The Oklahoma Bar Journal August 2023

Supreme Court. Between April 1 and April 30, the Supreme Court issued one order of dismissal, three orders approving resignation pending disciplinary proceedings and two orders of disbarment. A written report of PRC actions and OBA disciplinary matters for the month was submitted to the board for its review. BOARD LIAISON REPORTS Governor Thurman reported the Disaster Response and Relief Committee is meeting weekly due to recent weather events, and FEMA is involved in those meetings. Governor Ailles Bahm reported the Bench and Bar Committee recently met for a productive meeting featur ing State Rep. Mickey Dollens as the speaker. The committee is updating a PowerPoint presentation aimed at expanding understanding of the Judicial Nominating Commission. She also said she will represent the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program Committee in a meeting set for later in the month with the new executive director of A Chance to Change. Discussion will involve the possible expansion of mental health services as there has been an alarming increase in the number of suicides in the legal pro fession. Governor Barbush added

Insurance Practice Section and YLD Spring Conference in New York, the YLD Board of Directors meeting and the Tulsa YLD happy hour to celebrate the new admittees swear ing in. She coordinated and set up both celebrations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. She also coordi nated with the ABA YLD district representative regarding disaster implementation and with Executive Director Johnson regarding the implementation. She met with YLD directors to plan upcoming meetings prior to the Solo & Small Firm Conference and with Clayton Baker regarding a Wills for Heroes event on July 29. Additionally, she shared a portion of the YLD survey results with Educational Programs Director McCormick and reviewed the first quarter of the YLD bud get and the to-date budget with Administration Director Brumit and Treasurer Taylor Venus. General Counsel Hendryx reported she has hired Jana Harris as a new assistant general coun sel and described a busy summer trial schedule coming up. She also reported as of April 30, there were seven disciplinary cases awaiting decisions from the Oklahoma REPORT OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

Rogers reported he attended the Clients’ Security Fund Committee meeting and Tri-County Bar Association reception. Governor Smith reported she attended the Diversity Committee meeting, where its new chair, Devin Frost, led the meeting and discussed the Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher Diversity Awards, the annual Diversity Awards Dinner, CLE and outreach. She also attended the Oklahoma County Bar Association Law Day Luncheon, the farewell dinner for OCU School of Law Dean Jim Roth and the A.C. Hamlin Scholarship Gala. Governor Thurman reported he organized and hosted the first Administrative Professionals Appreciation Cookout for the staff of all law firms in Pontotoc County, attended the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics prosecutor training and corresponded with the Disaster Response and Relief Committee Chair Molly Aspan regarding relief efforts from the most recent tornadoes. He also met with the Pontotoc County Bar Association officers and with local attorneys and judges regarding attendance at the Sheep Creek event in Pontotoc County. He also attended the Tri-County Bar Association reception. Governor Vanderburg reported he attended the Oklahoma Municipal Judges Association Spring Conference and Board of Directors meeting and the Kay County Bar Association meeting. He finished the work on the state’s Cost Administration Implementation Committee related to the recent passage of HB 2259, which affects fines, costs and assessments in Oklahoma’s municipal and district courts. REPORT OF THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION Governor Shaffer Siex reported she attended the America Bar Association Joint Tort Trial and

Discussion will involve the possible expansion of mental health services as there has been an alarming increase in the number of suicides in the legal profession.

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL