April 2021 Vol. 54, No. 4 A Publication of the OKLAHOMA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION WWW.OKCBAR.ORG THE PAIN THAT BINDS brians101 via depositphotos.com By: J. Renley Dennis That single instant of news would change Office just over three months on the my family forever. Even eighteen years morning of April 19, 1995. After a There are certain events in life that later, I cannot say we ever fully recovered. prayer breakfast downtown with Mayor people do not only recall but they remem- That flashbulb moment for my family Ron Norick, he was in his office at ber where they were and what they were was a microcosm of what happened on the Capitol when the windows shud- doing when it happened. Often called April 19, 1995, twenty-six years ago this dered. That was unusual, given that bullet “flashbulb” memories, these events are month. I had the honor and pleasure of proof windows do not have the ten- so extraordinary they fix an image in your speaking with many great Oklahomans dency to shudder—even in Oklahoma head of that exact moment. Like VE-Day, over the past week about that day and the winds. His first thoughts were of Will September 11, 2001, the sinking of the time that has passed since. Each one of Rogers International Airport and Tinker Titanic, and the moon landing, these them, save one, can tell you with vivid Air Force Base. Then he received reports events are eternal in our collective mem- recount where they were and what they of a gas line explosion downtown. When ory—some tragic and some triumphant. saw the day the Alfred P. Murrah Federal he saw the first footage of the Alfred P. But not all flashbulb moments occur on Building was bombed in downtown Murrah Federal Building from a news the middle of the world stage. Oklahoma City. For each of them and for helicopter, he knew it was not a gas line. When I was fifteen years old, I learned people across the nation, the Oklahoma Governor Keating realized instantly this that an ambush attack in Afghanistan killed City bombing has been the defining flash- was an intentional act. my brother. I remember every breath, every bulb moment in their lifetime. glance, and every heartbeat of that day. Governor Frank Keating had been in See BINDS, page 11 Inside POST-PANDEMIC THERE’S NOTHING From the President ............ 2 Bar Observer ................. 8 MUSINGS SEXY ABOUT SEXUAL Stump Roscoe ............... 3 Page 4 HARASSMENT Page 5 OKLA CITY OK CITY OKLA PERMIT# 59 PERMIT# PAID US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 BRIEFCASE • April 2021 From the President BRIEFCASE April 2021 VOLUNTEERISM: THE JOY OF GIVING Briefcase is a monthly publication of the Oklahoma County Bar Association Hon. Don Andrews • Restore OKC 119 North Robinson Ave. President, OCBA (https://www.restoreokc.org/volunteer). Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (405) 236-8421 Many countries adopt causes or special interest If you are unable to volunteer your time, then you can always groups to highlight and promote during a given donate your resources to the organizations listed above, as well some Briefcase Committee calendar month. In the United States, we are others in our community, including: Ryan Dean, J. Renley Dennis, Ben Grubb, Justin prolific at creating “national ____________ day/ • City Rescue Mission Hiersche, Jeff Massey, Katherine Mazaheri, week/month” events to promote businesses, non- (https://cityrescue.org/donate); Trais Pickens, Kyle Prince, Miles Pringle, Austin profits, and other interests. Although there are a • Fields and Futures Reams, Rex Travis, & Judge Allen Welch good many “national _________” observances in the spring, April is (https://fieldsandfutures.org/donate); Editor Benjamin Grubb one of the few months that does not have a long list of observations. • Parent Promise OKC Contributing Editors Michael Brewer Some unusual causes observed in April are Florida tomatoes, (https://parentpromise.org/give); cannabis, celery, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, pecans, soft pret- • Skyline Urban Ministries Richard Goralewicz zels, and straw hats, among others. Some of the worthier causes (https://www.okcskyline.org/give); and Kathrine Mazaheri-Franze observed in April include keeping America beautiful, child abuse • Upward Transitions OKC awareness and prevention, distracted driving awareness and pre- (https://upwardtransitions.kindful.com). vention, and prevention of cruelty to animals. These worthy caus- Oklahoma County Bar Association es, no doubt, deserve our attention, and it just so happens that April This list of charitable organization is, by no means, exhaustive. is National Volunteer Month. There are many other worthy charitable organizations throughout OFFICERS: Do you volunteer? If so, congratulations! Volunteerism is one the Metropolitan area that are deserving of your time and resources. President Judge Don Andrews of the most cherished of American val- All you have to do is a little research on the President-Elect Shanda McKenney ues. You are one of the nearly 77.4 mil- Internet to find what works best