In this Issue: A Standout Bar
Free Legal Answers in Oklahoma Incoming President's Message VP's Corner
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TULSA LAWYER
A Message from
In this Issue
Matt Farris
2016-2017 TCBA President
September 2016
Annual Meeting & Awards Issue
19
What makes the TCBA Stand Out? E. Zach Smith
TCBA Outgoing President
28 Ann K
VP's Corner Anne Keele
7
2016 WINTER CLE SCHEDULE
5 Neil Bogan Award for Professionalism
Rob Nigh, Jr.
8 Outstanding Senior Lawyer
Joe M. Bohannon
9 Outstanding Young Lawyer
Clayton Baker
11 James C. Lang Mentoring Award
The Honorable Daman Cantrell
14 Roger R. Scott Community Service Award Ashley Roberts Webb 16 Golden Rule Award-4th Quarter
Robert P. Redemann
23 President's Award Nominees
25 TCBA Paralegal Section Review
26 2015-2016 Foundation Awards
30 Capital Campaign 32 Free Legal Answers in Oklahoma 34 Grapevine 38 Submission Guidelines 39 Classifieds
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Tulsa County Bar President
Matthew S. Farris capable leadership of Jim Hicks (2013-14), Ken Williams (2014-15), and Zach Smith (2015-16). Previously, as a member of the association’s Board of Directors in 2011-12 and 2012-13, I admired Faith Orlowski’s and Jim Gotwals’s dedication to, and stewardship of, our association. Furthermore, my entire professional legal career includes influences from TCBA Past Presidents as mentors, colleagues and role models, including Bill Grimm, Robert Sartin, Bob Farris and William H. Bell. Consequently, I consider it a humbling honor and great opportunity to lead this organization.
They say the toughest part of the job is writing the monthly article for the Tulsa Lawyer Magazine (“TLM”). When I refer to ‘they’ I am referring to nearly every TCBA Past President I have spoken with about their term as TCBA President. And I have spoken to quite a few Past Presidents as I prepare to serve the association as its President during the coming year. While I am not yet daunted at the prospect of writing a TLM article on a monthly basis – this being my first President’s article, the shine is still on the apple – I am slightly daunted about leading this organization. Without question, many notable and accomplished attorneys have served as TCBA President throughout the association’s history. Over the past three years, I have experienced the privilege of serving as a TCBA officer and corresponding member of the TCBA Executive Committee which allowed me to observe, first hand, the
As a direct result of these experiences and influences, I have tremendous respect for the TCBA. More specifically, I respect and admire the TCBA membership’s many accomplishments, whether achieved individually or collectively through service on various TCBA Sections (there are 19 different substantive law groups) and/or TCBA Committees (there are 20 different service oriented groups). Year after year, TCBA members continue to dedicate their time and talents for the benefit of the practicing bar and to improve our profession’s standing in the Tulsa area community. In the coming months, I intend to update TLM readers on the outstanding work TCBA members perform by shining a spotlight on their accomplishments. The TCBA and its members are also commanding respect on the state and national level. For those who are unaware of the recent recognition from the Oklahoma Bar Association, the OBA honored the TCBA with its 2015 Outstanding County Bar Association Award recognizing its continued commitment to its members and the community. At the national level, TCBA Past President Leonard Pataki is currently serving as President of the National Conference of Bar Foundations, while TCBA executive director Kevin Cousins is currently serving the National Association of Bar Executives as the Vice Chair for its elections committee.
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2016-2017 Membership Year In the spirit of honoring our members’ great work, I intend to squarely focus on the TCBA membership in the coming year. Plainly, that is my main goal. To that end, I will work with the TCBA staff, Executive Committee and Board of Directors to enhance the benefits and services our association provides to law student members, ‘newer attorney’ members, Veteran members, senior members and every member group in between, thereby making our association more relevant and beneficial to its lifeblood: its members. Hopefully, TLM readers are aware of the many benefits available to TCBA members. As a brief reminder of just a few member benefits, TCBA members receive discounted Courthouse Access Security Badges, opportunities to increase client bases through the Lawyer Referral Program, the option to purchase the TCBA Gold Card (12 hours of prepaid CLE), free and discounted TCBA CLE Seminars (live and video replays), the ability to refinance stu-
dent loan debt through partnership with Credible, and numerous opportunities to network and develop professional relationships, contacts and referrals with and from fellow TCBA members. As I work with the Executive Committee, Board of Directors and the TCBA staff over the next year to expand membership benefits, I want to hear from YOU!
not be more pleased with this year’s Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, whom are comprised of motivated and talented people invested in advancing our association. For these reasons, I am more optimistic than daunted about my responsibilities during the coming year, which include navigating the submission deadlines for these TLM articles.
As such, I invite you to contact me personally or to contact the TCBA (918-584-5243) to identify additional membership benefits or services you, or your firm, would like our association to provide and we will endeavor to make those offerings available.
I look forward to working with and for you this year! Sincerely, Matthew S. Farris TCBA President, 2016-2017
If the membership is well served and carries on our association’s tradition of dedication to the practicing bar and to the community as a whole, then I will consider my year as TCBA President a success. Fortunately for me, our organization is blessed with an outstanding staff who works tirelessly on behalf of the membership. Further, I could
"As a direct result of these experiences and influences, I have tremendous respect for the TCBA. More specifically, I respect and admire the TCBA membership’s many accomplishments, whether achieved individually or collectively..." Tulsa Lawyer 3
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Neil Bogan Award for Professionalism
Rob Nigh, Jr.
Robert Nigh, Jr. personifies the term professionalism, not just in the way that he deals with his colleagues, but in the way he treats his clients. Since most of his clients cannot come to him, Rob must spend time visiting them in jail. He does so gladly, and encourages those who work for him to spend as much time visiting clients as possible. He has always emphasized the importance of this relationship, and truly considers his clients to be the most important people that he deals with on a professional basis. Robert Nigh graduated from William Jewell College in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and in 1985 from the University of Oklahoma College of Law with a Juris Doctorate. He began his legal career at the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office, and later joined the Federal Defender’s Office for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma. Rob later opened the Lincoln Branch of the newly formed Federal Defender’s Office for the District of Nebraska. After a life changing phone call in 1995, Rob agreed to work on Timothy McVeigh’s trial team in Oklahoma. In 1997, he was appointed as Mr. McVeigh’s lead attorney on appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. Rob ultimately continued to represent Timothy McVeigh after the appellate process and assisted him with his legal needs, including an application for a stay of the execution based upon the
Government’s last minute revelation of failure to produce all discovery. After his work on the McVeigh case, Rob continued to focus on capital litigation and federal defense work, taking appointments as a defender from the federal government. He concentrated on doing everything in his power to fight capital punishment; a fight which he carries on to this day. Rob ultimately took a position with a local private firm, Brewster & De Angelis, but continued his calling as a defender of the impoverished as a panel lawyer for the federal courts. When the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office was in need, Rob Nigh again answered the call. Rob left a lucrative career in private practice to take the position as Interim Chief Public Defender in December of 2014. The idea was to address specific problems which had been identified, and then once certain steps had been taken to resolve those issues, leave the office to a new Chief Public Defender. He planned to stay between six months and a year. It only took Rob three months before he realized that the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office was where he was meant to be. He let the District Court Judges
know of his interest, and they consented to his request to stay on as the Chief Tulsa County Public Defender. Rob enthusiastically set a high goal for the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office: to be the best criminal defense firm in this or any other state. Rob Nigh immediately took steps in pursuit of that goal; many of which involved improving attorney client relationships. New clients now meet with their attorneys within minutes of the appointment of the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office. Rob established a two-way electronic communication system with the jail so that clients could contact their attorneys with questions about their case. He reduced the wait for clients seeking competency Tulsa Lawyer 5
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restoration treatment from months in the jail to days. He instituted a computerized case management system to improve efficiency in the handling of what often seems an overwhelming caseload. He supervised inoffice training sessions for attorneys, as well as sending as many attorneys as possible to trial schools in other states. In an interview last year with Channel 6 news, Rob stated “Everyone deserves the best representation in court, whether they can afford it or not.” Robert Nigh, Jr. emphasizes competent and zealous representation of his clients. In 2015, the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association awarded him the President’s Award for extraordinary advocacy on behalf of citizens accused. His ethics are unwavering. He is dedicated to protecting each and every client’s rights, and mentors his staff in case law, trial practice, motion practice and the dedication it takes to be an advocate for a client. The Tulsa World posted an article on March 1, 2015, stating “Nigh
is known for his integrity, work ethic, courteous manner, calm demeanor, and for his excellent trial and writing skills. He’s also shown a strong commitment to public service. Nigh will set the tone, and lead by example…” Rob Nigh himself says it best when discussing accepting the position as the Chief Public Defender: “I want to make a difference and do something I love, how often do you get to do that?” It is hard to imagine a more deserving recipient of this award than Rob Nigh. For his entire career, he has demonstrated the highest level of excellence and professionalism as an attorney, while never forgetting to see things from his client’s point of view. This balance provides a valuable lesson to others, and it makes the attorneys around him better by his example. Rob Nigh is a worthy recipient of the Neil Bogan Professionalism Award.
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Outstanding Senior Lawyer
Joe. M. Bohannon
Joe has a long and distinguished history of activity within the OBA, TCBA and the Tulsa community. He has always looked for opportunities to bring people together. Joe was instrumental in the creation of the Solo / Small Firm Section for the Tulsa County Bar Association and served as its Chair for many years. The program was so successful, that the Oklahoma Bar Association followed his example and created a similar group on a statewide level. In addition, he was also instrumental in starting the TU Law Student / Alumni Chilifest Chili Cookoff. He has served on the OBA Mentor Committee; the TCBA Fee Arbitration Committee; and has been an active member in the Family Law Section. He is a member of the Council The Tulsa County Bar Association is pleased t o Oak Chapter of American Inns of Court. He received recognize Joe M. Bohannon as the Tulsa County Bar the TCBA’s Golden Rule Award in 1995. Association’s 2015-2016 Outstanding Senior Lawyer. Service to and for our profession often goes unnoticed. During his time as an adjunct professor at the However, after many years of service, people will University of Tulsa College of Law, he developed a finally notice that someone has been shouldering the course in Law Practice Management. A portion of this heavy end of the load for an entire career. One such course was devoted to explaining and demonstrating TCBA member is Joe Bohannon. to law students the importance of pro bono work as a practitioner. This is exemplified by his participation in the Courthouse Access Program (CAP). The genesis for One person can make a difference. Joe seeks to, CAP is to keep the courthouse doors open to those and does make a difference in the lives of many who citizens who cannot afford an attorney. The foundation cannot afford to pay for legal representation and serves for this program has been volunteer lawyers. These as an example to other lawyers that service to the legal lawyers go to the courthouse two days per week profession and our community is part of being a lawyer. and help individuals who otherwise would have no representation. Not surprisingly, one of the first lawyers Joe is an outstanding member of the TCBA and to volunteer was Joe Bohannon. When he takes on a is truly deserving of recognition for his dedication and pro bono case, he takes it on for the duration. Difficult commitment to the profession as the Tulsa County Bar pro bono cases do not dissuade him; instead, he works Association’s 2016 Outstanding Senior Lawyer. even harder towards resolution.
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Outstanding Young Lawyer
Clayton Baker
Clayton Baker is the TCBA’s Upon graduation from law school, Clayton Outstanding Young Lawyer for 2016. Clayton accepted an associate position at Logan & served as Chair of the TCBA’s Young Lawyers Lowry, LLP in Grove, OK. Division committee. Under his leadership, the Young He received his undergraduate Lawyers Division kicked off the year with a degree from Midwestern State University networking event designed to introduce the in Wichita Falls, TX. Following graduation newly sworn in attorneys to the Tulsa County from Midwestern, Clayton and his wife Bar membership. Joanna relocated to Tulsa in 2012 so that he Clayton has also ensured that the time could attend law school at the University of Tulsa College of Law. While in law school, honored tradition of YLD bowling league and he was awarded the Order of Barristers and YLD softball continued. And in May, the the Chandler Award. Additionally, Clayton YLD hosted the Third Annual YLD Trivia served as Vice President of the Board of Night at the OU Schusterman Center. The Advocates, President of the Student Bar proceeds from this event benefitted the Tulsa Association, and Magister of Phi Delta Phi County Bar Foundation’s Capital Campaign. International Legal Honors Society.
