The Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors met at the Oklahoma Bar Center on Friday, March 30, 2007.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Beam reported he attended the roast for 2006 YLD Chair Keri Williams, induction of Justice Steven Taylor into the OSU Alumni Hall of Fame, Oklahoma High School Mock Trial Program finals and signing of the Law Day Directive by Chief Justice Winchester. He also attended meetings of the OBA Annual Meeting Task Force, Lawyers Helping Lawyers, Bench and Bar Committee and Custer County Bar Association, at which Executive Director Williams and Ethics Counsel Hendryx were guests. He met with organizers of the Hispanic Bar Network, volunteered with other OBA members at the OETA Festival, met and posed for photos with Law Day contest winners at the State Capitol, presented a CLE program before a Hornets game, worked with Linda Thomas on Leadership Conference planning and met with Executive Director Williams on numerous occasions.

REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Vice President Dawson reported he participated in the Law School Committee visit to the OCU School of Law, Mentor Committee meeting and Bar Center Facilities Committee. He has recruited members for the Advertising Task Force he chairs and has started gathering materials from New York, Florida and New Mexico. The first meeting is scheduled for April 23 at the Oklahoma Bar Center and Tulsa County Bar Center.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT

President-Elect Conger reported he attended the Bar Leadership Institute in Chicago, Board of Governors swearing-in ceremony, President Beam’s reception, “has been” party, OBF meeting and ABA midyear meeting.

REPORT OF THE PAST PRESIDENT

Past President Grimm reported he attended the Tulsa County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Mardi Gras party, TCBA Awards and Nominations Committee meeting, Tulsa Title and Probate Lawyers Association meeting, two meetings of the Bar Center Facilities Committee and Justice Taylor’s induction to the OSU Hall of Fame.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Williams reported he attended the YLD roast, High School Mock Trial Program finals, Chief Staff Retreat and Bar Leadership Conference in Chicago, birthday celebrations for Justices Watt and Edmondson, OBA Day at Capitol events and reception and Board of Governors dinner with Supreme Court members. He attended meetings of the Bench and Bar Committee, Legislative committee meetings, Supreme Court’s Court Improvement Task Force, Pontotoc County Bar Association, Custer County Bar Association, OBA Annual Meeting Task Force, Bar Center Facilities Committee, MCLE Commission and Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee. He participated in meetings with President Beam and Hispanic Bar Network leaders, Family Law Section on new guardianship proposal, Oklahoma County Bar Association leadership, Oklahoma County district attorney and Oklahoma County sheriff regarding courthouse security passes and Hatton Sumners Foundation representatives regarding LRE grants. He had lunch with Thad Balkman regarding the One Hundred Idea-Raiser and presented a bar member with a 50-year membership pin at a Logan County Bar Association event. He met with President Beam several times on various issues.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

