The Oklahoma Bar Journal August 2025

met and continues working on various projects aimed at enhanc ing communication with OBA members and updating public information resources, including the online public information bro chures. Governor Trevillion said the Access to Justice Committee is also discussing updating public information resources. Governor Dodoo reported the Bench and Bar Committee is meeting regularly and discussing judicial salaries as well as updating the Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instructions (OUJI). Governor Venus said the Solo and Small Firm Conference Planning Committee continues to meet and is working with staff to gear up for this year’s conference in July.

Governor Oldfield reported the Rules of Professional Conduct Committee met recently and is considering a proposal from the Oklahoma Department of Securities to amend Rule 8.4 pertaining to lawyers performing undercover criminal investigations. He said the proposal would ultimately need Supreme Court approval, and it is currently tabled while additional input and an ethics opinion are sought.

PRESIDENT WILLIAMS’ APPOINTMENTS

The board passed motions to approve the following candidates or appointments:

crisis calls. The committee believes this may be the result of proactive outreach channeling members to mental health resources before cri ses develop. He also said the LHL Foundation is applying for funding grants and conducting interviews to fill its new executive director role with the goal of hiring the successful candidate by the end of July. Governor Cooper reported the Bar Center Facilities Committee continues to meet and discuss pending contracts to begin work on necessary repairs to the Oklahoma Bar Center. Governor Barker said the Awards Committee will soon begin its task of reviewing the 2025 OBA Awards nominations; the deadline for submission is June 30. Governor Hixon said the Law Day Committee is currently working to respond to a backlog of emails received during the Ask A Lawyer event on May 1. Governor Locke reported the Membership Engagement Committee recently

Committee is meeting regu larly and is planning CLE pro gramming. Governor Oldfield reported the Rules of Professional Conduct Committee met recently and is considering a proposal from the Oklahoma Department of Securities to amend Rule 8.4 pertaining to lawyers perform ing undercover criminal inves tigations. He said the proposal would ultimately need Supreme Court approval, and it is currently tabled while additional input and an ethics opinion are sought. Governor Barbush reported the Cannabis Law Committee con tinues its discussion of whether to transition into an OBA section; however, at this time, it does not have the 75 members needed for that action to take place. He also said the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program Committee reports it has received 117 calls to the LHL hotline this year, only four of which were considered

National Conference of Commissioners for Uniform State Laws –

President Williams proposes to submit the three names of Laura Ruth Talbert, Oklahoma City; Judge Matthew C. Beese, Broken Arrow; and Benjamin J. Barker, Enid, to Governor Stitt for consideration and one appointment to a term expiring June 1, 2028. President Williams appoints the following members to fill two vacancies with terms expiring July 1, 2028: Christopher Lance Carter, Tulsa, and John Maxwell Nowakoski, Edmond.

Oklahoma Real Estate Commission, Contract Forms Committee –

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL