Betty Muka
Vital Information
- Born: January 30, 1929 in McAlester, Oklahoma
- Parents: Herbert La Fern Oakes and Loraine Lillian Coppedge Oakes
- Spouse: Arthur Muka (married September 6, 1952)
- Current Residence: 113 Kay Street, Ithaca, New York
Education
Betty Muka has an exceptionally extensive educational background:
| Degree | Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Associate | Monticello College | 1946-1947 |
| B.S. | Oklahoma University | 1950 |
| M.S. | Cornell University | 1953 |
| MBA | Cornell University | 1970 |
| J.D. | Syracuse University | 1980 |
At Syracuse Law School, she was involved with:
- Phi Delta Phi (law fraternity)
- Law Review
- Moot Court
- International Law Society
She initially specialized in civil procedure and litigation.
Family
Marriage
Married Arthur Muka on September 6, 1952. They met at a Graduate Student Dance at Cornell University in fall 1951. Arthur was a Professor Emeritus of Entomology at Cornell University and passed away on December 7, 2022 at age 98 after 70 years of marriage.
Children
Betty and Arthur had five children, all of whom attended Cornell University:
- Diane Muka Duthie (Cornell ‘75, MBA ‘88)
- Stephen Muka (Cornell ‘78)
- Christopher Muka (Cornell ‘79)
- Martha Muka Ives (Cornell ‘83) - mother of Graham Ives
- Deborah Muka Wilcox
Grandchildren
Betty has 12 grandchildren, including Graham Ives (through daughter Martha).
Career
Betty held diverse professional roles throughout her life:
- Restaurant management
- University lecturer in foods and organic chemistry
- Accountant and income tax consultant
- Finance lecturer at Tompkins Cortland Community College
- Co-editor of “The Executive” (Johnson Business School Magazine at Cornell)
- Attorney in solo practice (Providence, RI, 1983-1985)
- Licensed Notary Public
Bar Admissions
- Rhode Island Bar (1983)
- U.S. District Court Rhode Island (1984)
- Practiced “pro hac vice” in Massachusetts, New York, and Texas
- Self-described as “Attorney pro se, since 1972”
Litigation History
Betty Muka has an extensive and notable litigation history spanning decades. She began representing herself in lawsuits before obtaining her law degree.
Pre-Law Degree Litigation (Before 1980)
Even before obtaining her J.D. in 1980, Betty brought lawsuits against the Ithaca City School District, alleging the schools were illegally operating in ways that endangered students, including her own five children.
Muka v. NYS Bar Association (1983)
This was the fourth time Betty had commenced an action against the New York State Bar Association based on conspiracy theories. The court noted:
“Betty O. Muka has pursued legal actions and proceedings with persistence, vigor and disregard for logic and the rights of others. Most of her actions have been scandalous, vexatious and burdensome. She suspects conspiracies that do not exist.”
Muka v. Greene County (1984)
Betty and others sued Greene County under sections 1983, 1985, and 1986 of title 42 of the United States Code for various claimed deprivations of civil rights.
Rhode Island Bar Discipline (1985)
Betty faced two disciplinary petitions stemming from unprofessional conduct during a medical malpractice case:
- Made unsupported and reckless accusations against judges, attorneys, and court personnel
- Alleged conspiracy and obstruction of justice without evidence
- Altered case exhibits
- Demonstrated “a significant lack of understanding of both substantive and procedural law”
The court found her in violation of multiple disciplinary rules and ordered her suspended from practicing law in Rhode Island to protect the public. She was required to submit a list of her current clients by December 16, 1985.
Oakes v. Muka (2006-2008)
Plaintiff Natalia C. Oakes sued Betty, seeking a declaration that Betty used fraud, duress, and undue influence upon Herbert C. Oakes to make substantial changes to his will and trust.
The court noted:
“It has been defendant’s [Betty Muka’s] tendency to sue, attack, or call for the removal of any judge who does not render a decision to her liking.”
And:
“There is absolutely no support in the record for defendant’s allegations of misconduct.”
Other Cases
- Muka v. Cornell (1975) - Appeals from Supreme Court judgments in Tompkins County
- Various other lawsuits against government officials, bar associations, and individuals
Professional Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Rhode Island Bar Association
- Phi Delta Phi (legal fraternity)
- Toastmasters International (held leadership positions including area and division governor)
Recognition
Listed in Marquis Who’s Who as a reputable lawyer.
Personality and Character
Based on court records and her own self-description, Betty is characterized by:
- Tenacity: “Attorney pro se, since 1972” - representing herself in legal matters for decades
- Education-focused: Accumulated multiple advanced degrees across diverse fields
- Litigious nature: Courts have described her actions as “persistent” with “vigor and disregard for logic”
- Suspicion of authority: Pattern of accusing judges, attorneys, and officials of conspiracy
- Self-described “Lady of Leisure”: Current LinkedIn description
Connection to Loui Family
Betty Muka is the maternal grandmother of Graham Ives, who married Nicholas Loui on September 8, 2023. This makes Betty part of the branch-ives-maternal line in the extended Loui family tree.
Her daughter Martha Muka Ives (Cornell ‘83) is Graham’s mother. Martha is known for breeding Rough Collies, including Melody, who lives with Nicholas and Graham.
Timeline
| File | type | date | location |
|---|
Sources
External Sources
- Arthur Muka Obituary - Cornell Chronicle
- Betty Muka - Prabook Biography
- Muka v. Greene County - vLex
- Oakes v. Muka (2006) - Justia
- Oakes v. Muka (2008) - FindLaw
Research Needed
- Exact current status (living/deceased)
- More details about her relationship with Herbert C. Oakes (appears to be a relative given her maiden name)
- Outcomes of various lawsuits
- Her parents’ background
- Connection between her father Herbert La Fern Oakes and Herbert C. Oakes in the 2006 lawsuit