Second Chance

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has reinstated an attorney who had voluntarily resigned in 2008.

He had struggled with alcohol and drug issues.

Blake graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in May of 2000. He was admitted to the OBA on September 25, 2000. Prior to attending law school, Blake battled with drug and alcohol addiction. In the early 1990’s, Blake was arrested on two occasions for alcohol-related offenses. In 1994, he sought professional help through a drug treatment facility. Blake successfully maintained his sobriety until approximately 2003, when he began using prescription pain medication for an abscessed tooth. His use of pain medicine evolved into a full relapse. He transitioned from pain medicine to alcohol, and later progressed to methamphetamine use and addiction.

In June of 2007, Blake was arrested by the Tulsa County Sheriff during his attempted sale of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. He was subsequently charged with one felony count of trafficking in illegal drugs in violation of 63 O.S. 2-415(B).¹ On March 17, 2008, Blake entered a blind plea of guilty to the trafficking charge. Judge William Kellough sentenced him to a term six years imprisonment with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

Since prison

After being released from prison, Mr. Wright worked as a law clerk for three different lawyers. Id. ¶ 11, 907 P.2d at 1064. His duties were performed under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Id. Assignments consisted primarily of legal research and writing, trial preparation, and clerical work. Id. Additionally, clients were informed that Mr. Wright could neither practice law nor offer legal advice. Id. Several witness testified on behalf of Mr. Wright to support his present moral fitness, the remorse he felt as a result of his criminal conviction, and his abstinence from illegal drug use. Id. ¶¶ 12-15, 907 P.2d at 1064-1065. Weighing the various factors required for reinstatement, we concluded, Mr. Wright had met his burden and authorized readmission to the OBA. Id. ¶ 23, 907 P.2d at 1066-1067.

Helpful witnesses

We also find it compelling that both the assistant district attorney who prosecuted the criminal charge against Blake, and the judge who sentenced him, testified in favor of reinstatement. Lora Howard was the assistant district attorney who was assigned the drug trafficking case against Blake. In 2008, she accepted employment with the Tulsa County Public Defender and has worked directly with Blake since 2010. During the PRT hearing, Ms. Howard noted “I will tell you that I was horrifically offended by [Blake’s criminal acts] . . . [h]ow can [Blake] bring this kind of disgrace on this profession that I’ve worked so hard to get to, so I was very personally offended by it.” Tr. PRT Hearing, at 38-39. When asked about Blake’s reinstatement to the OBA, Ms. Howard opined, “Beyond any doubt, he possesses the moral character to be reinstated, in my opinion.” Tr. PRT Hearing, at 50. Former District Judge William Kellough was responsible for imposing Blake’s six-year sentence for the trafficking conviction. After being released from prison, Blake crossed paths with Kellough at the local YMCA. After the two men developed a friendship, Blake was invited to appear as a guest speaker at Kellough’s church to discuss his drug addiction, incarceration, and rehabilitation efforts. Kellough testified during the PRT hearing that he fully supports Blake’s reinstatement, “I came [to the PRT hearing] because I believe in [Blake] and I believe that he needs a second chance to be a practicing lawyer.” Tr. PRT Hearing, at 19.

The court granted that second chance. (Mike Frisch)