2006

¤ 11.2006

Leif E. Swedlow will be teaching Pretrial Litigation at Oklahoma City University Law School as an adjunct professor during the Spring, 2007 semester.

Jennifer Henshaw McBee presented a section on the Indian Child Welfare Act at the Oklahoma Judicial Conference for continuing judicial education on Monday, November 13, 2006, at the Doubletree Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Timothy M. Larason, senior shareholder in the Andrews Davis tax department, was recently selected as a 2006 Oklahoma Super Lawyer. Oklahoma Super Lawyers represents the top five percent of Oklahoma attorneys. The annual list of Oklahoma Super Lawyers is published in November of each year in Oklahoma Magazine. Mr. Larason was chosen based on peer nominations, with ballots mailed to approximately 12,000 Oklahoma lawyers, a blue ribbon panel review process, and through the independent research of Law and Politics.

David Pomeroy was appointed as a member of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws on October 5, 2006, by Speaker of the House, Todd Hiett. Mr. Pomeroy’s term as a Commissioner will continue until June 30, 2010. The purpose of the Uniform Law Commission is researching, drafting and enacting uniform and model laws on subjects where uniformity of law among the states will reduce legal impediments to movement by citizens and the transaction of business.

Michael D. McMahan is privileged to be a member of a group of attorneys with Indian law and government tort claims act experience who have been diligently working to draft a Model Tribal Tort Claims Act for use with Oklahoma Tribes. Pursuant to Oklahoma gaming compacts, Tribes are required to cover tort claims at their casinos. However, most Tribes have not yet adopted statutes to govern such claims. It was therefore determined that a joint effort at drafting such statutes would be more efficient than individual tribal efforts. Also, tribal insurance companies, attorneys, and the State will benefit from consistent laws among Oklahoma tribes.

¤ 10.21.2006

Timothy M. Larason, senior shareholder in the Andrews Davis tax department, was recently selected as a 2006 Oklahoma Super Lawyer. Oklahoma Super Lawyers represent the top five percent of Oklahoma attorneys. The annual list of Oklahoma Super Lawyers is published annually in November in Oklahoma Magazine. Mr. Larason was chosen based on peer nominations, with ballots mailed to approximately 12,000 Oklahoma lawyers, a blue ribbon panel review process, and through the independent research of Law and Politics.

David Pomeroy was appointed as a member of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws on October 5, 2006, by Speaker of the House, Todd Hiett. Mr. Pomeroy's term as a Commissioner will continue until June 30, 2010. The purpose of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws is to advise the Legislature and its committees concerning proposals for uniform and model state laws, the effect such proposals would have on the law of this state, and such other matters as may be pertinent to desirable uniformity in legislation between this state and other states.

¤ 10.12.2006

Leif E. Swedlow will be presenting two CLE seminars in coming months. The first will be "Internet Searches: How to Get Accurate and Reliable Information" on October 30, 2006. This will be an intermediate level legal research skills seminar for lawyers and paralegals. The second will be a newly-updated advanced-level seminar titled "Find it Free & Fast on the 'Net: Strategies for Legal Research on the Web". Mr. Swedlow will be presenting this seminar in Oklahoma City on January 19, 2006 and again in Tulsa on January 26, 2006. Both seminars are produced by National Business Institute and will qualify for CLE credit.

¤ 10.09.2006

Andrews Davis Law Firm in Oklahoma City Adds Two Top Attorneys

¤ 09.27.2006

Valerie R. Devol will be a featured speaker at the Fall 2006 Business Owner Roundtable hosted by The Principal Financial Group's Oklahoma Business Center on Leave Your Business in Style.  The Roundtable will be held on October 5, 2006, 7:30 a.m. at Principal Financial Group, Oklahoma Business Center, 50 Penn Place, Suite R225 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Kennis M. Bellmard II, Michael D. McMahan, Valerie R. Devol, Jennifer Henshaw McBee, and Ginger Lijewski, CLA will be offering four (4) training sessions to the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma during September.  The sessions will cover: the Federal Corporate Charter; training of the Keetoowah Tax Commission in implementation of the Keetoowah Economic Development Act of 2005; training of the Economic Development Authority in relation to the Economic Development Act of 2005; and training for Tribal members on the use of the Economic Development Act of 2005 and organizing a business under the Act.