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James C. Lang Mentoring Award The Honorable Daman Cantrell
competitions. He has gathered suits and ties and suitable attire, provided pizza, cookies, practice binders and rules of evidence, and found other adult mentors to help students interested in learning and competing. In 1988 as a new lawyer, Judge Cantrell first coached Mock for the Tahlequah High School Mock Trial team. In 2002, Judge Cantrell began to coach the Lakeside Home in Mock Trial competition. Lakeside was a residential treatment group home for wards of the Tulsa County Juvenile Court system. The Lakeside students faced many challenges including parents in trouble, other home life difficulties, and academic problems. For years, Judge Cantrell led Lakeside through competition with peers who had many more advantages. He traveled with the team around the state In 1999, Daman Cantrell was appointed Special for competition, weathering ice storms, and competing Judge for Tulsa County and in 2006, he was elected in court houses from Tahlequah, to McAllister to as District Judge. Long before his appointment to the Ada. Judge Cantrell’s work was carried on by other outstanding young attorneys who continued to work bench, Judge Cantrell was mentoring students. with Lakeside until a devastating fire closed that Judge Cantrell has mentored high school and program. middle school students and those in law school. He In 2009, in addition to coaching the Lakeside mentors young attorneys who then serve as mentors themselves. He encourages, leads and teaches, and at program, Judge Cantrell launched the first Mock Trial every level, teaches the values of respect, citizenship, team in Owasso, with a handful of students and dedicated self-confidence and hard work. He makes the American attorneys and teachers. It is Judge Cantrell’s passion legal system accessible to young people, and inspires for mentoring students and long hours spent weekend after weekend working with students and coaches that civility in our profession. transformed a handful of students into an academic Mock Trial: Judge Cantrell has spent a team. More recently, Judge Cantrell involved his two substantial portion of his personal time advancing the daughters in Mock Trial. His oldest daughter competed Oklahoma Bar Association Mock Trial Program. As he on both the Lakeside and Owasso teams. By 2016, the Owasso Mock Trial program had grown to three teams, has said, “This is my life’s work and mission.” For 28 years, Judge Cantrell has been a mentor and won second in the state. Judge Cantrell continues in this program, serving as a coach, team leader, judge to coach and in 2015, the Owasso team won 7 of 22 and a dedicated advocate for Mock Trial. Each year, possible awards in Denver. Judge Cantrell has attended week-night planning continued on page 12... meetings, weekend practice sessions, car washes and
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In celebration of Martin Luther King Day, Judge Cantrell organizes the Martin Luther King Day Mock Trial tournament, as a supplement to the OBA Mock Trial schedule. This one day tournament is now attended by more than 200 student participants from across Oklahoma, with 20 or more volunteer judges. Under Judge Cantrell’s mentorship, students learn civility, respect for opposing argument, selfconfidence, how to articulate a position, and an appreciation for the American legal system. Legal Interns and Outreach: Since his appointment as a Special Judge 17 years ago, Judge Cantrell has been an active mentor in the University of Tulsa College of Law’s judicial internship program. In recent years, his internship programs expanded to students from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and Oklahoma City University College
of Law. Judge Cantrell also created a special internship program for advanced law students from all three of the state’s law schools. American Inns of Court: Judge Cantrell is a long-time member of the Council Oak/Johnson-Sontag Inn of Court. The purpose of the American Inns of Court is to improve the civility and integrity of our legal system through education. Judge Cantrell served as President of the Council Oak/Johnson-Sontag Inn, and had as his mission during his tenure, mentorship of young lawyers. Judge Cantrell’s influence on this educational organization is most evident in the annual play produced by the Council Oak/Johnson-Sontag Inn. Each year, members of Judge Cantrell’s tutelage group recreate a famous trial for its members, including one year, the O.J. Simpson trial. This annual program is so well received that lawyer-actors have been encouraged to take their production on the road.
Judge Cantrell with the 2010 Mock Trial Team from Owasso, Oklahoma
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Send us photos of your involvement with the Tulsa County Bar!
TCBF community outreach volunteer project July 16th.Maureen Knudson, Ashley Webb, Chanteau Orr, Kevin Cousins
Tulsa Lawyer Submissions
Tulsa Lawyer depends on submissions by members and those in our community. Please consider sharing your talents, ideas and stories. Questions and ideas can be submitted to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com or larryyadon@cox.net
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Roger R. Scott Community Service Award
Ashley Roberts Webb
The Tulsa County Bar Association’s annual Roger C. Scott Community Service Award for 2016 is awarded to Ashley Roberts Webb. Born in Muskogee and raised in Tulsa, Webb is a graduate of Tulsa Union High School (’96), Northwestern University (’00), and Washington University in St. Louis School of Law (’03). Following time at the St. Louis City and County divisions of the Missouri Public Defender system, Webb returned to Oklahoma where he was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in the spring of 2004. Mr. Webb spent the next year primarily establishing low-income and very low-income single-family housing
developments in conjunction with the Muskogee County Community Action Foundation. In 2005, Webb began working under Pete Silva at the Office of the Tulsa County Public Defender, where he worked as an Assistant Public Defender until leaving for Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison, and Lewis in mid-2009. Mr. Webb became a shareholder at Riggs Abney in 2015. Webb primarily specializes in criminal defense, immigration, and restaurant (& bar) representation, although his practice has expanded to include civil litigation and representation of a variety of small businesses and non-profits. Mr. Webb has previously spoken in conjunction with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, and continues to work in the field of Native American Water Rights and Transfers. Although fully engaged in the practice of law, Mr. Webb’s commitment to and love for Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma are both well-known and respected. Raised
by two Oklahoma educators, and the nephew of former U.S. Congressman Wes Watkins, Mr. Webb’s family instilled early on both the value of education and the importance of helping the citizens of our great state. Having served on the City of Tulsa Gang Taskforce under the Kathy Taylor administration, Mr. Webb also served as President of the Riverview Neighborhood Association in Tulsa for five of the preceding nine years. Mr. Webb was appointed to the City of Tulsa Sales Tax Oversight Committee in 2011, and has served as chair of that committee since 2012. Currently, Mr. Webb serves as the vice-chair of The Institute for Developing Communities, a Tulsa based non-profit aimed at assisting Oklahoma’s underserved rural and urban communities, and he is the President of the Tulsa Spotlighters, Inc., the non-profit operating the Spotlight Theatre in Tulsa, which also produces the longest continually running play in the United States (every Saturday night). In 2013, Mr. Webb was selected by Rotary International as
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one of two representatives from Oklahoma to participate in the Group Study Exchange Program for young professionals in Algeria. In addition to serving on the Tulsa County Bar Association’s Diversity and Public Relations Committees, Mr. Webb is entering his second year as chair of the Tulsa County Bar Foundation’s Community Outreach Committee. Through the TCBF’s Community Outreach, Mr. Webb has endeavored to continue the incredible efforts of both his predecessor (Grant Lloyd, City of Tulsa Attorney) and the committee, and 2015 saw TCBF continue to facilitate and expand upon the Tulsa legal community’s assistance to Reading Partners, the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma, Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless, John 3:16, Women in Recovery, Resonance Center for Women, Tulsa SPCA, Lawyers Fighting Hunger, Eastern Oklahoma Food Bank, the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office, and others.
Say "Thank YOU" to a veteran this Veteran's Day. Please send us the name of a veteran you would like to acknowledge and we will include them in our November issue of Tulsa Lawyer.
Email tulsabarnews@yahoo.com Include: Name & Branch of Service Please make note if they are deceased so we can include their name in a special thank you.
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Golden Rule Award ~ 4th Quarter
Robert P. Redemann Robert P. Redemann is the winner of the Tulsa County Bar Association’s Fourth Quarter Golden Rule Award.
GOLDEN RULE 1: capitalized G&R : a rule of ethical conduct : do to others as you would have them do to you 2: a guiding principle
In 2014 Bob was honored as TCBA’s Outstanding Senior Lawyer. Bob has actively participated in the American Bar Association Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section for many years and was recently honored with an appointment to the Section’s Book Publishing Editorial Board for the 20162017 fiscal year. He has also been active in the Tulsa County Bar Association and will serve as chairman of the TCBA Law Related Education committee for the upcoming year. Bob continues, as an equity member of Perrine, Redemann, Berry, Taylor & Sloan, P.L.L.C., to litigate environmental, employment, insurance and personal injury matters. He has a reputation for being well prepared in all of his cases and for treating with respect all parties and attorneys involved.
is originally from Wisconsin having graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison before coming to Oklahoma to attend law school at the University of Tulsa but few know that he returns to Wisconsin every summer to play golf with his college fraternity buddies in the “Badger Classic,” a tournament benefitting the UW football team. Many local lawyers know (or could guess) that Bob is a fan of the Green Bay Packers but few know that Bob is one of the owners of the team as evidenced by his framed certificate of one share of Green Bay Packers, Inc. He has been unable to attend any shareholders meetings yet but participates in activities of the Tulsa “Packer Backers” when he isn’t hosting his own Packer game day parties.
