The Oklahoma Bar Journal January 2023

ANGELA AILLES BAHM Governor – At Large Oklahoma City

JANA L. KNOTT Governor – District No. Nine El Reno Background: I grew up in Minco. I now live in El Reno with my hus band, Brian, and our two sons, Brecken, who is eight, and Bricen, who is six. I practice at Bass Law in El Reno, where my practice

Background: I was born

in Berlin, Germany. My mother is German, and my father was in the Air Force. I moved a lot as a young child until our move to Altus. My hus band, Mark, owns a

public accounting firm. Our daughter, Isabella, works as a copywriter for an advertising firm in New York City. We love traveling, exploring new places, dining with friends and generally being outdoors. Education: Undergraduate at OU with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a baccalaureate degree in accounting. Law school at OU What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? To help educate our membership and the public on a vari ety of subjects, including the value proposition of our state bar Why is it important for OBA members to serve and volunteer? Participation in the bar allows you to expand your network significantly, which is invalu able. This can turn into increased or varied busi ness. You’ll expand your resources across the state, which in turn can benefit you and your clients. And more importantly, there are so many ways to serve your community in general, whether it is by helping to educate a legislator about the effect of a piece of proposed legislation or participating in the Oklahoma Lawyers for America’s Heroes Program. There are so many opportunities. What challenges are OBA members encountering, and how can the OBA help find solutions? This is stressful work as a general statement. If there are ways to reduce that stress through access to tools or certain CLE programs, we want to do that. What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? Courts & More – it’s a great resource What technology gadget could you not function without? My iPhone What’s the best book you’ve read this year? We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin

focuses primarily on appellate litigation. I previously chaired the OBA Appellate Practice Section and currently serve on the Oklahoma Bar Journal Board of Editors. I am also currently serving a two-year term as president of the El Reno Public School Foundation. Education: I spent two years in Vernon, Texas, on a softball scholarship at Vernon Junior College, where I graduated with an associate’s degree. I finished my undergraduate education at OU and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2008. I attended the OCU School of Law, where I earned my J.D. in 2011. What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? Get members involved not just in the OBA but also in their local bar associations Why is it important for OBA members to serve and volunteer? When we serve and volunteer alongside other lawyers, we get to know them as people and not just as opposing counsel in an adverse situation. Getting to know other attorneys outside of day-to day practice helps build cordiality and professional ism, which we desperately need. What challenges are OBA members encountering, and how can the OBA help find solutions? Burnout and mental health issues in the legal profession, which often make it difficult to retain talented individuals our profession needs. The OBA can help by continu ing to raise awareness about the issues lawyers strug gle with and encouraging programs like the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program. What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? I’m a little biased because I’m on the Board of Editors, but I really enjoy the Oklahoma Bar Journal. What technology gadget could you not function without? My Surface Pro! What’s the best book you’ve read this year? Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL