102nd Annual Meeting - November 15-17, 2006 - Tulsa

2006 OBA Award Recipients

Award Presentation Schedule

OUTSTANDING LAW SCHOOL SENIOR STUDENT AWARD
Kendra Robben
Oklahoma City University School of Law

Kendra Robben, a third-year student at Oklahoma City University School of Law, is originally from Sharon Springs, Kan. She attended Kansas State University, graduating with a B.S. in agricultural economics and a B.S. in business with a major in accounting. While at Kansas State, she was a member of the KSU varsity equestrian team, served as the president of both Beta Gamma Sigma, a business honorary, and Tau Alpha Chi, a tax honorary, and was active in several other campus organizations. She also worked on campus at the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center. Additionally, she also completed internships at Land O’Lakes Inc., a large agricultural cooperative in Iowa, and Kennedy and Co., a public accounting firm in Salina, Kan. Before beginning classes at OCU Law, she passed the CPA certification exam.

While at OCU, Ms. Robben was a member of the National ABA Moot Court team that received fourth best overall brief at the regional competition in San Francisco. She has also served as the president of Merit Scholars, the Annual Conference coordinator for the OBA Law Student Division, a member of the Agricultural Law Association, and a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal honors fraternity. She currently chairs the OBA Law Student Division and is a student member of the Holloway Inn of Court. Over the course of her first and second years, she received CALI awards in Legal Writing and Research 1 and II, Legal Analysis, Contracts II, Criminal Law, Property, Oil and Gas Law, and Wills I.

Ms. Robben is a Hatton W. Sumners Scholar and is currently ranked first in her class of 189. After graduating from law school in May, Ms. Robben will join the firm of Hartzog, Conger, Cason & Neville in Oklahoma City.

OUTSTANDING LAW SCHOOL SENIOR STUDENT AWARD
Kristen Buttram
University of Oklahoma College of Law

Kristen Buttram, a third-year law student at the University of Oklahoma, was born in Ponca City. She attended OU for her undergraduate studies, earning a B.S. degree in microbiology. Prior to law school, Ms. Buttram also engaged in the sport of competitive sailing, participating in regattas at the club, regional and national levels. At OU, Ms. Buttram serves as an articles editor on the Oklahoma Law Review and is in her second year as the treasurer of the Intellectual Property Society. Additionally, she has worked as a research associate for the ABA Death Penalty Moratorium Implementation Project. She also has volunteered as an editor and reporter for the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee to draft a Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which recently approved the convention for submission to the UN General Assembly for adoption.

Ms. Buttram is a Comfort Scholar and was the recipient of the James F. Hawes Memorial Award for the outstanding second-year law student, the Allie M. and Robert E. Stephenson Law Scholarship, and the Maurice H. Merrill Memorial Scholarship. During her first two years at OU, she earned American Jurisprudence Awards in administrative law, constitutional law, corporations, criminal procedure I, evidence, international human rights, legal research and writing I, mass media law, torts I and torts II. She is currently ranked first in her class of 177 students. After graduating from law school in May, Ms. Buttram will serve as a law clerk for two years for the Honorable Lynn Adelman of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (which conveniently is about 45 minutes away from her sister and newborn nephew).

OUTSTANDING LAW SCHOOL SENIOR STUDENT AWARD
Alicia Edwards
University of Tulsa College of Law

Alicia Edwards, a third-year student at the University of Tulsa College of Law, is originally from Tulsa. She graduated magna cum laude from TU in 1993 with a bachelor of science in biology and a minor in chemistry. She was awarded a National Merit Scholarship, participated in the TU Honors Program and was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa during her senior year. Ms. Edwards also holds a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and a Ph.D. in environmental science from OU. While at OU, she worked as a graduate research assistant in the Environmental and Ground Water Institute. She also served as a visiting research fellow in the International Freshwaters Program at the International Academy of the Environment in Geneva, Switzerland.

Before attending TU Law, Ms. Edwards worked as an environmental scientist for CH2M HILL in Tulsa. Her primary responsibilities included providing environmental compliance support for industrial clients, preparing emergency response plans for water utilities and coordinating public involvement programs. At TU, Ms. Edwards is ranked first in her class of 211 students. She serves as an articles research editor for the Tulsa Law Review and is a member of Phi Delta Phi. In 2005, she attended TU’s Summer Institute in European and International Law in Dublin, Ireland, and Leuven, Belgium. While in Dublin, she completed a four-week internship with a barrister-at-law in Four Courts.

Ms. Edwards has received the Fenelon Boesche Award, the Judge Tom Brett Criminal Law Award, the Gable & Gotwals Outstanding Student Award in the First Year, the George and Jean Price Award, and the F.M. Rowell Sr. Award. She is a John Rogers Scholarship recipient, has been named to the faculty honor roll and has earned numerous CALI awards.

After graduating from law school in May, Ms. Edwards will join the law firm of Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson LLP in Tulsa.

