Vol. 5 No. 1 | Jan. 2, 2025
Courts
No published opinions this week.
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
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"In the heart of Green Country in northeast Oklahoma lies Skiatook Lake – with its pristine, sky-blue water surrounded by rolling hills, rocky cliffs and dense greenery. This lake is part of OBA President Williams’ stomping grounds – a 10-minute drive from his home near Sperry and one of his favorite places to be. This year’s president, D. Kenyon Williams Jr., who goes by Ken, grew up in Skiatook and feels fortunate to have spent much of his life living in Osage County."
The January edition of the Oklahoma Bar Journal is now online. The theme of this issue is "Law Practice Basics." This month's issue also provides an in-depth look at the volunteer lawyers who will lead the association in 2025.
FEATURES
Navigating Counsel Withdrawal in Legal Proceedings
By Jimmy Oliver
Rules for Oklahoma District Courts
By Travis Pickens
The Naked Cat: Preparing Your Family Law Case for Trial
By Allyson Dow and M. Shane Henry
Every Lawyer Should Use a Written Fee Agreement (This Means You!)
By Richard Stevens
Initial Appearances: How To Make the Most Out of a Cursory Court Date
By Amanda Lilley
The Basics of Preserving Error for Appeal: A Trial Lawyer's Guide for Making a Better Appellate Record
By Justin A. Lollman and Andrew J. Hofland
Tasked With Drafting an Order for the Court? Start Here.
By Claire C. Bailey
Oklahoma Enacts Seven Uniform Acts in 2024
By Judge Thad Balkman
"'Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature’s inexorable imperative,' is a quote attributed to H.G. Wells, author of classic science fiction novels. The quotation comes from Mr. Wells’ last book, Mind at the End of Its Tether, an incredibly pessimistic read so unlike some of his other classic science fiction that I enjoyed in my youth, such as The First Men in the Moon, The Time Machine and The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth, to name a few. I recall but cannot locate the science fiction novel (loosely based upon Great Britain’s historical forced immigration of convicts to Australia, among other places) in which I first saw an iteration of the quote, i.e., 'Adapt or die,' which was a warning given to involuntary immigrants. Both quotations are harsh but instructive."
DUES ARE DUE TODAY, JAN. 2 | Member dues statements are available online. In an effort to save money and cut down on the cost of printing and postage, the OBA Membership Department has posted member dues statements online in MyOKBar. As a follow-up, a paper statement was mailed to members who have not yet paid. Please help the OBA in this effort by paying your dues today! Members can pay their dues by credit card online at MyOKBar or by mailing a check to the OBA Dues Lockbox, P.O. Box 960101, Oklahoma City, OK 73196.
Basketball and CLE | Tickets Go On Sale Friday!
Get a jumpstart on your 2025 CLE with "Basketball and CLE" on Jan. 23. The event will be held at the Paycom Center in downtown Oklahoma City, and dinner is included. Doors open at 4 p.m., with dinner and CLE starting at 5 p.m., followed by tipoff at 7 p.m. Members may bring no more than one guest.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, Jan. 3, at 9 a.m. You can purchase your tickets at ok.webcredenza.com or by calling Renee at 405-416-7029. Seating is limited to 50 participants. This program includes 1 hour MCLE.
Featured CLE
![300x300 Year End Review Copy[46]](https://okcourtsandmore.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/300x300-Year-End-Review-copy46.jpg "300x300 Year End Review Copy[46]")
By OBA MAP Director Jim Calloway
Precise and accurate communications are critical in the attorney-client relationship. They form the foundation of trust and understanding, helping clients comprehend the legal advice given and the implications of their decisions. This clarity prevents misunderstandings and misinterpretations that could potentially cause problems.
In the October 2024 Oklahoma Bar Journal, I wrote "Tips on Improving Listening Skills for Lawyers." Now, let’s discuss a brief framework to improve our outgoing communications:
- When communicating with clients, lawyers must remain aware of the anxiety some clients may be experiencing due to their legal issues. Depending on the matter, clients may feel overwhelmed, confused or vulnerable. Remember that an immediate benefit from an individual hiring a lawyer is the peace of mind that someone who can help is on their side. Always try to create a supportive environment where clients feel heard and understood.
- Lawyers should strive to simplify complex legal jargon, breaking it down into manageable and understandable pieces of information. This helps reduce the client’s anxiety and enables them to make informed decisions.
- Establishing and maintaining trust requires consistent, transparent and honest communication. Lawyers should plan client communication strategies in the same way they plan litigation. Set your clients' expectations early as to how matters will move forward, and update them regularly. If there are months ahead when there may be little activity, inform the clients proactively.
- Regularly asking for feedback from clients about their experience of communication with the firm can provide valuable insights into areas that might need improvement.
Positive communication practices increase client satisfaction. This is beneficial for the law firm in many ways, including repeat business and referrals. In an ever-evolving legal landscape, the ability to communicate effectively and empathetically remains a cornerstone of exceptional legal service.
The Oklahoma Bar Journal is a publication of the Oklahoma Bar Association. All rights reserved. Copyright© 2024 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.