy Inhofe Bench & Bar.................................................... Kevinn Matthews Children & the Law......................................... ........Lizzie Riter Children & the Law Vice Chair..........Timothy Michaels-Johnson CLE ................................................................. .........James Asbill Diversity Development......................................................Ben Fu Diversity Co-chair...................................................DeborahReed Fee Arbitration................................................. ..........Gary Crews Law Related Education...................................Stephanie Jackson Law Related Education Co-Chair.................... ........Ron Jones , II Lawyer Referral............................................... Catherine Hoopert Membership Services....................................................Kara Pratt Mentoring......................................................... .....Faith Orlowski Mentoring Co-chair.......................................... ........Randy Lewin Military/Veterans ............................................ ...Mitchell Garrett Military/Veterabs Co-Chair.............................. Hon. David Guten Nominations & Awards.................................... ...........Jim Milton Pro Bono............................................................... Mac Finlayson Professionalism................................................ ...........Rick White Public Relations....................................................Steve Layman Social Media.........................................................Collaborative Special Events.................................................. .......Natalie Sears Tulsa Lawyer.................................................... Michael Taubman Young Lawyers Division................................. ....Ephraim Alajaji
SECTION CHAIRPERSONS
ADR/Mediation..........................................................Melissa Fell Bankruptcy....................................................... ........Paul Thomas Business/Corporate.......................................... .............................. Criminal Law................................................... ........Daniel Levy Employment Law............................................. ...Kassidy Quinten Energy & Mineral Law.................................... .......Ryan Pittman Family Law...................................................... ...Todd Alexander Health Law . .................................................... ..... Kristen Evans Health Law Vice Chair..................................... Whitney Dockrey Immigration Law Chair.................................... ....Whitney Webb Juvenile Law.................................................... ..........Lizzie Riter Juvenile Law Co-Chair.......................Timothy Michaels-Johnson Litigation Co-Chairs...............Robert Mitchener & Robert Winter Municipal Law................................................David Weatherford Paralegals/Legal Assistants.............................. .........Gloria Jones Paralegal /Legal Assistants Vice Chair............ Deborah Gresh Probate/Estate/Elder......................................... ...Catherine Welsh Solo/Small Firm............................................... ......Mark Zannotti Tax ......................................................... .....Ashlee Crouch Technology ...................................................Pansy Moore-Shrier Workers Comp................................................. ............................ * Section Chairs will be updated as positions are filled.
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.
A Message from the President
Kimberly K. Moore 2020-2021 TCBA President
Pg. 2
CREATING A LAW FIRM WELLNESS PROGRAM By John Lieber, RN, JD & Allen Barrow, Jr., JD Page 10
TCBA GIVEAWAYS Page 26
TULSA LAWYER
In this Issue
October 2020
2
A Season for Changes
4
Photo Opportunity Helping Lawyers Against Pawverty
5
Women in Law: A Look Back Judge Dorothy Young
7
Member Benefits - Take a Look!
9
Holiday Challenge Time!
18
VP's Corner - Handled Out of the Courtroom Philip Hixon
19
Veteran's Project Notice
20
Getting to Know... Jeril Haug
21
Getting to Know.... Mallory Sanstra
22
Children & the Law - Making a Difference Natalie Sears
23
Annual Meeting & Golf - Meeting the Challenge to Give
24
TCBA CLE -
COMPLETE VIRTUAL LIVE SCHEDULE
26
Giveaway Time!
27
Community Outreach - Thank You!
28
Ponderings by Lulu
30 Grapevine 31
In Memory of...
32
Classifieds The Bar Center remains closed for large meetings. The staff is available to members via phone or email during business hours of Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm
918-584-5243
Tulsa Lawyer 1
A Message from the President Kimberly K. Moore
A Season for Changes
Dear TCBA Members, As we enter October, I see signs of Fall all around me. Pumpkins stacked around the supermarket, recipes for apple cider appear on Pinterest, arts and crafts projects abound with ideas for Halloween and Thanksgiving, not to mention the leaves begin their colorful journey to signify this calendar year draws closer to its end. Perhaps for some, it’s none too soon, yet for others, the desire to turn back the sun and have just one more day to spend with family, friends, and colleagues (or catch-up on that overdue project).
your responses to our survey earlier in the year. We will never get it all right. We will have great achievements, yet we may face setbacks as well. Together as members of the TCBA, it is important to be aware and take each moment as a gift, an opportunity to learn and grow.
As nature reveals a change in seasons, we recognize that life is always changing. We as a community must embrace the challenging shifts in our life – both personal and work. While many changes may be joyful, we must also recognize that they present challenges in shifting our worldview. It is all the joy and challenges combined that provide us the opportunity to reflect, grow, appreciate and learn.
Lisa Laughrey, CVA – Membership Director
Staff Updates While we on the topic of growth, please welcome to our recent additions and transitions within the TCBA staff: Lisa joined us in February and brings Human Resources, Human Relations and Volunteer Management experience with her. She has done tremendous implementing live streaming CLE for our members through the pandemic.
Jeril Haug - Lawyer Referral and Community Resource Our Bar is not without change either. The TCBA Navigator unveiled a new logo at the Annual Meeting luncheon, the Jeril is new to the TCBA. She spent the last 10 interior renovation is moving forward, our membership years working as a civil and criminal law paralegal. Her numbers surpassed our numbers from this time last passions are community and helping people. She is year, and we recently launched our Free Job Bank. We resourceful and caring and the TCBA is lucky to have expanded our member benefits as a result of found her. She has already proven a great asset.
Mallory Sanstra – Front Desk Coordinator Mallory comes to us with experience in the communications arena where she spent 9 years with Cox Communications as a Revenue & Margin Assurance Specialist. Mallory has been assisting the TCBA with various tasks for the last year but is now official. Membership As I stated above, our membership numbers to date increased over this time last year, but we’re still missing some of you in our ranks. It’s time to renew those memberships. If you have not sent in your renewal to the TCBA or if you were still debating it, NOW is the time to join! Many changes will be taking place this year, so you definitely don’t want to miss out. The TCBA has much to offer its members, such as: free CLE; free live streaming yoga classes; discounted event tickets; expanded member benefits; member appreciation month chock full of free activities for the members and their families; O.R. Cards and discounts on Courthouse Access Badges; and our newly added Free Job Bank. As a member you also have the option to get directly involved through our Court Assistance Program, Lawyer Referral Service or Mentor Program. I encourage you to get involved by joining a committee or section OR, better yet, chair a committee or a section. We have some openings left, so please let Tami Williams or myself know where you’d like to engage with TCBA. Also, please remember to check the TCBA website often as our TCBA staff will keep updates regarding COVID-19 information and updates, Tulsa County Courthouse Administrative Orders, and Oklahoma Supreme Court Administrative Orders. We are here to assist in any way we can. If you have any questions or comments or believe there is anything we could be doing better, please do not hesitate to contact me at kimberly.moore@laok.org. Sincerely,
Kimberly K. Moore TCBA President, 2020-2021
Need CLE?
