Vol. 4 No. 37 | Sept. 11, 2024
Courts
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
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"Texting has been called 'a brilliant way to miscommunicate how you feel and misinterpret what other people mean.' The history of written communication can be traced back to around 3400 B.C. when humans expressed their thoughts with pictures and symbols. You might say these were the earliest text messages, even though communication has evolved enormously since ancient times.
Text messaging in modern society has, in many ways, replaced other forms of verbal and oral communication. Prior to the early 1980s, when the fax machine became popular, people primarily communicated in person, via telephone or through letters. Electronic mail (email) then gained popularity and was widely used beginning in the late 1990s. So in the past 30 years, society has transitioned from face-to-face chats and phone calls to faxes, emails and, finally, text messages."
"This issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal contains many interesting articles that focus on women in the law. When I think back on the history of women entering the practice of law, I think of a pioneer story. Nothing transpired overnight. It is a tale of resilience and gradual transformation. To be a woman practicing law is an honor that signifies much more than personal success. It represents a historical breakthrough, a commitment to making a change, a source of inspiration for future generations and a dedication to overcoming ongoing challenges.
I encourage you to visit 'In re Lady Lawyers: The Rise of Women Attorneys and the Supreme Court,' an online exhibition hosted on the U.S. Supreme Court website. While the journey of women in the law began in the late 19th century, the most notable strides that caused significant change occurred in the latter half of the 20th century. The feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s played a crucial role in addressing institutional discrimination and promoting equal opportunities in various professions, including law. Landmark legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the U.S., helped to challenge discriminatory practices and opened doors for women in many fields, including the legal profession."
"Lately, there has been a great deal of publicity, information and misinformation about the use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) by lawyers. While there is no one definition of artificial intelligence (AI), lawyers have used AI-based technologies in their practices for years. Lawyers use AI-assisted review in electronic discovery, contract analytics, basic research and other purposes.
Recently released ABA Formal Opinion 512 discusses ethical considerations in the use of GAI, which creates various types of new content in response to questions posed by a user. The opinion attempts to identify ethical issues with the use of GAI tools, which it describes as 'a moving target – indeed, a rapidly moving target.' The opinion is segmented into broad categories of ethics issues within single rules and groups of related rules."
Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice M. John Kane IV announced that the Oklahoma Supreme Court selected Acting Director Diana O'Neal as the new administrative director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), effective Sept. 1. She will succeed Jari Askins, who retired in June.
Prior to being named acting director, Ms. O'Neal served as deputy administrative director and chief financial officer for the courts. Ms. O'Neal is a certified public accountant and a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Her background includes executive-level positions within other state entities. Following graduation, she began her state service with the Office of the State Auditor and Inspector. Most notable in her more than 25 years in state government, she served as deputy administrator and chief financial officer for the Employees Group Insurance Division of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.
Since 1996, Spotlight Awards have been given to five women every year who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession and have lit the way for other women. In 1998, the award was named to honor the late Mona Salyer Lambird, the first woman OBA president and one of the award’s first recipients. The award is sponsored by the OBA Women in Law Section. Each year, all previous winners nominate and select the current year’s recipients. A plaque bearing the names of all recipients hangs in the Oklahoma Bar Center in Oklahoma City. This is the 28th year of award presentations. Recipients will be honored during the Women in Law Conference on Sept. 20 in Tulsa.
This year's award winners are:
- Taylor Henderson, administrative director for the Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints
- Janet Johnson, executive director of the Oklahoma Bar Association
- Judge Loretta F. Radford, special judge for the 14th Judicial District in Tulsa County
- Emma Rolls, assistant federal public defender and chief of the Capital Habeas Unit for the Western District of Oklahoma
- Marshal Sharon Schooley, marshal for the Oklahoma Supreme Court
"The legal profession is known for its demands, complexities and high-stakes environments. Attorneys navigate a labyrinth of legal demands, representing clients' interests while shouldering immense responsibilities that are connected to those cases. This profession, however rewarding, is marked by long hours, strenuous workloads and frequent periods away from family and loved ones.
These and other challenges have far-reaching consequences on attorneys' mental health. The Dave Nee Foundation in New York, dedicated to studying lawyer depression, reveals a grim reality. In 2021, lawyers are ranked fifth in terms of occupational suicide rates, and they are the most frequently depressed occupational group in the United States. Shockingly, lawyers are 3.6 times more likely to suffer from depression than nonlawyers. The mental toll is evident as approximately 26% of lawyers seeking counseling admit to struggling with anxiety and depression.
In light of these statistics, it's crucial to recognize the significance of initiatives like National Suicide Prevention Month. The legal community in Oklahoma needs more than ever to prioritize mental health awareness, support and advocacy. At ODMHSAS, the focus is spreading hope and educating others that 24/7, 365 they can call or text the 988 Mental Health Lifeline."
Members have FREE access to HeinOnline! View, print or save any article or issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal, dating back to 1930. Easy search tools allow you to find the article, topic or author you're looking for with ease. Access it now by clicking the HeinOnline link on your main MyOKBar page.
Featured CLE
By OBA MAP Director Jim Calloway
In the fast-paced world of legal practice, efficiency and security are paramount. Lawyers are constantly on the move, relying on their smartphones to manage client communications, research and cases. However, one often overlooked aspect of maintaining a seamless digital experience is the regular clearing of your mobile phone’s browser cache. In this post, we will explore why lawyers should make this a routine task and how it can improve both performance and confidentiality.
ENHANCING PERFORMANCE AND SPEED
As a lawyer, every second counts. Whether you are accessing legal databases, reviewing case files or communicating with clients, the speed and efficiency of your mobile phone can significantly affect your productivity.
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.