EARL SNEED CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION AWARD
Randy Grau, Oklahoma City

Randy Grau is an attorney with the Oklahoma City civil defense firm of Walls, Walker, Harris & Wolfe PLLC. His practice includes diverse areas of litigation although he primarily focuses on insurance and business law. He worked previously with McKinney and Stringer in Oklahoma City. Randy graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine University in 1998. He received his J.D. with highest honors from OU in 2001. Randy was an award-winning Moot Court competitor, president of the Christian Legal Society, and a member of the Order of the Coif and Order of the Barristers. He also served as a teaching assistant for legal research and writing and graduated in the top 10 of his class. Mr. Grau has been the program planner and moderator for the OBA/CLE Ethics Musical Series since 2003. The CLE presenters rewrite the words to popular songs so that they frame legal ethics issues and otherwise provide satire of everyday legal practice. Randy writes and performs these songs along with other legal professionals. He has been active in musical theatre productions most of his life and toured for three years and recorded four albums with the group Won by One. Randy has also published articles regarding expert witnesses, legislation, professionalism and legal ethics, which have been used throughout the nation in CLE presentations. He frequently speaks at CLE seminars regarding legal research and writing, professionalism, civility and the art of lawyering. Mr. Grau is a member of the OBA Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors, elected in 2004, and is active in other OBA activities. Randy is also a former award-winning member of both the Robert J. Turner and William J. Holloway Jr. American Inns of Court. He volunteers monthly for Oklahoma Lawyers for Children and numerous other civic and community organizations.

EARL SNEED CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION AWARD
Henry G. Will, Tulsa

Henry G. Will has been speaking and organizing continuing legal education seminars on the subjects of trusts, estates and estate planning for years. He has practiced law with Conner & Winters in the area of trusts and estates since graduating from Yale Law School and for 13 years, taught as an adjunct professor at the TU College Of Law.

For the past 12 years, Mr. Will has been the sole organizer of the Tulsa County Bar Association’s Annual Estate Planning Seminar. Not only has he organized the event by arranging for seminar speakers, he also moderates the seminar as well as personally serving as one of the seminar speakers each year. This annual CLE seminar is considered one of the most popular and profitable seminars for the Tulsa County Bar Association. A seasoned lecturer, Mr. Will has spoken domestically and internationally for organizations such as the Oklahoma Bar Association, Tulsa County Bar Association, the Tulsa Tax Club, the Oklahoma Planned Giving Council and other CLE organizations. Mr. Will is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has been listed among the best lawyers in America in trusts, estates and taxation since 1983.

JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
Judge Dana L. Rasure, Tulsa

Judge Rasure is known for her devotion to the fair application of rule of law and to the improvement of the judicial process. She chaired the Board of Trustees for the Endowment for Education Committee of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, which supports research and education on a wide range of bankruptcy issues. Judge Rasure also served as the chair of the Academic Outreach Committee of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, which encourages and facilitates communication between bankruptcy judges and law school professors and researchers in order to advance the teaching and understanding of bankruptcy law, policy and practice. “Judge Rasure is notable for having the utmost integrity and a keen legal mind, while also being approachable and truly concerned about the human side of the legal profession,” said her nominator.

For several years, Judge Rasure represented the Tenth Circuit on the Bankruptcy Judges Advisory Group, which consists of 12 bankruptcy judges appointed to advise the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts in Washington D.C. on procedural and management issues that arise in bankruptcy courts. In addition, she was the only bankruptcy judge appointed to the 17-member panel of the Technology and Facilities Advisory Council, which provided advice to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on the needs and views of the judiciary. Judge Rasure also currently serves on the Judicial Conference Committee on Judicial Security.

Locally, Judge Rasure frequently participates as a CLE speaker on bankruptcy issues and is constantly looking for ways to improve communication and understanding between the bench and bar. She has been a master in the Hudson Hall Wheaton Chapter of the American Inns of Court for 12 years and served as president of the chapter in 1998. The Tulsa County Bar Association has honored Judge Rasure with its President’s Award, the Golden Rule Award for Professionalism and the Outstanding Senior Lawyer Award. She has held numerous leadership and committee positions within the Oklahoma Bar Association and Tulsa County Bar Association.

LIBERTY BELL AWARD
The Journal Record Publishing Company, Oklahoma City

The Journal Record is being honored for its Leadership in Law program that was created to honor those in the legal profession who strive to improve the communities where they live and work. The program was launched during the 2006 Law Day celebration in Oklahoma County. Twenty-nine attorneys throughout the state were recognized for their leadership in the community. These honorees were recognized in a special publication “Leadership in Law 2006.” The publication was used as a program for the Oklahoma County Bar Association Annual Law Day Luncheon as well as mailed to all subscribers of The Journal Record May 2.

This program was the creation of The Journal Record president and publisher, Mary Mélon. Ms. Mélon has been a strong supporter of the legal community throughout her career. The prestigious Journal Record Award presented for outstanding career achievement celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Law Day Luncheon. The Journal Record Publishing Co. is a multifaceted media company that specializes in business, legislative and legal-related information sources. The Journal Record produces many specialty industry-related publications and hosts several statewide events. “Mary and The Journal Record are friends of the bar who can be counted on to present the positive image of the legal profession,” the nominator said.

JOE STAMPER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Judge James O. Ellison, Tulsa

After 55 years of distinguished public service and legal practice, United States District Judge Judge James O. Ellison took inactive senior status in January of this year. Judge Ellison began his career in 1951 following his graduation from the OU College of Law. For the next two years, he served with the U.S. Army in post-war Japan. In 1953, he set up his first law practice in Red Fork. In 1955, he joined what was to become the law firm of Boone, Ellison & Smith, where he represented the Tulsa World, Farmers & Merchant’s State Bank and Hillcrest Hospital, among other notable clients. In 1979, Judge Ellison was appointed to the federal bench by President Jimmy Carter. He became chief judge of the Northern District of Oklahoma in 1991 and took senior status three years later.