Check out page 24 for our virtual live schedule or visit www.tcba.vocalmeet.com to see previous CLE's you may have missed.
Is your pet tired of quarantined selfies with you?
Chance was too, so she went to the professionals! Studio D Photography is offering professional pet photo sessions, hosted by the Tulsa County Bar Association’s Animal Law Committee, to benefit Lawyers Against Pawverty. Proceeds go to Pause4Paws, a local nonprofit that provides short term emergency foster care for pets of individuals impacted by homelessness, mental illness, or addiction, who need urgent medical care but will not abandon their pets. If you are a part of the legal community – and even if you are not! –you are invited to be part of the fun and help support such a worthy cause in Tulsa County. Tulsa County legal community, including Lawyers, their staff, or any Tulsa County, City, State or Federal Courthouse employee, will be eligible for their Pet to be entered in the Lawyers Again Pawverty’s “Cutest Pet Contest”. The Cutest Pet winner along with the runners-up, will be featured in the December Tulsa Lawyer and in the TulsaPets Magazine in early 2021!
you along with you pet as part of the fundraiser, but only pet pictures will be eligible for the Tulsa County legal community “Cutest Pet Contest” to be featured in TulsaPets Magazine. To schedule your photo session, please call Studio D Photography directly, 918-494-6686, located at 8220 South Harvard, Tulsa, and let them know you are scheduling as part of the Lawyers Against Pawverty Fundraiser. The cost for a 5” x 7” photo is $30 and for only $5 more ($35), you can get an 8” x 10” professional photo. You will pay Studio D at time of your photo session. Masks are required, and they only book one session at a time. If you feel you cannot go inside at this time, tell Studio D and we will work to schedule a day for outside pictures. We are Covidaware and support each pet owner. Call Studio D Photography to schedule you pet photo session before October 21st and help support the amazing efforts of Lawyers Against Pawverty in Tulsa County. Many precious animals will be helped and for only $30 or $35 coming from your heart.
The Lawyers Against Pawverty fundraiser runs now through October 21 , and the Photo sessions are open to anyone wanting a professional photo of their Thank you for photographing your pet for pet. Studio D Photography is happy to photograph such a great cause! And a special thanks to Studio D Photography and TulsaPets Magazine for partnering with Lawyers Against Pawverty! st
Don't Let This Opportunity Pass You By! *participants may be showcased on FB and in an issue of the Tulsa Lawyer magazine. Pictures for contest must only contain animals. *participants are welcome to take additional pictures with themselves and their pets, or family portraits and purchase a photo package from Studio D.
Women in Law: A Look Back
Judge Dorothy Young
Dorothy Young was educated in Chelsea, Oklahoma, and moved to Tulsa in 1917. While working as a stenographer with the Tulsa office of Ramsey, de Meules & Martin, she studied law and graduated from the University of Tulsa Law School. She was admitted to the bar in 1928. After working with a Tulsa firm for three years and then serving in positions with the State Corporation Commission, the Indian Territory Illuminating Oil Co. and the Barnsdall Oil Co., Ms. Young opened her own law office in Tulsa in 1950. She was an unsuccessful candidate for the Common Pleas Court that year and is believed to be the first woman in Tulsa's history to seek election to judicial office. She then moved on to become an assistant county attorney. In 1954, while serving in the county attorney's office, she was the first woman to be appointed as Tulsa County Juvenile Judge, a position she held until 1966.
Young's salary on the bench was $12,250 and during her 12-year tenure on the bench, she was referred to as a "stand-in-parent for 30,000 children." In 1962, Ms. Young was named one of two "Women of the Year" by the Oklahoma unit of the American Women in Radio and Television, and the next year she was appointed to the Committee on Juvenile Delinquency of the American Bar Association. Judge Young died in 1970, but not before she was able to witness the realization of one of her dreams: a suitable home for juvenile offenders. Judge Young's career may be best summed up with her own quote: "Life is service, and when you're serving in some way, you're living." The TCBA is taking a look back to share the stories of women in law and their contributions to the legal community. These biographies were originally printed in Women in Law as part of the TCBA Centennial Celebration in 2002 and recognized at the Women in Law Conference in Dallas, Texas that same year. Photo credit: Cobb, Richard. [Photograph 2012.201.b1426.0737], photograph, August 22, 1951;(https://gateway.okhistory.org/ ark:/67531/metadc760263/: accessed September 16, 2020), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society. Reprinted with permission.
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Have Your Renewed Your Courthouse Security Badge for 2020-2021? • Everyone needs to turn in their old or expired badges to the Tulsa County Sheriff Office in order to receive a new badge. • To receive or renew your badge for the 20-21 year, pay the $50 fee, and return your signed and notarized oath to TCBA. • Badges will be valid 09/01/20-08/31/21
• Non-TCBA members must also submit a signed and notarized oath and payment of $150. Oaths can be found online or email lisal@tulsabar.com. • The authorization receipt will be mailed unless you make other arrangements to pick it up.
• This receipt must be presented at the Sheriff’s Office, along with a photo ID, and your old or expired badge to have your picture and fingerprints taken and to receive your access badge. New badges will be valid until the expiration date of August 31, 2021.
Member Benefits Renew Now!
The new year has started so don't delay in getting your membership forms filled out! Be sure to select your Section choices and get ready for an exciting year!
New & Exciting!
• TCBA JOB BANK- Whether you're searching for
the perfect candidate or you're looking for your dream job, the TCBA Job Bank allows you to connect with the best of Tulsa's Legal Community! Job posts FREE for members or $50 per post for non-members
• 20% off Massages & Private Yoga Sessions with Caroline Meeks, Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher.
• Trainers Discount! Our personal trainer neighbor is offering a pay by the month option with no contracts! Members get 20% off sessions in their first 4 weeks. 1 trainer per 1-2 clients max.
