July Briefcase
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July, 2019 Vol. 52, No. 7 A Publication of the OKLAHOMA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION WWW.OKCBAR.ORG OCBA Celebrates Over 250 lawyers, judges and their family members Ryan, Patrick M. Ryan, John W. Swinford and Loyde H. leadership and dedication to the OCBA. President Stinson celebrated those members of the legal community who Warren. presented two special President’s Awards. The fi rst was have been attorneys for 50, 60 and 70 years. Chief Justice President Sheila Stinson, with the assistance of presented posthumously to The Honorable Lisa Davis for Noma Gurich and OBA Vice President Neal Lane assisted Awards Committee Chair David Cheek, presented this her work at the Juvenile Court. This award was accepted in presenting the OBA Service Awards. The Honorable year’s OCBA Awards. The Honorable Cindy Truong was by her mother, Pat Tippens, and daughters, Melissa and Bill Burkett was posthumously honored for his 70 years of presented with the Professional Service Award for her Rebekah Davis. The second President’s Award was given legal work with his certifi cate and pin being accepted by work with the Oklahoma County Jail. The Community to Virginia Holleman for going above the duty of being a his daughter, the Honorable Bana Burkett Roberts. Those Service Award was given to Jeff Rust in recognition Reading Buddy and assisting a student who had special receiving recognition for 60 years were Frederick Page of his years of service to the YWCA. Gail Stricklin needs that were going unrecognized. Young Lawyers Dobson, Theodore M. Elam, Barry D. Mock and Homer was the recipient of this year’s Pro Bono Award for her Division Chair Benjamin Grubb presented the YLD Paul. Twenty of the forty-one attorneys being recognized dedication to the pro se clinic at the Oklahoma County Awards : Outstanding Director went to Kristin Meloni; for 50 years of membership were in attendance: The Courthouse. The Outstanding Committee was presented the Friends of the Young Lawyers Division was presented Honorable Fred Austin, Jack G. “Chip” Clark, Francis to the Community Service Committee for all their efforts to the law fi rm of Phillips Murrah; and President Sheila Courbois, Charles Foster Cox, Don C. Davis, Donald with Pivot, the Juvenile Bureau and many other com- Stinson was the recipient of the Beacon Award for her W. Davis, Patricia Baily Dennis, Stan L. Foster, Herbert munity services. Kendall Sykes was presented with the leadership and guidance to the YLD. M. Graves, James H. Holloman, Lynn O. Holloman, The Gary L. Walke Briefcase Award for her willingness to This event was a true celebration of the Oklahoma Honorable Frank Keating, William C. McAlister, Michael author various articles. The Bobby G. Knapp Leadership County Bar Association and highlights can be viewed on Minnis, Sidney A. Musser Jr., Gary C. Rhodes, Patrick C. Award was given to The Honorable Don Andrews for his pages 6 and 7. Community Service and Self Care By Harmonniey Kinchion “Most of us got into this thing to help people.” said Jim all could benefi t from a feel good activity, and community Callaway at the 2019 OBA Solo & Small Firm Conference service can be just the one you need. in Tulsa. The “thing” he referred to is our beloved legal pro- Non-profi t and charitable organizations alike request fession. Although Callaway was speaking in terms of how the same thing- more volunteers! As lawyers, we all have lawyers can provide limited legal representation and access talents and skills that can be used to provide a tangible and to justice, his comment unintentionally resonated with me signifi cant benefi t. From our advocacy and negotiation in a different way. Callaway got me thinking about the talents, to our ability to give stellar legal advice and sound Start by spending at least one hour a week doing something reason I became a lawyer in the fi rst place, and how I show organizational skills, we are positioned to help the lives of you love on a volunteer basis with the community service it. For me, community service is integrated into my love of others. Each of us could benefi t from a mental break from organization of your choice. A deserving organization will practicing law, and it can be for you too. the profession during the week, and community service is gain an awesome volunteer, and you will get a much need- Our lives are consumed by our professions. After spend- a great way to relieve stress while providing impactful and ed break- a win-win! If you need some suggestions, you can ing countless hours drafting and preparing for hearings and feel good work. always join the OCBA Community Service Committee for meetings, we tend to only have a few precious hours for Ask yourself, “What would I be doing if I were not prac- any of their projects too. The reward is incomparable, and self care. It can feel as though there is just not enough time ticing law?” Find an organization that caters to your inter- that feel-good feeling is undeniable! for feel good activities. But make no mistake, there is. We ests and passion outside of the law, and partner with them. See Kit-a-Kid, PAGE 9 Inside 2019 AWARDS 5O YEAR From the President . 