Vol. 3 No. 50 | Dec. 13, 2023
Courts
- 2023 OK 116: CANTWELL v. FLEX-N-GATE
- 2023 OK 117: IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LANDING
- 2023 OK 118: UNDERWOOD v. STATE BD. OF EXAMINERS OF CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTERS
- 2023 OK 119: IN RE: RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THER STATE OF OKLAHOMA ON LICENSED LEGAL INTERNSHIP
No published opinions this week.
- 2023 OK CIV APP 45: GET BAK'D OKC v. RELEAF LABS
- 2023 OK CIV APP 46: IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ATKESON
- 2023 OK CIV APP 47: IN RE THE MATTER OF BECK
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
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Originating from the OBA’s Leadership Conference in 2007, the focus of the OBA Leadership Academy is to equip participants with the skills and network connections to become leaders within the bar as well as our local communities. Participants learn about OBA governance, special considerations for attorneys in public service, networking skills, effective communication and attend the Annual Meeting.
Applications are due Dec. 15. Requirements for applicants are as follows:
- Must be a member in good standing with the Oklahoma Bar Association
- Must be able to attend all events
- All attorneys may apply, but preference will be given to those who are members of the OBA Young Lawyers Division
- Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to the profession and community impact
Complete and return the application form to CLE@okbar.org by Dec. 15.
"Businesses and families continue to struggle with the crushing impact of inflation and higher interest rates. Bankruptcy statistics from across the country reflect that now more than ever, companies, especially small businesses, are seeking options for relief. Data collected by the U.S. bankruptcy courts shows a significant increase in commercial and personal bankruptcy filings in the first half of 2023 when compared to that same period in 2022. Per Epiq Global, overall commercial filings increased by 18%, while small business cases filed as Subchapter V elections within Chapter 11 increased by a surprising 55%.
When advising a company facing financial distress, it is important to acknowledge both the eligibility qualifications and the potential benefits of various elections. This article explains some of the fundamental differences between small business cases filed under Subchapter V of Chapter 11, or 'Sub V cases,' and traditional Chapter 11 cases. It then notes that Sub V cases are generally a superior option to traditional Chapter 11 cases for small businesses because they are faster and less expensive, providing more attainable relief for small or closely held businesses."
"After all the time and preparation that went into our 119th Annual Meeting, it is hard to believe it is already behind us. This year’s Annual Meeting holds a special place in my heart. It is my first in my role as executive director, and I left with many lifelong memories and lessons. In my new role, I gained a unique perspective that allowed me to see more than just behind-the-scenes work. I was able to see the lifeblood of our organization at work in handling bar business. Moreover, our success was made possible by our amazing OBA staff."
The holidays can be a hectic time, and many of our members still need to get their CLE credits before the year's end. Don't stress, OBA CLE has you covered! Just visit ok.webcredenza.com to access all available online OBA CLE programs from the cozy comfort of your home or office. WebCredenza is the OBA's learning platform that makes on-demand CLE a snap! Simply use the search function at the top of the webpage to discover topics that are most relevant to you. WebCredenza features a user-friendly interface and built-in artificial intelligence to learn your viewing and search habits, meaning you will see topics of most interest to you, the individual user. What could make the holidays easier?
The call for 2024 Law Day student contest entries is now open! If you know an Oklahoma student who loves to write, draw or create, encourage them to enter their work! Have a teacher in your life? Feel free to forward the information to them to share with their students. This year, the theme is "Voices of Democracy." The deadline to submit entries is Friday, Jan. 19.
The annual OBA Law Day Art and Writing Contest is designed to stimulate discussion and understanding of the law among young Oklahomans. Categories include art and writing for grades pre-K through 12th, with cash prizes up to $500 and plaques for winners, plus participation certificates to honor every student's hard work.
In addition to the annual Law Day student contest, the OBA Law Day Committee will celebrate Law Day by producing educational videos that can be viewed on the OBA's social media. In the spring, hundreds of Oklahoma lawyers will also donate tens of thousands of dollars in legal services by giving free legal advice to the public for Ask A Lawyer. The date for the 2024 celebration of Law Day will be announced soon!
Featured CLE
By OBA MAP Director Jim Calloway
The end of the calendar year is an important time for law firms. Some firms have many client projects that must be completed by year’s end. For larger law firms, it is often the time to contact business clients carrying outstanding balances on their bills. Paying deductible business expenses before year’s end is often positive for the client and, given the way law firms calculate bonuses for their lawyers, might even increase a lawyer’s year-end bonus in addition to adding to the firm’s total revenue for the year.
Based on my anecdotal observations, it is also the time some lawyers consider whether staying with the law firm is right for them or whether they should consider starting their own practice. That is a decision lawyers can only make for themselves.
"Your Reasons to Not Go Solo Are Wrong: The Top 10 Fears of Going Solo" by Roy S. Ginsburg on AttorneyAtWork is a short piece outlining the top 10 fears and responding to each of them. These are, of course, Mr. Ginsberg’s opinions. But it is certainly an interesting read.
The Oklahoma Bar Journal is a publication of the Oklahoma Bar Association. All rights reserved. Copyright© 2023 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.