Vol. 5 No. 26 | June 25, 2025
Courts
No published opinions this week.
No published opinions this week.
Dispositions Other than by Published Opinions
The Supreme Court of Oklahoma Court Calendar
The Supreme Court of Oklahoma is in session year round, unless otherwise noted. The court regularly schedules conferences on Mondays and other days as needed.
Member Transitions
More
Phishing emails are once again on the rise. These emails may appear to have been sent by someone you know and trust, and may even appear to have come from someone at the OBA. Always exercise extreme caution when opening any emails, even if they appear to come from colleagues or known internal contacts. Phishing emails can look very convincing, and attackers are leveraging compromised accounts to make these messages seem more legitimate. If you receive a suspicious email, do not respond. Delete the email.
As a reminder, here are a few best practices to stay vigilant:
- Always check the sender’s email address carefully – even if it seems familiar.
- Be cautious with links and attachments, especially those you were not expecting.
- Before typing your username or password into any website, check the URL bar to ensure you are on the legitimate site.
- Report any suspicious emails immediately to your IT or security department, and do not click on any links or open attachments within them.
Coming This November: The OBA Annual Meeting Returns
Mark your calendars for Nov. 6-7, when the OBA Annual Meeting returns to Oklahoma City for our traditional autumn conference. This year's meeting will focus on leadership, business and governance, and the 2025 OBA Awards will be presented. More information and registration will be coming soon. Save the date!
The deadline to submit award nominations is 5 p.m. on Monday, June 30. Don't miss this opportunity to help the OBA recognize those members who represent the best of the best in the legal profession. Review the list of OBA Awards and join in the effort to identify the law-related organizations and individuals who will be honored during the 2025 Annual Meeting in November.
Oklahoma lawyers have elected two attorneys to serve as new members of the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). Trace Cole Sherrill of Durant and Steven L. Stice of Norman will each serve six-year terms on the 15-member commission, with terms expiring in 2031. Mr. Sherrill was elected to serve as the District 3 commissioner, which is composed of 22 counties in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state. Mr. Stice was elected to serve as the District 4 commissioner, which is composed of 13 counties in the western and southwestern parts of the state, along with a portion of Oklahoma County, as those congressional districts existed in 1967.
ABOUT THE COMMISSION
The Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) consists of 15 unpaid volunteer members. Of the 15 members, only six members are lawyers. Lawyer commissioners are elected by their fellow Oklahoma Bar Association members, each representing one of six congressional districts across the state, as they were in 1967 when the commission was established.* They each serve a 6-year term. Elections are held each odd-numbered year for members from two districts.
The OBA Solo & Small Firm Conference offers engaging panel discussions, expert-led CLE sessions and networking opportunities tailored to meet the unique challenges and needs of solo and small firm practitioners, all in a fun, casual and relaxed atmosphere. View the agenda online. Register for this year's conference and earn 12 hours of MCLE credit, including up to 2 hours of ethics for Oklahoma and 8.5 general and 1.5 hours of ethics for Texas. Two additional hours of on-demand MCLE credit are included with conference registration, so attendees can spend more time soaking up the sun at the OKANA Resort!
Featured CLE
Get Found: Why Every Lawyer Should Claim Their Google Business Profile
By OBA Practice Management Advisor Julie Bays
If you haven't claimed your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), you could be missing out on potential clients actively searching for legal help in your area. These free listings appear prominently in Google Search and Maps results, often displayed before law firm websites in local searches. An optimized profile makes it easier for prospective clients to find your contact information, office hours, practice areas and directions to your office.
Claiming your profile serves multiple professional purposes. It allows you to control how your practice appears online, ensuring correct information about your services, location and contact details. This information is essential for upholding professional standards and avoiding client confusion.
The profile also functions as an important client communication tool. By monitoring and thoughtfully responding to reviews, lawyers can address client concerns, acknowledge positive feedback and show their commitment to client service. An important consideration for lawyers: When responding to reviews, use extreme caution to avoid inadvertently disclosing confidential client information or violating professional conduct rules. Keep responses general, professional and focused on your commitment to quality legal services rather than case-specific details. Lawyers can contact the OBA ethics counsel for guidance or review ORPC 1.6.
For solo practitioners and small firms, a well-maintained Google Business Profile is one of the most cost-effective methods to enhance professional visibility and show competence to potential clients. Regular updates to your profile, including current practice areas, office hours and professional credentials, help establish credibility and make it easier for the public to connect with qualified legal professionals.
For detailed, step-by-step instructions specifically designed for legal professionals, consult this comprehensive guide: Google My Business for Lawyers.
The Oklahoma Bar Journal is a publication of the Oklahoma Bar Association. All rights reserved. Copyright© 2025 Oklahoma Bar Association. Statements or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff. Although advertising copy is reviewed, no endorsement of any product or service offered by any advertisement is intended or implied by publication. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their ads, and the OBA reserves the right to edit or reject any advertising copy for any reason. Legal articles carried in The Oklahoma Bar Journal are selected by the Board of Editors. Information about submissions can be found at www.okbar.org.