In addition to being a hard working lawyer, Bob is devoted to his wife, Linda, their four children and four grandchildren. Bob also enjoys his time away from the office. Many local lawyers know that Bob
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2015-2016 Golden Rule Winners 1st Quarter
Ned Dismukes 2nd Quarter
The Honorable
Doris L. Fransien 3rd Quarter
Steven Hale 4th Quarter
Robert P. Redemann 1st, 2nd & 3rd quarter winners have been featured in revious issues of Tulsa Lawyer.
Golden Rule Award Criteria The Golden Rule award is given to lawyers who make outstanding contributions to their profession and have the highest of ideals and are willlng to mentor to those with less experience. Criteria for Award: 1. Recognizes the ethical and professional obligations as an officer of the court as well as the spirit and intent of the Rules of Professional Conduct. 2. Practices ethically and honestly and is true to his/her word. 3. Strives for the traditional goals of moral excellence. 4. Exhibits the highest standards of fairness and integrity. 5. Sets a model example for conduct with members of the Bar and the Judiciary not only by words but more importantly by deeds. 6. Is civil, courteous and respectful towards the court and his/her opponents. 7 Is loyal to his/her client without trickery and deception and without using abusive practices or misleading the court or opposing counsel. 8 Avoids the temptation to make his/her client’s case into a personal vendetta. 9 Conducts himself/herself in a manner that improves the image of the legal profession in the eyes of the public.
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What makes the TCBA Stand Out? A look at the Tulsa County Bar Association's self-nomination for the Oklahoma Bar Association's Outstanding County Bar Association Award for 2016
Outgoing TCBA President ~ E. Zach Smith Each year bar associations across the State of Oklahoma strive to make significant contributions to their communities and profession as a whole. I truly feel the Tulsa County Bar Association (“TCBA”) is one of the exceptional bar associations, striving for perennial excellence, setting standards with each passing year that new committees, chairs, and board members often find difficult to meet, let alone surpass. However, at the end of August, the TCBA ended one of its most successful fiscal years in our beloved organization’s recent history.
accomplishments created a major impact hopefully felt by our citizens and members, leaving positive, lasting impressions on our community. There are far too many people to identify or events to name to cover all the TCBA and TCBF accomplished this year, so I am going to simply recognize some of the more memorable contributions and efforts made by our members, staff, judiciary, and community. As any organization knows, the building out of which it headquarters is crucial to the success of its operations. This year completed the second year of a three-year commitment by our members As could be expected, not all of our goals to increased dues to fund renovations to our TCBA were met, but the TCBA accomplished many of headquarters. Jim Gotwals and Chad McLain its crucial objectives, and in stellar fashion. Those have been instrumental in the Tulsa County Bar Tulsa Lawyer 19
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Foundation’s (“TCBF”) successful management of our Capital Campaign, and the first phase of our renovations was completed. The second phase of renovations will focus on renovating the interior of the TCBA headquarters, providing some
modern legal practice. The new face of our structure is a reminder to our existing members of the TCBA’s commitment to them and their professional needs, and the constant activity afoot, as seen from the street, an open invitation to nonmembers and our organization’s future generations.
distributed the following amounts to these charitable organizations: The Disabled American Veterans received $9,000.00, TCBF Community Outreach received $8,000.00, South Tulsa Community House received $6,500.00, and the Tulsa Lawyers for Children received $6,500.00. As I wrote back in the December issue, one of my greatest pleasures in serving on the board of the TCBA is giving back to the community at large, especially to those in dire need. Due to the unbelievable efforts of William Kellough, the TCBF was able to give more money than it has ever given. So many people involved in the golf tournament this year can be proud knowing this fact.
Further efforts of Ashley Webb, the TCBF Community Outreach Committee sponsored a drive to collect household items to donate to the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless’ clients. These “kits” required the donation of $125 each, allowing the Committee Community Outreach Committee - Mental Health Volunteers. to donate money, along with collected household items, to this necessary updates, modernized charity in need. Over fifty (50) kits features and technological support, The TCBA and TCBF were were collected and donated, and as well as rejuvenating the ambiance also very involved in the community the money used for other identified and decor. I cannot say enough this year through the Community needs. Of course, Santa Brings a good things about Jim Gotwals Outreach Committee, Law Day Lawsuit was also an annual favorite and his outstanding leadership Committee, Pro Bono Committee, this year. of the TCBF during his tenure. Charity Golf Tournament, Bench In his first year as the Chair Chad McLain has been a constant and Bar Committee, and Children presence for over two years, and the Law Committee. The of the Pro Bono Committee, tenaciously seeking contributions TCBF Charity Golf tournament this Jim Proszek’s did an outstanding during some very difficult times. year was the most successful ever. job. Just to name one highlight, This level of commitment to the Through the efforts of its Chair, the American College of Trial renovations of our building illustrate William Kellough, the solicitation Lawyers seeks annual applications our organization’s willingness of sponsorships, donations, and for its 2016 Emil Gumpert Award, to continue providing facilities entry fees, garnered proceeds an annual honor with a $100,000 that mirror the ever-changing that raised over $30,000.00. prize awarded to an outstanding landscape and expectations of From these proceeds, the TCBF program designed to improve the 20 Tulsa Lawyer
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administration of justice. The award is named in honor of the founder of the College, Emil Gumpert. Pat Cremin, a local member of the American College of Trial Lawyers nominated the expansion of the (CAP) Program, a joint effort of these TCBA members and Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, for the 2016 Emil Gumpert Award. The CAP Program volunteers included approximately twenty (20) attorneys and five (5) paralegals. Jim Proszek saw to it our application was submitted in a timely fashion and donated hours of his time with other members to ensure we had an opportunity to win. Although we did not receive the honor, this effort alone is what separates the successes of our organization from others, establishing us as a beacon for others to follow. The Children and the Law Committee, Chaired by Ann Keele, created the inaugural Holiday Challenge that provided holiday gifts to families in need through Family & Children Services. Three (3) specific families were "adopted" by TCBA member teams who purchased gifts for the family members, plus over $1,500 cash donations were collected and donated to help other families who had not been adopted. Delasandro's restaurant kindly sponsored the Children and the Law Committee by donating 15% of food sale from one night. Other participants included TCBA Board of Directors, TCBF Community Outreach, TCBA Family Law Section, TCBA Litigation Section, TCBA Paralegals Section, and Gable Gotwals Law Firm. This committee also "adopted" a 4-member family, purchased gifts, and wrapped each one individually before delivering to the caseworker.
Gifts were delivered in midDecember to these families. Finally, the Children and the Law Committee drafted a scholarly article to serve as a resource to practitioners about therapy options for cases involving children. Ann, along with Barbara Sears, Stephanie Horton, and Miranda Calhoun collaborated on the article that was published in the April issue of The Tulsa Lawyer magazine in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention/Awareness Month.
his post-conviction relief efforts. The Annual Law Week Luncheon also provided services to the public at large. For example, the TCBF sponsored a free walk-in clinic to answer questions about immigration.