Judge Ellison has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. Recently he was awarded the 2005 Lion of the Bar Award from the Council Oak/Johnson-Sontag Chapter of the American Inns of Courts as well as the Golden Rule Award from the Tulsa County Bar Association. He was also honored with the Rogers State University Constitutional Award in 2000. One young attorney said he learned from Judge Ellison that there is always an ethical way to approach and resolve any legal problem, and that there is no client and no fee worth tarnishing your reputation. A man of ethics and values, Judge Ellison is respected throughout his personal and professional life.

ALMA WILSON AWARD
Judge Doris L. Fransein, Tulsa

As a member of the Tulsa County Bar Association’s Children and the Law Committee, Judge Doris Fransein has worked tirelessly on issues confronting family and juvenile courts. She was instrumental in the formation of Tulsa Lawyers for Children and has worked actively on Tulsa County District Court committees addressing issues of family court design, domestic violence protocol and quality assurance panel oversight of Tulsa’s Families in Transition program.

Judge Fransein is currently working with the Department of Human Services to facilitate area conferences addressing needs of foster children. She recently worked with Tulsa’s Mental Health Association to form a children’s mental health committee to address the mental health needs of foster children as well as to address much- needed transition living services for such children upon reaching the age of 18. Due to this work, the Department of Mental Health provided the group with a nine-month grant to pilot this project, where various community health agencies will be providing intensive wrap-around services to those adolescents who previously had been institutionalized. Judge Fransein was appointed a special judge for the 14th Judicial District in 1995, where she served in the Family Relations Division. After being assigned to the Juvenile Court, she collaborated in the creation of Family Drug Court for juvenile delinquents and their families as well as the Treatment Court for addicted parents of deprived children, only the third court of its kind in the nation at its inception. She regularly assisted DHS and OJA as a facilitator in training conferences on issues of addiction, was a conference facilitator for ATTACH on issues of adoptions and the courts, was a keynote speaker and training facilitator for the Children Welfare League of American and regularly spoke to local civic groups on issues of delinquency and addiction.

Judge Fransein took office as a general jurisdiction trial judge in January 2003 and first served as a district judge in the Civil Division until April 2005, when she was appointed chief judge of the Juvenile Division, where she now serves. Judge Fransein helped create the Tulsa County Juvenile Justice Trust Authority, and as chief justice, she works with the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee.

After graduating summa cum laude from Drury College, Judge Fransein moved to Tulsa where she attended the TU College of Law. The OBA honored Judge Fransein in 2000 as a recipient of the Mona S. Lambird Spotlight Award. She has been active in the America Inns of Court and the Oklahoma Judicial Conference Executive Committee and chaired the 2006 TCBA “Brown Bag” CLE series to great acclaim.

ALMA WILSON AWARD
Michael Loeffler, Bristow

In his nomination for the Alma Wilson award, Michael Loeffler was described as someone “who can best be characterized as a man of great accomplishment, brilliant legal practice and an unbending desire to strive forward in making a better life for those around him in both his legal and personal life.”

Mr. Loeffler was instrumental in developing and improving the Creek County Drug Court, one of the oldest drug courts in Oklahoma. At the time of its implementation, drug courts were a new concept not only locally but nationwide. Since its inception, Mr. Loeffler has served as the prosecuting attorney for the drug court in Creek County and has been the driving force behind the continued growth of the court. In the past year the drug court has grown from 80 participants to 159.

Recognized nationally for his leadership and guidance, Mr. Loeffler has worked over the past eight years to establish drug courts nationwide. His work has led to 31 states passing authorizing legislation and 33 state legislatures to fund drug courts through state appropriations. Today, more than 1,700 drug courts are in operation in all 50 states and U.S. territories thanks in large part to the dedication and hard work of Mr. Loeffler. Never content to rest until problems are solved, Mr. Loeffler has aggressively pursued the implementation and expansion of the drug court model to address other problems that emerge in the court system. He has been at the forefront of applying the drug court model to issues such as juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect, drug endangered children, impaired driving, mental illness, homelessness, domestic violence, prostitution and community re-entry from custody.

The nominator said, “Where there is a parent who cannot adequately care for the needs of their children due to addiction or where there are drug endangered or drug-exposed children found in clandestine drug environments, Mr. Loeffler stands with the National Drug Court Institute and other national partners to remove and protect those precious children.”

FERN HOLLAND COURAGEOUS LAWYER AWARD
Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange, Oklahoma City

Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange has taken her talents and idealism, her diplomacy and her legal expertise to Rwanda, Liberia and Ghana to work in dedicated efforts to improve the legal systems of those countries while overcoming discomfort, fatigue, anxiety and risk to her life.

Judge Miles-LaGrange’s frame of reference for the rule of law has been shaped by many forces: her upbringing in Oklahoma, her education at Vassar College, her legal training at Howard University, her experience in private practice, her work as a state and chief federal prosecutor, her service as an Oklahoma state senator and certainly her daily work as a judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. More recently, however, her frame of reference has been broadened by her appointment in 1999 by the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist to the International Judicial Relations Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

Judge Miles-LaGrange spent 2 and one-half years working in Rwanda trying to restore peace and justice under the rule of law after the genocide of almost one million people in 1994. Her team’s goal was to establish an adequately funded court system with control over its own budget and administered by competent and impartial judges subject to a code of judicial ethics and conduct.

She has continued to work closely with Rwanda President Paul Kgame and others to reform and strengthen the country’s judicial system. Her work, along with the work of others, has led to establishing a list of new laws needed to propel Rwanda forward, identifying existing outdated laws and drafting new laws for consideration by the Cabinet and National Assembly.

