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An Oklahoma attorney suspended by the state bar association for criticizing judges on Facebook Live has taken his First Amendment fight beyond state borders, continuing his public accountability journalism despite professional sanctions. The lawyer, who survived three heart attacks while practicing law, now travels across the country documenting government operations and testing the boundaries of free speech.
The Bar Suspension That Started Everything
The Oklahoma Bar Association suspended the attorney for Facebook livestreams that criticized judges and the state's judiciary system. However, the suspension appears to be limited in scope. The lawyer maintains active licenses in multiple other jurisdictions, including federal courts, and shows no signs of backing down from his constitutional challenge.
His response to the professional sanctions reveals the stakes he believes are involved. Rather than accepting the punishment quietly, he has doubled down on his First Amendment activities, suggesting this case could set precedent for how professional licensing bodies can restrict attorney speech.
A Medical Wake-Up Call Changes Everything
The attorney's commitment to his cause took on new urgency after surviving three heart attacks, including one dramatic incident while taking depositions in Chicago. He collapsed at the airport while flying back to Tulsa, a moment that forced him to quit smoking after more than 20 years.
Now managing his condition with heart medications, he continues traveling despite his wife's concerns about his health. The medical crisis seems to have intensified rather than diminished his sense of mission, as if facing mortality clarified what battles are worth fighting.
An Unexpected Welcome in New Jersey
The day's investigation in Cliffside Park, New Jersey produced an unusual outcome. City employees, from interns to the longtime administrator, offered hospitality that stood in stark contrast to previous encounters in other municipalities. The 14-year veteran city administrator and his staff provided water, restaurant recommendations, and genuine conversation.
This reception created an interesting dynamic for someone whose work typically generates conflict with government employees. The pleasant interactions seemed to catch him off guard, leading to extended conversations about everything from computer science studies to the challenges of the restaurant business.
The Restaurant Wars That Nearly Broke Him
During casual conversation with city staff, the attorney revealed a pattern of financial disasters that preceded his current work. Despite warnings from a law firm partner that "the law is a cruel mistress," he repeatedly invested in restaurants and bars, losing money on each venture.
His final establishment sat on the equivalent of Bourbon Street in Mobile, Alabama. When COVID-19 hit just as he faced a decision about signing a new five-year lease, he chose to walk away rather than risk everything on a business the government had shuttered indefinitely.
The Challenge That Remains Unresolved
The attorney's defiant stance raises questions about the limits of professional regulation and First Amendment rights. His vow to fight the suspension "until they pry it out of my cold dead hands" suggests this legal battle is far from over, with potential implications for attorney speech rights nationwide.
The contrast between his warm reception in New Jersey and the professional sanctions in Oklahoma highlights the complex relationship between public accountability work and institutional power. How this constitutional challenge ultimately resolves could determine whether professional licensing bodies can effectively silence attorney criticism of the judiciary.
Watch the full investigation to see how government transparency efforts are playing out across state lines and what this First Amendment battle means for professional speech rights.
