Pubdate: Sun, 05 May 2013
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Copyright: 2013 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463
Author: David Harper
Page: A19

TULSA ATTORNEY LETS HIS VAN DO TALKING ABOUT DRUG LAWS

Tulsa attorney Sabah Khalaf advertises his opposition to marijuana
laws on a brightly colored van that is decorated with pot leaves.

The yellow 1975 Volkswagen van, which has been parked in downtown
Tulsa parking lots in recent weeks, acts as a rolling invitation for
those accused of marijuana crimes to call Khalaf if they find their
hobby has gotten them in trouble with the law.

However, it also acts as a sort of high-mileage political
statement.

"I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe," he said.

Khalaf, 30, said he believes marijuana laws are a "waste of
resources." He said police and prosecutors would be better served
spending their time on more important things.

Khalaf used to spend his time prosecuting those charged with such
offenses. He said many of the cases he handled while working as an
assistant district attorney in the Tulsa County District Attorney's
Office from November 2010 through February 2012 were drug
prosecutions.

He said he would use common sense when he was a prosecutor, realizing
there was a difference between a genuine drug trafficker and an
18-year-old sharing marijuana with friends.

"I do have compassion where somebody else might not," Khalaf
said.

Since shifting to the private sector in March 2012, Khalaf no longer
has any reason to disguise his feelings about marijuana laws.

Khalaf is "of counsel" at the Garrett Law Center, but he said he has
formed a partnership with Oklahoma City attorney Chad Moody, who has
previously used the same van as part of his marketing efforts. Khalaf
said he met Moody a few months ago, and it immediately became apparent
that the two shared the same outlook.

Moody said he "combed through a half-dozen" Tulsa lawyers before
deciding to affiliate with Khalaf. He said Khalaf has the sort of
competency and honesty that "The Drug Lawyer" brand is designed to
guarantee.

He said Khalaf's knowledge of the law impressed him "but not half as
much as the fact that he is candid and nonmanipulative with his clients."

The shared philosophy of the two is evidenced in lighthearted
marketing materials such as pens, frisbees, matchbooks and mugs that
prominently and audaciously feature marijuana leaves and feature
sayings such as "defending the pursuit of happiness."

Khalaf said people are generally delighted to receive the promotional
goods

he said he's already given away about 4,000 of the 5,000 pens that
were originally ordered and to see that van with more than 300,000
miles on it headed in their direction.

Still, he said owners of what he describes as "head shops" who claim
to be selling "water pipes" don't want the van parked close to their
establishments.

Recently, the van has been parked in downtown Tulsa at Fourth Street
and Detroit Avenue across from the Greyhound bus station. Before that,
it was parked just to the south of the Tulsa County Court House.

Khalaf said he has taken some good-natured kidding from some of his
colleagues at the courthouse about the vehicle, and that the
"overwhelming" response he has heard has been positive. Of course,
some attorneys avoid any overt form of advertising, so Khalaf said he
realizes that some fellow lawyers may see his bold marketing approach
in a negative light.

Still, Khalaf is not trying to impress his fellow attorneys anyway. He
said his phone has been "ringing at an increased pace" since he began
marketing himself in this fashion. He said he has about 60 to 70
clients, most of whom have been charged with drug crimes and typically
pay between $1,500 and $7,500 to be represented by him.

Khalaf said he also encounters people who aren't charged with crimes
who are glad to meet someone who shares their belief that marijuana
should be legalized and isn't shy about expressing it.

He said that he thinks that by about 2030 the drug may be
legalized.

"Marijuana is not a violence-inducing drug," said Khalaf.

Khalaf, a Tulsa native whose father was born in Iraq, once was
considering a career in diplomacy. He said there is a common
denominator between being a diplomat and the legalization argument
that the van is making.

"My philosophy is to resolve conflict through creative solutions."
Khalaf said.
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