As a solo practitioner, Hall teaches American federal government as an adjunct professor at Tulsa Community College.

He can schedule appointments and court times to accommodate his academic schedule. At the same time, he explains to students their basic rights as individuals.

Teaching isn't like practicing criminal trial law, civil law or international contracts, or serving as house counsel for a small independent oil firm, but it is introducing them to life beyond the classroom, Hall said. It is encouraging the young to learn about and get involved in government.

While Hall teaches the federal government course, he includes information about state government and the judicial branches.

Recently he had state Rep. Eric Proctor speak to the class, and Judge Daman Cantrell is scheduled to speak soon about the judiciary and Tulsa District Court.

Their textbook is updated every year so students have an opportunity both to live and study history, he said. Last year's Obama campaign already is in the book, for example.

"Young people need to be excited about their government," Hall said.

Surveys by TV personality David Letterman clearly indicate that many don't know who was elected. One contestant on the show didn't know who the current U.S. vice president is.

Today, most young people take a civics class when they are in the eighth grade, Hall said. Some high schools don't require a civics class as part of the curriculum. Schools are following the No Child Left Behind requirement and are concentrating more on developing reading and mathematical skills.

High school students taking Advanced Placement classes have said teachers generally structure tests so students get higher grades rather than go outside the book, Hall said.

American federal government is a required, core class in college. As one of its professors, he said he isn't certain why eight of the 28 students who originally signed up for his class have opted to transfer.

The remaining 16, however, are fired up about his class, he said.

Discussions about the Tulsa municipal elections have already surfaced. It was noted that only one quarter of those qualified to vote actually cast ballots. As a result, half of that quarter actually elected the mayor, city auditor and councilors.

Reading the textbook is part of the work, and additional materials on civil rights, abortion and health care have been introduced to the students. No political subject is safe from review in the class.

Students were surprised to learn from Proctor that five people generally decide how $5.5 million in the Oklahoma state budget will be spent, Hall said. They learned the importance of writing to their senators and representatives if they want something to happen. Students were provided the e-mail addresses to senators and representatives.

Civics education needs to be required in high school, he said. Too many students graduate with only that eighth-grade course. They don't understand what goes on in government.

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