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Vol. 84 — No. 29 — 11/2/2013 The Oklahoma Bar Journal 2305
OBA Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section
and OBA Taxation Law Section present Thursday, November 14, 2013
3 – 6 p.m.
Continuing Education
Cox Convention Center
Presentations and
Room 4
Section Meetings
Food, Beverages, Prize Drawings
at the OBA Annual Meeting
Free to Members of the Estate Planning, Probate and
Trust Section or Taxation Section
featuring
(OBA members can sign up for either Section
Recent Updates in
at the door)
Oklahoma Tax Administration
Plan to Stay and Meet Other Section Members at
by Tony Mastin – Executive Director, “An Evening with Oklahoma’s Best: Art, Music,
Oklahoma Tax Commission Food and Wine”
Recent Updates in Estate Planning 7 – 9 p.m.
by Stephanie Chapman – Attorney, McAfee & During the OBA Annual Meeting
Taft (Oklahoma City)
Sponsored in part by the:
Recent Updates in Oklahoma Taxation
OBA Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section
by Sheppard F. (Mike) Miers Jr. – Attorney, and OBA Taxation Law Section
Gable Gotwals (Tulsa)
2306 The Oklahoma Bar Journal Vol. 84 — No. 29 — 11/2/2013
pg. 2346
t : r B
heme aiSinG the ar
Lawyers Who Make a Difference Annual
Editor: Melissa DeLacerda Meeting
contents
DePartments
Nov. 2, 2013 • Vol. 84 • No. 29
2308 From the President
2337 Editorial Calendar
2377 From the Executive Director
2378 Law Practice Tips
2381 Ethics/Professional Responsibility
2382 OBA Board of Governors Actions
2386 Oklahoma Bar Foundation News
2389 Young Lawyers Division
2390 For Your Information
2392 Bench and Bar Briefs
2394 In Memoriam
2396 What’s Online
2400 The Back Page
pg. 2340
Features Seismic
Exploration
2310 LoweLL Barto
2313 eLvin Brown
2315 GLenda CantreLL
Plus
2317 eriC Cavett
2319 Steve a. CoLeman 2340 Seismic Operator and Surface Owner
Rights Under Oklahoma’s Seismic
2322 maC FinLaySon
Exploration Regulation Act
2325 GayLene FLanary mCCaLLum By Todd Blasdel
2328 Kade and Kate mCCLure
2346 Annual Meeting
2331 John w. miChaeL
2375 Committee Sign-Up
2332 JameS murray
2334 riChard PhiLLiPS 2376 Book Review: What’s Your Fate?
Reviewed by Melissa DeLacerda
2335 huGh roBert
Vol. 84 — No. 29 — 11/2/2013 The Oklahoma Bar Journal 2307
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Events Create a Busy Fall Schedule
Annual Meeting Quickly Approaching
By Jim Stuart
The OBA is a member of the southern Confer- to learn that Oklahoma lawyers
ence of Bar Presidents, consisting of 17 states and the U.S. give back regularly to their com-
Virgin Islands. Each fall a conference is held in one of the munities in a variety of ways.
member states, the location rotating such that a state hosts Many times the lawyers are
the conference every 18 years. This known and recog-
year Oklahoma was the host state, nized in some way for
held in Oklahoma City on Oct. 17-19. their public service.
Reflecting upon
A total of 137 persons from the mem-
Earlier this year the
ber states were in attendance, includ- the OBA Day of
Board of Governors
ing current and past bar presidents
Service, I was was charged with
and bar executives.
identifying and sub-
pleased but not
The OBA and its members benefit mitting articles about
from this annual conference. Not only surprised to learn lawyers in their dis-
do we showcase the host state, but tricts who are unsung
that Oklahoma
members share com- heroes of the legal
mon issues and prob- lawyers give back profession. In this
lems facing lawyers issue we recognize
regularly to their
and the practice of some of those lawyers
law — such as judi- communities in a who have made a spe-
cial independence, cial contribution, of-
variety of ways.
court funding, law- ten in a unique and
related education and unassuming way. I’m
how lawyers can as- sure that through their
sist following a natu- stories you will join
ral disaster. When Oklahoma experienced me in feeling a special sense of
deadly tornadoes last May, member bar pride in being an Oklahoma
presidents and executives contacted us lawyer.
seeking to help, sharing from their own
I look forward to visiting with
disaster relief programs and making con-
each of you at the annual meet-
tributions toward recovery efforts. My
ing in Oklahoma City on Nov.
thanks to OBA staff for helping make this
13-15. Time is running out. Don’t
year’s conference a real success.
forget to register and attend!