At the 25th Annual Free CLE and Brown Bag Series, members were provided the opportunity to obtain 6 free CLE credit hours, with an optional hour of ethics. The Bench and Bar Committee, chaired by Corbin Brewster, promoted a well-attended Brown Bag Series Of course we also had our CLE, providing multiple dates for regularly planned annual events, TCBA members to receive one (1) such as the Annual Law Week, 25th hour of CLE credit at each meeting, Annual Free CLE, and the 3rd including an hour of ethics. Among Annual YLD Trivia Night, but those presenting the CLE were Chief
Law Week 2016 several events were absolutely exceptional. As previously mentioned back in June’s issue, the Annual Law Week Luncheon welcomed Laura H. Nirider, keynote speaker and one of the attorneys who represented Brendan Dassey in
Justice John F. Reif of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Judge Clancy Smith of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, and Rob Nigh, Tulsa County Public Defender. continued on page 22... Tulsa Lawyer 21
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We even had some special events planned. The TCBA Special Events Coordinator, Kimberly Moore-Waite, was responsible for many memorable events, including purchasing blocks of tickets to the annual Oklahoma City Thunder preseason game held at the BOK center. These tickets were sold to members at a discount, and tickets sold out in a matter of days. Another TCBA member special event included a night at the Spotlight Theatre, where TCBA members were allowed to participate in the “longest-running play” The Drunkard.
date, and it was certainly one of the most important. The Honorable Rebecca Nightingale was recognized as the first-ever female presiding judge in Tulsa County. It was one of the best judicial dinners I can remember, and feedback from the bench and other members seemed to echo that sentiment. Further, from this event, the TCBA began its firstever initiative to raise funds for the Tulsa County Judiciary. Several thousand dollars in proceeds from the judicial dinner were given to the judiciary to supplement the funding our judges currently receive from the Tulsa County Court Fund.
This year will further be remembered as one of the more memorable years the TCBA has ever had in supporting the judiciary as a whole. The Bench and Bar Committee hosted the biennial Judicial Dinner to honor our Tulsa County District Court Judges and recognize the incoming presiding judge. This year’s judicial dinner was one of the most successful to
Finally, a personal favorite memory of my year as President occurred quite recently. On the morning of July 8th, 2016, a very packed ceremonial courtroom was dedicated to the late Judge Carlos Chappelle’s memory. Judges, current and retired, filled the courtroom, as well as a litany of other legal VIPs, including Judge Chappelle’s nephew, US Attorney, Danny C. Williams. Also in attendance was the TCBA’s Executive Committee and TCBF President et. al. As you are all aware, Judge Chappelle passed away of cancer on June 28, 2015. Judge Carlos Chappelle established a benchmark for future generations as the first African American presiding Judge in Tulsa County, as he served on the bench for 20 years. Judge Nightingale and Judge Kuehn both gave very heartfelt, and very factual revelations of their memories of Judge Chappelle and what he meant to all of us. Becky Murphy, local attorney
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member, was instrumental in raising funds to pay for the highlights of the dedication ceremony, a portrait by Oklahoma City artist, Patricia Bradley, and a plaque to be on display for all to see in the future. Although serving in a minor role to help facilitate the funding, a very proud Bench and Bar Committee assisted in the coordination of dedicating the Tulsa County Courthouse’s Ceremonial Courtroom to one of Tulsa County’s most beloved judges. All of these things occurred during the past year, and this doesn’t include everything by any means. As is required for the success of any organization, these contributions required the sacrifice and willingness of so many involved, including all of the board, committees, sections, staff members, bench and bar, and many unrecognized members of the public. Our Executive Director, Kevin Cousins, and the TCBA staff are the anchors and truly fulcrum of this year’s efforts. The success of the TCBA relied upon these unsung heroes. Many others go unnamed, however, simply donating their time because they wanted to be a part of something special. Because of the contributions of the aforementioned people, and so many more not specifically recognized, it has absolutely been my pleasure to serve as the Tulsa County Bar Association’s President for the past year. I want to personally thank all of you who have assisted me along the way. I am all too aware that it takes all of the members to make a great organization. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
E. Zach Smith, TCBA President 2015-2016
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TCBA Paralegal Section 2 0 1 6 Re vie w
Further in the year, trending topics such as cyber security and how to keep your mobile devices safe was led by Avansic, a leader in cyber security. Members were made aware of hacking, security issues with mobile devises and security problems with fax and copy machines and recovery of data when a party is trying to deliberately destroy evidence and how to preserve this evidence for trial. Another topic included the “Almost the Perfect Crime – Detecting and Uncovering Fraud in the Workplace.” This was an informative talk about small businesses and how easily employees can steal from their employers, how you prove it and how to This past year the Tulsa County Bar Paralegal prosecute it. Section focused on round table discussions and guest Michael Speck, a professor at Tulsa Community speakers providing information to our membership that not only assisted them in their daily work but informed College, spoke regarding the states which have adopted them of upcoming legislation and changes in the law or will be adopting an LLT (limited license legal which will affect the future of the paralegal and legal technician) explaining the new laws and how that will community, in general. Numerous speakers spoke affect paralegals in the coming years. on a number of topics of interest. Topics were varied and included practical application as well as trending E-Discovery was also a big topic this year, with topics. Charlie Black, owner of ProLegalTech, demonstrating Trial Director and the best way to use it, tricks and trade The Section’s first meeting, “How to Wow in of the business and pitfalls to avoid. April Ferguson, Adobe,” was a round table discussion led by Deborah owner of Opevon, demonstrated various e-discovery Woodruff on utilizing Adobe-Pro. Demonstrations software for smaller law firms and new technology regarding use of Adobe and several handouts were which is currently available on the market for purchase, given to the attendees. Karlyn Apon and Rhonda Leeds approximate purchase price information and how to discussed alternative software similar to Adobe and its evaluate different e-discovery software. Litgistix also functionality and cost as a less expensive alternative. gave a presentation regarding new technology for Numerous members joined in the discussion which e-discovery. also included specific detailed information on bates numbering, splitting of files and redacting. The paralegal section also participated in the inaugural Holiday Challenge benefitting families The October 1st meeting feature was “Excel in need through Family & Children’s Services. Our … A Paralegal’s Best Friend.” Several of the members section adopted one family – a single mom with three discussed how they use Excel in their day-to-day children including a special needs child and was able work utilizing it for such activities as time entries, to provide for all of their needs for a very special deposition, workbooks with clickable links to actual Christmas. documents, trial exhibit lists, medical record summaries and expenses, as well as use in family law and other Deborah Woodruff, Paralegal practice areas including litigation, medical malpractice Fellers Snider and insurance work. Other areas of discussion included where to find and how to use formulas and timelines. Tulsa Lawyer 25
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Tulsa County Bar Foundation 2015-2016 Awards WILLIAM C. KELLOUGH - Chair of the Tulsa numerous other hole sponsors and donors that made the County Bar Foundation Charity golf Tournament tournament a success. Bill Kellough of Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson served as the Tulsa County Bar Foundation Charity Golf Tournament chair. The annual tournament was held on May 16, 2016, at LaFortune Park. Despite persistent rain, 99 players showed up to brave the elements.
Beneficiaries this year are the Disabled American Veterans, South Tulsa Community House, Tulsa Lawyers for Children, and the Community Outreach Committee of TCBF.
