Vol. 4 No. 19 | May 8, 2024
Courts
2024 OK CR 12: SWAGER v. STATE
2024 OK CIV APP 14: PHIL BOEVERS ENTERPRISES v. BECK
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
The May edition of the Oklahoma Bar Journal is now available online. This issue focuses on "Natural Resources Law," with articles highlighting the details of natural resources law, oil and gas, solar power and much more. Take a look!
FEATURED ARTICLES
Reexamining Nesbitt: How Horizontal Wells Have Changed Pooling in Oklahoma Oil and Gas Law
By Ronald Merrill Barnes, Grayson Merrill Barnes and Denver Morrissey Nicks
Tribal Regulation of the Environment and Natural Resources Under Federal Environmental Laws
By Conor P. Cleary
Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements of the Inflation Reduction Act: Compliance and Implementation
By Crystal F. Lineberry
Overcoming Oklahoma’s Orphaned and Abandoned Well Problem
By Niles Stuck
‘Washing Out’ an Overriding Royalty Interest: An Overview of Oil Valley Petroleum v. Moore
By Kraettli Q. Epperson
Here Comes the Sun: Oklahoma's Bright Solar Future
By Lindsey Pever
Navigating Mineral Interest Valuation Pathways for Medicaid Long-Term Care Applications
By Shannon D. Smith
The Role of the General Counsel in Managing Risk
By Charlene Wright
"In my January article, I laid out three main goals for the year. One of them was to evaluate the financial future of the Oklahoma Bar Association and the appropriateness of a dues increase. The House of Delegates last voted to raise dues 20 years ago, in 2004, to the current $275 amount, which would equate to approximately $445 in 2023 and likely more today as inflation persists."
Notice of Dues Hearing on May 20
Following careful analysis and consideration of the association’s long-term financial outlook, the OBA Board of Governors has proposed that, effective Jan. 1, 2025, membership dues be increased from $275 to $400 for those who have been members more than three years and from $137.50 to $200 for those who have been members for three years or less. If approved by the OBA House of Delegates, this would be the first increase in OBA membership dues in 20 years.
A public hearing has been set for Monday, May 20, 2024, from 4-5 p.m. In addition, members are invited to make written comments to OBA President Miles Pringle, P.O. Box 53036, Oklahoma City, OK 73152, or by email to president@okbar.org.
Ten issues of the printed Oklahoma Bar Journal are published annually, including practice area articles, member news and bar updates. Access current and recent issues at www.okbar.org/barjournal. Additional archived issues are available through HeinOnline, which can be access by clicking the red HeinOnline link on your main MyOKBar page.
Every year, the May 1 celebration of Law Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the role of law in the foundation of the country and to recognize its importance for society. For more than 70 years, the OBA has celebrated with activities and events across the state. With this year's 48th Ask A Lawyer event, dozens of volunteer lawyers once again helped hundreds of Oklahomans get answers to their legal questions at no cost through this annual public service activity. The OBA Law Day Committee, chaired by Ed Wunch of Norman, thanks the volunteers who staffed the phone and email banks in numerous Oklahoma communities.
The committee also recognizes the efforts of outstanding lawyer volunteer Dan Crawford of Tulsa, who has coordinated the day-long public service project in Tulsa for several decades and will hand over the reins to a successor after the 2024 event. Please help the OBA thank Dan Crawford for all he has done to make Ask A Lawyer a success!
The OBA is excited for you to join us for the 2024 OBA Annual Meeting! Connect with attorneys from across the state by becoming a sponsor or vendor. This is a great way to network and share your product or service. The deadline to apply is Saturday, June 1. Please note that space is limited.
The Oklahoma Bar Journal will be taking a short break for the summer months; look for the next issue to go online June 1. The topics for the remainder of the year are listed below. If you would like to write an article on these topics, contact the editor for that month's issue.
SEPTEMBER: Women in Law
Editor: Melissa DeLacerda
OCTOBER: Aviation Law
Editor: Melanie Wilson Rughani
NOVEMBER: Probate
Editor: Evan Taylor
DECEMBER: Ethics & Professional Responsibility
Editor: Martha Rupp Carter
Featured CLE
By OBA MAP Director Jim Calloway
Are there some tasks that you do every day that require several computer operations? Lawyers can save valuable time and increase productivity by automating many of these repetitive tasks in Windows.
One very interesting idea is setting up your computer to open several tasks every time it is turned on in the morning.
Digital Trends offers a step-by-step guide on how to set up and use some of these automation tools.
The top way to automate tasks in Windows is by using the Task Scheduler. With this system tool, you can create scripts that turn on at a specific time on your PC. There's a script available for pretty much anything you can think of. Just be warned, this tool can seem a little daunting to use since the interface isn't quite as intuitive. But don't worry, we'll guide you through the steps right here for launching a program upon boot-up of a PC.
The guide also explores how to use Power Automate, which is available for download from the Microsoft website. Learning about these methods of speeding up some of your daily processes will not only make you more efficient, it will increase the time you can devote to serving your clients and boost your billable hours!
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.