Vol. 5 No. 35 | Aug. 27, 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
Bar Center Holiday Hours
The Oklahoma Bar Association will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, and remain closed Monday, Sept. 1, in recognition of the Labor Day holiday. Regular business hours will resume at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
The August bar journal features several articles on the topic of labor and employment law, including:
Catch-22: Temporary Injunctions Under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act
By Christopher A. Shrock
"Once upon a time, a trusted agent absconded with his principal’s trade secrets and confidential business information, leveraging them for pay, perks and prestige in a new position under a new principal, a direct competitor of his former master. The master, upon discovering the wreckage of deleted emails and scrubbed hard drives, initiated a 'rapid, expedited, high-stakes confrontation' in the local court to stop the disloyal agent before the competitor learned her secrets or leveraged them in the marketplace."
Navigating the Differences Between Disparate Treatment and Failure-to-Accommodate Claims Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
By Amber L. Hurst
"Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§12111-12117, is unique among workplace anti-discrimination laws because it not only prohibits differential treatment based on a protected characteristic (disability) but, in some circumstances, also compels an employer to treat an individual with a disability differently than nondisabled employees. Section 12112(a) of the ADA sets out the rule prohibiting disability discrimination in the workplace.”
It's one of the most popular OBA member benefits! Every year, Oklahoma lawyers receive 10 issues of the printed Oklahoma Bar Journal magazine delivered to their mailboxes. (The bar journal takes a break each June and July.) The association's journal includes practice area articles, bar news and membership updates. A digital edition is also available. Access current and past issues online at www.okbar.org/barjournal. Additional archived issues are available through HeinOnline.
Mark your calendars for this year's OBA Annual Meeting, Nov. 6-7 at the Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel. This year's meeting will focus on bar business, including the election of officers and members of the Board of Governors. The deadline for submitting nominating petitions for 2026 OBA leadership is Sept. 8.
The Board of Governors is comprised of 17 active members of the Oklahoma Bar Association. One representative is elected for each of the nine Supreme Court judicial districts, as such districts existed prior to Jan. 1, 2020 [Order No. SCBD 4483 (2020 OK 17)], by lawyers in those respective districts, plus three statewide at-large members and the Young Lawyers Division chairperson. Officers are the president, vice president, president-elect and secretary/treasurer.
Featured CLE
By OBA Management Assistance Program Director Julie Bays
The legal profession and social media are a tricky mix. Facebook can be a great way for lawyers to connect with their communities and share their expertise. Yet here we are in 2025, and I still need to say this: Blending personal and professional lives online is a recipe for confusion and drama. While some have found notable business success on their personal profiles, mixing the personal and professional can quickly become a hot mess and blur important lines. The most effective approach is to set clear boundaries between your personal and professional online identities and manage each one thoughtfully. Read on for some specific tips to help you navigate these sometimes murky social media waters.
SEPARATE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTS
The first step is to distinguish your personal profile from your business page. A dedicated Facebook business page allows you to present a consistent, polished brand, complete with logos, updates on your practice and firm news, all while keeping your personal account focused on private matters. This separation protects your privacy and directs clients to the right place where your message is professional and intentional.
USE DISCLAIMERS APPROPRIATELY
A clear disclaimer is an absolute must. For instance, a statement like, “This page does not provide legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship,” immediately manages expectations. Put this disclaimer somewhere prominent, like in the “About” section of your business page or on your personal profile when you share professional content, to prevent any misunderstandings.
PRIORITIZE ETHICS AND CONFIDENTIALITY
For a lawyer’s online presence, ethics are nonnegotiable. Legal professionals must follow strict rules about advertising, solicitation, confidentiality and professionalism. Avoid making big claims like “best lawyer” or “guaranteed outcome." Instead, focus on sharing informative updates, legal insights or community news, and whatever you do, never, ever discuss client cases or confidential details. Confidentiality should always be your top priority. Contact OBA Ethics Counsel for additional questions about advertising.
MANAGE PRIVACY
While privacy settings offer some protection, they aren’t foolproof. It’s smart to assume that anything you post could eventually become public. This mindset helps protect your reputation because even private posts can get shared beyond your intended audience.
ESTABLISH A SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
Even if you’re a solo practitioner, consider drafting a social media policy. Written guidelines clarify your online conduct, what disclaimers you use and your overall tone. If you’re in a firm, a policy ensures that all team members are on the same page regarding social media communication.
By thoughtfully balancing privacy, ethics and professionalism, lawyers can build a trustworthy and compelling online presence. Clear boundaries, disclaimers and a well-defined social media policy not only protect your practice, but they also foster client confidence and uphold the integrity of the legal profession in the digital age.
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.