• Master Clean Carpet and Tile Cleaning of Tulsa, LLC 20% off all services including commercial and residential carpet cleaning, steam cleaning, tile & grout cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and more.
• AmericanChecked is offering 15% off volume discount pricing from a full-service, nationally accredited background screening company based in Tulsa. FCRAcertified screening experts can help members build the perfect package for their firms.
• The Philbrook Museum of Art is providing a 20% discount for all 1st time Philbrook members from TCBA. • Tulsa Ballet is offering TCBA members unlimited number of tickets 50% off! (Based on availability. Section availability varies for each performance). • The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra is offering a 10% discount on subscription packages and select performances.
• You Move Me Tulsa is a veteran-owned local 5-star moving company offering TCBA members 10% off the hourly rate. • Free Live Streaming Yoga! Two sessions every week with instructor Caroline Meeks.
Current Favorites • Free Live Continuing Legal Education (CLE)! Now live streaming for members at no cost!
• Exclusive discount on the purchase of the Courthouse Access Security Badge. • Ability to purchase the O.R. Card for O.R. privileges.
• Free subscription to Tulsa Lawyer Magazine! A $40 savings! Digital copies included. (Applies to paid memberships only).
• Opportunity to increase your client base through TCBA’s Lawyer Referral Program.
• Timely notices regarding administrative orders from the Tulsa County District Court, and other similar updates as they are made available, concerning closings and special rules during the pandemic. • Ability to develop strategic relationships through professional networking opportunities.
• Opportunities to volunteer in the specific law area of your choice through sections, committees, and community projects with other attorneys. • Discounted tickets to local sporting events including the Thunder, Oilers, Drillers, Roughnecks and Golden Hurricane.
Membership Year 2020-2021
TCBA BENEFIT 12 Tulsa Lawyer 8 Tulsa Lawyer
2020 TCBA HOLIDAY CHALLENGE The holidays are almost here!!! That means, please act now if you’d like to adopt a family for the 2020 TCBA Holiday Challenge!! It’s a great way to give back to the community and do some good with that holiday spirit. Many families in the Tulsa area are hungry, cold, and in dire need of gifts for their children. The good news is, we can do something to change that!
If you would like to adopt a family, please contact me, Lizzie Riter, by November 6th so we can start the matching process with Family & Children’s Services.
If you’d like to get involved in more than one way, please feel free to reach out to me at riterlizzie@ gmail.com so I can give you information on how to get The process is simple and just like before. You involved. can either choose to donate money, or you can choose to be matched with a specific family in need. Here’s All 2020 sponsors will be recognized in the how it works: Tulsa Lawyer Magazine as being totally awesome Cash: Send your tax deductible donations payable to people with generous hearts (so let me know if you TCBF and note “Holiday Challenge” on your payment. would prefer your donation remain anonymous). Let’s Cash donations will be accepted through December 4, show our Tulsa area children in need that they are 2020. not forgotten. Please join us and let’s make the 2020 Holiday Challenge a huge success! -orAdopt a Family: 1.
Select the family size that you or your team want to adopt and Family & Children’s Services will match your team with a family in need;
2.
Submit your team’s information (names and contact information) and size of family you wish to adopt via email to riterlizzie@gmail.com;
3.
Once matched, you will be given a list of requested items from your adopted family. The items requested for your adopted family will need to be gift wrapped and dropped off to either TCBA or Family & Children’s Services in Tulsa by December 11, 2020;
4.
Family & Children’s Services will distribute the gifts to your “adopted” family!
CREATING A LAW FIRM WELLNESS PROGRAM By John Lieber, RN, JD and Allen Barrow, Jr., JD
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost half of U.S. worksites offer some type of health promotion or wellness program. Is it time for your firm to consider starting an employee wellness program? This article: 1) Describes why a wellness program can help the firm and its employees; and 2) Contains a step-by step description of how to get started. Bar Associations Encourage Attorney Wellness The American Bar Association has established a national task force on lawyer well-being. The purpose of the task force is to create a movement to improve well-being in the legal profession. On the first page of its first report, the task force states: “To be a good lawyer, one has to be a healthy lawyer. Sadly, our profession is falling short when it comes to well-being…. Studies reveal that too many lawyers and law students experience chronic stress and high rates of depression and substance use. These findings are incompatible with a sustainable legal profession, and they raise troubling implications for many lawyers’ basic competence. This research suggests that the current state of lawyers’ health cannot support a profession dedicated to client service and dependent on the public trust.” The task force has made many recommendations, including:
• •
Leaders Should Demonstrate a Personal Commitment to Well-Being Legal Employers Should Establish Policies and Practices to Support Lawyer Well-Being
10 Tulsa Lawyer
• Bar Regulators should Modify the Rules of Professional Responsibility to Endorse Well Being as Part of a Lawyer’s Duty of Competence • Bar Regulators should Expand Continuing Education Requirements to Include Well-Being Topic The Oklahoma Bar Association and Tulsa County Bar Association are doing their part to make attorney well-being important. The OBA rules now allow CLE credit for many programs with attorney well-being topics. The OBA and the Tulsa County Bar Association have conducted or scheduled CLE programs on stress management, healthy eating, physical activity, and better sleep. Due to the coronavirus, the Tulsa County Bar association recently conducted such a program via ZOOM. On April 30, 2021, the authors of this article will lead a 6 hour OBA CLE workshop on “From Distress to De-Stress: Habits of Healthy and Happy Attorneys”. Creating a Firm Wellness Program will be one segment of the workshop. Other segments will be stress management, healthy eating, physical activity and better sleep. The Benefits of a Wellness Program Your good health can be an asset to you, your family and your firm. Conversely, your poor health may adversely affect not only you but also your family, the firm and its clients.
