Vol. 5 No. 22 | May 28, 2025
Courts
No published opinions this week.
No published opinions this week.
- 2025 OK CIV APP 14: SPECIAL ENERGY CORPORATION, STILLWATER, MISSISSIPPI, LLC ET AL. v. TERRITORY RESOURCES, LLC ET AL.
- 2025 OK CIV APP 15: CARTER v. CARTER ET AL.
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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"The passage of State Question 788 impacted every Oklahoman more than they may know. In June 2018, Oklahoma became the 30th state to allow for the sale of medicinal marijuana to state-registered patients. If someone does not have a medical marijuana card themselves, they are guaranteed to know someone who does. There were over 350,000 medical marijuana-licensed patients in Oklahoma in 2023. Since the passage of State Question 788, the pertinent law surrounding the use, growth and consumption of marijuana has become far more complex.
Oklahoma cannabis law is a quagmire, constantly changing and adapting to reflect the current morals and values of our state lawmakers. The laws can be very confusing and turn an innocent situation into a crime scene. There are numerous scenarios in which a person who lawfully possesses marijuana can make a choice that turns their legal weed into an illegal substance. This article will outline some illustrative examples of legal, medicinal cannabis use that turned into a crime in Oklahoma."
"Like most jurisdictions, Oklahoma courts are facing a severe shortage of certified shorthand reporters. Demand for court reporters in our 77 county courthouses remains constant, but the supply of trained professionals is dwindling. According to the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), the average age of current court reporters is 55 years old, and the association estimates there is a shortage of 5,000 court reporters in the United States. Coupled with nearing retirement and opportunities in the private sector, the supply of newly trained reporters cannot keep pace with the need in the public sector. There is no 'quick fix' to this problem; however, our courts and local educational institutions are working to promote opportunities and programs in court reporting."
The Oklahoma High School Mock Trial program helps students in grades 9-12 develop public speaking skills, encourages deductive and inductive reasoning, sharpens reading comprehension, stimulates interest in governmental studies and increases appreciation for our judicial system as a means of enforcing society's laws.
You could be the next driving force behind a dynamic statewide program that brings the courtroom to life for high school students. If you are passionate about empowering students, fostering teamwork and celebrating the art of persuasion, submit your resume for the role of Oklahoma High School Mock Trial coordinator. Lawyers and nonlawyers are welcome to apply.
The Nominating Petition deadline for Judicial Nominating Commission candidates was 5 p.m. on May 16. Ballots will be mailed June 6 to active attorneys in good standing in Congressional Districts 3 and 4.* Ballots must be received at the Oklahoma Bar Center by 5 p.m. June 20, 2025. Election results will be posted June 23.
It is important to the administration of justice that the OBA members become informed on the candidates and cast their votes.
ABOUT THE COMMISSION
The Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) consists of 15 unpaid volunteer members. Of the 15 members, only six members are lawyers. Lawyer commissioners are elected by their fellow Oklahoma Bar Association members, each representing one of six congressional districts across the state, as they were in 1967 when the commission was established.* They each serve a 6-year term. Elections are held each odd-numbered year for members from two districts.
"The OBA Solo & Small Firm Conference is back! It will be held July 16-18 at the OKANA Resort in Oklahoma City. This year combines cutting-edge CLE taught by a faculty of experts with the exciting new OKANA Resort, which features an indoor and outdoor waterpark and many recreational activities. You can find the schedule and registration information at www.okbar.org/solo.
The conference begins Wednesday evening with a welcome reception sponsored by premium sponsor Oklahoma Attorneys Mutual Insurance Co. (OAMIC). The next morning, kickoff sessions opening the conference illustrate the diversity of programming offered. Sessions include 'Recent Developments in Family Law' with Virginia Henson, 'Preserving the Record for Appeal' with Justin Lollman and 'Prompt Building for Your Favorite Artificial Intelligence Tool' with OBA Practice Management Advisor Julie Bays. Every hour features programs targeted to solo and small firm lawyers; however, many are valuable for every lawyer in private practice, no matter the firm size."
"Children in the foster care system often face emotional and psychological challenges due to family separation. Recognizing this, two Oklahoma Bar Foundation grantees have come together to create a compassionate solution. Tulsa Lawyers for Children, a dedicated nonprofit advocating for children in the foster care system, has launched an innovative program called Connection Crates in partnership with The Parent Child Center of Tulsa Safe Babies."
Join the YLD in Celebrating New Lawyers
Celebrate the new attorneys sworn in this spring with the OBA Young Lawyers Division! You're invited to an evening of food, fun and networking at Topgolf in Oklahoma City. Connect with fellow young lawyers and welcome our newest members to the profession in a relaxed atmosphere. Join us Friday, May 30, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Featured CLE
By OBA Practice Management Advisor Julie Bays
In the legal profession, success isn’t just about what you know; it’s also about who you know and how you stay connected. Building and nurturing a strong professional network can open doors to new career opportunities, facilitate trusted referrals and provide access to a wealth of knowledge and experience from peers who deeply understand the complexities and nuances of the field.
Networking helps you stay informed about industry trends, gain fresh perspectives on legal challenges and even find mentors or collaborators who can guide and support your professional journey. Through these connections, lawyers not only enhance their own capabilities but also contribute to the collective strength and growth of the legal community.
One of the most rewarding ways to grow your network and give back to the legal community is by serving on an OBA committee. Committee members play an important role in shaping policies, programs and resources that support the work of Oklahoma lawyers. Your voice can help make a difference – not only for your fellow attorneys but for the future of the profession.
Whether you’re passionate about Law Day, technology, professionalism, disaster response or any number of other important issues, there’s a place for you. It’s easy to get involved: just log in to your MYOKBar account and click the “Join a Committee” link on the right side of the page.
Your time and perspective are valuable. When you volunteer, you’re not just joining a committee, you’re also joining a community.
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.