The Oklahoma Bar Journal January 2023

DURANT LAWYER APPOINTED TO BOARD OF GOVERNORS John E. Barbush has

been appointed to serve a three year term on the OBA Board of Governors. His term begins Jan. 1.

He will represent Supreme Court Judicial District Two, which con sists of Atoka, Bryan, Choctaw, Haskell, Johnston, Latimer, LeFlore, Marshall, McCurtain, McIntosh, Pittsburg, Pushmataha and Sequoyah counties. Mr. Barbush is a solo, civil trial attorney who practices in the areas of torts, business litigation, secu rities and family law. He is also an approved provider for OAMIC, representing attorneys in legal malpractice cases. He is a trained mediator and has served as an arbitrator. Mr. Barbush graduated from Ambassador University, where he was a student-athlete and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration before attending the OCU School of Law. He was part of the 2017-2018 OBA Leadership Academy class and has served as a delegate and an exec utive committee member of the Oklahoma County Bar Association Family Law Section. He and his family moved to Durant so his wife, Judge Amy J. Pierce, could serve the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as chief district court judge. They have two children, Ella and Mac, who are also proud members of the Choctaw Nation. Mr. Barbush is the 2023 Law Day Chair for the Bryan County Bar Association.

A TRADITION CONTINUES The West Law Firm, located in Shawnee, held its 14th annual coat donation program in December. Since 2009, the firm has purchased 3,435 new coats and related attire for distribution through the Salvation Army of Shawnee’s Angel Tree Program. “We’re so proud of our affiliation with the Salvation Army in this annual coat donation program,” said Brad West, managing partner of the West Law Firm and a Salvation Army of Shawnee board member. “This program continues to be one of the firm’s most import ant community service activities of the year.” From left Bart West, legal assistant; Donna Rogers, office manager; Brad West, managing partner; Captain Stacey Connelly, Salvation Army of Shawnee; and Josh Chastain, Salvation Army volunteer.

LEGISLATIVE KICKOFF SET FOR JAN. 27 The Oklahoma Legislature recon venes in February, and hundreds of bills will be prefiled. Much of the proposed legislation could affect the administra tion of justice, and some will undoubt edly affect your practice. Join the OBA Legislative Monitoring Committee at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27 at the Oklahoma Bar Center as they iden tify top bills of interest to the OBA and your practice area. Plus, earn two hours of MCLE credit. Donuts and coffee will be provided. RSVP to Alisha Davidson at alishad@okbar.org if you would like to attend.

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL