Phillips Murrah is sponsoring this weekend’s Oklahoma Lawyers for Children David A. Kline Tennis Tournament, continuing a tradition of supporting the organization and honoring the father of one of the Firm’s Directors.
“Tsinena Bruno-Thompson is one of my very favorite people, and she has done a tremendous job as President/CEO of the Oklahoma Lawyers for Children generally and, specifically, with regard to their annual tennis tournaments,” Director Timothy D. Kline said. “My father, David A. Kline, was also exceedingly fond of Tsinena, and our family is very appreciative that his name has been associated with the OLFC’s tennis tournaments. Additionally, we appreciate Phillips Murrah’s sponsorship of the children’s tournament for the benefit of young people in our community.”
The Firm’s attorneys have a history of representing children in the organization.
“My representation of many children over the years has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career,” Director Fred A. Leibrock said. “I believe that I have made a significant difference in many children’s lives, especially those who at the end of their case were adopted by loving families.
“The juvenile justice system is replete of many good and hardworking people. However, they are overworked and as a result the system can be stacked against the kids. Lawyers for Children provides volunteer lawyers with a great opportunity to level the playing field by providing an advocate’s voice to a child who really needs that voice. So much of what we do in the practice of law is mundane, but nothing I have ever done in a Lawyers for Children case has been ordinary or routine.”
The reward for attorneys helping Oklahoma Lawyers for Children can come with its own personal reward.
PM attorney Rodney L. Cook to speak at Juvenile Justice Center
“I enjoyed the experience of helping children who needed representation in a difficult situation,” Attorney Rodney L. Cook said. “It was a privilege to use my legal skills to assist these children. My representation of these juvenile clients allowed me to get to know them and their situations. I was glad to be able to make their lives better by simply giving my time to help them get to a better family environment.”
Cook was given the opportunity to present at a seminar Oklahoma Lawyers for Children will hold on Aug. 16 at the Juvenile Justice Center
“I have been asked to discuss how to most favorably present clients at trial who have deficiencies,” Cook said. “Usually children are in the DHS/Court/Foster Children program because their parents have abused them or neglected them. If the parents refuse to relinquish their parental rights, a trial occurs where the state seeks to terminate their rights.
“Public Defenders and contract lawyers are appointed or retained to defend the parents and represent them at trial. These lawyers have a difficult time presenting their clients in the most favorable light as possible considering the parents’ many deficiencies. I have been asked to talk to these lawyers about how I prepare and present my civil defense clients for trial testimony who have problems with their testimony, company documents or other deficiencies. Perhaps some of the procedures and tactics that I employ in my preparation of such witnesses can help these attorneys in the preparation of their parent clients. ”
Cook will present on Tuesday at 9:30 AM at Judge Lisa T. Davis’ courtroom at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oklahoma City.
Video via www.olfc.org