Earl Sneed Continuing Legal Education Award
Susan Shields, Oklahoma City

Susan Shields has been a volunteer for the Continuing Legal Education Department of the OBA for many years. She has considerable experience planning programs and making seminar presentations with OBA/CLE, as well as other continuing legal education groups.

Ms. Shields served as the volunteer editor of the 2001 OBA/CLE Form Book and has continued her work in this area for the fall 2005 OBA/CLE Form Book. The position requires organizing and coordinating the efforts of a large number of volunteers. The book provides members with an affordable source of legal forms and generates funds for the OBA.

Her most recent programs include seminars on estate planning, retirement plans, Oklahoma’s Education Lottery and the Family Wealth Preservation Act with the OBA. She is also responsible for seminars on charitable planned giving and establishing rapport with administrative and support staff for other continuing education organizations. In addition to speaking, she serves as the moderator and organizes the times, places and speakers for many seminars. Her programs are easily understood and of high quality.

Ms. Shields is a partner in the Oklahoma City law firm of Hartzog Conger Cason & Neville. She is a fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. She is also listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” in the area of trusts and estates and has been an adjunct professor of estate planning at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Ms. Shields will serve as chair of the Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association in 2006. She graduated with a B.A. with departmental honors from Stanford University and a juris doctor degree from UCLA School of Law.

Judicial Excellence Award
Judge Donald L. Worthington, Stillwater

With the conclusion of this year, Judge Donald L. Worthington will have completed 19 years as district judge of the Ninth Judicial District composed of Payne and Logan counties. Admitted to the OBA in 1950, he engaged in the practice of law in Cushing and Stillwater from that time until his election as district judge in 1987. His private practice focused on civil litigation, real estate, and oil and gas law.

Judge Worthington served in the United States Army in the South Pacific Theater of operations during World War II, where he was awarded two battle stars for the Southern Philippine and Luzon campaigns, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and one Bronze Star. His final service was in the offices of General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Pacific.

Attorneys appearing before him describe him as an outstanding jurist, who is fair and impartial. He is known for his encouragement of young attorneys and his patience when dealing with seniors. His reputation includes his demand for courtroom decorum and particularly for civility and courtesy between attorneys.

Judge Worthington is an avid supporter of his local bar association and the activities of the OBA. He has actively encouraged local bar members to seek leadership roles in the OBA and has provided accommodation of local court schedules to permit participation in those positions.

He was a leader in the renovation of the Payne County Courthouse that has recently been completed and is now working for the construction of new jail facilities in both Logan and Payne counties.

Judicial Excellence Award
Judge Robin J. Cauthron, Oklahoma City

Judge Robin Cauthron is an inspiration for women in the legal profession. She became the first full-time magistrate judge of the six-state Tenth Circuit in 1986. Five years later, she was appointed as the first female federal district judge in Oklahoma. Currently, she serves as a chief judge of the Western District of Oklahoma.

Those who know Judge Cauthron believe her to be a prime example of judicial excellence. They say she exemplifies excellence in her character, job performance and commitment to law and the community.

Lawyers describe her as fair, even-handed and respectful to lawyers and clients. She commits herself to true law, not a predisposed outcome. She decides cases based on their legal efficiency, not the emotional aspects involved. Judge Cauthron is known for her humility as well. When asked what she does for a living, she states simply, “I’m a lawyer,” according to one source.

Believing that she has an obligation to give back to the law, Judge Cauthron currently serves as president of the Luther Bohanon American Inn of Court and participates in the Oklahoma County Bar Association. She also teaches legal education classes. Recently, she taught a two-credit course at the University of Oklahoma College of Law called Oklahoma Federal Practice. The course educated students on how to track litigation from the pre-filing process to appeal, focusing on the important steps and setbacks that may be encountered along the way.

Contributing to the Oklahoma community is also important to Judge Cauthron. She aspires to train young lawyers to serve Oklahoma well. The judge completed Leadership Oklahoma City last year and is participating in Leadership Oklahoma this coming year. She continues to exhibit leadership in the Arts Council of Oklahoma and the Foundation of Excellence.