Governor Bates reported she attended the February board social function in Bricktown, February board meeting, Keri Williams’ roast, State Legal Referral Service Task Force meeting, Oklahoma County Bar Association Board of Directors meeting and OCBA Awards and Nominations Committee meeting. She also served as a scoring judge in the OBA’s High School Mock Trial quarterfinals round. Governor Caudle reported he attended the February Board of Governors meeting, Thursday evening board social event, OBA Mentoring Task Force meeting and Comanche County Bar Association meeting. He presented a lecture on “Lawyering in the 21st Century” at the OU College of Law to third-year law students. He also chaired the March State Legal Referral Task Force meeting at the bar center and reported the task force has scheduled ABA representatives to come to Oklahoma City April 11 to meet with the task force to review plans for a proposed lawyer referral service. Governor Christensen reported she attended the Board of Governors function in Bricktown, February board meeting, OSU Hall of Fame dinner in Stillwater honoring Justice Steven Taylor, OETA Festival, Keri Williams’ YLD dinner and roast, Bar Center Facilities Committee meeting, Bench and Bar Committee meeting and subcommittee meeting, OBA Day at the Capitol events, OBA Mentoring Task Force meeting, OBA Women in Law Committee meeting and Oklahoma County Bar Association meeting. She also participated in a few meetings discussing the possibility of wireless service for the entire Oklahoma County Courthouse. Governor Dirickson reported she attended the Custer County Bar Association monthly meeting, Beckham County Bar Association monthly meeting, swearing-in ceremony for Washita County Associate Judge Christopher S. Kelly and Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee meeting as its board liaison. Governor Farris reported he attended the Board of Governors function in Bricktown, February Board of Governors meeting, two OBA Diversity Committee meetings, Tulsa County Bar Association board meeting and OBA Day at the Capitol activities. Governor Hogan reported he attended the Thursday night board function in Bricktown, OSU Hall of Fame dinner in Stillwater and Pittsburg County Bar Association meeting. Governor Kennemer reported he attended the Mentoring Task Force meeting, February Board of Governors meeting and social event, Oklahoma High School Mock Trial competition in Wewoka, Seminole/Hughes County Bar Association luncheon and six hour meeting of the Uniform Residential Sales Contract Task Force at OKC/OREC. He also participated as a scoring judge in the mock trial quarterfinals round. Governor Reheard reported she attended the February board meeting, OSU Alumni Hall of Fame festivities for Justice Taylor, Bench and Bar Committee meeting as Board of Governors liaison and Pittsburg County Bar Association meeting. Governor Souter reported he attended the Board of Governors social and February meeting in Oklahoma City, OSU Alumni Hall of Fame dinner honoring inductee Justice Steven Taylor and Creek County Bar Association meeting that featured OTLA President Jennifer DeAngelis as the keynote speaker. Governor Stockwell reported she attended the Thursday night board social event in Bricktown, February Board of Governors meeting, March Cleveland County Bar Association luncheon, Cleveland County Bar Association Executive Committee meeting, OBA reception for legislators and Oklahoma Supreme Court school and teacher of the year award ceremony.

REPORT OF THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION

Governor Camp reported he attended the February Board of Governors meeting, February YLD Board of Directors meeting, YLD Executive Committee meeting and hosted the YLD Roast for Immediate Past Chairperson Keri Williams at the Bourbon Street Café in Oklahoma City, YLD reception for her at the Colcord Hotel and Wills for Heroes Project Executive Committee meeting. He briefed the board on the current progress of the Wills for Heroes Project. He said that attendance has been down at past new attorney socials, and this year the YLD will send letters and follow up with phone calls. The YLD is adding a new social event at the Solo and Small Firm Conference/ Midyear YLD Meeting, which will be to rent a bus to go to the Deep Ellum area in Dallas one evening.

REPORT OF THE SUPREME COURT LIAISON

Justice Taylor reported the revised Rules of Professional Conduct are set to be heard at the April 9 conference. Ethics Counsel Hendryx will make the presentation to the court, and it is anticipated that action will take place at the conference.

LAW STUDENT DIVISION LIAISON

LSD Chair Robben introduced the incoming division chairperson, Shiny Pappy. She reported she attended the Thursday night Board of Governor’s function in Bricktown, February Board of Governors meeting and the OSU Alumni Hall of Fame dinner in Stillwater.

REPORT OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

General Counsel Murdock shared a status report of the Professional Responsibility Commission and OBA disciplinary matters. He reported he toured CoreVault with Information Service Director Loomis to address confidentiality issues. He participated in the Pro Bono and Career Fair at the OCU School of Law, OBA OETA evening to take pledges to raise funds for OETA and OBA Day at the Capitol. He gave CLE presentations to the Creek Nation in Okmulgee, LeFlore and McCurtain County Bar Associations in Hot Springs, Ark. and prior to a Hornets basketball game. He attended a planning meeting at the OBA preparing for the December ethics musical CLE and an OBA directors meeting. He will participate in a PRC meeting after the board meeting.