Leif E. Swedlow will be teaching Public International Law at Oklahoma City University Law School as an adjunct professor this fall.

Kennis M. Bellmard II will be teaching Indian Tribal Sovereignty at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College as an adjunct professor this fall.

¤ 09.27.2006

Brown Becomes Associated with Andrews Davis Law Firm of Oklahoma City

¤ 07.27.2006

Leif E. Swedlow will be presenting two CLE seminars in coming months. The first, an intermediate level seminar, "Internet Searches: How to Get Accurate and Reliable Information" will be presented on October 30, 2006. The second is a newly-updated, advanced-level seminar, "Find it Free & Fast on the 'Net: Strategies for Legal Research on the Web," which will be presented on January 19, 2007. Both seminars are produced by National Business Institute and will qualify for CLE credit.

Kennis M. Bellmard II gave a presentation on Uniform Commercial Codes at the Tribal Summit hosted by Sac and Fox Nation, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town and Caddo Tribe on June 28, 2006, at the Sac and Fox Tribal Complex Learning Center in Stroud, Oklahoma.

Timothy M. Larason received the Silver Pen Award at the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) annual members meeting held on June 16, 2006 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. Mr. Larason's article, "Current Status of Tax Incentives for Former Indian Reservations," which appeared in CPAFOCUS, was chosen as the second place winner by an eight-member editorial board of the OSCPA. First and second place articles were chosen from among all member contributions to the CPAFOCUS for the preceding fiscal year based on readability, content, technical appeal and relevance and awarded the Gold Pen or Silver Pen Award. CPAFOCUS is the official membership publication of the OSCPA, produced for and about OSCPA members and published five times a year.

¤ 07.11.2006

McMahan Joins Andrews Davis Law Firm in Oklahoma City

¤ 06.27.2006

Andrews Davis Attorneys Receive Awards from Oklahoma County Bar Association and Oklahoma Bar Association

¤ 06.27.2006

Andrews Davis Law Firm in Oklahoma City Names New Officer and Director

¤ 06.23.2006

Timothy M. Larason recently received the Silver Pen award from the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants.

¤ 06.19.2006

Kennis M. Bellmard II was appointed by the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Business Committee to serve as an Associate Judge for the Iowa Tribal Court on May 18, 2006. Mr. Bellmard's term as Associate Judge will begin on July 1, 2006 and continue until June 30, 2008.

Sandra Benischek Harrison was named the Rookie of the Week on June 15, 2006, by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce for her fundraising efforts during the Total Resource Development Campaign (TRDC). The Chairman's Total Resource Development Campaign (TRDC) is a 3-month, volunteer-driven campaign that raises approximately 40% of the Chamber's annual operating budget. Rookie of the Week is awarded to the first year volunteer who raised the most money for the campaign during that week. From April 13 - July 31, more than 100 volunteers sell Chamber event sponsorships, advertising in Chamber publications, and new Chamber memberships. This is the first year for Andrews Davis to participate with a volunteer team in TRDC. To learn more about TRDC and Chamber membership go to or contact.

Kennis M. Bellmard II is writing a series of articles on "The Political History of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma" for the aatotankiki myaamiaki, an Official Publication of the Sovereign Miami Nation. The first article of the series will appear in the Summer, 2006 issue.