Liberty Bell Award
KJRH Channel 2, Tulsa

KJRH Channel 2 provides viewers with the program, “2 Works for You.” This program serves as a strong example of how Channel 2 promotes and publicizes legal matters and assistance.

The program seeks solutions for the problems of its viewers. During the trial period of the program, Channel 2 found that many of the issues discussed with the public involved legal matters. So, the TV station enlisted the help of the Tulsa County Bar Association and its members.

The Tulsa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service and Channel 2 formed a partnership on Sept. 14, 2004. The first call-in was three hours long. Fourteen attorneys volunteered their time and worked 12 phone lines. More than 300 calls were answered and the phone lines were jammed with even more callers.

Due to its success, the “Channel 2 Works for You Call a Lawyer” program is now held quarterly. The program airs on a weeknight for about two hours and the attorneys stay for 30 minutes afterward to answer calls left holding during the show.

Outstanding Service to the Public Award
Shirley Cox, Oklahoma City

Shirley Cox has served as an attorney for 24 years. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to representing the underprivileged in such issues as welfare, immigration, public benefits and the right to life.

In 1985, Ms. Cox left an of counsel position to Shirk, Work, Robinson and Williams to join the board of directors for Catholic Charities. One year later, Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act, allowing undocumented people who had lived and worked in the United States for seven years to receive amnesty. Ms. Cox urged the board to develop a program to help people eligible for citizenship under the new law. She agreed to direct these services at Catholic Charities.

During its first year, the Immigration Assistance Program helped more than 1,000 undocumented individuals with their amnesty applications. Many of those helped were impoverished and did not have the opportunity to seek private counsel. For those who could not be helped, the program informed them of their rights, benefits and obligations should they decide to stay in the United States. Soon after, the program received accreditation.

In 1997, Catholic Charities promoted Ms. Cox to director of social action. Through her position, she serves as an advocate for the Catholic Church in issues affecting the underprivileged. For instance, that same year, she joined about 30 elderly Vietnamese immigrants when they met at the State Capitol to speak with Gov. Keating during his “Open Door after Four” program. Congress had recently passed welfare legislation ending disability benefits for nearly 500,000 disabled immigrants throughout the nation. Ms. Cox represented them as a spokesperson since they could not speak English. The meeting was successful, and Gov. Keating wrote letters to the Oklahoma Congressional delegation in an effort to restore benefits for immigrants who had entered the country prior to the law’s passage.

Ms. Cox also contributes to other committees in the community. She serves on the Commission for Justice and Human Development, Advancement of Hispanic Students in Higher Education Task Force, the board of directors of St. Ann’s Retirement Home, the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, Latino Community Development Agency, Metropolitan Ministries, Metafund, Mental Health Association of Oklahoma County and the Citizens League of Central Oklahoma.

Joe Stamper Distinguished Service Award
Jim F. Gassaway, Tulsa

Jim F. Gassaway lived a life dedicated to law, the OBA and justice, according to those close to him. Mr. Gassaway died on May 4, 2005, and he receives the Joe Stamper Distinguished Service Award posthumously.

Mr. Gassaway served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1945 to 1946 and again from 1950 to 1952. He earned an undergraduate degree from East Central University in Ada in 1949. He earned a law degree from OU and began practicing law in Ada in 1955. He moved to Tulsa in 1982 and continued his solo practice there until his death.

In addition to his service as OBA president in 1971, he served from 1958-1966 on the Board of Bar Examiners, as 1966 OBA vice president and was a fellow of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation. In 1973, the OU College of Law named him the recipient of the Barrister’s Award. He had been an active member of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 1982. He was the 1996 winner of the OBA’s Neil Bogan Professionalism Award and the 2004 winner of the Tulsa County Bar Association’s Outstanding Senior Lawyer Award.

He served for 18 years as the OBA’s sole representative on the Trial Division of the Court on the Judiciary. Mr. Gassaway recognized and emphasized the serious obligations of service and conducted himself never lightly or unadvisedly, but with wisdom and as a gentleman. Mr. Gassaway’s life had been dedicated to the highest standards of professional conduct, a true desire to improve our judicial and legal system and profound love and regard for the legal profession.

