Vol. 6 No. 12 | March 25, 2026
Courts
Supreme Court of Oklahoma
Court of Criminal Appeals
No published opinions this week.
Court of Civil Appeals
- 2026 OK CIV APP 9: WILLIAMS v. MCFEETERS and THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO.
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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CLE Spotlight | Animal Law in Oklahoma
Join the OBA Animal Law Section on March 28 at the Oklahoma City Zoo Love's Pachyderm Building for a two-hour CLE (1 ethics, 1 general) on animal law in Oklahoma. The program covers the history and current status of the Migratory Bird Act, along with an ethics panel addressing professional responsibility in cases involving animals, such as pet ownership disputes, shelter representation, dog bite claims and protective orders.
After the program, attendees and their guests can enjoy the zoo. Space is limited to attorneys for CLE credit; guests may explore the zoo during the session. Attorney registrants will receive a $20 food voucher.
Animal Law Section members: Use coupon code ALS2026 at checkout for discounted registration.
Health Law | Independent Practice, Supervision and Scope
"In 2025, Oklahoma enacted legislation expanding the autonomy of experienced mid-level health care providers, including advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs). These changes modify long-standing physician supervision rules once required for all mid-level providers, including those with many years of experience, and allow certain mid-level providers to practice with less physician oversight once they have met statutory experience requirements. These reforms reflect broader national efforts to improve health care access and workforce shortages across the state. Considering Oklahoma’s physician-to-patient ratio is a whopping '39% worse than the national average,' and the state ranks 'nearly last in total physician supply,' it is no surprise that all but two Oklahoma counties are designated as health care professional shortage areas, meaning there are too few doctors to provide basic care."
Health Law | The Epidemic of Violence Against Nurses
"Violence against nurses is an escalating crisis in health care. Nurses are the foundational pillar of our health care system, providing the largest share of direct patient care and spending more time with patients than any other health care discipline. This increased contact with patients and visitors exposes nurses to high-risk situations that endanger their safety. Hospital settings have one of the highest incidences of workplace violence. Workplace violence in nursing is defined as 'any act or threat of verbal or physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the worksite with the intention of abusing or injuring the target.'"
Bar Foundation News | The Founding of the OBF and a Scholarship Legacy 80 Years Strong
"It was back in 1946 that the idea and purpose of the OBF began to take shape. The OBA was operating out of various locations and looking for a place to call home. The idea was that a separate tax-exempt organization – the OBF – could construct a building on land it would own to serve as a permanent home for Oklahoma lawyers."
The Back Page | Professional Civility and the Decline of Courtesy in Litigation
"Few qualities define a lawyer more than how we treat one another. For decades, the Oklahoma County Bar Association has prided itself on being a collegial bar, an organization where opposing counsel could vigorously advocate their client’s cause during the day and share a handshake or lunch afterward. Yet, in recent years, many of us have noticed a troubling drift toward sharper tones in correspondence, needless discovery skirmishes and a growing willingness to conflate professionalism with weakness. This cultural shift deserves our attention because civility is not a relic of a bygone era but rather the foundation of effective advocacy and public trust."
Law Day is May 1 | Submit Your Local County Bar Information
The national and statewide celebration of Law Day is Friday, May 1. The OBA Law Day Committee encourages every county bar to join our efforts and plan its own Law Day events – whether it’s coordinating student visits to the courthouse or giving free legal advice for at least one hour. The goodwill generated for the profession by offering this community service makes the effort worthwhile, regardless of the number of activities or calls received.
Please email your county’s Law Day chairperson by Wednesday, April 1, to communications@okbar.org. If you intend to answer calls as part of Ask A Lawyer, please provide your Ask A Lawyer information, including the phone number, using this form.
Featured CLE
The Value of Limited Scope Representation for Lawyers and Clients
By OBA Management Assistance Program Director Julie Bays
I was discussing types of clients with a lawyer the other day when the conversation turned to affordability and client expectations. We also talked about the kinds of matters lawyers may hesitate to take on, such as small claims, where full representation often doesn’t make sense for either the client or the lawyer.
It’s a good reminder that limited scope representation is an option that many lawyers overlook.
Limited scope (sometimes called unbundled services) allows a lawyer to handle only part of a legal matter, such as advising a client, drafting documents or preparing them for court, while the client remains responsible for the rest.
The authority for this approach has been in the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct for years. Rule 1.2(c), adopted in 2008, permits a lawyer to limit the scope of representation if it is reasonable and the client gives informed consent.
To address practical concerns, especially regarding drafting pleadings, the Oklahoma Supreme Court adopted Rule 33 of the Rules for District Courts of Oklahoma, which creates a clear, statewide procedure for limited scope representation. Under Rule 33, a lawyer may assist a self-represented litigant by drafting pleadings without entering an appearance.
For lawyers, this creates a practical way to offer more affordable services without taking on full representation. For clients, it can make the difference between getting some legal help and none at all.
When structured properly, limited scope representation can:
- Expand access to legal services
- Support efficient and competent delivery of legal work
- Provide an additional, flexible revenue stream for your practice
The key is clarity. Define the scope of representation, obtain informed consent and document your work carefully. Systems, templates and checklists can make these services both efficient and repeatable.
Limited scope representation is not new, but it is increasingly relevant in today’s practice environment. It offers a way to meet client needs while maintaining control over your time and workload.
If you have not revisited this model recently, it may be worth another look.
The Oklahoma Bar Journal is a publication of the Oklahoma Bar Association. All rights reserved. Copyright© 2026 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.