D. Joe Rockett, Matthew H. Griffith and Sandra Benischek Harrison attended the 71st Annual Oklahoma Telephone Association Conference held in Las Colinas, Texas June 11-14th. The conference agenda included a presentation by Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud, a technical presentation by the Rural Alliance Inc. on Interexchange Carrier Compensation reforms pending at the Federal Communications Commission and several presentations on legislation pending in Congress which will affect rural independent telephone companies. Andrews Davis is an Associate member of the Oklahoma Telephone Association. The mission of the Oklahoma Telephone Association is to promote the common interest of all Association members, to educate the general public about the telecommunications industry and its programs and to enhance the public's knowledge and perception of the telecommunications industry and Association members. For more information go to www.oklata.org.

Andrews Davis has expanded its commitment to the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce by committing to membership as a Lead Investor in the Board of Advisors. Board of Advisor member companies have demonstrated a strong interest in becoming involved with the Chamber in a more significant way. Through their additional financial support and attendance at Board meetings, Board of Advisor members, such as Andrews Davis, play a key role in the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.

Kennis M. Bellmard II was Head Man Dancer at the Wah-Shun-Ga Days Inter-Tribal Pow Wow held June 17-18, 2006 in Council Grove, Kansas. The Pow Wow was hosted by the Kaw Cultural Committee. Mr. Bellmard is a member of the Kaw Nation.

C. Temple Bixler and Robert B. Milsten were both honored with 50-Year Membership Awards by the Oklahoma Bar Association at the Oklahoma County Bar Association Annual Awards Luncheon on June 16, 2006.

Anne E. Zachritz was awarded the Oklahoma County Bar Association's 2006 Pro Bono Award for service during the past year in broadening the availability and delivery of legal services to those groups or individuals whose needs are traditionally underserved or unmet. The award was presented on June 16, 2006 at the Oklahoma County Bar Association Annual Awards Luncheon.

¤ 06.15.2006

Welcome Michael D. McMahan

¤ 05.31.2006

Five of Andrews Davis' attorneys will be participating in panels for the 2006 Sovereignty Symposium, which will be held from May 31 - June 1, 2006 at the Renaissance Hotel - Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The theme for 2006 is Common Ground.

The Sovereignty Symposium was established in 1987 to provide a forum in which ideas concerning common legal issues could be exchanged in a scholarly, non-adversarial environment. Lawyers and non-lawyers meet to discuss the state of the law of sovereign immunity in issues ranging from gaming, criminal law and municipalities.

This is the nineteenth year for the Symposium to be held. It is the premier symposium in the United States for the issues facing Native Americans concerning all aspects of Indian Law, particularly focusing on encroachments to sovereign immunity.

Valerie R. Devol, Matthew H. Griffith, Sandra Benischek Harrison and Jennifer Henshaw McBee are participating on the panel on "Taxation in Indian County" on May 31st. Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Hardy Summers will be a Co-Moderator of the Panel. The Tax Panel will address several topics that are among the most critical for our tribal clients, including employment and gaming tax, the Bank Secrecy Act, audits of Indian casinos by the IRS, economic development using tax exempt bonds, and recent litigation in motor fuel tax.

Kennis M. Bellmard is participating on the "Government to Government Relationships" panel to be held June 1st.

¤ 05.18.2006

Valerie R. Devol was elected a shareholder of the Firm on May 15, 2006. Ms. Devol joined the Firm as an associate in January, 2003. Ms. Devol's practice includes federal and state tax planning and tax controversies.

¤ 05.17.2006

Andrews Davis won the Half Course "Best Theme" award for its water stop at the Oklahoma Memorial Marathon held on April 30, 2006.

Andrews Davis has joined the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Total Development Resource Campaign for 2006. It is the firm's first year to participate in the campaign. The Chairman's Total Resource Development Campaign (TRDC) is a 3-month, volunteer-driven campaign that raises approximately 40% of the Chamber's annual operating budget. From April 13 - July 31, more than 100 volunteers sell Chamber event sponsorships, advertising in Chamber publications, and new Chamber memberships. The overall fundraising goal for 2006 is $1,900,000.

C. Temple Bixler and Robert B. Milsten will be recognized by the Oklahoma Bar Association, on June 16, 2006, at the Oklahoma County Bar Association annual awards luncheon for their 50 year memberships in the Oklahoma Bar.

