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