Mr. Gassaway served several terms as senior warden for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ada and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tulsa. His work in the Episcopal Church was meaningful and of extraordinary significance to him.

Fern Holland Courageous Lawyer Award
Judge Eugene H. Mathews, Oklahoma City

Judge Eugene H. Mathews, who died Saturday, Nov. 26, devoted himself to a long career of legal work. He served as a lawyer, civil rights leader, elected official and judge.

In the 1960s and ‘70s, Judge Mathews displayed great courage during the civil rights movement. Married with five young daughters, Judge Mathews risked his reputation, his legal career, and his personal and family's safety when he became an outspoken advocate for civil rights.

While serving on the Village City Council from 1959 to 1962, Judge Mathews helped form “Oklahoma City Citizens for Human Rights” to deal with the larger metropolitan area’s race problems. He became an activist in the effort to abolish Jim Crow laws, helping organize and participating in a citywide parade in opposition to these laws. Judge Mathews was thrust to the forefront of the movement when he sought but was denied a parade permit from Oklahoma City. His outspoken views drew criticism and threats of violence against him and his family. Some citizens of the Village tried unsuccessfully to recall Judge Mathews from his position on the Village City Council.

Without compensation, Judge Mathews also represented many people who demonstrated against segregation through sit-ins in downtown Oklahoma City. His legal practice suffered as clients went elsewhere because of his outspoken and visible support of racial equality.

Judge Mathews’ active involvement in the struggle for racial equality also led to his service as consultant to the newly formed Mayor’s Committee on Human Relations in 1963 and 1964, and as a member of the first Oklahoma City Community Relations Commission in 1964. At that time, Judge Mathews drafted the Public Accommodations Ordinance (granting access to any person, regardless of race, into public places) and successfully advocated its passage before the city council.

Judge Mathews was a founder of the Community Action Program, a local outgrowth of President Lyndon Johnson’s Poverty Program. He served as CAP’s president during the mid to late ‘60s.

In 1966, Judge Mathews and his wife, Doli, began a movement known as “30 Families,” encouraging 30 white families to move into an area affected by white flight. The Wildewood neighborhood in northeast Oklahoma City was chosen because of the impact the project could have in a previously cohesive neighborhood. The Mathewses were the first of the “30 Families” to move into Wildewood in 1967, stabilizing the area.

In 1969, Oklahoma City sanitation workers engaged in a nationally publicized strike for better wages and working conditions. Judge Mathews served as negotiator and mediator, calling upon the mayor and city council of Oklahoma City to honor commitments they had made to the striking sanitation workers.

From 1971-1974, Judge Mathews served on the Oklahoma City Council. He was vice mayor of Oklahoma City and chairman of the council’s Legal, Judicial and Council Procedures Committee. During this time, he voiced support of Judge Luther Bohanon’s decision to impose “busing” in an effort to desegregate Oklahoma public schools. As a result, Judge Mathews received a bomb threat, requiring police protection for him and his family.

In 2004, Judge Mathews received the Clara Luper Service, Appreciation and Achievement Award for his tireless work during the civil rights movement.

Judge Mathews committed himself to civil rights for every individual. His efforts were selfless and changed the lives of many Oklahomans that he never met.

Neil E. Bogan Professionalism Award
L.E. “Dean” Stringer, Oklahoma City

L.E. “Dean” Stringer has earned enough prestige for his professionalism that he had a day named for him. On March 23, 1994, the Student Government Association of Oklahoma State University declared the day L.E. “Dean” Stringer Day.

An Oklahoma native, Mr. Stringer was born in Sayre. He graduated from OSU in 1958. Three years later, he received his LL.B. from Harvard Law School. He also served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard for a total of 10 years, attaining the rank of major.

Mr. Stringer established himself as a mentor of professionalism when he joined the law firm of Crowe and Dunlevy. He taught young lawyers “the right way to do things,” according to a former colleague. He showed them how to advocate for their causes without compromising integrity or courtesy.