President Stuart
practices in Shawnee. Reflecting upon the OBa Day of
[email protected] service, I was pleased but not surprised
405-275-0700
2308 The Oklahoma Bar Journal Vol. 84 — No. 29 — 11/2/2013
OF FICers & BOarD OF GOVernOrs
James T. Stuart, President, Shawnee eVents CalenDar
Renée DeMoss, President-Elect, Tulsa
Dietmar K. Caudle, Vice-President, Lawton
Cathy M. Christensen, Immediate Past President,
NOVEMBER 2013
Oklahoma City
gerald C. Dennis, Antlers
5 OBA Government and Administrative Law Practice Section
James A. Drummond, Norman
Robert S. Farris, Tulsa meeting; 4 p.m.; Oklahoma Bar Center, Oklahoma City with teleconference;
Robert D. gifford II, Oklahoma City Contact Tamar Scott 405-521-2635
Kimberly Hays, Tulsa
Douglas L. Jackson, Enid 7 OBA Lawyers Helping Lawyers discussion group meeting; 6 p.m.;
O. Chris Meyers II, Lawton Office of Tom Cummings, 701 NW 13th St., Oklahoma City; RSVP to Kim
D. Scott pappas, Stillwater Reber [email protected]
Nancy S. parrott, Oklahoma City
Bret A. Smith, Muskogee OBA Lawyers Helping Lawyers discussion group meeting; 7 p.m.;
Richard D. Stevens, Norman University of Tulsa College of Law, John Rogers Hall, 3120 E. 4th Pl., Rm.
Linda S. Thomas, Bartlesville 206, Tulsa; RSVP to Kim Reber [email protected]
Joseph M. Vorndran, Shawnee,
Chairperson, OBA/Young Lawyers Division 8 OBA Law-related Education Committee meeting; 12 p.m.; Oklahoma
Bar Center staFF Bar Center, Oklahoma City with teleconference; Contact Suzanne Heggy
John Morris Williams, Executive Director; 405-556-9612
gina L. Hendryx, General Counsel; Jim Calloway,
Director of Management Assistance Program; 11 OBA Closed – Veterans Day Observed
Craig D. Combs, Director of Administration;
Susan Damron Krug, Director of Educational 13-15 OBA Annual Meeting; Sheraton Hotel, Oklahoma City
Programs; Beverly petry Lewis, Administrator
MCLE Commission; Carol A. Manning, Director 20 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Inn of Court; 5 p.m.; Oklahoma Bar Center,
of Communications; Travis pickens, Ethics Counsel; Oklahoma City; Contact Donald Lynn Babb 405-235-1611
Robbin Watson, Director of Information Technology;
Jane McConnell, Coordinator Law-related Education; 21 OBA Appellate Law Practice Section meeting;
Loraine Dillinder Farabow, Tommy Humphries, 12 p.m.; Oklahoma Bar Center, Oklahoma City with OSU Tulsa, Tulsa; Contact
Debbie Maddox, Katherine Ogden, Steve Sullins, Collin Walke 405-235-1333
Assistant General Counsels; Tommy Butler, Tanner
Condley, Sharon Orth, Dorothy Walos and 27 OBA Clients’ Security Fund Committee meeting; 2 p.m.; Oklahoma
Krystal Willis, Investigators Bar Center, Oklahoma City with OSU Tulsa, Tulsa; Contact Micheal Salem
Manni Arzola, Jarrod Houston Beckstrom, 405-366-1234
Debbie Brink, Emily Buchanan, Susan Carey,
Nickie Day, Johnny Marie Floyd, Matt gayle, 28-29 OBA Closed – Thanksgiving Observed
Dieadra goss, Brandon Haynie, Suzi Hendrix,
Misty Hill, Debra Jenkins, Durrel Lattimore,
DECEMBER 2013
Heidi McComb, Renee Montgomery, Larry Quinn,
Lori Rasmussen, Wanda F. Reece, Tracy Sanders,
3 OBA Government and Administrative Law Practice Section
Mark Schneidewent, Jan Thompson, Laura Willis
& Roberta yarbrough meeting; 4 p.m.; Oklahoma Bar Center, Oklahoma City with teleconference;
