The Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors met at the Sheraton Hotel in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, as part of the Annual Meeting.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Conger reported he attended the October Board of Governors meeting and special meeting of the Board of Governors. He had numerous discussions with Executive Director Williams concerning the Annual Meeting and with Gary Clark and others concerning the general counsel search. He also taped a segment of “The Verdict” television show with Kent Myers and Mick Cornett.

REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Vice President Mordy reported he attended the Board of Governors cruise and dinner, October board meeting and special board meeting.

REPORT OFTHE PAST PRESIDENT

Past President Beam reported he attended the Board of Governors cruise and dinner, October board meeting, special board meeting, Civil Procedure Committee meeting, Custer County Bar Association meeting and made arrangements for the Western Oklahoma Bar Alliance suite.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Williams reported that he attended the Thursday night social event, staff meetings for Annual Meeting, reception for Chief Justice Winchester, Annual Meeting events and monthly staff celebration. He also participated in the General Counsel Search Committee subcommittee teleconference.

BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS

Governor Bates reported she attended the October board meeting, special board meeting and Cleveland County Bar Association meeting. Governor Brown reported he attended the OBA Bench and Bar meeting and the ABA Judicial Division Appellate Judges Conference in Phoenix, Ariz. Governor Christensen reported she attended the Board of Governors Okla-homa River cruise, dinner at Rocky’s, October board meeting, special board meeting, OBA Bench and Bar meeting and Oklahoma County Bar Association meeting. Governor Dirickson reported she attended the October Board of Governors meeting, special board meeting and Custer County Bar Association monthly meeting. Governor Farris, unable to attend the meeting, reported via e-mail that he attended the Board of Governors special meeting in Oklahoma City, Tulsa County Bar Association board meeting and that he made a presentation on estate planning to retirees at First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa. Governor Hermanson reported he attended the Board of Governors cruise on the Oklahoma River, dinner at Rocky’s, October board meeting, Bench and Bar Committee meeting, Kay County Bar Association meeting, Kay County Bar Criminal Law group dinner and Judge Kistler’s swearing-in ceremony in Stillwater, where he presented Judge Kistler with a framed certificate on professionalism from the American Board of Trial Advocates. Governor Hixson reported he attended the Board of Governors Oklahoma River cruise, dinner at Rocky’s, October board meeting, special board meeting and November Canadian County Bar Association luncheon and CLE presentation. Governor McCombs, unable to attend the meeting, reported via e-mail that he attended the Oklahoma River cruise and dinner at Rocky’s, October board meeting, special board meeting and McCurtain County Bar Association meeting. Governor Reheard reported she attended the October board meeting, special board meeting and OCDLA board meeting. She also finalized plans for OCDLA annual meeting held in conjunction with the OBA Annual Meeting. Governor Souter reported he attended the board social, Board of Governors meeting in Oklahoma City, special board meeting and Creek County Bar Association meeting with speaker Gina Hendryx, OBA ethics counsel. Governor Stockwell reported she attended the October board meeting, special board meeting, Cleveland County Bar Association Executive Committee meeting and CCBA monthly meeting with CLE.

YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION REPORT

Governor Warren reported she attended the Board of Governors cruise and dinner, October board meeting, special board meeting, October YLD board meeting and YLD lunch.

LAW STUDENT DIVISION LIAISON REPORT

LSD Chair Janoe reported he attended the Board of Governors cruise of the Oklahoma River, dinner at Rocky’s and two OU OLSD meetings, as well as participating in the various recruitment activities of the group. He also met with Treasurer Nathan Milner to discuss finances and his attendance of the October board meeting. Janoe said the law students are excited about participating in OBA Annual Meeting events and have scheduled a division reception and meeting as part of those events.

GENERAL COUNSEL REPORT

A written status report of the Professional Responsibility Commission and OBA disciplinary matters was submitted for the board’s review.

PROFESSIONALISM COMMITTEE REQUEST

Committee Chair Sharisse O’Carroll reported the committee has researched the cost of printing selected portions of the Standards of Professionalism on parchment, and the cost is $2 each. A full text version has also been prepared for judges. She reported the committee is requesting funding to produce the standards and permission to distribute them for free to new lawyers at the swearing-in ceremonies. She also suggested they could be sold to lawyers at the OBA Annual Meeting. The committee passed out the standards rolled and tied with a bow to new lawyers at the spring swearing-in ceremony this year. President Conger noted there are about 450 new lawyers admitted as OBA members each year, and they are not familiar with the Standards of Professionalism. The board approved the funding and distribution of the standards to new lawyers at a cost of up to $1,000 with the provision that continuation of the project be reviewed in three years.

LEGAL INTERN COMMITTEE REQUEST TO AMEND RULES ON LEGAL INTERNSHIP

Legal Intern Committee Chairperson Terrell Monks reviewed the proposed changes to Rule 10.1 regarding fees. The board approved the committee’s proposed amendment. Chairperson Monks reviewed the background of the committee’s recommendation to reduce from 50 to 45 the number of academic hours a law student applicant must have completed before applying for a limited license as a licensed legal intern. The board approved the amendment. It was noted that representatives of all three law schools serve on the committee. Both proposed changes will be submitted to the Supreme Court for its approval. The board expressed its appreciation to Chairperson Monks and his committee for their work.

OKLAHOMA CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT

Governor Brown, who serves as Bench and Bar Committee co-chairperson, reviewed the background of the committee’s work over the past several years to draft proposed changes to the Oklahoma Code of Judicial Conduct. He introduced committee member Professor David Swank, who has served as the subcommittee’s reporter. Professor Swank reviewed highlights of the proposed Code of Judicial Conduct and noted sections of special interest. President Conger and President-Elect Parsley agreed that the board will be deliberate in its consideration of the proposed revisions and not take quick action. The board will discuss amendments at its meetings over the next several months.

GENERAL COUNSEL SEARCH COMMITTEE

President Conger reported that he has appointed a committee to conduct a nationwide search to fill the position of OBA General Counsel. Past President Gary Clark of Stillwater will serve as the chairperson. President- Elect Parsley reported a job description has been drafted by the committee and will be posted on the Web site. An advertisement has also been drafted. It is the committee’s intention to begin advertising the position immediately. The board approved the appointments.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

An executive session was held.

PROPOSED 2009 OBA BUDGET

The board approved the 2009 OBA budget, which will be submitted to the Supreme Court for final approval.

NEXT MEETING

The board will meet at 9 a.m. at the Oklahoma Bar Center in Oklahoma City on Friday, Dec. 19, 2008.