BAR CENTER RENOVATIONS

Executive Director Williams reported the Bar Center Facilities Committee recommends approval of the asbestos abatement bid received. He explained bids were sent out, and the committee is pleased with the low bid received. Work would begin in August. Stan Lingo, Lingo Construction Services president, reviewed the report on the bids received. The board approved the bid.

Executive Director Williams reported the computer servers need to be moved from the east building, and air conditioning will be needed to provide a safe environment for the equipment. The Bar Center Facilities Committee has reviewed the cost estimates and recommends approval. The board approved the expenditures to move the equipment.

OBA MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION TO ENDORSE COREVAULT

Member Services Committee Chairperson Debra Charles reviewed the committee’s recommendation to approve a new vendor relationship with CoreVault, a company that provides online computer backup service. CoreVault representatives Jeff Cato and Travis Rutherford reviewed details of the service the company offers and pricing for bar members. Changes in the agreement were requested. The board approved the agreement in concept and authorized President Beam and Executive Williams to execute the final contract.

BAR ASSOCIATION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FOR NEW TELEPHONE SYSTEM

Executive Director Williams explained the new proposed voice over IP-based telephone system integrates the phone with the computer into one system, which will provide greater flexibility in being relocated to temporary quarters during the remodeling and being moved again when the project is completed. Information Services Director Loomis reviewed consideration of potential vendors. The board approved the Bar Association Technology Committee’s recommendation to purchase a voice over IP system from Cisco Systems.

PERSONNEL MANUAL CHANGE ON PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES

President Beam reviewed a proposed change to the OBA personnel manual to allow probationary employees to utilize earned sick leave during their first three months of employment. The board approved the change in personnel policy.

STAFF REIMBURSEMENT POLICY CHANGES

President Beam reviewed the policy changes proposed regarding staff reimbursement for business travel. The board approved the policy change.

CONSIDERATION TO HEAR APPEAL FOR LEGAL ETHICS OPINION 2006 OK LEG ETH 01

The board approved a request to hear an appeal of a legal ethics opinion at next month’s board meeting.

APPOINTMENTS

The board approved the following appointments:

Oklahoma Attorneys Mutual Insurance Co. - appoint Jon K. Parsley, Guymon, and Renee DeMoss, Tulsa, as nominees to the OAMIC Board of Directors (term expires 6/1/2010)

Advertising Task Force - Ed Abel, Oklahoma City; Patrick E. Carr, Tulsa; Victor R. Kennemer, Wewoka; Stephen L. Barghols, Oklahoma City; Kelly A. George, Oklahoma City; Anthony M. Laizure, Tulsa; Amber P. Garrett, Tulsa.

OETA VOLUNTEER NIGHT

President Beam described the evening’s activities accepting pledges to support Oklahoma’s PBS television station that airs the annual Ask A Lawyer show. He reported the OBA raised more than $7,000 in private donations, which was an all-time record high amount and keeps the OBA in the top “Underwriting Producers” donor level.

OBA DAY AT THE CAPITOL

Executive Director Williams reported about 40 lawyers attended OBA Day at the Capitol, and the evening reception at the bar center was well attended. The event helps increase communications with state legislators.

100 GREAT IDEAS EVENT, APRIL 18, 2007, OKLAHOMA BAR CENTER, EMERSON HALL

Executive Director Williams reported House Speaker Lance Cargill has asked the OBA to host a town hall meeting at 5 p.m. on April 18 on the topic of law and government that is part of an effort to identify the 100 best ideas for Oklahoma’s second century. All OBA members are invited to attend, and he encouraged board members to participate.

JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION ELECTIONS

Executive Director Williams reported there are two positions to fill this year (Congressional Districts 3 and 4) and only one nominating petition has been received so far. Deadline for filing is 5 p.m. May 18, 2007.

FASTCASE

Training sessions free to bar members are coming up in Oklahoma City on April 23 and 24 in Oklahoma City and Norman, plus April 25 in Tulsa.

NEXT MEETING

The board will meet Friday, April 20, 2007, at 2 p.m. at the Oklahoma Bar Center in Oklahoma City.