2 Book Notes . 4 LUNCHEON SERVICE Events & Seminars . 2 Old News . 4 Stump Roscoe . 3 Bar Observer . 10 OCBA Awards AWARDS Pages 6-7 Page 8 OKLA CITY OK CITY OKLA PERMIT# 59 PERMIT# PAID US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 BRIEFCASE • JULY 2019 From the President BRIEFCASE July 2019 Briefcase is a monthly publication of the Oklahoma County Bar Association Giving Credit Where Credit is Due 119 North Robinson Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73102 By Sheila Stinson methods, generational differences, client expectations, changes (405) 236-8421 in the judiciary and dockets, amendments to the law or the cre- Briefcase Committee I’d like to begin by congratulating all ation of an entire new area of law, and the changes that happen Judge Jim Croy, Chris Deason, Ryan Dean, Ben the award recipients at the Annual Awards within a law fi rm - we all must adjust, both willingly and unwill- Grubb, Justin Hiersche, Scott Jones, Matt Kane, Luncheon in June. Thank you to each of the ingly at times. We have to modify plans and be open to change Joi Miskel, Trais Pickens, Miles Pringle, Austin recipients for all you have contributed to the and course adjustment. Reams, Cari Remillard, Rex Travis, Judge Allen Oklahoma County Bar Association, to the Next, you have to have friends that you can lean on when Welch & Alisa White practice of law, and to our communities. Also necessary. Don relied on Kathy and Cosmo to give him ideas to Editor Shanda McKenney congratulations to all the people recognized for their 50 years succeed and the encouragement to implement those new ideas. Contributing Editors Michael Brewer and 60 years of service to the legal profession. It was a great As professionals who have stressful careers, I implore you to Richard Goralewicz group of recipients this year and I thank you for your dedication lean on those friends who support you and encourage you. You Bill Gorden to the legal fi eld. Thank you to Debbie, Pam, and Connie for all also need to fi nd the friends that will let you know when your their work in planning and carrying out the Awards Luncheon. choices aren’t great. I have been very fortunate to have friends, Oklahoma County Bar Association And lastly, thank you to the Young Lawyers Division for the both in the legal profession and outside of it, that support and Beacon Award. I’m humbled and constantly in awe of the ener- encourage me, but also let me know when I’ve messed up. Find OFFICERS: gy, commitment, and zeal of our YLD Board and everything your Kathy and Cosmo, but more importantly be someone else’s President Judge Sheila Stinson they do individually and collectively to improve the OCBA and Kathy and Cosmo. President-Elect Michael Brewer our community. The last lesson from the musical is giving people credit for Vice President Judge Don Andrews Next I’d like to discuss show tunes. Recently my husband the work they do. Lina tried to take credit for Kathy’s voice and Past President David Cheek and I took our boys to see Lyric Theater’s production of Singin’ it didn’t go well, at least for Lina. The same is usually true in Treasurer Robert D. Nelon in the Rain. My husband has passed on his love of old movies law. We must give credit to the people who lend us their skills, Bar Counsel Coree Stevenson to our children and that includes the 1952 movie Singin’ in the talents, energy, encouragement, or time. Whether it is the young Rain. As we watched the live musical, which included some associate in your fi rm helping with cases and preparation, the STAFF: spectacular singing and tap-dancing, I took away three lessons more mature attorney you ask for advice and mentoring, the Executive Director Debbie Gorden Legal Placement Director Pam Bennett that I think can carry over to the practice of law. legal assistants and paralegals, the court reporters, bailiffs and Membership Services Connie Resar First, be adaptable and able to change course when things court clerks, receptionists, deputies and interns and all the other don’t go as planned. When the popularity of the “talkies” made support staff who do all they do to help us do our jobs, we need Journal Record Publishing Co.