After graduation, Mr. Stringer held numerous leadership positions in several organizations. He served eight years on the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, including one year as chairman. Mr. Stringer held the office of president at the Young Lawyers Conference of Oklahoma County, Lawyers Club of Oklahoma City, OSU Alumni Association, Friends of the Library at OSU, Harvard Law School Association of Oklahoma and Crowe and Dunlevy.

He has also received many honors throughout his career. These honors include receipt of the OSU Distinguished Alumni Award, Distinguished Alumni Award of the OSU College of Arts and Sciences, Alumni Hall of Fame Award of the OSU Residence Hall Association, Outstanding Alumni Award of the OSU Political Science Department and the Edna Mae Phelps Award of Friends of the Library at OSU.

John E. Shipp Award for Ethics
Judge Edward C. Cunningham, Yukon

Judge Edward C. Cunningham has served as special district judge and associate district judge in Canadian County. In 1984, he was appointed district judge by Gov. George Nigh and has held the position ever since.

His peers believe his character and judicial excellence are seldom rivaled. He exhibits the values of upholding the integrity of the justice system, showing fairness to parties and attorneys, urging the nurturing of young professionals and serving the law through his everyday actions.

In 1988, the judge was elected president-district judge of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference. Since this time, he has also served on the Court on the Judiciary, where he currently serves as presiding judge of the Appellate Division. He received appointments to several panels for the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals and works with the Oklahoma Court of Tax Review.

An OBA member for more than 26 years, the judge helps with many projects of the organization. He has coached and judged several OBA High School Mock Trial competitions throughout his career and currently works with the 2006 National Mock Trial Task Force that is preparing to host the national competition in Oklahoma City. He is also a presenter at continuing legal education seminars for the OBA and Canadian County Bar Association.

Judge Cunningham also served as Oklahoma Judicial Conference delegate to the ABA, board member of the National Conference of State Trial Judges with the ABA and chaired the Oklahoma Criminal Law Committee.

The U.S. Department of Justice honored Judge Cunningham for his work on the rights of crime victims. He co-authored a “Statement of Recommended Judicial Practices” for trial judges that has been used throughout the country. He received the OBA’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, the Outstanding Member of the Judiciary Award from OBA Family Law Section, the Special Judicial Service Award from the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association and received a commendation from Gov. Keating for his devotion to justice and the rights of crime victims.

Alma Wilson Award
Judge Daman Cantrell, Tulsa

Some describe Judge Daman Cantrell as a man who has “done everything in his power to improve the lives of Oklahoma children.” Through his work with the Tulsa County Juvenile Bureau, the judge has initiated several improvements in the lives of community children.

One example of the judge’s dedication is the single-handed creation of a mock trial team for an alternative school program in the Tulsa area. The Lakeside Home in Tulsa houses juveniles classified as delinquent.

In his attempts to bring the program to Lakeside, Judge Cantrell navigated through some obstacles. He called the state director of the mock trial competition and got a waiver to let the children participate. He then had to find sufficient volunteers to provide an attorney for every child in the home.

After training with the youth, the judge realized that the children needed more than training. They also needed clothing for the competition. Judge Cantrell then began tracking down attorneys to loan clothing to the children. After the competition, he cleaned and returned the clothes.

In its second year, the team succeeded in achieving a ranking of 18 out of 55 schools. This accomplishment boosted the esteem and confidence of the troubled children of the home.

For his second accomplishment, Judge Cantrell revived the Juvenile Drug Court. He found a case manager and received a grant for the court. He then partnered with the drug court coordinator for adults. Looking for advice on how to successfully improve the program and rewrite the handbook, he traveled to leading programs in other states. He rewrote the handbook and brought the program substantial success.

Judge Cantrell also coaches his daughters’ basketball teams and initiated a softball team for juveniles in the bureau. He continues to encourage, train and mentor the youth in his community.