Employers with a successful wellness program can find that: • Wellness programs inspire important behavior changes • Healthy, active employees incur lower health costs • Employees who take advantage of wellness programs are less absent from work and more productive at work • Wellness programs attract and retain top talent Employees participating in a wellness program may find that: • They have more energy, a better self-image, and a sense of accomplishment • A disciplined approach to wellness, including proper nutrition, sleep, exercise and social relations, may serve as a guide to their children in how they live their lives • It provides an opportunity to socialize with other participants, have some fun and work together to achieve a common goal • In the time of coronavirus, remote participation in a wellness program, such as via ZOOM, can help with the stress and isolation that can result from working at home
The foundation of any wellness program is to provide accurate information on health topics. Fortunately, there are many good sources of authoritative health information that law firms can use. Federal and state government websites are a great place to start. University websites are also helpful. Well respected medical clinics such as Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic are also good sources of information. Set forth below is a list of some entities that provide quality information. Choose My Plate https://www.choosemyplate.gov/ U.S. Department of Agriculture https://www.usda.gov/ topics/food-and-nutrition
National Institutes of Health https://www.nih.gov/
Centers for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/
American Heart Association www.heart.org American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/ Harvard Health https://www.health.harvard.edu/
Should Your Firm Wellness Program Be Voluntary or Mandatory To maximize the opportunity for success of a law firm wellness program, we recommend that the law firm include only the workers who voluntarily choose to be in it. If you make it voluntary, then the participants will begin the program with an understanding of the benefits of healthy living and some level of motivation to be healthy. If the program succeeds, then other employees may observe the progress and perhaps be motivated to join in. The Three Pillars of a Successful Wellness Program: Information, Motivation, and Accountability Information In our culture, there is so much confusion and outright misinformation about healthy living topics. Should I eat foods with carbohydrates? How many steps a day are enough? How much sleep do I really need? Are face masks effective in preventing the spread of coronavirus?
American College of Sports Medicine Fitness Trends https:// www.acsm.org/read-research/trending-topics-resourcepages/acsm-fitness-trends Motivation Motivating people to choose healthy behaviors is difficult, and the problem is no different in the workplace. Even though some employees are self-motivated for a healthy lifestyle, many are not. The challenge for a law firm is to change the behavior of employees who are not practicing healthy habits. One approach to changing health behaviors is to build a spirit of teamwork, community, and collaboration among employees. For employees who are not practicing healthy habits, it is clear that they are not able to do it alone; they need help. The help can come from their co-workers in the form of suggestions, encouragement and feedback in pursuit of a common goal. The law firm can create the environment for this to happen. Three methods for a law firm to create a spirit of teamwork, community and collaboration are: 1) wellness advocates; 2) friendly competition and 3) incentives. These methods can be used singly or all together. Each method is discussed in more detail below.
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Wellness Advocates: One way to develop a collaborative healthy workplace environment is for the law firm to ask selected employees to volunteer for its team of wellness advocates. Depending on the size of the firm, there can be 2 to 5 wellness advocates, or more. Ideally, the team of advocates will reflect the diversity of the workforce, so every firm employee will be able to relate to at least one wellness advocate. This would include a mixture of: older and younger, male and female, attorney and staff, etc. One essential trait of a wellness advocate is an employee who is interested in healthy living. The employee may be someone who is still on the difficult journey of eliminating unhealthy behaviors but making some progress. Such an employee may relate better to co-workers who haven’t started their own journey or are not as far along. There is nothing wrong with having a wellness advocate who already has a very healthy lifestyle. Such a person can be a role model and a valuable source of information and possible inspiration for co-workers. However, some co-workers might not relate well to such an advocate, believing that achieving such a level of health success is beyond their own reach. Another essential trait of the wellness advocate is a genuine desire to continually communicate with and help coemployees. In order for co-employees to change behavior, they will need lots of attention, information, empathy,
patience and encouragement. By continuously interfacing with his or her colleagues on the path to wellness, the advocate can provide all of these things. The advocate can initiate workplace contact with a colleague and offer encouraging comments, such as: •
“I saw you walking during lunch today.”
• “A few of us are going to do a healthy potluck lunch. Would you like to join in?” •
“I heard that you are riding your bike – how is that going?”
Friendly Competition: Using input from the wellness advocates and the workforce, the firm can design a friendly competition. The competition can be among individuals or among teams. Forming teams can be effective because employees often feel accountable to their team members. The outcome of the competition can be some award for participation and/or winning. The nature of the competition and the award are only limited by the imagination of the firm. Some simple competitions can be: • Counting steps or miles • Time spent exercising or doing relaxation techniques • Healthy recipe contest • General Wellness Challenge that includes a variety of activities • Designate a wellness week or month
Incentives: Many wellness programs use incentives. Just like competitions, the nature of incentives is limited only by the imagination of the firm, using input from the advocates and workforce. Some examples of incentives include: • • • • • •
Cash or a gift card to wellness program participants or to competition winners Trophies, certificates or ribbons to participants or winners A prize or cash drawing for participants A day off on the employee’s birthday Jeans day A free lunch and learn at regular intervals If the firm receives a rebate on its medical insurance premiums due to reduced claims, share all or a portion of the rebate with the wellness program participants
Accountability To change behavior for the better, it is not enough to know what to do and have a sincere motivation to do it. Action is needed. Accountability is the process of verifying that: 1) action has been taken and 2) the expected results have been accomplished. In wellness programs, this means that an employee has done something to improve health, or has done something to maintain good health. To ensure accountability, a firm employer can establish certain commitments from its wellness program participants. Some examples of these commitments can include: • • • • •
An annual physical exam Reach or maintain the weight recommended by the employee’s physician No smoking/vaping Participation in the firm wellness events 150 minutes per week of aerobic (cardiovascular) exercise Moderate alcohol use
To measure whether good health has been maintained or better health has been achieved, the firm can look to objective and subjective data. Objective data can be observable facts, such as healthier eating, fitness activity during work breaks, less absenteeism, improved quality or quantity of work, etc. Subjective data is something that is typically shared by the employee with co- workers. It can include statements such as: • • • •
“I have more energy now that I am eating healthier” “I enjoyed walking with you during the lunch break yesterday” “I am proud of myself for taking steps toward healthier living” “I feel more focused and productive when I drink less alcohol”
A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Your Firm Wellness Program Forming a Focus Group to Explore Interest and Feasibility The firm should form a focus group of 3 to 6 employees or more, depending on the size of the firm. There can be several focus groups so that the number of employees in the focus groups is about 10% of the firm's workforce. Ideally, the focus group is diverse enough to represent the different employee positions in the firm: senior partner, junior partner, paralegal
and staff. In order for the wellness program to succeed, management must strongly support it. The focus group should meet in person to discuss whether there is sufficient interest among the workforce. Before the first focus group meeting, the members of the focus group can informally survey their colleagues about interest in a worksite wellness program. The focus group should have several meetings to discuss and decide whether and how to proceed with a firm wellness program. The topics of discussion should include: • • • • •
Based on the informal survey, the level of employee interest in a program The cost of the program How much time at work will be allowed for wellness activities What specific employees would be good wellness advocates Any other topics that are important to the firm in deciding about a program Assessing the Health Interests of the Workforce
Assessing the health interests of the workforce is easy. The employer can simply survey the employees about what topics and activities interest them. The survey can be done orally or in writing. A written survey can contain a list of possible topics and activities and the employees can mark which ones they are interested in. The written survey can also contain blank lines for employees to suggest topics or activities. We have found that, in most employee surveys, the following topics are popular: • • • • •
Stress Management Healthy Eating Physical Activity Weight Loss Better Sleep Assessing the Health of the Workforce
For a firm and its employees to know whether a wellness program has actually improved the health of its workers, it is necessary to assess the health of the workforce. The assessment needs to be done before the program begins and then periodically afterwards, such a yearly. Assessment involves obtaining important health data from workers, but this is problematic because:
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• Health information is considered confidential, so employees are not required to disclose it to employers • Employees understandably do not want to share health information because it is private and can be embarrassing • Employees may be understandably concerned that any adverse health information will be used against them by their employer or insurer In view of these problems, a firm can choose not to formally or scientifically assess the health of its workforce. The firm can simply observe the conduct of its employees. Management can establish baseline measurements on wellness indicators and see how the indicators change over time. The indicators can include observation by firm management about employee: • • • • •
• • • •
• • • • •
Lunch and learn, especially if the employer pays for a healthy lunch Walk and talk meetings Work breaks for stretching or physical activity, alone or in groups Work breaks for stress management/relaxation exercises, alone or in groups Putting healthy snacks at the worksite, including unsalted nuts, fresh fruit, and fresh veggies Implementing Wellness Activities
After planning has been done, the next step is to execute. The execution can include:
Planning the Details of the Wellness Program Once the firm decides to proceed with a wellness program, it is time to plan the details. The firm can move beyond the focus group stage and select a Wellness Committee to organize and operate the wellness program. The Wellness Committee can include original focus group members and/ or wellness advocates. The Wellness Committee can develop the specific aspects of the program, such as: • The time and place of wellness activities • The specific wellness activities that will be done • Who will lead or organize each respective 14 Tulsa Lawyer
The type of wellness program activities to be planned are only limited by the imagination of the firm. Some popular activities include:
Morale and energy Comments and attitudes about their own health Health practices and habits, such as eating and exercise Productivity and absenteeism Time taken for medical appointments
If the firm wants to scientifically assess the health of its workforce and protect the employees’ confidential health information from disclosure to the employer or insurer, there is a way to do this. The firm can contract with a health care organization such as a hospital group or clinic to deploy a Health Risk Assessment, also called Health Risk Appraisal (“HRA”). The University of Oklahoma Physicians Health@Work Program is one such contractor. The HRA provides a detailed and confidential health assessment to the employee. The HRA also provides the employer with de-identified aggregate data so the employer can assess the overall health of its workforce.
activity What incentives or friendly competitions will be involved How the workforce will be informed of the activities and how to sign up An opportunity for the workforce to comment on the planned activities, to make sure that the activities planned are consistent with what the workforce wants Modifying the list of activities to find substitutes if there is not sufficient interest in the originally planned activities
• • • • • •
A day before the scheduled activity, the person who is responsible for leading it can remind those who signed up The leader can take care of or oversee all of the details from set-up to clean-up The leader can also try to recruit additional employees who may not have signed up The Wellness Advocates can promote the activity After the activity, the Wellness Advocates can talk to the employees who participated and ask for their feedback The firm can also consider asking employees to complete an anonymous evaluation form at the end of each activity, with the forms to be delivered to the Wellness Committee
Evaluating the Success of the Wellness Program Periodically, the firm should evaluate the success of the wellness program. Evidence of success or lack thereof can be demonstrated by such indicators as: • • • • •
Level of participation in firm wellness activities Comments by participants about the wellness program and activities Responses by participants to surveys about the program and its activities Observation by firm management about any improvement in employee morale, healthy behavior, increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, decreased time taken for medical appointments, etc. If the firm has used an HRA to initially assess the health of its workforce, a subsequent HRA can be done to show whether there has been any change in the health data of its workforce. Conclusion
As with so many of life’s challenges, they seldom are solved with continued neglect. By focusing on a wellness program, you may find that not only the firm benefits, but also the employees’ quality of life improves. More efficiency. Lower costs. Healthier, happier and more loyal employees. Isn’t it worth the effort? Be well! The authors or this article are available to volunteer to help your firm start a wellness program. Contact John Lieber. Jlieber75@cox.net No copyright is claimed for this article.
Resource Page
- Just click the link at the top of our web page, www.tulsabar.com - A quick resource with links to press releases and notices for Tulsa County Courts, OSCN, Northern District of Oklahoma, OBA, Dept. of Health, State & District Administrative Orders and more.
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.
Kara Pratt is now accepting parenting coordinator and guardian ad litem appointments. Please call her at 918-599-7755 or 918-899-0900.
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VP'S CORNER
Philip Hixon TCBA Vice President
HANDLED OUT OF THE COURT ROOM
We’re in the last quarter of the calendar year. It’s time to start thinking about CLE. I don’t know about you, but of the many things on my mind in 2020, CLE has not been a primary focus. TCBA to the rescue! The Association has introduced a new platform for virtual CLE: VocalMeet (www.tcba.vocalmeet.com). Live events are free for members, and recorded events are available at a discounted rate. Whether you’re working from home or—like me—barricaded in your office with a mask and a jug of hand sanitizer, you can learn “How Not to Be Dumb on Social Media” over your lunch hour for the reasonable price of $35. If you prefer the live events, there are several confirmed CLEs for October, including “Annual Immigration Law” (October 21; 6.0 hour/1.0 hour ethics), “Peak Attorney Performance: Eating Smart” (October 27; 1.0 hour), “Peak Performance: Physical Activity” (October 28; 1.0 hour); and “Medical Marijuana Employment Issues” (October 29; 1.0 hour). The fourth quarter also brings the holiday season. If you haven’t previously thought about giving to others, which is not likely for Association members, 2020 is the right time start. Again, TCBA to the rescue! The Association’s annual Holiday Challenge has been well-supported in the past, benefitting a number of local families and children who may otherwise have missed out on holiday cheer. I suspect this year’s pandemicrelated illnesses, job losses, and social unrest will provide even greater opportunities for the Tulsa legal community to provide for families in need. Please plan to participate in the Holiday Challenge as either a firm or an individual.
