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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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2025 OBA Leaders Sworn In

On Friday, Jan. 17, the new OBA officers and board members took their oaths of office. The swearing-in ceremony was held in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the state Capitol. Officers sworn in were:
- President D. Kenyon Williams Jr., Sperry
- President-Elect Amber Peckio, Tulsa
- Vice President Richard D. White Jr., Tulsa
Also taking oaths as members of the OBA Board of Governors were:
- Immediate Past President Miles Pringle, Oklahoma City
- Cody J. Cooper, Oklahoma City, District 3 (three-year term)
- Benjamin J. Barker, Enid, District 4 (three-year term)
- Lucas M. West, Norman, District 5 (three-year term)
- Kate N. Dodoo, Oklahoma City, Member at Large (three-year term)
- Taylor C. Venus, Enid, Young Lawyers Division Chairperson (one-year term)
OBA leadership roles are voluntary positions in which lawyers serve while continuing to practice law.
The Oklahoma Legislature reconvenes in February, and hundreds of bills will be prefiled – many of them potentially affecting your practice or the administration of justice. Join the OBA Legislative Monitoring Committee at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Oklahoma Bar Center as they identify top bills of interest to the OBA and your practice area. Register to join us in person or via webcast.
"This may be your client’s first time going to the courthouse. There can be many quick deadlines and hearings, all of which require countless pleadings or motions. The court date may only be a few minutes long but still have extensive amounts of information given. The criminal justice system can be overwhelming for both clients and attorneys who are either new to practice or just new to criminal law. This article will address the most common issues for attorneys representing clients in criminal cases."
"All lawyers make mistakes. Often, they are small and can be fixed. But that is not always the case. And sometimes it is those small mistakes that carry the harshest consequences.
Nowhere are harsh consequences for small mistakes more common than in the rules governing error preservation for appeal. A moment’s hesitation, a poorly phrased objection, one too many questions – that is all it takes to waive or forfeit an issue. The consequences can be devastating. Within seconds, inattentive counsel can lose an appeal before one ever gets filed."
"Automated document assembly is not new to the Oklahoma legal community. In the 1990s, Oklahoma City lawyer Doug Loudenback created a collection of WordPerfect macros he called the 'Grande Macros.' These macros interacted with each other in such a way that they functioned like a current automated document assembly tool. Lawyers entered the data about a case that was needed to prepare family law documents, and it assembled them. The petition was not only prepared but also the summons, a temporary order and the initial discovery requests. It was a huge time saver, and the macros gave the user the option to save the data so that it could be used again for future pleadings as the case proceeded."
Don't forget! The deadline to submit Law Day art and writing entries is Friday, Jan. 24. If you know an Oklahoma student who loves to write, draw or create, encourage them to enter their work! If you have a teacher in your life, feel free to forward the information to them to share with their students. This year, the theme is "The Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One."
The annual 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.
If you have questions about the Law Day contest, contact the contest coordinator, Lauren Davis, at laurenr@okbar.org or 405-416-7018.
The list of applicants for the Feb. 25-26, 2025, bar exam has been published online.
The Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct impose on each member of the bar the duty to aid in guarding against the admission of candidates unfit or unqualified because of deficiency in either moral character or education.
The Board of Bar Examiners requests that members examine this list and bring to the Board’s attention in a signed letter any information that might influence the board in considering the moral character and fitness to practice of any applicant for admission.
Send correspondence to Cary Pirrong, Administrative Director, Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners, P.O. Box 53036, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.
Featured CLE

By OBA Practice Management Advisor Julie Bays
For 40 years, ABA TECHSHOW has been the premier event for legal professionals to explore how technology transforms their practices and elevates client service. As we mark this milestone in April, we’re more excited than ever to bring lawyers, innovators and cutting-edge technology together.
ABA TECHSHOW consistently brings together lawyers, innovators and legal technologists in a collaborative environment. From CLE sessions and presentations to an expanded expo hall this year, the event offers valuable resources and insights for lawyers. Whether you’re an experienced user or just starting to integrate technology into your practice, ABA TECHSHOW provides practical tools and knowledge to support you.
As the co-chair of the ABA TECHSHOW 2025 planning board, I have had the distinct privilege of collaborating with a dedicated team to develop this year’s program. I have gained valuable experience working with professionals dedicated to improving the legal community through innovation and education.
This year’s keynote speaker is Cory Doctorow. Mr. Doctorow is a renowned science fiction author, journalist and technology activist, who is celebrated for his insightful commentary on the intersection of technology and society. TECHSHOW also features an impressive lineup of speakers who will share their expertise on a wide range of topics relevant to the legal profession.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR OKLAHOMA BAR MEMBERS
Oklahoma Bar Association members are eligible for a special $100 discount on standard registration by using the code EP2507. Please note that early bird registration ends on Feb. 3, so make sure to register early to take advantage of the discounted rate.
For more details and registration information, visit www.techshow.com. I look forward to welcoming you to this significant event.
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.