The Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors met at the Oklahoma Bar Center in Oklahoma City on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Parsley reported he attended the swearing-in ceremony for Chief Justice Edmondson and Vice Chief Justice Taylor. He was the commencement speaker at the OCU Law School graduation, spoke at the Garfield County Bar Association meeting, met with Oklahoma Senate leadership and with Chief Justice Edmondson.

REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Vice President Thomas reported she attended the new governors orientation, Washington County Bar Association Christmas party, the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Justice Edmondson and moderated the Jan. 22 Leadership Academy session.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT

President-Elect Smallwood reported he worked on Judicial Nominating Commission matters by way of conference calls, attended Supreme Court Justice Jim Edmondson’s swearing-in ceremony and reviewed certain applications for the OBA general counsel appointment.

REPORT OF THE PAST PRESIDENT

Past President Conger reported he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Justice Edmondson and Vice Chief Justice Taylor.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Williams reported that he attended the holiday board dinner, December board meeting, new governors orientation, directors’ meeting, directors’ retreat, monthly staff celebration, swearing in of Chief Justice Edmondson, Garfield County Bar Association luncheon, Supreme Court Conference on proposed Rule 5 changes and joint Board of Governors and Leadership Academy dinner. He met with the court administrator and attorney general’s staff regarding domestic violence issues, Web editor hiring team, President Parsley, Chief Justice Edmondson and spoke to the Leadership Academy.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

Governor Brown reported he attended the December board meeting, holiday board dinner, Bench and Bar Committee meeting and swearing-in ceremony of Chief Justice Edmondson and Vice Chief Justice Taylor. Governor Carter reported she attended the December board meeting, new board members’ orientation, Tulsa County Bar Association January Board meeting and Tulsa County Bar Association Law Week Committee meeting. Governor Chesnut reported he attended the Ottawa County Bar Association meeting, the December Board of Governors meeting and the new board member orientation. Governor Christensen reported she attended the December board meeting, holiday board dinner, Bench and Bar meeting, swearing-in ceremony of Chief Justice Edmondson and Vice Chief Justice Taylor and Women in Law Conference planning session with Governor Reheard, who is WIL Committee chair, Vice President Thomas and Governor Dirickson. Governor Dirickson reported she attended the December board meeting, swearing-in ceremony of Chief Justice Edmondson and Vice Chief Justice Taylor, Women in Law planning session with Governor Reheard, Vice President Thomas and Governor Christensen. Governor Dobbs reported he attended the December board meeting, new member orientation, swearing-in ceremony for the new board and the has beens’ dinner. Governor Hixson reported he attended the December board meeting and Christmas dinner, January Canadian County Bar Association luncheon and CLE presentation. Governor McCombs reported he attended the social gathering at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, December board meeting and McCurtain County Bar luncheon. Governor Moudy reported she spoke at a training event for volunteer coordinators sponsored by the Oklahoma Center for Non-Profits in Tulsa at OSU-Tulsa. Governor Reheard reported she attended the December board meeting, swearing-in ceremony for Chief Justice Edmondson, Bench and Bar Committee meeting, Thursday night event with Leadership Academy, conducted numerous conference calls as Women in Law Committee chairperson and made several subcommittee appointments. Governor Stockwell reported she attended the December Board of Governors meeting and December Cleveland County Bar Association Executive Committee regular meeting. Governor Stuart reported he attended the December board meeting and worked with High School Mock Trial Coordinator Judy Spencer to find a mock trial venue in Shawnee.

YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION REPORT

Governor Rose reported he attended the December board meeting, new board members’ orientation and hosted a lunch with Judge Weaver in the Western District. He said the YLD has created a committee to identify lawyers who are doing community service to inspire others.

LAW STUDENT DIVISION LIAISON REPORT

LSD Chair Janoe reported he attended the December board meeting in Oklahoma City, Cleveland County Bar Association luncheon and discussed pending consideration of OLSD bylaws with Law Student Executive Board.

REPORT OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

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

MCLE COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

The board approved President Parsley’s appointments of Debra Schwartz, Oklahoma City, and Amber Peckio Garrett, Tulsa, for three-year terms (expire 12/31/11).

LAW STUDENT DIVISION BYLAWS

The board approved the division bylaws presented by OLSD Chairperson Janoe.

COURT ON JUDICIARY APPOINTMENTS

The board approved President Parsley’s reappointment of Bryce L. Hodgden, Woodward, to a two-year term (expires 3/1/2011) on the Appellate Division and reappointment of Brad Heckenkemper, Tulsa, to a two-year term (expires 3/1/2011) on the Trial Division.

CHILD ABUSE TRAINING AND COORDINATION COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

The board approved President Parsley’s recommendations of Eric Eissenstat, Cynthia Kay Pichot and My My Hoang to be submitted as proposed appointments to the Child Abuse Training and Coordination Council.

OETA FESTIVAL

Communications Director Manning briefed the board about the volunteer effort OBA members participate in every year to support the state’s PBS television station in its fundraising efforts by staffing phones and taking pledges. She said the goal on the evening of Feb. 5 is to raise $5,000 in private donations from lawyers to keep the OBA in the top underwriting producers level, recognized in the monthly OETA programming guide. She asked for additional volunteers.

APPOINTMENTS

President Parsley announced that he has appointed:

Work/Life Balance Committee – Julie Rivers, Oklahoma City, chairperson; and Caroline Larsen, Oklahoma City, vice chairperson.

Clients’ Security Fund – Micheal Salem, Norman, chairperson; and Brett Willis, Oklahoma City, vice chairperson.

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY SCHEDULE

President Parsley called board members’ attention to the two-day January program schedule for Leadership Academy participants. He said the speakers were among the who’s who in Oklahoma.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The board voted to go into executive session, met in executive session and voted to come out of executive session.

CREATION OF TASK FORCE

The board approved the creation of an Administration of Justice Task Force as recommended by President Parsley.

NEXT MEETING

The board will meet at the Tulsa County Bar Center in Tulsa on Friday, Feb. 20, 2009.