As a member of the United States review team Judge Miles-LaGrange worked to prepare a detailed assessment for judicial education and training as well as suggestions and recommendations as to how the cadre of newly appointed judges might best be prepared to assume their new roles in Rwanda’s reformed judicial system. “Judge Miles-LaGrange has worked diligently, far from safety and her home, to make the freedoms and opportunities we have here a reality for others,” said her nominator. “Her work unites her in a powerful way with people all over the globe struggling to create and hold faithful to the rule of law.”

FERN HOLLAND COURAGEOUS LAWYER AWARD
Jessie V. Pilgrim, Tulsa

Jessie V. Pilgrim is an Oklahoma attorney who has devoted a significant part of his legal career to working in post-conflict countries and transitional democracies. For the last 10 years he has specialized in promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law in countries emerging from civil war or ethnic conflict. He has specialized in election systems and the development of legislation intended to facilitate ethnic reconciliation and political pluralism in divided societies.

“These emerging countries are dangerous places, especially for those trying to assist in building democratic processes,” said his nominator. “Jessie has ignored personal dangers in order to assist in these efforts. Jessie also brings a level of expertise that is in great demand in the current international climate. Jessie truly exemplifies Fern Holland’s courageous spirit.”

Mr. Pilgrim worked with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Provisional Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo in 1996, 1998 and 1999 after the conclusion of the Dayton Peace Agreement ending the civil war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He served as legal counsel and electoral law specialist during this period. In addition to advising government authorities on election and human rights issues, he was significantly involved in developing electoral models at the federal and local levels and drafting electoral laws designed to promote political pluralism in this ethnically divided country. In 2000, Mr. Pilgrim worked on a project in Freetown, Sierra Leone providing technical assistance to the National Electoral Commission in Freetown, which was conducting the first national elections after the civil war ended with the signing of the 1999 Lome Peace Accord. He returned to Freetown in 2006 to provide further assistance for the 2007 elections.

During the last 10 years, Mr. Pilgrim has participated in several long-term election observation missions and technical assistance missions for the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe including Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Croatia, Serbia and the Ukraine.

Mr. Pilgrim is a member of the ABA Central and European Law Initiative. He was a member of the Assessment Panel on Law and Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Assessment Panel on Law of Ukraine on the Judicature, Assessment Panel on Law on Legislative Drafting Norms for the Republic of Romania and Assessment Panel on Organizational Law of the Romanian Government.

NEIL E. BOGAN PROFESSIONALISM AWARD
Judge Valerie Couch, Oklahoma City

Judge Valerie Couch’s legal and judicial career has been distinguished by a marked degree of professionalism.

Her nominator said, “I have known Judge Couch as an opposing attorney and as a colleague and friend. As an attorney and now as judge, she exemplifies the very best of the legal profession.”

Judge Couch served as 2003 president of the Oklahoma County Bar Association. In addition, she has chaired the OCBA Legal Aid Committee, Law Day Committee and Lawyers’ Fund Drive for Legal Aid. Judge Couch is also past president of the William J. Holloway Jr. American Inn of Court.

Her nominator also said, “My recommendation of Judge Couch is based on intangible qualities that made her an exceptional attorney and now an exceptional judge. She cares deeply for the profession and that has motivated her to give her time generously in teaching at OCU School of Law and in lecturing at many CLE programs. In these capacities, she approaches each task with extraordinary preparation and commitment. Of course, as a judge, she improves the profession each day through her energy, intelligence and commitment.”

Judge Couch is a United States magistrate judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. She is a 1983 graduate of OU College of Law.

JOHN E. SHIPP AWARD FOR ETHICS
Jimmy Goodman, Oklahoma City

In Jimmy Goodman’s award nomination, he was called a “leader and a protector in the community.” A trial lawyer and former president of Crowe & Dunlevy in Oklahoma City, he has lectured on secured transactions, jury instructions and professional responsibility and ethics.

Mr. Goodman has been active in local, state and national bar associations throughout his career. He is currently serving as the Oklahoma delegate to the ABA House of Delegates, and as secretary of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. He has served on the council and in various leadership positions in the ABA Litigation Section for more than 20 years, including chair or co-chair of the Task Force for the Minority Trial Lawyer, Diversity Plan Implementation Working Group, Hurricane Task Force, Trial by Jury and the Committee for Liaison with State and Local Bar Associations. Mr. Goodman has also served as a member of the ABA Council on Racial and Ethnic Justice and as a commissioner for the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession.

Mr. Goodman formerly served as president of the Oklahoma County Bar Association and as its delegate to the ABA House of Delegates. He served on its Board of Directors from 1990 to 2005. In 2006, the OCBA awarded him both the Bobby G. Knapp Award for sustained leadership, distinguished by stewardship and professionalism reflecting the highest values of the legal community, and the Leadership in Law Award, for service to the legal profession, especially increasing diversity and pro bono service.

An active volunteer for numerous non-profit boards and agencies, Mr. Goodman helped draft the mission statement for the Oklahoma City National Memorial and is a graduate of both Leadership Oklahoma and Leadership Oklahoma City, where he formerly served as a member of its Board of Directors. He was a founding director of the Citizens League of Central Oklahoma, the Myriad Gardens Conservatory and the Central Oklahoma Childbirth Education Association.

