James R. “Jim” Hicks was sworn in as the Oklahoma Bar Association’s 2021 president-elect, and Richard D. White Jr., was sworn in last week for a three-year term on the OBA’s Board of Governors in a ceremony that was historic because it was the first time for OBA oaths of office to be administered virtually.  Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Darby administered the oaths from his office at the Oklahoma Judicial Center in Oklahoma City.

Michael C. Mordy took oath to become president from his law office in Ardmore with others taking oaths from locations across the state. Hicks and White will be part of the OBA’s 17-member Board of Governors, which meets monthly and governs the association.

OBA leadership roles are voluntary positions in which lawyers serve while continuing to practice law.

Hicks practices in Tulsa with the law firm of Barrow & Grimm PC. His focus is on the litigation and transactional needs of individuals and businesses.

White is a shareholder at the Tulsa law firm of Barber & Bartz PC. During his 40 years of practice, he has represented businesses throughout the U.S. in commercial disputes.

Others who were sworn in for one-year terms were Charles Geister III of Oklahoma City as vice president, Susan B. Shields of Oklahoma City as immediate past president and April Moaning of Oklahoma City as Young Lawyers Division chairperson.

Also taking oaths of office for three-year terms on the OBA Board of Governors are Benjamin R. Hilfiger of Muskogee, Kara I. Smith of Oklahoma City and Michael R. Vanderburg of Ponca City.

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.