Despite the rain, the Tournament was a huge success financially, raising a total of $38,950.00, from sponsorships, silent auction, shirt sales and player registration (exceeding 2015 by 23%). More importantly, the net income was $30,000 to be distributed to the TCBF charitable beneficiaries, which exceeds last year by nearly 50%! Bill has graciously consented to serve as Bill led the committee on a steady course and his Chair for the 2017 Tournament. The Tulsa County Bar committee worked very hard to put on the tournament Foundation greatly appreciates Bill’s time, effort, and at a new location. The venue is always subject to tenacity in chairing this committee, and the committee change which presents a challenge from the get-go for member's service. the committee and its volunteers! Kevin Cousins and the TCBA staff as always worked extremely hard in ASHLEY R. WEBB – Community Outreach overseeing the registration and course logistics. Many Committee thanks to all of the Committee’s numerous volunteers Ashley Webb of Riggs, Abney, who assisted with obtaining items for the prizes, swag Neal, Turpen, Orbison and bags and the running of the tournament on the course. Lewis served as the Chair Last but not least, kudos to the LaFortune golf pros who of the Community Outreach made it a great experience for all notwithstanding the Committee ("COC"). Under rain. his leadership, the COC participated in six (6) events There were many sponsors that assisted in putting on the during the year: Lawyers event. The Eagle Sponsors were Richards and Connor, Fighting Hunger/Live Local Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson, and Litgistix. Give Local Thanksgiving The Birdie Sponsors were Barrow & Grimm; Moyers & Event; Tulsa Ballets Hope for Martin; Works & Lentz; Holloway & Monaghan; Crowe the Holidays event; Santa Brings a Lawsuit; volunteer & Dunlevy; McAfee and Taft; and Hall Estill. The Par Sponsors were Head, Johnson & Kachigian; James R. opportunities at the Community Food Bank of Eastern Gotwals and Associates; Larry Leonard; Monroe & Oklahoma; Lawyers Fighting Hunger/Live Local Give Keele; Graves, McLain PLLC; Allen Smallwood; and Local Easter Event, and the Welcome Home Project for Garrett Law Center. The Hole Sponsors were Bill the Tulsa Day Care Center for the Homeless. Kellough; GableGotwals; Jones, Gotcher & Bogan; Jennifer Waeger; Avansic; Paul Naylor – TLFC; Archer Members of the COC helped collect over $44,000.00 Law; and Professional Reporters OKC. There were through the fall (Thanksgiving) and spring (Easter) 26 Tulsa Lawyer
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Lawyers Fighting Hunger events. They also participated KARA PRATT –Law Day Committee in the fo0d distribution to some 750 families at the Iron Gate Ministries location in November and The Vault Kara Pratt of Barber and Bartz served as the Chairman parking lot in March. of the Tulsa County Bar At Tulsa Ballet's Hope for the Holidays Event in Association/Tulsa County November, COC members served snacks and TCBA Bar Foundation Law Day Executive Director Kevin Cousins dressed up as a Committee. Several events were conducted around the Nutcracker. Once again, it was an excellent opportunity law Day theme of "Judges, for many of Tulsa's underserved children to experience some Holiday Magic. Juries and Justice – The Constitution and the Rights th In its 16 year, Santa Brings a Lawsuit again delivered of the Accused." slightly used, but dry-cleaned business and business casual clothing to such local charities as Women in The TCBF Annual Law Day Luncheon was held April Recovery, John 3:16 Mission, Salvation Army, and 29, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency, Downtown Tulsa. The Goodwill. This clothing drive aids people attempting evening before Kara assisted in organizing a reception to transition from unemployment and/or homelessness for the speaker. Laura H. Nirider, Clinical Assistant Professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School into self-sufficiency. of Law was the keynote speaker. Ms. Nirider, Esq. was COC organized a group of volunteers for the Community Brendan Dassey’s Post Conviction Attorney featured in Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma to prepare nearly Netflix Series “Making a Murderer.” The event sold out 4,000 sacks of food for the "Food for Kids Backpack with 287 attendees. Julie DelCour received the Liberty Bell Award in recognition of her 43 years of journalism Program" on February 20, 2016. and service in bringing the rule of law to the public. The committee conducted their annual household drive June 13-24, 2016, donating cash to the welcome home project benefiting the day care center for the homeless. In addition to that, they secured by donations of or prepared approximately 50 welcome home boxes. These boxes are distributed to people transitioning from living on the streets or in their vehicles into homes or apartments and contain essential items needed to set up housekeeping. The Tulsa County Bar Foundation appreciates the fine service by Ashley Webb as chairman of COC and the Committee's efforts.
There was a Naturalization Ceremony held at the Federal Courthouse for the Northern District on April 13, 2016, in honor of Law Day and student art and writing awards were given out to local students from pre-K-12 grade on the on the Law Day theme on May 11, 2016. Kara participated at the Green Country Challenge Speech and Debate Tournament on March 2, 2016. The committee organized and provided lawyers for the Ask a Lawyer program at the OETA offices on April 28, 2016. Volunteer lawyers answered 355 total phone calls and 50 emails. The committee organized an Immigration Clinic with volunteers assisting approximately 50-60 people, more than four times the amount of people assisted last year! The committee awarded an inaugural award denominated as the Sandra Day O'Connor Award for Civics Education. This award was given to the Hope Christian Academy in Skiatook Oklahoma. The award is designated for a person or persons who have significantly advanced the teaching of legal civics in Oklahoma Schools. The award was received by Belinda Stevenson and Rachel Keeney on behalf of the school. The TCBF is very grateful for Kara Pratt's hard work and the work of the 2015 Law Week Committee.
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VP's Corner Ann Keele, 2016-2017
I am truly grateful for this opportunity to serve as your Vice President, and wanted to introduce myself to those who may not yet know me. First, let me thank all of you who supported me in this campaign. I sincerely appreciate your endorsement and confidence. I’m excited to be part of such a talented team.
healthy working relationship with the other side. Professionalism is vitally important in our calling, and we should strive to exude civility, courtesy, character, and competence in all we do. Our business is tough, and no other person can truly appreciate our circumstance better than a fellow attorney. I look at us as “brothers in arms,” so even if we battle In my ten years of practicing law, against one another in a case, it is I have learned these important not personal. truths: Being a lawyer is not just a job, Thank you to my law partner and it is a calling. We are tasked mentor, Stan Monroe. You have with helping clients solve some been an exemplary model of how of the most serious and stressful law should be practiced. Your problems that they will ever support and encouragement has encounter in life, and they are helped me become a better lawyer, counting on us to get them through and I appreciate your willingness the ordeal. As a family and to allow me to take time to serve criminal law practitioner, I often in our Bar Association. represent people at their worst point in life. Showing compassion Finally, I’d like to thank my and offering honest advice about family for their support. My the predicament, while outlining husband, Tom, is an incredible a plan of action helps to restore man who selflessly helps take hope that “this, too, shall pass.” care of my 85-year-old parents who live with us, as well as our Being a zealous advocate doesn’t three-year-old son, Ryan, all mean that one must act like a while running his own painting jerk. Over the years, I’ve had and remodeling business. Tom occasional nervous clients ask and my parents have always been me why I appear to be so nice supportive of me and my career. to the opposing attorney. I then Thank you for your understanding explained that the opposing and encouragement. I appreciate counsel is not the enemy, and it more than you know. that it can be beneficial to have a
I’m looking forward to a terrific year for the Tulsa County Bar Association. I want to encourage each of you to take some time and serve on one of our committees. Together, we can do great things.
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Free Legal Answers in Oklahoma By Michael Speck
Since the Summer of 2015 Oklahoma Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission (“Okla. SCt. AJC”) has been examining the American Bar Association's (“ABA”) soon to be launched Free Legal Answers ("FLA") website. This website will be available to residents participating states with income levels less than twice the federal poverty rate. Under the leadership of the Okla. SCt. AJC, with the support and cooperation of the OBA, Oklahoma will participate in the ABA FLA project. Eligible clients with civil legal problems will be able to submit questions to attorneys licensed to practice law in their state. Clients will answer a series of questions that will include unverified income screens and will collect information regarding the residence of the prospective client. Volunteer lawyers will log on, having previously registered and having their licensure
confirmed, to review and answer questions. Ineligible clients will be directed to links other legal services agencies, or attorney referral resources, within their state. Onlinetnjustice.org is the progenitor of the ABA’s FLA project. Buck Lewis of Baker, Donelson, et. al in Memphis, Tennessee has been a pivotal figure in the launch of the Tennessee website, and in the ABA’s FLA. Mr. Lewis has met with the Okla. SCt. AJC by videoconference to present the ABA FLA project and answer questions; and recently appeared before the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Access to Justice Committee (“OBJA AJC”) by telephone and answered several questions about the ABA FLA website. The Oklahoma Bar Association's Access to Justice Committee met in June to answer a number of questions about the ABA FLA.
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The domain name for the Oklahoma site will be Oklahoma.freelegalanswers.org. Eligible Oklahoma clients will be able to submit questions in seven (7) practice areas: family, housing, debt collections, consumer, public benefits, employment and education. Guardianships and elder law issues be added as sub categories. Attorney volunteers will be covered by liability insurance provided by a third party. Clients will not be given the attorney’s name or contact information. Tennessee has a population of 6.5 million. Buck Lewis has said that approximately seventy (70) attorneys have answered about 12.5K questions in the five (5) years the Tennessee website has been operating. With a population of 3.9 million, it can be reasonable to assume that Oklahoma will have a slightly lower volume of questions. Answers to questions accepted by attorneys should be posted within twenty-four (24) hours, and will be reviewed by the state administrator for completion after seventy-two (72). Attorneys should be able to answer many of the client questions with fifteen (15) to thirty (30) minutes of work.
To learn more about the FLA website, take a look at this video: https://youtu.be/RAmHEnpB-bo By the time this note has been published, state administrators will have received training and will gain first hand experiences through a soft launch. The first hard launch is scheduled for August 22nd, and a second, optional hard launch date is set for October 4th. After the state hard launch date clients will be able to submit questions to attorneys. In order to be successful, each state will need several dozen attorneys to volunteer their time. These attorneys, and the legal community in general, will also need to make the public aware of the service. Therefore Oklahoma attorneys should not only spread the word among our peers, but to the public as well by posting links to the service, circulate marketing materials, etc. This is but one of the many steps we can take to improve access to justice in Oklahoma. However, a great deal more work remains to be done.
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Grapevine News The shareholders of McAfee & Taft have elected attorneys Courtney Bru and J. Craig Buchan as fellow shareholders. The announcement was made by managing director Michael Lauderdale. Courtney Bru concentrates her practice on the representation of employers exclusively in labor and employment matters and other issues affecting the workplace. In addition to having extensive experience representing management in all phases of litigation before state and federal courts and regulatory and administrative agencies, a significant portion of her practice is devoted to counseling and training management and human resources professionals on the best practices for reducing risk, avoiding litigation, and maintaining a productive workforce. She also devotes a portion of her practice to commercial and civil litigation matters. Bru is a frequent author and guest speaker on workplace issues and serves as co-editor of the Oklahoma Employment Law Letter, a monthly review of new court decisions, regulations, and laws affecting Oklahoma employers. She is also a member of the Employers Counsel Network, a nationwide affiliation of leading law firms providing legal assistance and representation to employers. Bru’s achievements have earned her inclusion in the Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America, and Oklahoma Super Lawyers. Bru is a graduate of Auburn University and Vanderbilt Law School and is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Oklahoma, the state of Georgia, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. She is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and Georgia Bar Association. Bru began her career as an associate with the Atlanta office of Littler Mendelson in 2005 and was a partner of a Tulsa-based law firm before joining McAfee & Taft in 2014.
J. Craig Buchan is an experienced, AV Preeminent peer reviewrated trial lawyer whose broad litigation practice encompasses the areas of products liability, oil and ga s litig a tio n , c o mp le x tort matters, professional negligence, construction disputes, premises liability, and commercial litigation. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive experience providing hands-on management of all aspects of civil litigation – from discovery to appeals – and has successfully tried numerous cases in state and federal courts in Oklahoma. His achievements have earned him inclusion in Oklahoma Super Lawyers. The Oklahoma native holds an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Oklahoma and a Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He is also a 2005 graduate of the International Association of Defense Counsel’s Trial Academy at Stanford Law School. Buchan is admitted in all state and federal courts in Oklahoma, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. He is also a member of the Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel and Defense Research Institute, a barrister and executive committee member with the Council Oak/ Johnson-Sontag American Inn of Court, and a member of the Tulsa County, Oklahoma, and American bar associations. Prior to joining McAfee & Taft in 2014, Buchan was a partner with a Tulsa-based litigation firm.
Grapevine news should be sent to tulsabarnews@yahoo.com Please see submission guidelines at www.tulsabar.com
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J o n e s , Gotcher & Bogan, P.C. is pleased to announce the addition of Patrick O. Waddel as an Of Counsel attorney of the Firm. Patrick O. Waddel joined Jones, Gotcher & Bogan in mid-June, 2016 in an Of Counsel position with the Firm. He attended the University of Pittsburg in Pennsylvania and the University of Tulsa, receiving a B.A. degree from the latter in 1964. He received his LL.B. degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1967. He is a member of the Tulsa County and Oklahoma Bar Association, the Missouri Bar and the State Bar of Texas. Mr. Waddel’s practice has principally been in the area of corporate and securities law, having participated in numerous public offerings, corporate, financings, acquisitions and mergers. In addition to his practice, Mr. Waddel was a Commissioner of the Tulsa Development Authority for approximately 25 years serving as its Chairman for approximately 10 years. He is also a member of the Executive Board of the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University. Additionally, Mr. Waddel has been a speaker at Bar-related seminars in the areas of state and federal securities law and in the area of general corporate law and governance matters. He has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Tulsa School of Law, where he conducted a seminar on corporate securities and tax aspects of corporate growth and transactional analysis. Additional members of the firm are: Jack L. Brown, John W. Cannon, C. Michael Copeland, Maren Minnaert Lively, Thomas L. Vogt, James E. Weger, Bradley J. Brown, Patrick G. Colvin, Khadija K. Ghani and Bryan M. Harrington.
Did you know?
The name September comes from the Latin septem for seven, since this was the seventh month of the Roman calendar.