Outstanding County Bar Award
Tulsa County Bar Association

This year the Tulsa County Bar Association committed many hours and resources to community work and service projects that benefited the Tulsa community. During this time, the Tulsa County Bar Association also dedicated itself to improving member services and benefits.

One community service project included a partnership with KJRH Channel 2 in Tulsa. The Tulsa County Bar Association and KJRH created the “Channel 2 Works for You - Call a Lawyer” program. The program encourages members to volunteer to answer legal questions from the general public during a TV segment every three months. The segments generate an average of more than 300 questions and are vital for people with limited access to legal advice.

The Tulsa County Bar Association also contributed during Law Week. In addition to presenting the Law Day Luncheon, many members participated in several Law Week activities. Activities included a student poster, poetry and photo contest; a community law fair; offering free legal consultations for the public; Lawyers in the Classroom; participation in OBA’s “Ask a Lawyer” on OETA and mock trial presentations for elementary students.

Other Law Week activities included the Rebuilding Together Tulsa and Tulsa Attorneys Supporting Kids projects. For Rebuilding Together Tulsa, the Young Lawyers Division and the Tulsa County Bar Association volunteered to repair, paint and refurbish the home of an elderly Tulsa woman. The Rebuilding Together project’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for low income families, people with disabilities and the elderly by repairing and rebuilding their homes. For Tulsa Attorneys Supporting Kids, members donated cash, sports equipment, art supplies, pool supplies and toys to the Warren Clinic’s Pediatric Oncology Hematology Clinic.

To increase member benefits, the Court Operations Committee of the Tulsa County Bar Association issued identification cards to members to allow quicker access to the Tulsa County Courthouse. Courthouse administrators agreed to open a separate entrance for members who present the access badge. The committee also furnished a key-coded lounge for members to use while in the courthouse and reinstated the Own Recognizance program, which allows members with a card to vouch for the release of their clients from jail without bail.

Another membership benefit the Tulsa County Bar Association offered this year was discounts at local businesses. Discounts included services such as dining, lodging, staffing placement, moving services and dry cleaning.

Outstanding County Bar Award
Pottawatomie County Bar Association

Over the past year the Pottawatomie County Bar Association focused on making improvements to the small association. To achieve this goal, the county bar created new activities and efforts for its members while maintaining previous activities.

The Pottawatomie County Bar Association began offering several new services to its members this year. These services include an e-mail account that allows members to access bar-related information, electronic cards that permit members to access West Law at the county law library, monthly meetings, CLE credit and community service projects.

The new community service projects include taking youths from the Youth and Family Resources shelter to court to observe hearings and the judicial process, starting the process to give Boy Scout merit badge classes, giving a presentation to the Tecumseh Rotary Club to explain the legal and judicial processes and talking with a high school senior about legal careers.

Continuing efforts of the county bar involve community service. Through these efforts, local lawyers volunteer for a program called Safe Haven. The program allows attorneys to represent children or their parents at regular court appearances and monthly meetings.

The Pottawatomie County Bar Association serves the OBA in many ways. For example, it serves as a site for the OBA High School Mock Trial competition. Members of the Pottawattamie County Bar Association volunteer as site coordinator, judges and scoring panelists. They are also involved in coaching local teams in preparation for the competition and continue to be mentors and contacts for these students throughout the year.

The Pottawatomie County Bar Association also hosted the OBA Board of Governors meeting and participated in Law Day. For Law Day, members answered phones during OBA’s “Ask a Lawyer” program on OETA and presented an award and check ceremony at the elementary school of the local second place winner of the OBA Law Day art contest.

Hicks Epton Law Day Award
Comanche County Bar Association

The Comanche County Bar Association began Law Day with a bang this year. The mayor of Lawton and the commander of Fort Sill made a joint statement for the association that proclaimed May 1, 2005, as Law Day. On this day, members participated in several events.

One of these events was a Law Day picnic. The Law Day picnic was intended for members, guests and friends of the Comanche County Bar Association. Many attended the event and enjoyed barbecue and drinks. Beach volleyball and a trampoline were available for entertainment.

