In re: Creation of Okla. Bar Examination Advisory Comm.

• Decision Date: 16 September 2019
• Citation: 2019 OK 57
• Parties: Re: CREATION OF THE OKLAHOMA BAR EXAMINATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS
• Court: Oklahoma Supreme Court

2019 OK 57

Re: CREATION OF THE OKLAHOMA BAR EXAMINATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Decided: September 16, 2019

NOTICE: THIS OPINION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION. UNTIL RELEASED, IT IS SUBJECT TO REVISION OR WITHDRAWAL.

ORDER

¶1 The Supreme Court of Oklahoma, pursuant to its general administrative authority, Okla. Const. Art. 7 §6, and pursuant to its sole authority to regulate the admission to the practice of law in the state of Oklahoma, hereby creates the Oklahoma Bar Examination Advisory Committee. This committee shall consist of nine (9) members as follows:

Chair

¶2 The Honorable Jequita H. Napoli, Special Judge in Cleveland County to act as Chair.

Voting members:

Three members of the Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners to be designated by the Board

The Dean of the University of Oklahoma College of Law

The Dean of the University of Tulsa College of Law

The Dean of Oklahoma City University School of Law

Three members to be selected by the President of the Oklahoma Bar Association, with at least one member from the Young Lawyers Division

Non-voting members:

The Honorable James Winchester, Justice of the Supreme Court

Brant Elmore, attorney Supreme Court

Cullen Sweeney, attorney, Supreme Court

Cheryl Beatty, OBBE

¶3 The purpose of the Committee shall be as follows:

1. To consider modifications to the Oklahoma Bar Examination.

2. This study shall also include whether Oklahoma should adopt the Uniform Bar Examination and if so, under what circumstances.

3. Would the adoption of the UBE in Oklahoma negatively impact the pass rate of people of color?

4. Can the UBE be offered as a voluntary option or in addition to the current Oklahoma Bar Exam?

5. If Oklahoma adopts the UBE, should there also be an Oklahoma component? If so, what subject or subjects should be included? How would that component be administered?

6. If the UBE is adopted, how would the transition best be handled and when would the test first be given? Include in the study a recommendation for an appropriate cut score for Oklahoma.

¶4 The Chair of the Oklahoma Bar Examination Advisory Committee shall convene the committee with all due speed. Members appointed by the Supreme Court may be reimbursed for all expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act. The committee will determine the meeting dates. The Advisory Committee shall prepare an interim report to the Supreme Court no later than April...