Kelley N. Feldhake and Sarah Yates Reddy are pleased to announce the opening of Reddy & Feldhake, P.C. The firm will focus on family law, probate, estate planning, business law, and general civil litigation. Ms. Feldhake is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a degree in political science and minor in criminology. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Kelley focuses her practice on family and domestic law, representing families and individuals across Oklahoma. Her practice focuses on dissolution of marriage, separation, asset division and distribution, child custody, child support, alimony, paternity, guardianships, and adoption. She has dedicated her practice to providing her clients with advocacy, counsel, and the strength to Tulsa Lawyer 35
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weather difficult family transitions. Kelley is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in Oklahoma and Muskogee (Creek Nation) and is a member of the Tulsa County Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association, and American Bar Association. Kelley contributes her time to Johnson-Sontag Inns of Court, Junior League of Tulsa, Emergency Infant Services, and Tulsa Lawyers for Children. Ms. Reddy is a graduate of Westminster College (Fulton, Missouri) with degrees in Pre-Law Political Science, Classics, and Latin. Sarah received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Sarah focuses her practice on general civil litigation, trial litigation, estate planning, probate, and property law. Her representation currently includes individuals and families, small and large forprofit businesses, non-profit and charitable businesses. She represents many clients as lead counsel in contract, business, and estate dispute litigation. Sarah is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in Oklahoma, is a member of the Tulsa County Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, and Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel. Sarah contributes her time to Tulsa Lawyers for Children and Reading is Fundamental. You may reach Ms. Feldhake or Ms. Reddy by contacting the firm at: Reddy & Feldhake, P.C. 2121 South Columbia Avenue, Suite 205, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114 Tele: (918) 947-8102 Fax: (918) 516-0722 Website: www.LawyersOK.com E-mail: Kelley@LawyersOK.com or Sarah@LawyersOK.com
Craig Marshall Regens joins GableGotwals as an Associate Attorney in the firm’s Oklahoma City office. Regens’ primary practice will focus on litigation and business reorganizations, workouts and bankruptcy. Regens is a former law clerk for the Honorable Sarah A. Hall, Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, and a former Oklahoma Assistant Attorney General. A graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law, Regens earned his master’s degree from the London School of Economics and his undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma.
Still looking for the right place to advertise? Do you own or operate retail shops, professional services, entertainment or restraurants in the downtown Tulsa area? If so, you should be advertising with Tulsa Lawyer. Target your audience with the many legal offices located downtown!
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Submission Guidelines
Tulsa Lawyer Magazine Official Publication of the Tulsa County Bar Association
The Tulsa Lawyer is a full-color monthly publication of the Tulsa County Bar Association and is distributed to its membership of over 2,100 attorneys, Tulsa County Courthouse, the Law Library, the Oklahoma Bar Association and all advertisers.The Tulsa Lawyer accepts advertisements for products or services that have an existing or potential market in the Tulsa Legal Community. Space reservations may be requested, but no guarantee of ad placement can be made. The Tulsa Lawyer reserves the right to reject any advertisement. SUBSCRIPTIONS • Subscriptions are available for $40.00 a year for those who are not Tulsa County Bar Association members or advertisers. CLASSIFIED ADS • Classified ads are accepted at a charge of $35.00 for 40 words and .25 cents for each additional word. • You can add a small picture or color logo for $10.00. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS • The deadline for submitting advertisements is 5:00 PM on the 10th of the month preceding publication. • Example: Oct 10 for the Nov issue) Ads accepted after this date will be published if space and time allow. PAYMENTS • Due upon receipt of invoice. Please make check payable to TCBA. • Credit card payments can be made at our website www. tulsabar.com a small convenience fee will be charged. Advertising Rates - Please visit www.tulsabar.com or contact TCBA at 918.584-5243 Ext. 240 for ad sizes & rates. Submit: Send files to accounting@tulsabar.com PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS Preferred Material: Digital files are preferred. Four-color CMYK film is acceptable but file must be built to the correct ad dimensions. We cannot accept ads in the following formats: Microsoft Word, Publisher, Powerpoint or Corel Draw. Black only ads can be submitted as camera-ready copy.
File Formats Accepted: Color ads: All digital files must contain only CMYK data. No RGB or any other color space accepted.
Files must have a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Files will be output with a line screen of 133. The following are acceptable formats. Keep in mind, printer will not be able to make corrections in these formats: 1. CMYK or grayscale EPS All fonts must be outlined. 2. CMYK or grayscale TIFF 3. PDF 1.4 or lower version (Write a postscript file and use Acrobat Distiller to make PDF file; do not use an export PDF plug-in within program to make PDF. Distiller must be set up for 300 dpi, CMYK output.) 4. Fonts must be embedded. The following formats are also acceptable. All fonts and artwork must be provided along with page layout file. Printer will be able to make minor corrections if necessary: 1. QuarkXpress 6.5 or lower (PC or Mac version) 2. Illustrator CS2 or lower (PC or Mac version) 3. InDesign CS2 or lower (PC or Mac) 4. Pagemaker 7.0 or lower (PC or Mac version)
Black and White ads:
Files must have a resolution of at least 200dpi. If you are not familiar with the technical terms above, please feel free to call or email for clarification – Jody at accounting@tulsabar.com or 918-584-5243 ext 240. If staff assistance is required or requested to prepare any display advertisement there will be an additional “set-up” charge at $40 per hour, with a 1 hour minimum. This includes attempting to rearrange existing layout of an ad submitted. All advertising must be accompanied by a written request including: • • • • • •
Ad size Number of insertions and dates Position preference Full name & mailing address Contact full name & address Magazine mailing address
38 Tulsa Lawyer
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Classified Ads MoreLawSuites.com 406 South Boulder & 624 South Denver 918-582-3993 or 918-398-5678 Virtual Offices Starting at $180
Advertiing Rates
available at www.tulsabar.com or contact Jody at the Bar Center. 918-584-5243 Ext. 240 jodyg@tulsabar.com
CLUGSTON POLYGRAPH & INVESTIGATING SERVICES FBI National Academy graduate, 25 years law enforcement experience. See our Website at www.clugston-polygraph.com or call (918) 622-7008 for information about our services. Corporate internal investigations, criminal defense, divorce, hild custody, loss prevention…. We can help answer your questions.
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CLASSIFIED ADS POSITION FOR LITIGATION ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY IN TULSA We are recruiting an experienced partner-track Associate Attorney to handle all phases of civil litigation within a strong team setting that focuses on client service and maximizing outcomes. Our practice includes challenging procedural and technical issues, and the successful candidate will possess strong analytical and advocacy skills. We use the latest technology to maximize efficiency. We are looking for the right attorney to join our team who will take pride in the service we deliver and fit within our friendly, low-key firm environment. Candidates must have at least 5 years experience in civil litigation that reflects highly developed skill in legal research, drafting memoranda, briefs and discovery, taking depositions, managing document production, and oral argument. Candidates must have graduated within the top 25% of their law school class, and law review experience is preferred. Candidates should submit a recent writing sample and CV to: smcdaniel@ok-counsel.com
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Tulsa County Bar Association 1446 S. Boston Ave. Tulsa, OK 74119
"Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time."
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PRSRTD STD US POSTAGE PAID Pontiac, Illinois PERMIT# 592
~ George Bernard Shaw
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