Committee’s professional pet portrait fundraiser. Who wouldn’t delight in opening a professional pet portrait of Fido, Lulu, Lily, Teeny, Whiskers, etc. on Christmas morning? Sessions are available for your pet through October 21. Additional details may be found elsewhere in this publication. On an even lighter note (and because I’ve depleted my supply of germane topics), who doesn’t enjoy a good pro se litigant story? I was recently contacted by such a person—we’ll call her Ms. Guided—who was tangentially involved in a litigation matter with which she was dissatisfied. An attorney involved in the matter advocated for legally supportable, good faith positions abhorrent to Ms. Guided. After a failed OBA complaint, Ms. Guided reached out to me, as an officer of the TCBA, to take “bold” action. Her ask was simple: she wanted me to find the attorney in contempt for successful advocacy and impose monetary sanctions. As an enticement to accept the engagement, Ms. Guided suggested that her desired remedy “could probably all be handled out of the court room.” Bold, indeed! I declined the engagement and referred Ms. Guided to the Association’s Lawyer Referral Service, which would be able to connect her with an attorney who may have an in-court solution for her concerns.
Your Association membership provides ample fourth-quarter opportunities. If you’re looking for free or reduced cost CLE, you’re in the right place. If you’re looking to help a family (or families) in need during the holidays, you’re in the right place. If you want to adorn your mantle with professional pet portraiture, you’re in the right place. If you need to assist a prospective client On a lighter note, if you have a person in your with an attorney referral, you’re in the right place. And life—and don’t we all—who inspires annual gift-giving it can “all be handled out of the court room.” angst, you should seriously consider the Animal Law 18 Tulsa Lawyer
Tu l s a County Bar Association Welcome to
VocalMeet
TCBA's New On-Demand CLE Platform! The TCBA is pleased to announce a new and innovative way to fulfill your Oklahoma CLE requirements from the comfort of your own home or on-the-go. Our CLE's are now online through VocalMeet and available for purchase to members at a discount with code tcbamem1.
Check it out at
www.tcba.vocalmeet.com *Please note virtual CLE's will remain free for members when watched live. Current Available CLE’s On-Demand All are one general credit hour, unless indicated by 1 ethics credit hour included) • • • • • • • • •
Habits of Healthy & Happy Attorneys by John Lieber. Ethics in Quarantine by Richard Stevens How Not To Be Dumb On Social Media by Sheila J. Naifeh COVID-19 and Force Majeure Clauses in Contracts by Jim Hicks A New Take on Trial Skills by Matt & Darrah Day Employment Law Hot Topics by Randall Snapp The Role of a Step-Parent by Todd Alexander, Linda Van Valkenburg and Jaime Vogt Working From Home: Tech Tools, Tips and Real Life Challenges by Jim Calloway Overview and Mechanics of the Small Business Restructuring Act ("SBRA")
Tulsa Lawyer Magazine would like to say thank you to our Veteran's. Please send us the names of those you'd like us to remember. Please include name, branch of service, years of service and photo if available. A brief sentence or two is welcome. Mail to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com by Friday, October 9th.
Getting to Know the TCBA Staff Jeril Haug
Lawyer Referral and Community Resource Navigator What is the easiest part of your job? Talking to different people Who does the cooking at your house? I do What’s your favorite home-cooked meal? Tacos What’s your favorite restaurant? The Brook What month is your birthday? April Coffee, tea or soda? Soda What are your hobbies or thing you love to do on your weekends? Playing with my dogs & hanging with my daughter and husband. What is your full name? What do you like to be called? Jeril Haug, Jeril
Favorite Hero: The Boondock Saints Favorite Sport or Athletic Activity: UFC
How long have you worked for the Tulsa County Bar Association? Four weeks
Favorite Places to travel: Any beach
What position(s) have you held with the Association? LRS Coordinator
Anything else you’d like members to know about you? I love the law & helping people understand any situation that they are dealing with.
Tell us about your family. I’ve been married for 20 years & we have 3 children Do you have pets? 3 Dachshunds and 1 Anatolian shepherd What were you doing before you came to work for the TCBA? Criminal & Civil Paralegal What is your favorite memory from growing up as a child? My Mom teaching me how to cook How long have you lived in the Tulsa Metro Area? 27 years What do you like best about living in Tulsa Metro Area? I feel safe living in Tulsa Without naming names, what is the most difficult task you have dealt with in working with/for the TCBA? Dealing with the mentally ill What is the most difficult part of your job? Listening to sad stories of callers
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Favorite College Experience – Meeting new people
We love to feature photos of our members. Send us pics of your TCBA activities so we can share with members. Send to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com with a brief description and the names of those pictured. Make sure those pictured want their few minutes of fame in Tulsa Lawyer!
Mallory Sanstra
Front Desk Coordinator Who does the cooking at your house? My husband and I do most of the cooking, but our teenagers also cook here and there. What’s your favorite home-cooked meal? Pulled pork and baked beans! What’s your favorite restaurant? The Spudder What month is your birthday? May Coffee, tea or soda? Water What are your hobbies or thing you love to do on your weekends? Hiking, camping, swimming… basically being outdoors in the sunshine. Favorite Hero: Wonder Woman What is your full name? What do you like to be called? Mallory Kay Sanstra, I go by Mallory How long have you worked for the Tulsa County Bar Association? Nearly a year as a contract employee What position(s) have you held with the Association? Lawyer Referral & Front Desk Coordinator Tell us about your family. I am married to my best friend (and high school sweetheart). We have 5 kids. 3 boys, ages 17, 15, & 14. And 2 girls, ages 6 & 5. Do you have pets? We have a dog named Max and a cat named Ginger. What were you doing before you came to work for the TCBA? I have been a stay at home mom for the past 5 ½ years. Before that I was a Revenue & Margin Assurance Specialist (Collections Admin) at Cox Communications for 9 years. What is your favorite memory from growing up as a child? Eating waffles at my grandma & grandpa’s house almost every morning before school in Kindergarten. How long have you lived in the Tulsa Metro Area? My entire life. What do you like best about living in Tulsa Metro Area? I love that this is my home, where I’ve grown up, and all my family is here.
Favorite Sport or Athletic Activity: I like to WATCH, not play…baseball or football. Favorite Places to travel: New Orleans has been one of my favorite places to travel so far. Favorite College Experience: The feeling of being on your own, transitioning to an adult, and shaping your own future! Anything else you’d like members to know about you? Fun Fact! Our names all start with the letter M… Matt, Mallory, Matthew, Mitchell, Maverick, Miley, & Maggie.
