A Valuable Resource Is Restored To Practice

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has reinstated an attorney suspended for two years as a result of a bribery conviction.

Kerr was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in September 2006, and became an associate attorney with the firm of Ogle & Welch. He handled all misdemeanor cases for the firm. In the spring of 2007, Ogle & Welch undertook representation of a client who was charged in Oklahoma County District Court with driving under the influence. Kerr served as defense counsel for this client. The criminal matter was resolved with the client receiving a deferred sentence, but then was later scheduled for a driver’s license revocation hearing with the Department of Public Safety. Attorneys at the firm of Ogle & Welch initiated a series of steps to offer a bribe to an Edmond Police officer in exchange for his absence at the hearing. The officer in question reported the bribery attempt to his superiors and a police investigation commenced.

He pleaded guilty to a felony.

The court

Our primary duty is to protect the public, the judiciary and the legal profession. Therefore, we take our responsibility of passing on an application seeking reinstatement for one who has previously failed to meet the profession’s standards with utmost seriousness. Before reinstating an attorney to the Bar, the Supreme Court must have a firm conviction that the lawyer will not engage in similar misconduct. Even considering the testimony of the three attorneys opposing reinstatement, the quality and quantity of evidence in favor of reinstatement convinces us that Kerr will provide, once again, valuable services to clients, the practicing bar, the judiciary, and his community.

(Mike Frisch)