A Message from the Chapter President

The Oklahoma City Chapter of the Federal Bar Association covers the entire area comprised by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The chapter has over 300 members and includes administrative, district, and appellate judges, government attorneys, private practitioners, and law professors.

The chapter holds lunch meetings featuring speakers on a wide range of law-related topics, including trial and appellate advocacy, ethical issues, and recent developments in federal law and practice. Each year, we conduct continuing education programs on the evolving case law in the Supreme Court and the Tenth Circuit. The chapter has recently initiated a Lunch with Judges Program, which affords our members an opportunity to meet in a small, informal gathering with members of the federal bench.

I encourage all attorneys interested in federal practice to join the Federal Bar Association and attend our chapter's many rewarding programs.

William H. Hoch
Oklahoma City Chapter President

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Chapter Mission

 1. At the national level, the Federal Bar Association seeks to advance effective federal practice and acts as an advocate for matters related to the federal bar and federal judiciary. It offers 25 sections and divisions representing substantive law and special areas of practice. It provides CLE programs and informative newsletters in these areas. It has as members about 16,000 federal practitioners and over 900 members of the Bench.
2. Locally, our chapter seeks to do the following:

a. Facilitate communication between the bar and the federal judiciary;
b. Provide education related to federal trial and appellate practice and practice before federal agencies and administrative bodies;
c. Serve the needs of the local bar in matters related to federal practice;
d. Social activities – provide an opportunity for members to meet and visit in an informal setting;
e. Develop an annual theme consistent with our mission which will guide the organization’s activities for that year.

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Upcoming Events

February 22, 2008
Brown Bag Luncheon with Judge Tim DeGuisti of the Western District of Oklahoma

March 13, 2008
"Guantanamo: It Is Not About Them—It Is About Us"
Presented by Richard "Dicky" Grigg
Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.
Location: TBA

April 1, 2008
Judicial Reception for the Judges of the Western District of Oklahoma, honoring the U.S. Magistrate Judges of the district

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Recent Events

October 22, 2007
Second Annual William J Holloway, Jr. Lecture
Delivered by Judge Patrick E Higginbotham
Location: Skirvin Hilton Hotel Ballroom
Time: 5:30 reception, 6:00 dinner/program
Cost: $70 for FBA members and their guests; $90 for non-members and their guests
Registration form

January 23 , 2008
Practical Matters for the Criminal Defense Practitioner in Federal Court
Presented by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma offices of  the Federal Public Defender, the Oklahoma City Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and the Black Lawyer's Association
Location: U.S. Courthouse at 200 Northwest Fourth Street, Oklahoma City.
Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Registration: RSVP by e-mail to the Tenth Circuit's CJA Supervising Attorney at SueAnn_Fitch@ca10.uscourts.gov and provide both their mailing address and bar membership number(s).

January 30, 2008
"Bankruptcy Smackdown"
A spirited tussle (debate) on BAP/CPA issues between Layla Daugherty and Jerry Brown. Judge Niles Jackson will referee the event. The audience will keep score.
Location: Jury assembly room, first floor of the United States Courthouse, 200 W. 4th Street.
Time: 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Cost: $15 for FBA members and $20 for non-members
CLE: 1.5 hours of MCLE applied for (members of the Oklahoma Bar)
Registration: See flyer for more details. Please R.S.V.P. to Scott Williams at scott.e.williams@usdoj.gov or (405) 553-
8808 if you plan to attend. Please make payments out the Federal Bar Association and send to Anne Zachritz, 100 N. Broadway, Suite 3300, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

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