On Monday, November 28, 2022, Tulsa attorney Ryan Steven Wiehl filed before the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma his response to the Court’s order to show cause.

The case, titled State of Oklahoma ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Association v. Ryan Steven Wiehl was brought by the Oklahoma Bar Association. Case #SCBD No. 7359.

On November 14, 2022, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered the immediate interim suspension of Wiehl due to his conviction to three counts of felonies and 12 counts of misdemeanor in the District Court of Tulsa County. He was further ordered to show cause, not later than November 28, 2022, why the interim suspension should be set aside.

Wiehl has now responded to the Order to Show Cause.

According to the Response:

‘Respondent was involved in an altercation after a night of heavy drinking where he punched a woman and was then severely beaten and received a concussion. Although the events of that night were foggy and Respondent has no memory of the events that night, he agrees and submits that when officers arrived on scene, he assaulted and battered several police officers and when EMSA personnel arrived, he assaulted several of them as well. Respondent acknowledges that his behavior was unbecoming of an attorney and is extremely remorseful for his conduct. These criminal offenses were not crimes of dishonesty and did not relate to the practice of law or involve his relationship with a current or past client.’

The Response continues:

‘Respondent tendered a plea of no contest to the charges and received a three (3) years deferred sentence, all charges to run concurrently, was ordered to submit to District Attorney Supervision, 991 fees, and fines on all fifteen (15) charges, probation fees and costs. Respondent was ordered not to violate any statutes of the States or Federal Government, or any municipal ordinances.’

The Response additionally notes:

‘Respondent took full responsibility for his actions and decided to correct the situation by any means necessary. He underwent an alcohol and drug assessment and is following all recommendations. He stopped drinking completely. He is attending AA meetings twice a week. He has a Lawyers Helping Lawyers sponsor, Glen Blake, with which he speaks to at least two times per week since the incident. Respondent understands that his conduct has brought disrepute and embarrassment on himself, his family, and to the legal profession.’

Wiehl offers two propositions. The first proposition cites that his plea of no contest to the charges is a sufficient basis for discipline. While, the second proposition, Wiehl stated that after his arrest, he underwent steps to address the issues that contributed to the incident, took a drug and alcohol assessment and followed all recommendations, and also attends AA meetings twice a week. Wiehl has corrected his issues and has taken full responsibility for his actions and is extremely remorseful.

Accordingly, Wiehl concluded that he concedes the deferred sentence and the underlying conduct adversely reflect on his fitness to practice law and serves as a basis for imposing discipline, however, Respondent does not concede that he is otherwise unfit to practice law.

Prior to the suspension, Mr. Wiehl practiced in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2016. Wiehl has been licensed in Oklahoma. His info can be found on LinkedIn.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.