Children & the Law Committee
Making a Difference
When children are placed in foster care or moved from one foster home to the next, a majority of the time they do not have a suitcase to bring their belongings with them. They are forced to use garbage bags to take what they have with them, implying that they are what they have. The Children and the Law Committee worked to address this issue by providing foster children with their own suitcases . Helping them to move their belongings with dignity and in safekeeping. Pictured at left are some of the suitcases we were able to get donations for foster children in the Tulsa area and were donated to DHS. Special thanks to Stephen Hale and Linda Burkett-O’Hern for their donations enabling Children & the Law to purchase suitcases in addition to the suitcases donated by Denelda Richardson and Rhodes Hieronymus.
From Teri Wilks, Oklahoma Department of Human Services..... "Tulsa County Child Welfare appreciates these so much! They will definitely go to good use! Please give a huge thanks to all involved in making this happen!"
Pictured at right: Donations the committee was able to contribute to the Juvenile Center. Books & toys were donated for the play area. 22 Tulsa Lawyer
TCBA Annual Meeting & Golf : Meeting the Challenge to Give In spite of Covid-19 related obstacles the Tulsa County Bar Association and Foundation raised a total of $7635 between the Golf Committee and the Annual Meeting. We are pleased to be able to support the following organizations in whatever way we could this year. TCBA Executive Director, Tami Williams is pictured below presenting some of the checks.
Timothy Michaels-Johnson, JD, Executive Director of Tulsa Lawyers for Children
Disabled American Veterans Tulsa Lawyers for Children South Tulsa Community House First Step Male Diversion Program TCBF Community Outreach
$4,500 $1,000 $1,000 $500 $635
Lindiwe Chaza Jangira, Executive Director of South Tulsa Community House.
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• • • • • •
All courses are virtual this year. Virtual space is limited to 100 attendees per course, unless otherwise noted. Schedule is tentative and seminars are subject to change. Materials will be emailed to attendees. The cut off to register for a class is 5pm on the day before the course. Please note that you will need to register for the course through the www.tulsabar.com website, AND register for the course on VocalMeet once you receive the email with the link to the course. • You will receive the link by email the morning of the seminar. • CLE's are free for members to watch live (on the day and time the presenter is presenting them). • Or $35 per 1 hour course to watch the recording at a later date. Non-member rates to watch these CLE's live or recorded are: 1.0 HR - $50 5.0 HR - $150 2.0 HR - $75 6.0 HR - $175 3.0 HR - $100 7.0 HR - $200 4.0 HR - $125 8.0 HR - $225
Tulsa Lawyer 25
TCBA GIVEAWAYS! October is wellness month and the Special Events committee is encouraging members to take part in the wellbeing activities being offered by TCBA. From free live virtual CLE offerings like Lawyers Helping Lawyers and Peak Attorney Performance to free live streaming yoga, TCBA is making it easier for members to self-love and rewarding those who do! Check out these fun prizes: • 1 Hour (Virtual or Live) Personal Yoga Session with Caroline Meeks! Every time you participate in live stream yoga, your name will be entered into a drawing. Prize basket will include all you need for your one on one session: yoga mat, blanket and water bottle. Valued at $150 • Three 45 minute Sessions with a Personal Trainer! Every member who attends a wellness CLE will be entered into a drawing for three one-on-one sessions with Lisa Wolfe of Trainers. Valued at $150. CLE's to attend to be entered in drawing: 10/19 Lawyers Helping Lawyers, 10/27 Peak Attorney Performance-Eating Smart, 10/28 Peak Attorney Performance-Physical Activity.
Drawing will be held October 31st and winners will be announced in the November 2nd Email Blast. NOVEMBER GIVEAWAY- Nov. 13 is National Kindness Day. Send us the names of those you think should be recognized for their kind acts & a description of why. We will publish them as we can and do a random drawing in November for one person to receive a gift card. Email lisal@tulsabar.com by Oct. 8th.
26 Tulsa Lawyer
TCBA COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMITTEE A special thank you to all of the restaurants that have supported the TCBA Community Outreach Committee in their efforts to serve our community.
Feeling Hungry?
Be sure to patronize them and say thanks!
Tulsa Lawyer 27
Ponderings by Lulu The official TCBA Bar Center Morale Officer Lulu has been getting ready for Halloween and trying to find the perfect costume. Here are a few of her favorites.
Send us photos of your fur babies, office companions, feathered friends and such and be a part of the Tulsa County Bark Association.
Lulu reminds you to be smart like her & wash your paws!
MJ Denman paid a visit to the Bar Center and Lulu found that they see things eye to eye.
HEALTH TIP:
28 Tulsa Lawyer
Karen Walsh got a little extra help with her CAP training. Lulu knows that learning is easier when you are relaxed.
According to the CDC, studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners. Some of the health benefits of having a pet include: • Decreased blood pressure • Decreased cholesterol levels • Decreased triglyceride levels • Decreased feelings of loneliness • More opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities • Increased opportunities for socialization
Tulsa Lawyer 29
Grapevine News Twelve McAfee & Taft lawyers – nine from the firm’s Oklahoma City office and three from Tulsa – were named to the inaugural list The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch. This honor recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated outstanding professional excellence earlier in their careers, with the majority of recipients having been in private practice for 5 – 9 years. Recognition by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch is based entirely on peer review and employs the same methodology as the publisher’s namesake publication, The Best Lawyers in America, which made its debut in 1981. Attorneys named to the 2021 inaugural list, as well as the practice areas in which they have been recognized, are: • Elizabeth Bowersox (labor and employment law – management; labor and employment litigation) • J.D. Brown (transportation law) • Philip R. Bruce (labor and employment law – management; labor and employment litigation) • Judy Burdg (employee benefits/ERISA law) • John R. Chubbuck (transportation law) • Jacob S. Crawford (labor and employment law – management) • Alex Duncan (commercial litigation; securities litigation; white-collar criminal defense)· • Paige Hoster Good (labor and employment law – management; labor and employment litigation) • Danae V. Grace (business organizations; closely held companies and family business law; corporate governance and compliance law; corporate law; mergers and acquisitions law) • Allison C. McGrew (transportation law) • Jason A. McVicker (commercial litigation) • Patrick L. Stein (commercial litigation; energy law; environmental litigation) Best Lawyers lists are compiled using Purely Peer Review™ methodology. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers publications are considered a singular honor.