The Comanche County Bar Association also participated in OBA’s “Ask a Lawyer” program on OETA and sponsored the Law Day golf tournament. Members answered phones and offered legal advice to callers for the program. The tournament included lawyers and judges from Oklahoma and Texas.

Another activity the Comanche County Bar Association planned for Law Day was the Law Day banquet. Attorney Emmanuel Edem spoke at the banquet. Representatives of local government, officers from Fort Sill, bar members and judiciary members attended. The Comanche County Bar Association presented awards to its members, and a local high school color guard performed. Scholarships for high school students and the winner of the Annual Pro Bono Award were announced.

Outstanding Young Lawyer Award
Mark Osby, Yukon

Mark Osby practices law at the law firm of Wheatley, Segler, Osby and Miller, LLC. He joined the practice shortly after graduation and focuses primarily on family and municipal law. He works as city prosecutor for Yukon.

Mr. Osby graduated from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1994. Since then, he has devoted much of his extra time to the ABA’s and OBA’s Young Lawyers Divisions. He has worked with the organizations since 2000.

Mr. Osby served as District Nine board member, secretary, treasurer and chairperson with the OBA/YLD. He also serves as trial site coordinator and on the OBA/YLD mock trial committee. This past year he prepared the winning team from Atoka for the national competition and traveled to a competition in Charlotte, N.C. In the past, he assisted other winning teams and traveled with them to national contests in Orlando, Fla.; Minneapolis, Minn. and Omaha, Neb. He serves as a member of the committee preparing for the 2006 National Mock Trial Competition in Oklahoma City.

Mr. Osby is active on the YLD board of directors and is head of the nominations committee. He has served as a delegate to the ABA/YLD annual meetings and mid-year meetings yearly since 2000. He was also a member of the ABA House of Delegates for the 2003 and 2004 annual meetings and the 2004 mid-year meeting.

Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service
Carol L. Swenson, Tulsa

“I attempt to serve the most valuable yet most vulnerable resources of our world – the children,” Carol Swenson has said. A native Oklahoman, she graduated in 1982 from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Before entering law school, she served as a critical care nurse for 12 years, including service in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War.

Ms. Swenson trained as a mediator in 1998 for domestic violence and became a parenting coordinator in 2001. She currently practices privately.

Recently, she agreed to help three minor children in a messy divorce case. She served as pro bono guardian ad litem. There were allegations of abuse to the children, parental neglect and physical abuse between the two parents. Given her medical and family law expertise, Ms. Swenson was asked to offer a recommendation before trial. The trial was only five weeks away. She worked 53 extra hours during her free time and convinced her paralegal to assist her to complete the task.

The recommendation aided the judge and attorneys in reaching a settlement the day before the trial. It outlined the needs of the children and offered a plan for parental education to help bring the parents and children together.

Ms. Swenson’s job was difficult and involved several sensitive circumstances. Not many private practice attorneys would have accepted the task, sources say. She approached the job professionally and helped improve the lives of the family members involved. This is only one example of many cases she has handled.

Ms. Swenson participates in several pro bono organizations. She serves as a pro bono conflict attorney for Tulsa Lawyers for Children, court-appointed pro bono guardian ad litem, family law pro bono volunteer for Legal Services of Eastern Oklahoma and pro bono mediator when child safety is of concern.

Golden Gavel Award
OBA Law Day Committee

This year marked the 27th year for the OBA to celebrate Law Day across Oklahoma. There are three major components to the annual OBA Law Day activities. These components include OBA’s one-hour program on OETA “Ask a Lawyer,” contests and activities for school children and the free legal advice community service project. Hoping to attract more interest to the events, the Law Day committee members devoted extra time and effort to improving them this year. The committee chose to alter the contests and overhaul the “Ask a Lawyer” television program.

To improve the contests, the committee added drawing, diorama and short story contests this year. Members also allocated more money to their publicity budget and traveled to the fall annual teacher’s convention in Tulsa in an effort to reach more teachers. Their efforts paid off as this year’s Law Day contests had the highest number of entries in Law Day history.