for you. Vice President Cody J. Cooper lion Americans who volunteered in recent Finally, another option is to become of Past President Michael W. Brewer years, turning in 6.9 billion hours valued member of certain organizations that are Treasurer Robert D. Nelon at $167 billion. designed to benefit local charities, including Bar Counsel Coree Stevenson Although volunteers make all of our lives Exchange Club, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club better, volunteerism also benefits the vol- and Rotary Clubs. These organizations have STAFF: unteer, who is typically happier, healthier, chapters located throughout the Oklahoma Executive Director Debbie Gorden and more likely to be employed. Studies City metropolitan area. Joining these orga- Legal Placement Director Pam Bennett have shown that if you are unemployed and nizations provides you with more voluntary Membership Services Connie Resar volunteer, you have a 27% better chance of opportunities, along with socialization with finding a job. others who enjoy the gift of giving. Journal Record Publishing Co. Inc. Do you have passion about a particular I am fortunate to serve on the Board of Special Projects Designer problem or issue? If you feel strongly about Directors for Oklahoma Cleats for Kids some cause, then that is an excellent start to (C4K), an organization created ten years For advertising information, a pleasant volunteer experience. If you are Rawpixel via depositphotos.com ago by fellow lawyers, Mark and Stacy call 278-2830. uncertain what your passion is, then give McDaniel. Mark and Stacy, when con- several charities a try by volunteering on specific days through- fronted with what to do with their children’s outgrown sporting Postmaster: Send address changes to OCBA out the year that feature volunteering. Some of the more popular equipment (primarily shoes or cleats), cleaned-up and restored the Briefcase, 119 North Robinson Ave., Oklahoma upcoming events are: Earth Day on April 22; Endangered Species used sporting equipment so that it could be donated to children in City, Oklahoma 73102. Day on May 21; and World Blood Donor Day on June 14. The need. Thus, C4K was born! Oklahoma Blood Institute is always in need of more blood. Needless to say, in the short ten years of its existence, C4K Journal Record Publishing produces the Briefcase Were you aware that the Oklahoma County Bar Association has has made a significant impact on youth throughout the State of for the Oklahoma County Bar Association, which is solely responsible for its content. a Community Service Committee? Our committee is currently Oklahoma. I can only imagine the positive impact that C4K has © 2021 Oklahoma County Bar Association focusing on environmental projects. You can participate and volun- had on our court system. When you keep kids active in sports, they teer some of your time with events established by our Community tend to do better academically and are less likely to get in trouble. Service Committee, which has an upcoming “litter blitz” for OKC This is why I serve on the Board of C4K! Beautiful on Saturday, April 24. Other possible upcoming events I am also fortunate to be a founding member of committee of law- include a “work day” on the courtyards at the Oklahoma County yers that was formed to assist the Palomar Legal Network. Palomar Courthouse. Legal Network, which began last year, is a coordinated network of Additionally, there are a number of worthy charitable organi- lawyers, licensed legal interns, law school representatives and law zations that do some amazing work in our community. It is easy students who provide high quality free and/or low-cost legal support OKLAHOMA COUNTY BAR to contact these organizations and inquire whether they have any services to clients of Palomar Family Justice Center. Palomar Family ASSOCIATION volunteer opportunities. Some local recommended worthy causes Justice Center, with other community partner agencies, provides a MISSION STATEMENT include: multitude of services to victims of domestic violence, child abuse, Volunteer lawyers and judges dedicated • Central Oklahoma Humane Society sexual assault, stalking, elder abuse and human trafficking. to serving the judicial system, their profes- (https://okhumane.org/get-involved/volunteer); As lawyers, is there not a more noble way of serving our commu- sion, and their community in order to foster • Legal Aid of Western Oklahoma nity then by volunteering to provide free or low-costs legal services the highest ideals of the legal profession, to (https://www.legalaidok.org/volunteers); to victims of domestic violence or child abuse? This is why I con- better the quality of life in Oklahoma County, • Oklahoma Cleats for Kids tinue to support the Palomar Legal Network. and to promote justice for all. (https://okc.cleatsforkids.org/get-involved); There are many quality non-profit organizations throughout the • Palomar Oklahoma City area. I hope you decide to volunteer soon and can (https://palomarokc.org/volunteer-application); experience the joy of giving your time, talents and resources.