An attorney who was suspended for non-payment of membership dues in 2009 has been reinstated by the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

The attorney had suffered serious injuries when struck by an automoblie and has not practiced law since 2002.

The court

There is abundant evidence in the record of Petitioner’s current competency and learning in the law. Despite effectively ceasing to practice law in 2002, Petitioner continued to engage with the legal profession in an academic capacity, teaching for several years and publishing multiple articles in prominent journals. The Academic Associate Dean at the University of Tulsa College of Law during the time Petitioner was employed in a teaching and research capacity stated he believes her scholarship demonstrates a very high level of competency as a lawyer. Attorney J. L. Franks of the law firm Frasier & Frasier, Petitioner’s current employer (and employer for many years before her injury), testified at the PRT hearing that he has worked more closely with her than he has any other attorney, and that she has worked with him to remain up to speed on recent workers’ compensation changes, and that he intends to employ Petitioner as a full-time attorney and has full confidence in her abilities in the event she is reinstated. Additionally, the record indicates Petitioner attended several hours of CLE sessions in 2013 to supplement her legal knowledge and skillset.

The court further found that the petitioner’s physical condition did not impair her cometency. (Mike Frisch)