He recently concluded his three-year term as co-chair of the Campaign for Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma and is a former director of Legal Aid of Western Oklahoma Inc., serving from 1989-1995. A native Oklahoman, Jimmy Goodman attended OU and graduated in 1968 with his B.A. He also attended Stanford Law School, where he earned his J.D. in 1971 and worked as editor of the Stanford Law Review.

OUTSTANDING COUNTY BAR AWARD
Garfield County Bar Association

The Garfield County Bar Association has been extremely active not only in the legal field but in the community during this past year. The association and its members have been involved in several continuing as well as new projects that have raised the visibility of the Garfield County Bar Association. One such project is the implementation of the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association’s “Lawyers are Cool” in Garfield County. Under this program, members of the association donated 27 air conditioners in two days for needy county residents. In dollar terms, the association was able to raise over $4,000 in 48 hours for this project, which helped citizens in need during the unusually hot weather.

The Garfield County Bar Association also continued its tradition of participation during Law Week. Several members participated by staffing phones for the “Ask a Lawyer” program, a television program that encourages the general public to call in and ask legal questions for free. The association continued to host its annual Law Day Essay and Poster Contest for grade school through high school students and presented winners with prizes for their contributions. Members also visited local schools on Law Day to speak about legal issues and hand out buttons and bookmarks to the children.

Other activities the Garfield County Bar Association managed this year include sponsoring, in cooperation with the Enid Chamber of Commerce, an update on current issues and legislative changes following the legislative session and also sponsoring a tort reform debate that was recorded and played on Pegasys, a local public access television station. The association also participated in and helped with the execution of the Northwestern Oklahoma Battered Women’s Shelter fundraiser, spearheaded upcoming renovations to the Garfield County Courthouse and encouraged members to participate in “Lawyers in the Classroom,” wherein participating attorneys spoke to local schools about the problems of methamphetamine drug addiction.

The Garfield County Bar Association continued the implementation of its long range plan to present a positive public image of its members. The association encouraged formation of the Garfield County Young Lawyers Division and invited lawyers from smaller counties in the area to join the association, initiating a dozen such members. The Association also increased its dues paying membership to 94 members during the year, meaning that over 75 percent of all attorneys in Garfield County are voluntary dues paying members of the Garfield County Bar Association.

OUTSTANDING COUNTY BAR AWARD
Oklahoma County Bar Association

Over the past year, the Oklahoma County Bar Association focused on innovative programs made possible through the hard work of its members. This voluntary bar of 2,000 members dedicated itself to promoting legal services and serving the community through numerous new and continuing activities.

In an effort to improve access to justice, the OCBA Legal Aid Committee established a Legal Aid Conflicts Panel. The panel works to determine eligibility for the free legal services provided by Legal Aid, the level of services to be provided and the best way for legal services to be provided to the client.

The OCBA Work/Life Balance Committee undertook the challenge of helping those in the New Orleans legal community after the city was destroyed by a hurricane last year. A fundraiser/CLE seminar titled Getting Your House In Order focused on disaster preparedness and recovery. A silent auction was held during the event with proceeds going to the New Orleans Bar Association.

In support of ongoing educational opportunities and advancement, the OCBA Law-related Education program reached almost 5,500 students in their classroom presentations. The INFORM program, which educates students on methamphetamine abuse, is now in its second year and has been well-received throughout the schools. This committee was also instrumental in revamping the On to Adulthood guidebooks and assisted in the Spanish translation of the guide.

The Oklahoma County Bar Association is dedicated to fostering growth among Oklahoma’s children. The OCBA Voices for Children Committee provides attorneys to act as readers at the Carver Mark Twain Headstart Program. Also, the annual Holiday Reception held in December provided mittens, coats and other winter clothing articles for the children of the school. The Community Services Committee collected toiletry items for the teens of the Family Junction youth shelter and holds monthly events for residents of the shelter. The Oklahoma County Bar Association hosted numerous yearly events including the Annual Golf Tournament, which donated $1,500 to Oklahoma Lawyers for Children.

In another community service project, the Bench and Bar Committee conducted a survey of the qualifications of judicial candidates for contested elections in 2006. Attorneys residing in Oklahoma County were asked to complete a survey regarding the qualifications of each candidate in an effort to educate members of the community about candidates.

OUTSTANDING COUNTY BAR AWARD
Seminole County Bar Association

The Seminole County Bar Association, during the past year, has demonstrated notable interaction with the communities throughout the county by means of community activities and events as well as notable legal involvement. As a small county bar association, its lawyers work very hard to give back to the community.

Members of the Seminole County Bar Association diligently organized and conducted a five-hour legal seminar on Law Day as well as a Law Day Luncheon. The luncheon is recognized as one of the top programs in the state since Wewoka is the home of Hicks Epton, the founder of Law Day. The OBA president is always a main speaker, and the county is honored each year with visits from Oklahoma Supreme Court Justices and Court of Criminal Appeals Judges.

The Seminole County Bar Association works year round to contribute to charitable programs. This year, the association contributed the largest donation by any county bar association in the state to the Jim F. Gassaway Justice House, a home the OBA funded and built in conjunction with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity. It also made significant contributions to the Seminole County Fire Relief Fund to help victims of wildfires replace property that had been lost or damaged, donated to the Seminole Nation Museum and to OETA Public Television.

In addition to its monetary contributions, several association members donated their time by speaking throughout the year at schools and other forums.

