Vol. 3 No. 41 | Oct. 11, 2023
Courts
- 2023 OK 96: LEO v. OKLAHOMA WATER RESOURCES BOARD
No published opinions this week.
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
"For me, access to justice means taking the adequate steps needed to make justice a reality for all. For example, legal institutions and practitioners should make legal concepts easier for those not acquainted with the law. This can be done by drafting documents and providing legal advice using 'plain language.' As noted on www.plainlanguage.gov, 'Plain language is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it.' The website further notes that plain language was even codified in 2010 with the passage of the Plain Writing Act of 2010. Additionally, the website named various techniques to achieve the goal of plain writing. Some examples that are cited are:
- Reader-centered organization
- 'You' and other pronouns
- Active voice, not passive
- Short sentences and paragraphs
- Common, everyday words
- Easy-to-follow design features"
"Access to justice is not a political issue; it is a fundamental human right and a vital component of a just society. It upholds individual rights, promotes equality, encourages accountability, fosters trust in institutions and facilitates peaceful dispute resolution. In a world where justice is accessible to all, we can build fairer, more stable and more prosperous communities. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that access to justice remains a cornerstone of our society."
This year's Annual Meeting is packed with exciting events, inspiring speakers and engaging presentations that will spark your interest and energize your law practice. Visit the Annual Meeting website to learn more about this year's opportunities for great CLE, bar business, food and fun.
And don't forget to register now for this year's Annual Meeting, held Nov. 1-3 at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.
Pursuant to Article VII, Section 1 of the Rules Creating and Controlling the Oklahoma Bar Association, Miles Pringle, president-elect and Budget Committee chairperson, has set a public hearing on the 2024 Oklahoma Bar Association budget for 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Oklahoma Bar Center, 1901 N. Lincoln Blvd., in Oklahoma City. Budget details are available online. Click here to view.
The purpose of the OBA is to engage in those activities enumerated in the Rules Creating and Controlling the Oklahoma Bar Association (the “Rules”) and the OBA Bylaws (the “Bylaws”). The expenditure of funds by the OBA is limited both as set forth in the Rules and Bylaws and by OBA policy in compliance with Keller v. State Bar of California, 496 U.S. 1 (1990). If any member feels that any actual or proposed expenditure is not within such purposes of, or limitations on the OBA, then such member may object by following the procedures set forth at www.okbar.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OBA_KellerPolicy.pdf.
In accordance with the Keller policy, an independent auditor will review and certify the "opt-out" amount for legislative activity. That will be reflected on the annual dues statement, and the certification and pro-rata calculation will be listed at MyOKBar prior to the budget hearing.
On Oct. 17, the OBA Management Assistance Program will host "Opening Your Law Practice" at the Oklahoma Bar Center. This program, to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a free seminar for new lawyers or for those who are launching a private practice. During the program, speakers will cover topics such as "The Business of Law," "How to Manage Everything," "Professional Liability Insurance and Risk Management," "How to Succeed in Law Practice" and more. This event is sponsored by Oklahoma Attorneys Mutual Insurance Co. and does not qualify for MCLE credit. Email Renee Montgomery or call 405-416-7029 to register for this seminar.
Featured CLE
By OBA MAP Director Jim Calloway
We all make lists, from grocery lists, to “to-do” lists, to lists of legal project tasks. In the past, these lists were all on paper. Now, there are options to keep lists on digital devices. Many lists are transitory and discarded after the items are completed. Others are worth saving for future use, e.g., a camping trip packing list.
Today, I’m going to suggest you install and try a new free app – Microsoft Lists. It’s not exactly a new app, having been launched in 2020, first to only Microsoft business customers. But now, Microsoft has released it to iOS apps, Android apps and on the web for anyone who has a Microsoft account login. So all of your important lists can be accessed by your phone.
You can easily share a list with others who can add their own items. Maybe you and your significant other want a better tool to create a joint shopping list. Or you want to use this tool to organize all of your relatives’ contributions to Thanksgiving dinner. It should be valuable for things you may only do rarely. For more ideas on how this tool can be used, read "Microsoft Lists is now available for everyone on iOS, Android, and the web"on MSN.com.
The Oklahoma Bar Journal is a publication of the Oklahoma Bar Association. All rights reserved. Copyright© 2023 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.