Narrative Opinion Summary
The case involves the Oklahoma Bar Association's Board of Governors filing an application for the suspension of attorneys who did not comply with the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements for 2020, as mandated by Rules 3 and 5 of the MCLE Rules. The Supreme Court of Oklahoma issued a certified Order to Show Cause on March 15, 2021, giving the non-compliant attorneys sixty days to provide justification for their failure to meet these requirements. The attorneys listed in Exhibit A failed to offer sufficient reasons, leading the Supreme Court to order their suspension from the Oklahoma Bar Association on June 7, 2021, effectively barring them from practicing law in the state until they are reinstated. This decision was unanimously concurred by the Chief Justice and other members of the court, emphasizing the enforcement of compliance with MCLE obligations as a condition for the continued practice of law within Oklahoma.
Legal Issues Addressed
Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Requirementssubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The Supreme Court enforced suspension for attorneys failing to meet the MCLE requirements for the year 2020.
Reasoning: On May 24, 2021, the Board of Governors of the Oklahoma Bar Association submitted an application for the suspension of members who failed to meet the mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements for the year 2020, as stipulated in Rules 3 and 5 of the MCLE Rules.
Procedure for Non-Compliance with MCLE Rulessubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The court issued an Order to Show Cause granting non-compliant members sixty days to justify their failure to meet MCLE requirements.
Reasoning: The Supreme Court found that on March 15, 2021, a certified Order to Show Cause was mailed to the non-compliant members, granting them sixty days to demonstrate why their membership should not be suspended.
Suspension of Legal Practice for Non-Compliancesubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: Attorneys who failed to justify their non-compliance were suspended from practicing law in Oklahoma.
Reasoning: Consequently, the Supreme Court ordered that the attorneys listed in Exhibit A be suspended from the Oklahoma Bar Association and prohibited from practicing law in the state until reinstated.