HICKS EPTON LAW DAY AWARD
Cleveland County Bar Association: Victoria Gillispie and Ashley Tate, Co-Chairs

The Cleveland County Bar Association worked diligently to make Law Day a success by establishing a 2006 Law Day Committee co-chaired by Victoria Gillispie and Ashley Tate. The committee, with the support of the Cleveland County Bar Association, implemented and encouraged programs and events to celebrate Law Day.

District Judge Tom Lucas, District Attorney Tim Kuykendall and Ms. Gillispie coordinated “Crash Court,” a disposition docket held at Norman and Moore high schools. Actual defendants charged with driving under the influence are sentenced before student audiences. Victim-impact speakers also addressed the damage caused by drunk drivers with the help of Norman Police Chief Phil Cotton. Local prosecutors and CCBA members visited local school for presentations on Drug Awareness Education and to talk about the legal profession and court systems.

The Ask-A-Lawyer program was held at the district attorney’s office on April 27. Volunteers from the CCBA staffed telephones and answered legal questions throughout the day. CCBA President-elect Jim Drummond was a key segment coordinator for the OBA Law Day annual television program, which aired on the Oklahoma City PBS Station. Mr. Drummond coordinated a segment on the Cleveland County Drug Court. Articles written by CCBA members were published as editorial page columns, with author photographs, during Law Week, and received very favorable community response. Articles such as “Keeping Children in Mind During Divorce,” “Jury Service, Privilege or Burden?” and “Funding Justice in Oklahoma,” were all written by CCBA members. The Cleveland County Bar Association Law Day Reception and Awards Ceremony were held in conjunction with the Barristers’ Bowl Motion 2 Strike Tournament on May 3, 2006. Eighteen four-person bowling teams competed in the tournament followed by a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia and an autographed Toby Keith guitar, sold to benefit Norman Youth organizations and other charitable entities. In addition the committee designed, ordered and sold Cleveland County Law Day T-shirts depicting the courthouse and courthouse note cards. Proceeds from the sale of the items will benefit the Cleveland County Bar Foundation.

HICKS EPTON LAW DAY AWARD
Tammy Bachman and Michael Kulling, Payne County Law Day Committee Co-Chairs

The Payne County Bar Association continued a long tradition of actively celebrating Law Day through a series of events surrounding May 1. This year’s festivities were carried out with the help of Law Day Co-Chairs Tammy Bachman and Michael Kulling. In conjunction with the Stillwater Public Library, the Payne County Bar Association initiated a new Law Day activity, “Law Day at the Library.” Booths were set up at the library from a range of agencies such as the district attorney’s office, Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, Department of Human Services, Stillwater Police Department and numerous others in order to provide information to the general public. Members assisted in the process by discussing legal issues with community members.

Traditionally, the Payne County Bar Association hosts a golf tournament in conjunction with Law Day. However, a bowling tournament was staged this year with proceeds going toward a scholarship fund for deserving high school seniors. Several members sponsored teams and non-lawyers played as well, raising $500 for the scholarship.

The association annually holds Law Day essay and poetry contests aimed at Payne County students. Judge Donald Worthington held the annual “Honor Docket,” during which winning students were honored for their entries.

Law Day celebrations culminated with the annual Law Day Banquet held at the Tidal School Vineyards in Drumright, originally a schoolhouse located on the Cushing-Drumright oilfields. A presentation by Cushing attorney Tyson Branyan highlighted the significance of the oilfields and the history of Law Day.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG LAWYER AWARD
Luke Gaither, Henryetta

Luke Gaither is a partner at the law firm of Inglish and Gaither PC in Okmulgee and Henryetta. He practices in the areas of civil practice, family law, real estate and probate, and banking law. He also serves as municipal judge for the City of Henryetta. After graduating from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1998, Mr. Gaither soon became actively involved with the YLD, becoming a board member in 2000.

Mr. Gaither currently holds the position of past chairperson of the OBA Young Lawyers Division, having served as its chair during 2005. He is also chair of the Young Lawyers Division Nominating Committee and has served as the secretary, treasurer and chairperson-elect of the division.

In addition to his Young Lawyers Division activities, Mr. Gaither has served as an editor for the Oklahoma Bar Journal for the past five years and was a member of the Board of Governors in 2005. He is also involved in the Okmulgee County Bar, a Fellow of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation and past president of the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce. Mr Gaither and his wife, Sandy, have a five-year-old daughter, Baylee.

In the nomination for the OBA award, it was said that “his unique sense of humor to motivate others and dedication to the YLD are the attributes that I believe make Luke truly deserving of this award.”

OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AWARD
Daniel Lee Crawford, Tulsa

“Daniel Crawford has dedicated his time and energy to serving others not for benefit or recognition or personal loss but because he cares," his nominator said.

Mr. Crawford is a member of the Tulsa Brookside Lions Club and through that membership adopted the Oklahoma Lion Boys' Ranch as his personal mission. The ranch works to intercept children who are in a criminal abuse/neglect environment. As a municipal judge, he saw that the best way to stop juvenile crime was to stop it before it happens by placing young boys in a loving family environment and breaking the cycle of criminal behavior and violence. As he himself has pointed out, many young people begin a life of crime simply because that's the only way of life they have ever known. The ranch operates as a year-round family-style residential home for boys ranging in age from 12-18 who have been abused or neglected by their parent. Boys are placed in homes where they have surrogate parents.

Mr. Crawford is a member of the Board of Directors on the Oklahoma State Lions Service Foundation, which operates the ranch, and has vowed to bring attention and awareness to the ranch and its needs. He has written several articles, including one published internationally, and has appeared on radio and television to talk about the ranch and its positive impact on juvenile crime.

