logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
news
December 27, 2023
Oklahoma Bar Association to reimburse client losses

Ninety people who lost money or other property through the death or dishonest conduct of their attorney will have their losses reimbursed by the Oklahoma Bar Association this year. The OBA Clients’ Security Fund will pay out more than $210,000 to those clients of deceased, suspended or former lawyers whose actions led to the losses.

Claims against the fund result when an attorney misappropriates client funds or property, is then disbarred or dies, and there is no other source for compensation or recovery. The OBA Clients’ Security Fund Committee reviews client claims and annually makes recommendations to the OBA Board of Governors on the merits of those claims.

OBA President Brian Hermanson of Ponca City said, “The Clients’ Security Fund enables us to maintain the public trust in the integrity of the legal profession. Members of our association collectively take action to restore the confidence of those who have been harmed by the dishonesty of a very small number of former attorneys who have violated that trust.

All active Oklahoma lawyers contribute to the fund through a portion of their annual bar dues, and more than $4 million in reimbursements has been paid to clients since the fund was created in 1965.”

In 2023, 84 claims against deceased attorney Mike Arnett of Oklahoma City were approved for payment.

OBA Clients’ Security Fund Committee Chair Micheal Salem of Norman said most of the claims against the fund this year resulted from Arnett’s failure to follow the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct regarding the safeguarding of client funds or property. Other instances of dishonest conduct and resulting claims against the fund typically arise when attorneys become unstable as a result of a personal crisis, substance abuse or illness.

“Our purpose is to rebuild confidence in our profession by fairly compensating these victims,” Salem said. “The reputation of every Oklahoma lawyer is damaged when a very small number of attorneys engage in unethical or illegal behavior.”

In addition to the 84 approved claims against Arnett totaling $203,143.02, clients of six other former attorneys will be reimbursed. Those former attorneys and the amount being paid to their clients are Melinda Dunlap, deceased, $1,700; Jeff Herrick, deceased, $1,044; Tuan Khuu, Oklahoma City, $4,712.83; John Everett Parris, Sand Springs, $1,000; Jason David Smith, Jay, $1,750; and Paul Sowinski, deceased, $750.

More information about the Clients’ Security Fund can be found on the OBA website at www. okbar.org/gc/clients-security- fund.

The 18,000-member Oklahoma Bar Association, headquartered in Oklahoma City, was created by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to advance the administration of justice and to foster and maintain learning, integrity, competence, public service and high standards of conduct among Oklahoma’s legal community.

Eufaula Memorial Library
A: Main, news
Eufaula Memorial Library
July 2, 2025
A llama and a youngster got acquainted at a petting zoo at the Eufaula Memorial Library Wednesday, June 25. Dozens of kids and adults enjoyed the llama, goats, donkey and other animals, provided by Ma...
A: Main, news
Eufaula hosting July 4 Celebration
July 2, 2025
Mayor James Hickman and the City of Eufaula are honored to invite residents and visitors to the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration on Friday, July 4. The fireworks will begin shortly after su...
A legacy lives on
A: Main, news
A legacy lives on
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
July 2, 2025
Selby Minner’s Celebration of Life on Saturday at the Checotah Performing Arts Center was a beautiful 3-hour-long tribute to an amazing soul who loved the blues and more importantly, loved people. As ...
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
A: Main, news
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 2, 2025
A 57-year-old Eufaula woman was killed by lightning during a routine stroll through a cemetery Friday evening. Joy Ann Rogers was walking through Greenwood cemetery shortly before 7 p.m. when a thunde...
A: Main, news
Native American Arts & Crafts show Saturday
July 2, 2025
Eufaula Indian Community will host an Arts and Crafts show and sale Saturday, July 5 at the IEC Center, 800 Birkes Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to this event, a chair volleyball tournament...
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
news
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
July 2, 2025
On June 5, local student Olivia Shackelford of Eufaula was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Youth Prevention Award in Oklahoma City at the Heartland Conference. This past week Olivi...
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
news
Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
July 2, 2025
Her casket rested below center stage at the Checotah Performing Arts Center, open for friends, fans, and family to view her precious body before her life’s celebration began. No one lingered long. Tha...
Another busy week in the district
commentary
Another busy week in the district
By REP. TIM TURNER 
July 2, 2025
I started last Saturday June 21, bright and early at Stigler Reunion Days. I kicked things off at the Haskell County GOP Tent, answering questions and catching up with friends and supporters. Then I h...
Killing them with kindness
commentary
Killing them with kindness
July 2, 2025
What a month it’s been for me personally and in our close-knit communities. Trying to cope with the loss of loved ones has been extremely difficult and downright demanding. Yet having to come to terms...
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
commentary
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past month, I have highlighted portions of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the U...
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
commentary
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and ...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy