Published: June 26, 2008 09:37 pm            

6-27 Business in Brief

EDMOND — Hartzog Conger Cason & Neville listed in Chambers USA guide

Hartzog Conger Cason & Neville has been named to the prestigious “Chambers USA: Guide to America’s Leading Business Lawyers.” Chambers highlights the country’s top law firms and attorneys. HCCN is listed in the 2008 edition in the areas of corporate and commercial law, tax, energy and natural resources and litigation.

Eight partners of the firm were listed individually as among top U.S. lawyers in their respective areas of practice: Len Cason, corporate/commercial tax; Laura McConnell-Corbyn, litigation; Steven C. Davis, corporate/commercial tax; Edmond resident Charles E. Geister III, litigation; Richard B. Kells, corporate/commercial tax; Drew Neville, litigation; Armand Paliotta, corporate/commercial; Edmond resident David E. Pepper, energy and natural resources.

Chambers USA describes HCCN as “traditionally recognized for its strength in litigation, with a corporate and securities practice which is a significant player on the Oklahoma legal scene.”

The guide ranks top law firms and top attorneys on their merits and includes descriptions that frequently quote the peers and clients interviewed. Firms are evaluated for their technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by clients.

Standings in the guide are derived from the more than 10,000 interviews Chambers conducted for the 2008 U.S. edition. Firm rankings and editorial comment about attorneys are based solely on the research team’s findings.



Quail Creek Bank promotes officer

Quail Creek Bank, n.a., Oklahoma City congratulates an officer within their staff on a recent promotion. Pamela Korth has been promoted to senior vice president with the bank. The announcement was made following the June Board of Directors meeting by President and CEO Bert Olah Jr.

Korth has been with Quail Creek Bank since June 1994 and has served in several capacities during her tenure. She serves as loan administration manager, CRA officer, compliance officer and oversees the credit analysis reviews for the bank. Her previous experience included working for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency as an assistant national bank examiner, as well as varied positions in management, compliance and credit administration with other area banks.

Korth is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a degree in education. She has attended various bank-related schools and is a past member of the National Association of Bank Women and Institute of Industrial Engineering.

“With the knowledge, dedication and experience Pam Korth brings to our bank, we feel she complements our outstanding team of officers and we congratulate Pam on this well-deserved promotion” Olah said.



Quicken financial workshop open to adults, youth

Adults and youth 13 and up are invited to take part in a “Quicken Financial Workshop” from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 8 at the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service.

The workshop will cover the basics for using the program, as well as the different applications and benefits from program use.

A $25 fee will be charged for the workshop, which will cover the cost of a manual, practice CD and sample files that will be given to each participant.

For more information about the Quicken Financial Workshop or to register, call the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service at 713-1125.



IRS increases mileage rates through Dec. 31

The Internal Revenue Service recently announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

The rate will increase to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, through Dec. 31. This is an increase of 8 cents from the 50.5 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2008, as set forth in Rev. Proc. 2007-70.

In recognition of recent gasoline price increases, the IRS made this special adjustment for the final months of 2008. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year.

While gasoline is a significant factor in the mileage figure, other items enter into the calculation of mileage rates, such as depreciation and insurance and other fixed and variable costs.

The optional business standard mileage rate is used to compute the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business use in lieu of tracking actual costs. This rate also is used as a benchmark by the federal government and many businesses to reimburse their employees for mileage.

The new six-month rate for computing deductible medical or moving expenses will also increase by 8 cents to 27 cents a mile, up from 19 cents for the first six months of 2008. The rate for providing services for charitable organizations is set by statute, not the IRS, and remains at 14 cents a mile.

The new rates are contained in Announcement 2008-63 on the optional standard mileage rates.

Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.



Edmond Medical Center hires new employees

Edmond Medical Center recently announced the hiring of registered nurse Ann Fisher in Surgery; registered nurse Theresa Hoesch in the Autumn Life Center; and registered nurse Helen Joiner in Hyperbaric Wound Care.

Edmond Medical Center combines state-of-the-art technology with compassionate care for the residents of Edmond, northern Oklahoma County and southern Logan County.

EMC is an HCA facility and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. It has more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 50 specialties, 500 dedicated employees and 90 loyal members of the volunteer auxiliary.

The hospital features a Level III emergency department that has been recognized nationally as a leader in patient satisfaction. Other hospital services include: cardiopulmonary care, intensive care, rehabilitation services, diagnostic imaging, pain management, medical/surgical care, geropsychiatric care, spine care, liver care, ENT clinic, cardiac care and an outpatient physical therapy and sports medicine program.

        

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