As a result of his efforts, more than $350,000 in pledges and donations, including real property, stocks and new ranch equipment, have been made during the past two years for the Oklahoma Lions Boys Ranch, including donations of registered pure bred cattle from ranches all across Oklahoma to help make the ranch self-sufficient. Mr. Crawford's other major contribution lies in his participation in the OBA's "Ask-A-Lawyer" program each year during Law Day. He has participated in the call-in program for 15 consecutive years, and during the past 5 years has manned the “number one” phone in Tulsa for the entire 12 hours scheduled for the program, answering more calls in less time than any other Oklahoma attorney.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AWARD
William H. Hoch III, Oklahoma City

Throughout his career, William H. Hoch III has both consistently demonstrated an uncommon concern for the disadvantaged and the poor, particularly the homeless, and consistently made extraordinary efforts to assist them. During his eight years of service on the ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty from 1999-2005, serving as a four-term chairman from 2001-2005, Mr. Hoch was personally responsible for the reinvigoration and revival of the Homeless Court program, a nationwide community court effort that is designed to assist those experiencing homelessness to attain self-sufficiency.

During his chairmanship, the commission drafted policies adopted by the ABA on anti-predatory lending practices, homeless courts, low-income housing vouchers and other public assistance programs. Under his leadership, numerous publications were printed concerning the needs of the homeless, and the commission sponsored the American Bar Association National Conference on Homeless Courts in San Diego, Calif. in October 2004.

Mr. Hoch’s efforts have not been limited simply to the commission. He has also been actively involved as a director of the Mental Health Association of Central Oklahoma. He has also chaired the Federal Bar Association Oklahoma City Chapter’s Pro Bono Committee and served as a member of the OBA Access to Justice Committee. In his capacity as chairman of Crowe & Dunlevy’s Recruiting Committee and as a member of its Diversity Committee, Mr. Hoch has been instrumental in efforts to encourage diversity in the profession. In particular, Mr. Hoch implemented the Crowe & Dunlevy Minority Scholarship Program at OU and was one of the principal movers in Crowe & Dunlevy’s outreach program to Douglass High School, working with its moot court team in 2005.

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRO BONO SERVICE
Janice D. Loyd, Oklahoma City

Janice D. Loyd was one of the early Oklahoma Lawyers for Children volunteers. She has been involved in four cases, two of which are still open. The case described in her award nomination is a case which she has worked twice. Ms. Loyd spent more than 250 hours on just the second case, as well as out-of-pocket expenses of about $100.

She was first assigned to the case in July 2000 and was involved until the children were reunited with their biological parents in November 2001. When the children were removed again in July 2002, a set of twins had been added to the family and two of the older children had aged out of the juvenile system. Oklahoma Lawyers for Children contacted Ms. Loyd to see if she would accept the new case since she knew the family and had a prior relationship with two of the children in the case.

Ms. Loyd was appointed to represent three of the children while the public defender’s office represented one of the other siblings because he had been sexually abusing his sisters. Ms. Loyd worked with assistant district attorney Jane Brown in preparing for the bench trial, which lasted five days and involved 12 witnesses. The judge returned a finding that the parental rights of both the mother and father were terminated. “I would have had a very difficult time getting the results obtained had it not been for the hard work that Janice provided as well as her knowledge of the case,” said Ms. Brown in the award nomination.

The parents have appealed the judge’s decision; however, it is unlikely that the decision will be reversed. Oklahoma Lawyers for Children is currently preparing the adoption paperwork so that once the appeal is complete, the three sisters can be quickly adopted by their foster parents. Ms. Loyd will continue to appear at all hearings for the three children.

GOLDEN GAVEL AWARD
National Mock Trial Task Force
D. Renée Hildebrant, Chair

This May, Oklahoma City hosted the 23rd annual National High School Mock Trial Championship — an event that had been years in the making. Chairperson Renée Hildebrant of Oklahoma City and her task force members, including co-vice chairpersons Debra Charles and Myra Kaufman, executed a flawless event that concluded with rave reviews from participants.

Task force members contributed countless hours of time to earn Oklahoma a reputation of excellence. Members organized all aspects of the championship, which included everything from case development to securing sponsorships to recruiting volunteers. Hundreds of attorneys and judges from across the country volunteered to staff the event and judge the mock trials.

More than 1,000 high school students, teachers and guests from around the world swarmed Oklahoma City for the championship. Forty-four teams from 39 states as well as Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and South Korea participated. In addition to their time in the courtroom, the students participated in various social events during the four-day event, including a pin exchange, an outing to an Oklahoma RedHawks game and the awards banquet.

After the championship, one of the participants said, “Everything was exceptional — the accommodations, events, plaques, food and the well-organized and informative Web site. You provided a memorable experience for us and all the other participants. We cannot thank you enough!”

