The Oklahoma Bar Journal December 2024

jurisdiction” and its “inherent power” in all matters involving admission to practice law in Oklahoma and “to discipline for cause any and all persons licensed to practice law in Oklahoma.” 11 Discipline can be imposed for acts contrary to prescribed stan dards of conduct performed in an attorney’s professional capacity or otherwise. 12 Acts that would “rea sonably be found to bring discredit upon the legal profession,” whether they be felonies, misdemeanors or a crime at all are grounds for discipline. The RGDP specifically provides that conviction in a crim inal proceeding is not required to impose discipline. The Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct (ORPC) is the standard of conduct for all lawyers in Oklahoma. 13

include other bar associations’ exercise of disciplinary authority over attorneys, the OBA Clients’ Security Fund Committee and law enforcement agencies making a proper showing. 6 The final disposition of a griev ance, in which no formal com plaint is filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court, may be made public at the option of the attorney. Information regarding final dispo sitions of grievances is provided to persons filing grievances as well as respondents. 7 Formal complaint, an answer (if any), and other filings and proceedings filed with the clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court become a matter of public record if the process reaches the stage of formal proceedings and is in accordance with applicable rule. 8

The proceedings brought under Rule 6 (Formal Proceedings Before Supreme Court and Professional Responsibility Tribunal), Rule 7 (Summary Disciplinary Proceedings Before Supreme Court), Rule 8 and Rule 11 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings (RGDP) are filed with the clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and are matters of public record. 9 Rules 8 and 11 deal with resignation and reinstatement, respectively, and those proceedings are not dis cussed in the article. STRUCTURE OF DISCIPLINARY PROCESS The RGDP 10 set forth the disci pline process and requirements. The Oklahoma Supreme Court declares its “original and exclusive

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL