Tulsa Attorney Named To Ethics Commission

Tulsa attorney Karen Long was named to the Ethics Commission, said House Speaker Chris Benge, who made the announcement.

She replaces Commissioner Don Bingham, whose term has expired.

Benge said he is confident Long will make an exceptional addition to the Ethics Commission.

"Karen Long has a strong, diverse legal background that is coupled with a familiarity with the legislative process that makes her an ideal selection to serve in this vital position," said Benge, R-Tulsa, in a prepared statement. "Her experience gives her a unique base of knowledge that will serve her well in this new role."

Long is a partner with the Tulsa law firm of Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975 from Christopher Newport College of the College of William & Mary, and a Juris Doctorate degree in 1978 from Oklahoma City University.

Long's practice emphasizes collective bargaining, labor, employment discrimination, education law and federal and state court litigation involving those areas.  She is a member of the Tulsa County Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association, American Bar Association, National School Boards Association, and Council Oaks / Johnson-Sontag Chapter of the American Inns of Court.   

"I believe that every citizen has an obligation to engage in public service and I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve as a part of the Ethics Commission," Long said in a prepared statement. "I trust that my legal background combined with a practical approach to decision making and problem solving will make a positive contribution to the Commissions important work."

In 2002, Long was nominated for and elected to membership in the Fellows of the Oklahoma and American Bar Foundations.  She has been honored as an Oklahoma Best Lawyer for the past eleven years, and has been recognized as an Oklahoma Superlawyer and one of the top 25 Oklahoma women lawyers since 2006. In 2008, she received the John Athens Award from the Council Oak/Johnson-Sontag Inn in recognition of her work in Oklahomas Title IX litigation related to girls and boys sports.  In addition, Long serves as the 2009-2010 President of the Council Oak/Johnson-Sontag Inns of Court.

She is a member and past President of the Oklahoma School Board Attorneys Association.  She has served as one of three members of the Public Employees Relations Board, which is the Oklahoma state board responsible for resolving collective bargaining disputes between police and fire personnel and their municipal employers.  From 1979-1989, she served as the General Counsel of the Oklahoma Education Association, an affiliate of the National Education Association in Washington, D.C.  

Last Updated ( Monday, 24 August 2009 )