D. Joe Rockett and Jennifer B. Scott each received a Leadership in Law award on May 1, 2006. The awards were presented by the Oklahoma County Bar Association and the Journal Record at the annual Law Day Lunch.

J. Edward Barth was a speaker on Foreign Ownership of Land in Oklahoma, "Are Aliens Welcome?" at the 2006 International Business Conference held in Oklahoma City and sponsored by the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors on April 26 - 28, 2006.

D. Joe Rockett attended the Meritas Annual Meeting in April, 2006, in Toronto. The meeting was attended by Meritas attorneys from throughout the United States, as well as Meritas attorneys from England, Canada and Belgium. At the meeting, Rockett was elected to the Meritas Board of Directors. Meritas is a worldwide alliance of independent business law firms with some 5,000 lawyers in 165 firms in more than 55 countries. Meritas is present in all major economic centers worldwide.

¤ 05.12.2006

Andrews Davis Attorney Elected to Meritas International Board

¤ 04.28.2006

Andrews Davis Attorneys Recognized for Legal and Community Leadership in Oklahoma City

¤ 04.07.2006

Local Law Firm Gives More than Money to The 6th Annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

¤ 03.23.2006

Oklahoma City to Launch Gilbert's National Book Tour

¤ 03.08.2006

Valerie R. Devol will be speaking on the Current Developments Legal Panel at A Brave's New World: Exercising Sovereignty in the 21st Century, a symposium presented by the Native American Law Student Association at the University of Oklahoma on March 9, 2006. For more information visit the NALSA website at www.ou.edu/nalsa/ .

¤ 03.06.2006

Kennis M. Bellmard will be speaking on the State-Tribal Government Relations Panel, and Valerie R. Devol, Sandra Benischek Harrison, and Jennifer Henshaw McBee will be speaking on the Tax Panel, at the Sovereignty Symposium. The Sovereignty Symposium will be held on May 31, 2006 and June 1, 2006 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.

Stephen J. Moriarty will be speaking at the National Business Institute seminar, "Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Law" on May 25, 2006 in Oklahoma City.

Valerie R. Devol will be presenting a section on taxation at the Indian Law Update at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City on April 28, 2006. The seminar is being produced by the University of Oklahoma Continuing Legal Education Department.

Jennifer Henshaw McBee will be presenting a section on “Tribes and Courts Working Together” at the Oklahoma Pathways to Adulthood Together We Can! Conference in Midwest City, Oklahoma, on March 9, 2006. The conference is being produced by University of Oklahoma Outreach National Resource Center for Youth Services.

D. Joe Rockett and Mathew H. Griffith attended the Meritas Southwest Regional Meeting in Houston, Texas, on January 13 and 14, 2006. The program focused on disaster preparedness and response, with presentations by attorneys from New Orleans, Louisiana and Jackson, Mississippi.  The meeting was attended by Meritas attorneys from throughout the United States, but primarily from the Southwest region, as well as Meritas attorneys from England, Canada and Belgium. The Southwest Regional Meeting was preceded by a meeting of the Board of Directors of Meritas. Meritas is a worldwide alliance of independent business law firms with some 5,000 lawyers in 165 firms in more than 55 countries. Meritas is present in all major economic centers worldwide.

Jennifer Henshaw McBee was a guest instructor at the Seminole Nation Tribal Government Symposium on January 11, 2006. The topics of her instruction were the Tribal Constitution and Constitutional Limits of Governing Powers, and Rules of Conduct, Parliamentary Procedure and Ethical Standards. The symposium was held at the Cherokee Nation Casino and Resort in Catoosa, Oklahoma.

¤ 02.21.2006

Andrews Davis OKC Marathon Update

¤ 02.10.2006

Andrews Davis Sponsors 2006 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

¤ 01.16.2006

Native American News Winter 2005 Newsletter