Whatcha Gonna Do?
A Primer on Attorney Discipline
Course Pricing
Course Summary
The dreaded OBA envelope appears in the mail. What now? Understanding the disciplinary process — before that moment arrives — is one of the most practical investments a lawyer can make. "Whatcha Gonna Do? - A Primer on Oklahoma's Attorney Discipline Process" walks you through the entire system from the ground up: the tripartite structure of the OBA General Counsel, the Professional Responsibility Commission, and the Professional Responsibility Tribunal; how a grievance is initiated and investigated; the Commission's five possible dispositions; and the critical obligations every respondent attorney must meet, including the 20-day response deadline, full-disclosure duties, and the often-overlooked requirement to keep your OBA roster address current.
The course also covers the OBA's Discipline Diversion Program, a rehabilitative off-ramp for lesser misconduct that offers resources ranging from law office management assistance to Lawyers Helping Lawyers. We also investigate formal Rule 6 proceedings, Rule 7 summary proceedings for criminal convictions, and discipline imposed in other jurisdictions. Grounded in statistics from the 2023 annual report of the Professional Responsibility Commission, the course closes with a candid look at what the numbers reveal: neglect accounts for 44% of formal grievances, family and criminal law practitioners are the most frequently affected, and attorneys with 26 or more years of practice draw the largest share of complaints. Whether you've never received a grievance or are navigating one now, this course gives you the knowledge to respond wisely and practice with confidence.
Mark Houts
Mark B. Houts has been litigating in Oklahoma since 2006. He began his career in insurance defense. In recent years, he has handled many civil-litigation matters including personal injury, property damage, title disputes, contract disputes, and business disputes. Houts litigates hard and will push cases to a jury verdict. In 2017, Mark opened Houts Law, PLLC, which has been thriving ever since. Houts Law has recovered millions for its clients. In 2025, Houts started OkieCLE.com to deliver high-quality, Oklahoma-specific content to Oklahoma lawyers. The platform has grown steadfastly since its inception.
Many years, Super Lawyers has named Mark as a "Rising Star" or "Super Lawyer". He has published multiple articles in the Oklahoma Bar Journal and an article in the Oklahoma City University Law Review.