Contact Tamar Scott 405-521-2635
eDItOrIal BOarD
Editor in Chief, John Morris Williams, News
5 OBA Lawyers Helping Lawyers discussion group meeting;
& Layout Editor, Carol A. Manning, Editor,
6 p.m.; Office of Tom Cummings, 701 NW 13th St., Oklahoma City; RSVP to
Melissa DeLacerda, Stillwater, Associate Editors:
Dietmar K. Caudle, Lawton; Emily Duensing, Kim Reber [email protected]
Tulsa; Erin Means, Moore; pandee Ramirez,
Okmulgee; Mark Ramsey, Claremore; Judge For more events go to www.okbar.org/calendar
Megan Simpson, Buffalo; Joseph M. Vorndran,
Shawnee; Judge Allen J. Welch, Oklahoma City; www.okbar.org
January Windrix, poteau The Oklahoma Bar Association’s official website:
nOtICe of change of address (which must be ttHHee OOKKllaaHHOOmmaa BBaarr JJOOuurrnnaall iiss aa ppuubblliiccaattiioonn ooff tthhee OOkkllaahhoommaa BBaarr
in writing and signed by the OBA member), AAssssoocciiaattiioonn.. AAllll rriigghhttss rreesseerrvveedd.. CCooppyyrriigghhtt©© 22000183 OOkkllaahhoommaa BBaarr AAssssoocciiaattiioonn..
undeliverable copies, orders for subscriptions TThhee ddeessiiggnn ooff tthhee ssccaalleess aanndd tthhee ““OOkkllaahhoommaa BBaarr AAssssoocciiaattiioonn”” eenncciirrcclliinngg tthhee
or ads, news stories, articles and all mail items ssccaalleess aarree ttrraaddeemmaarrkkss ooff tthhee OOkkllaahhoommaa BBaarr AAssssoocciiaattiioonn.. LLeeggaall aarrttiicclleess ccaarrrriieedd
should be sent to the Oklahoma Bar Association, iinn TTHHEE OOKKLLAAHHOOMMAA BBAARR JJOOUURRNNAALL aarree sseelleecctteedd bbyy tthhee BBooaarrdd ooff EEddiittoorrss..
p.O. Box 53036, Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3036.
TTHHEE OOKKLLAAHHOOMMAA BBAARR JJOOUURRNNAALL ((IISSSSNN 00003300--11665555)) IISS ppUUBBLLIISSHHEEDD TTHHRREEEE TTIIMMEESS
Oklahoma Bar Association 405-416-7000 AA MMOONNTTHH IINN JJAANNUUAARRyy,, FFEEBBRRUUAARRyy,, MMAARRCCHH,, AAppRRIILL,, MMAAyy,, AAUUggUUSSTT,, SSEEppTTEEMM--
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Continuing Legal Education 405-416-7006 JJUULLyy. BByy TTHHEE OOKKLLAAHHOOMMAA BBAARR AASSSSOOCCIIAATTIIOONN,, 11990011 NN.. LLIINNCCOOLLNN BBOOUULLEEVVAARRDD,,
Ethics Counsel 405-416-7055 OOKKLLAAHHOOMMAA CCIITTyy,, OOKKLLAAHHOOMMAA 7733110055.. ppEERRIIOODDIICCAALLSS ppOOSSTTAAggEE ppAAIIDD AATT OOKKLLAA--
general Counsel 405-416-7007 HHOOMMAA CCIITTyy,, OOKK.. ppOOSSTTMMAASSTTEERR:: SSEENNDD AADDDDRREESSSS CCHHAANNggEESS TTOO TTHHEE OOKKLLAAHHOOMMAA
Law-related Education 405-416-7005 BBAARR AASSSSOOCCIIAATTIIOONN,, pp..OO.. BBOOxx 5533003366,, OOKKLLAAHHOOMMAA CCIITTyy,, OOKK 7733115522--33003366.. SSUUBBSSCCRRIIpp--
Lawyers Helping Lawyers 800-364-7886 TTIIOONNSS AARREE $$6505 ppEERR yyEEAARR EExxCCEEppTT FFOORR LLAAWW SSTTUUDDEENNTTSS RREEggIISSTTEERREEDD WWIITTHH TTHHEE
Mgmt. Assistance program 405-416-7008 OOKKLLAAHHOOMMAA BBAARR AASSSSOOCCIIAATTIIOONN,, WWHHOO MMAAyy SSUUBBSSCCRRIIBBEE FFOORR $$2255.. AACCTTIIVVEE MMEEMM--
Mandatory CLE 405-416-7009 BBEERR SSUUBBSSCCRRIIppTTIIOONNSS AARREE IINNCCLLUUDDEEDD AASS AA ppOORRTTIIOONN OOFF AANNNNUUAALL DDUUEESS.. AANNyy
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OBJ & Communications 405-416-7004
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Board of Bar Examiners 405-416-7075
JJOOUURRNNAALL BBOOAARRDD OOFF EEDDIITTOORRSS..