MAURICE MERRILL GOLDEN QUILL AWARD
Andrew D. Downing, Tulsa

Drew Downing receives the Maurice Merrill Golden Quill Award for his article titled, “The Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Act and Daubert: Applying the Reliability Requirement of Rule 702 to Exposure Cases Before the Workers’ Compensation Court,” which appeared in the Oct. 7, 2006, issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal. Mr. Downing joined the firm of Rhodes, Hieronymus, Jones, Tucker & Gable in 1998. Since coming to Rhodes, he has handled just about every type of case there is. His practice includes general civil litigation, toxic torts, trademark infringement, products liability, ERISA, workers’ compensation, insurance insolvency and receiverships, and vaccine-related litigation before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

He also has an extensive appellate practice. He has taught a course on the basics of medical malpractice litigation and other advanced torts at TU, and lectured at seminars around the country. He chairs the Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel’s Workers’ Compensation Committee. He is a member of the Tulsa, Oklahoma and American Bar Associations, as well as a member of the Tort and Insurance Practice Section of the ABA and a regular contributor to the TIPS Employer’s Liability Law newsletter. He graduated from Rice University with a double major in theology and anthropology and returned home to Tulsa to attend law school at the University of Tulsa. He is married to Tulsa attorney, Ann Allison, and they have an eight year old son, Benjamin.

OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR
Capt. James Michael Scott Ryan, Tulsa

The OBA Board of Governors is honoring U.S. Army Capt. Scott Ryan with its first ever Medal of Valor. Capt. Ryan was recently awarded the Bronze Star Medal for exceptionally meritorious service and dedication to duty during combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The award was presented at a ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church in Sapulpa. Capt. Ryan was awarded the medal by Lt. Gen. Chiarelli, commanding general of Multi-National Corps Iraq for his actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his deployment, Capt. Ryan also received the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, the National Defense Medal and the overseas service ribbon. He was attached to various units during service in Iraq.

He is a shareholder with the Tulsa firm of King, Taylor & Ryan. He obtained his J.D. degree from OU in 1991 and has been actively involved in litigation since that time. He has tried jury trials in both state and federal courts. His areas of practice include automobile negligence, premises liability, products liability, construction disputes and insurance coverage disputes.

Individuals for Whom Awards are Named:

Neil E. Bogan
Neil Bogan, an attorney from Tulsa, died unexpectedly on May 5, 1990 while serving his term as president of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Mr. Bogan was known for his professional, courteous treatment of everyone he came into contact with and was also considered to uphold high standards of honesty and integrity in the legal profession. The OBA’s Professionalism Award is named for him as a permanent reminder of the example he set.

Hicks Epton
While working as a country lawyer in Wewoka, attorney Hicks Epton decided that lawyers should go out and educate the public about the law in general, and the rights and liberties provided under the law to American citizens. Through the efforts of Mr. Epton, who served as OBA president in 1953, and other bar members, the roots of Law Day were established. In 1961 the first of May became an annual special day of celebration nationwide designated by a joint resolution of Congress. The OBA’s Law Day Award recognizing outstanding Law Day activities is named in his honor.

Fern Holland
Fern Holland’s life was cut tragically short after just 33 years, but this young Tulsa attorney made an impact that will be remembered for years to come. Ms. Holland left private law practice to work as a human rights activist and to help bring democracy to Iraq. In 2004 she was working closely with Iraqi women on women’s issues when her vehicle was ambushed by Iraqi gunmen, and she was killed. The Courageous Lawyer Award is named as a tribute to her.

Maurice Merrill
Dr. Maurice Merrill served as a professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Law from 1936 until his retirement in 1968. He was held in high regard by his colleagues, his former students and the bar for his nationally distinguished work as a writer, scholar and teacher. Many words have been used to describe Dr. Merrill over the years, including brilliant, wise, talented and dedicated. Named in his honor is the Golden Quill Award that is givento the author of the best written article published in the Oklahoma Bar Journal. The recipient is selected by the OBA Board of Editors.

John E. Shipp
John E. Shipp, an attorney from Idabel, served as 1985 OBA president and became the executive director of the association in 1998. Unfortunately his tenure was cut short when his life was tragically taken that year in a plane crash. Mr. Shipp was known for his integrity, professionalism and high ethical standards. He had served two terms on the OBA Professional Responsibility Commission, serving as chairman for one year, and served two years on the Professional Responsibility Tribunal, serving as chief-master. The OBA’s Award for Ethics bears his name.

Earl Sneed
Earl Sneed served the University of Oklahoma College of Law as a distinguished teacher and dean. Mr. Sneed came to OU as a faculty member in 1945 and was praised for his enthusiastic teaching ability. When Mr. Sneed was appointed in 1950 to lead the law school as dean, he was just 37 years old and one of the youngest deans in the nation. After his retirement from academia in 1965, he played a major role in fundraising efforts for the law center. The OBA’s Continuing Legal Education Award is named in his honor.

Joe Stamper
Joe Stamper of Antlers retired in 2003 after 68 years of practicing law. He is credited with being a personal motivating force behind the creation of OUJI and the Oklahoma Civil Uniform Jury Instructions Committee. Mr. Stamper was also instrumental in creating the position of OBA general counsel to handle attorney discipline. He served on both the ABA and OBA Board of Governors and represented Oklahoma at the ABA House of Delegates for 17 years. His eloquent remarks were legendary, and he is credited with giving Oklahoma a voice and a face at the national level. The OBA’s Distinguished Service Award is named to honor him.

Alma Wilson
Alma Wilson was the first woman to be appointed as a justice to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma in 1982 and became its first female chief justice in 1995. She first practiced law in Pauls Valley, where she grew up. Her first judicial appointment was as special judge sitting in Garvin and McClain Counties, later district judge for Cleveland County and served for six years on the Court of Tax Review. She was known for her contributions to the educational needs of juveniles and children at risk, and she was a leader in proposing an alternative school project in Oklahoma City, which is now named the Alma Wilson SeeWorth Academy. The OBA’s Alma Wilson Award honors a bar member who has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of Oklahoma children.