Send Grapevine announcements to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com Firm announcements, office moves, family milestones!
30 Tulsa Lawyer
The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice (OCCJ) accepted Conner & Winters lawyer, Hayley N. Stephens, into its 2020 cohort of the Inclusive Leadership Institute. This three-day, immersive training develops leaders who are informed and want to challenge diversity, creating a more inclusive workplace. “Hayley is an exceptional lawyer and has served the Tulsa community through many organizations. I’m very proud of the work she’s already done at the firm through our diversity and recruiting committees, and I look forward to hearing her recommendations on how we can improve after she completes the program,” said Scott Hathaway, president of Conner & Winters. Stephens was selected through a competitive application process and will join 20-30 participants from the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas. Participants will gain a tool kit for addressing diversity in personal and professional settings, build upon their six characteristics of inclusive leadership (commitment, courage, cognizance of bias, curiosity, cultural intelligence, and collaboration,) and gain the ability to be an advocate for diversity and inclusion. “The firm’s emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion is part of what drew me to Conner & Winters, and I have strived to enhance the firm’s diversity and inclusive atmosphere during my tenure here. I’m excited to continue deepening my understanding of the connection between inclusion and organizational success, thus, driving Conner & Winters forward in offering a more equitable environment, and enabling me to better assist clients with their own diversity and inclusion initiatives,” said Stephens. Stephens joined Conner & Winters in 2015 as an associate immediately after law school. She primarily focuses her practice on commercial litigation and labor & employment law matters. She also serves on the firm’s diversity, business development, and recruitment committees, as well as assists with planning events for the firm’s Connecting Women initiative. Stephens was recently named to the inaugural Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch list for 2021. Outside of the office, she serves as a board member for Youth Services of Tulsa. Stephens also enjoys spending her free time with her beloved puppies, practicing yoga, and traveling as her busy schedule allows. Stephens earned her Juris Doctor degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2015 and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas in 2011 where she studied economics, political science, and African American studies.
“Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.” ~Emily Dickinson
Glen Douglas He is preceded in death by his parents Ronald Hickerson, 58, resident Douglas and Virginia Hickerson and his many beloved of Bristow, OK, passed departed pets. away in Tulsa, OK on A virtual live stream memorial service was August 24th due to held Sunday, August 30th at 1:00pm. Reverend Kirt complications related to Moelling of the First United Methodist Church in Yukon COVID-19. Glen was officiated. The service can be found on the YouTube born on September 8, Channel - FUMC Yukon. https://www.youtube.com/ 1961 in Oklahoma City, channel/UC73xzL9dDSGfY4-tps2-Qhg OK to Ronald Douglas and Virginia Hickerson. Arrangements under the direction of Traditions Glen grew up in Midwest City and was raised in the Funeral and Cremation Service, 35 S. Main, Kellyville, Presbyterian church. His parents instilled tolerant Oklahoma, 918-247-7373. and patriotic values in him. Glen would express these values by pursuing a degree in law. He attended the University of Oklahoma’s law school achieving his Sandra Cousins Juris Doctorate. Glen was an excellent lawyer for 32 TCBA Executive Director, years, serving as an Assistant District Attorney and defense attorney in many Oklahoma counties. His life 1989-2013 passed away revolved around his children Benjamin and Jessica. September 13, 2020. He was a consistent supporter of Jessica’s passion for volleyball, and Benjamin’s pursuits as a musician. Remembrances will be But was pleasantly surprised when Jessica became an included in a future issue of elementary school teacher for the Deaf and Benjamin Tulsa Lawyer. Please send your became a microbiologist. His passions lied in studying the world and the people in it. All too often in his line brief thoughts and memories of work, he saw the worst humanity had to offer, but to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com. somehow managed to focus his life on these basic principles: “To always do the right thing even when it is hard, to stand up to injustice in all its forms, and to live out a life that honors ones family.” He loved traveling, audio books, OU sports, and spending time with his children and pets. His compassion and love for the world is carried on in his children Benjamin (Jennifer) Hickerson and Jessica (Roland) Hickerson. He is survived by his sisters Mary (Michael) Flemig, Karen (Arlinda) Gleffe, his niece Kimberly (Brian) Dombroski, nephews Blake and Brett Wojcak, his horses Scout and Nacho as well as many cherished friends.
Classified Ads Jon Starr
Mediator and Arbitrator Contact DRC for scheduling 918-382-0300
PLEASE FOLLOW APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Graves McLain is an AV rated personal injury firm in Tulsa. We seek a 0-3 year Associate Attorney with strong writing skills and an interest in the medical science aspect of cases. All candidates should have: • Strong writing skills • License to practice law in Oklahoma • 0-3 years legal experience • Solid work ethic and integrity • Self Starter
Barber & Bartz, an AV rated Tulsa law firm is seeking a business attorney with 0-5 years’ experience to work in the areas of business organization, reorganization, mergers and acquisitions. A background in accounting, tax and/or finance is preferred. The compensation package is commensurate with level of experience and qualifications. An exceptional benefit package includes bonus opportunity, health insurance, life insurance, and 401K with match. Applications will be kept in strict confidence. Please send resume to Janet Hall at jhall@ barberbartz.com or 525 S. Main, Ste 800, Tulsa, OK 74103. Barber & Bartz, an AV rated Tulsa law firm is seeking a business attorney with 10-20 years’ experience to work in the areas of business organization, reorganization, mergers and acquisitions. A background in accounting, tax and/or finance is preferred. The compensation package is commensurate with level of experience and qualifications. An exceptional benefit package includes bonus opportunity, health insurance, life insurance, and 401K with match. Applications will be kept in strict confidence. Please send resume to Janet Hall at jhall@ barberbartz.com or 525 S. Main, Ste 800, Tulsa, OK 74103.
facebook.com/ tulsacountybar 32 Tulsa Lawyer
Benefits • Medical/Dental/Vision • HSA contribution • 401k with match To Apply: No phone calls, please. Please send resume and writing sample in PDF format with cover letter to Sharon@ GravesMcLain.com. Thank you for your interest in this position, I look forward to hearing from you! -Sharon
Share your virtual meeting faux pas and Zoom disasters! You can remain anonymous ... if you really want to!
Send your story to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com Faux Pas: a significant or embarrassing error or mistake : BLUNDER especially : a socially awkward or improper act or remark
Tulsa County Bar Association 1446 S. Boston Ave. Tulsa, OK 74119
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