Oklahoma Bar Foundation 405-416-7070
Vol. 84 — No. 29 — 11/2/2013 The Oklahoma Bar Journal 2309
Raising the Bar
Lawyers Who Make a Difference
This month’s feature article is Last month county bar associa- article was written by a different
the first of its kind for the Oklaho- tions and law firms across the anonymous bar association leader.
ma Bar Journal — a focus on indi- state joined together to roll up
These featured bar members are
vidual bar members who make a their sleeves and to make his sig-
only a few of the thousands of
difference. The feature is inspired nature statewide project — the
Oklahoma lawyers who give back
by OBA President Jim Stuart and OBA Day of Service — a tremen-
to their communities. Perhaps you
the theme for his presidential year dous success in 52 counties.
are one of those who make a dif-
— Oklahoma lawyers giving back. Charitable organizations, families
ference, service performed quietly
struggling with hunger, veterans
In January President Stuart said, and without much fanfare. It’s diffi-
and first responders and children
“At the end of the day we’re all cult to think of how a community
in need were the most common
just stewards – of the rule of law, would grow and prosper without
beneficiaries.
of our system of justice, of the the contributions of its local law-
independence of the judiciary – In its effort to devote one yers. Can you think of a single
in the way we provide pro bono Oklahoma Bar Journal issue to nonprofit organization that doesn’t
services to the young and less lawyers who exemplify this presi- have a lawyer on its board?
fortunate, in our own methods dential initiative, the Board of
The Oklahoma Bar Journal
for self-discipline and in the Editors encouraged bar leaders to
salutes all our unsung lawyer
way we serve and give back to each write an article about a bar
heroes who make their communi-
our communities.” member in their district who is a
ties better places to live. Meet
community leader, yet an unsung
just a few of them.
hero deserving of recognition. Each
Lowell Barto t
, Stillwater
After learning of the plight of South Sudanese
children on a radio station and later reading the book
Passport Through Darkness, which tells the detailed
story of these children, payne County attorney Low-
ell Barto was deeply moved and turned to prayer
to learn how best he could contribute and make a
difference.
He did some research and quickly learned that
volunteering would take him on an adventure far
from his Stillwater existence and comfort zone. He
applied to go on a short-term mission trip through
Make Way partners, a mission agency founded by
Passport Through Darkness author Kimberly Smith
and her husband in Alabama.
Lowell Barto
2310 The Oklahoma Bar Journal Vol. 84 — No. 29 — 11/2/2013
Once selected to participate,
Lowell learned how little, due
to the weight constraints, he BACKGROUND
would be allowed to bring
with him. This would need to
include his meals for every Picture for a minute the harsh living conditions of the African
day, two changes of clothes, desert, where the temperature rises up to 110 degrees in the shade
the water bottle and filter that during the day, the landscape is dirt and trees, electricity only
the organization provided to exists if you have a diesel-powered generator. Civil war, which has
him, mosquito repellant, tent raged on for the past five decades since the British left in the mid
and a sleeping bag. 1950s, leaves thousands of orphaned children - homeless and fend-
ing for themselves or, worse yet, sold as human slaves.
