Vol. 5 No. 12 | March 19, 2025
Courts
No published opinions this week.
- 2025 OK CR 6: STITT v. CITY OF TULSA
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
"All OBA members should be aware of some proposed changes currently under consideration by the Oklahoma Legislature. These changes, if adopted, could impact access to justice and regulation of the practice of law, should the measures advance this spring and be ratified by a vote of the people.
SJR 6 has cleared a Senate committee and is on its way to a full vote of the Senate. This measure, if enacted, would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to eliminate the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). An appellate judge or justice vacancy would thereafter be filled by the governor’s nomination of a single candidate to be confirmed by the Senate. Appellate judges and justices would continue to be limited to six-year terms subject to retention ballots. Moreover, a costly special session would be required if the Legislature were not in session at the time of the governor’s nomination. SJR 6 does not propose a process to fill district court vacancies outside election cycles."
Join us Tuesday, March 25, at the Oklahoma Bar Center, 1901 N. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City. Walk-in registration begins at 9:30 a.m. During the event, OBA members will learn about legislation that impacts various practice areas. Attendees will also hear from judges and bar leaders. Lunch will be served at the bar center before attendees head to the Capitol to meet with legislators. View the agenda and register today!
"In today’s ever-evolving legal landscape, the significance of effective communication and conflict resolution cannot be overstated. As attorneys, we frequently navigate multifaceted disputes where success hinges not only on legal expertise but also on a deep understanding of human emotions, interpersonal dynamics and the psychological underpinnings of conflict. While statutes and case law provide the legal framework, true resolution often depends on the ability to listen, empathize and respond thoughtfully – skills that extend far beyond traditional legal training. This article delves into how integrating mindfulness techniques and restorative justice principles can transform alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practices. By fostering greater emotional intelligence, enhancing focus and encouraging compassionate problem-solving, these approaches equip attorneys with powerful tools to strengthen negotiation and mediation efforts. This ultimately leads to more constructive, equitable and enduring outcomes."
"It is understandable why homeowners building a new home would be upset when things don’t go according to plan. Likely the most significant financial risk most people will experience in their lifetimes, it is a very stressful time for prospective homeowners regardless of how smoothly the work progresses. But it is not uncommon for issues to arise that extend the time of performance and increase construction costs. This increases stress and can continue to grow the longer it takes to resolve issues and complete the work. The same is true of any property owner, public or private, residential or commercial – it is their property that is being improved, usually at great expense. Owners are entitled to competency, fairness and professionalism when dealing with designers and contractors hired to improve their property. They are the ones paying for the services and who will use the property long after the designers and contractors have left the picture. This is, in part, why property owners can be very demanding and sometimes difficult to work with, even when most or all the work is routine."
"Now, we will turn to a topic I have touched on frequently over the years: office procedures manuals (which are sometimes informally called law firm cookbooks). These are of increased importance in 2025 because of the impact of emerging automation tools beyond document assembly, such as allowing clients to schedule appointments online.
'The client needs to come in. Please contact them to schedule an appointment,' is evolving to, 'The client needs to come in. Send them an appointment scheduler email (or text).' This communication includes several suggested times among which to choose and a brief explanation of why they need to schedule this appointment."
Professional Responsibility Tribunal and Commission Annual Reports
Professional Responsibility Tribunal Annual Report
"The Professional Responsibility Tribunal was established by order of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma in 1981, under the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings ('RGDP'), 5 0.S. 2021, ch. 1, app. I-A. The primary function of the PRT is to conduct hearings on complaints filed against lawyers in formal disciplinary and personal incapacity proceedings and on petitions for reinstatement to the practice of law. A formal disciplinary proceeding is initiated by a written complaint filed with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Petitions for reinstatement are filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court."
Professional Responsibility Commission Annual Report
"Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 14.1, Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings (RGDP), 5 O.S. 2021, ch. 1, app. 1-A, the following is the Annual Report of grievances and complaints received and processed for 2024 by the Professional Responsibility Commission and the Office of the General Counsel of the Oklahoma Bar Association."
Featured CLE
By OBA Management Assistance Program Director Jim Calloway
It is not your imagination – spam calls and robocalls are increasing, in many cases powered by artificial intelligence tools. They are annoying and waste time. But lawyers occasionally do have to answer some calls from unknown numbers.
I can personally attest that going into your recent calls and blocking the calls individually does have some impact and provides some emotional satisfaction. But some of these enterprises use hundreds of rotating phone numbers. If you are fed up, this recently updated article from PCMag has a comprehensive list of methods to deal with these calls, titled "Stop the Madness: How to Block Spam Calls and Robocalls."
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.