Teams made up of 12 volun-
teers from around the country With the help of a native southern Sudanese man named James,
are only allowed into Sudan nearly 300 such orphans gathered in the Sudanese desert trying to
during the dry season. There stay alive. The wild dogs and hyenas were their mortal enemies.
are no roads; there is no drain-
Turning down the right granted by President George W. Bush
age and no way to navigate
to come to the United States to be part of the federal program,
without getting stuck when
Lost Sons of Sudan, James stayed behind to educate the orphaned
the rainy season hits. And,
Sudanese children in hopes of preventing human trafficking and to
then, the mission groups visit
prepare the next leaders of their country.
only two weeks each year. For-
tunately, the orphanage is open While serving on a mission trip, U.S. citizen, Kimberly Smith,
year-round. found James teaching school to three groups of children under the
trees. He was teaching them the English alphabet (English is the
On the last leg of their two-
national language of Sudan) and numbers, and was helping them
day journey there, team mem-
memorize Bible verses.
bers fly in on 10-passenger
Cessna propeller planes be- Returning to the U.S., she wrote the book, Passport Through
cause there is no place for a jet Darkness, that chronicles James’ story and her efforts to partner
to land in the dirt. Once land- with him in raising funds to improve his educational facilities and
ed, the volunteers are within capabilities as well as provide housing for the children.
walking distance of the orphan-
Read more at www.makewaypartners.org and consider sponsoring
age and are greeted by friendly
an orphan.
students and village people
lined up and eager to shake
their hands.
concerns. All meals
On Lowell’s trip,
were on their own,
the volunteers were
except for the last night
divided into three
On the last leg of their two-day when they had a party.
smaller teams: medi-
They had generator-
cal, vacation Bible
journey there, team members fly in on
powered lights for only
study and the team
Lowell was on, 10-passenger Cessna propeller planes two or three hours each
night.
which worked on
because there is no place for a jet to
child sponsorship. After the team meet-
The volunteers land in the dirt. ing around 8 a.m., the
volunteers would sep-
had tents under a
arate into their smaller
pavilion, and the
teams. In the medical
orphanage’s perime-
clinic, there was a
ter was secured by a
pharmacy with donat-
wire fence. Their day
ed supplies in one corner, and the doctors and
started at 7:30 a.m. with a team gathering that
the dentist would see patients in the other two
assessed the day before and discussed the cur-
rooms. Sudanese people came from the nearby
rent day’s tasks. The meeting was followed by a
devotional and a time to address any spiritual
Vol. 84 — No. 29 — 11/2/2013 The Oklahoma Bar Journal 2311
Lowell’s volunteer duties include
assisting the children at the
orphanage with sponsorhip
paperwork.
While there, he and another volunteer
were tasked with meeting each of the 600
orphans. They took a picture of each one
and gathered the following information
that would later be shared with his or her
sponsor: favorite subject, what the child
wanted to be when s/he grew up, his/
her favorite thing to do, for what s/he
was thankful for to god and his/her
favorite Bible verse.
Lowell and his team member started on
a Saturday and interviewed children all
day every day through the next Friday,
except for their 1 ½-hour lunch break. He
was surprised to learn from the older
children how many of them wanted to be
involved in leadership positions in their
villages and lined up each day in advance for government, which has only been a sepa-
the care provided. rate republic since the vote in July 2011. He was
pleased by their ambition and tried to use the
The younger school children attended the
interview process as an opportunity to encour-
Vacation Bible School, which was taught by the
age each child.
older school children. In fact, the older children
play a very important role in keeping the con- Upon reflection, Lowell only wished that the
tinuity of the educational programs going the team could have provided even more service.
rest of the year when there are no volunteers. Lowell’s “servant’s heart” was drawn to this
Some of the teachers come from the local com- endeavor due, in large part, to its educational
munity/village and walk or ride their bikes component. However, seeing the children
over to the school. smile, in spite of all that they have endured, he
found priceless.
The Sudanese government does not allow
any child to be adopted out of its country. As author Dan Allender was quoted as
Therefore, Lowell’s job of securing and main- saying, “A hero is an ordinary person who
taining sponsorships was extremely important seizes the opportunity to step into the mael-
to ensure the quality of life for each child. strom to rescue, to care for those caught in the
dark cruelty of their situation.” Lowell Barto
did just that.
2312 The Oklahoma Bar Journal Vol. 84 — No. 29 — 11/2/2013