Until last year, the “Ask a Lawyer” program had remained the same for the past 10 or more years. The program involved three major segments. These segments included three panels of three experts interviewed about legal topics with broad appeal. With help from the OBA Board of Governors, the committee found more money for the program and revised the format. The committee produced three interesting segments within a few short months. Within just nine weeks, the Law Day Committee produced video segments of clients and jurors from real cases that were later edited into the show taped at OETA. The show also featured the first TV group interview of five jurors from the Terry Nichols state trial. “Man on the street” interviews were also added to the show.

The committee met with some difficulty when one planned segment had to be replaced. The improvised segment resulted in a better product than the original idea. The program’s viewership almost doubled from previous odd numbered years due to the committee’s hard work.

Maurice Merrill Golden Quill Award
Tina Izadi, Oklahoma City

Tina Izadi of Oklahoma City received the honor of the Maurice Merrill Golden Quill Award for her article, “The USA Patriot Act and Related Policies: Stifling Speech and Silencing Dissent,” which was published in the Aug. 13, 2005, issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal.

Ms. Izadi is the staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma. She is the first staff attorney for the Oklahoma affiliate.

Ms. Izadi received her B.S. from Oklahoma State University in 1996 and her J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in May 1999. She is originally from Duncan. Prior to working with the ACLU of Oklahoma, Ms. Izadi was an associate with Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis. She began her legal career at Legal Aid of Western Oklahoma Inc.

Ms. Izadi serves on the board of directors for the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, and she is the project coordinator for the Oklahoma Bullying Prevention Initiative. Ms. Izadi also serves on the Oklahoma County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg American Inn of Court.

Ms. Izadi is licensed to practice in the state of Oklahoma, Chickasaw Nation Tribal Court, U.S. District Court in the Western and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma, Tenth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Her current practice focuses on civil rights and civil liberties as well as various other Constitutional issues.

President’s Award
Rick Bozarth, Taloga

President Mike Evans awarded his vice president, Rick Bozarth, the special honor of a President's Award for his dedication and commitment in assisting bar association members who serve the legal profession and the public.

Vice President Bozarth stepped in to preside several times at monthly Board of Governors meetings, which President Evans was not able to attend.

"Making a Difference" was the theme selected by President Evans for emphasis during 2005, which inspired the state bar association to undertake a huge community service project. Building the Jim F. Gassaway Justice House with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity to make a difference in the life of one family was the goal. Two important things were needed to make that idea a reality - money to fund the house and volunteers to build it.

Vice President Bozarth was the first financial donor - and stepped forward to recruit and coordinate the volunteers. About 150 attorneys (most with no construction experience) from across the state rolled up their sleeves and gave up billable hours to erect framing, install windows, put up sheetrock, paint walls, roll out sod and much more - all in only 14 build days. Rick Bozarth and his family, driving a round trip of 250 miles, were among those volunteers.

The volunteer coordinator job involved meetings to attend in Oklahoma City, phone calls to make, questions to respond to, lists to provide, reminder e-mails to send to volunteers in addition to maintaining a solo law practice. As a result of his work, one more hard-working, single mother with two small children has attained the American dream of owning a home.

President Evans said, "Rick shared my vision of bar members working together on a community service project to make a big impact in our state, and we accomplished that with his help. This was a major project for the bar association, and I am grateful for his support and leadership that made it so successful."

Vice President Bozarth is engaged in the general practice of law and has been part-time assistant district attorney for Dewey County since 1985. He also chairs the OBA Access to Justice Committee and has served as Dewey County Bar Association president since 1990. He served a three-year term as a member of the OBA Board of Governors and OBA Awards Committee. He serves on Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma's board of directors and chaired the board in 2004.

President’s Award
Tillman County Bar Association

President Mike Evans honored his own county bar association with a President's Award to recognize their outstanding contributions to the public and for their personal support. Tillman County is located in the southwest part of the state bordering Texas and has a population of about 9,300 people. Brad Benson serves as county bar president.

President Evans is proud of his colleagues:
Clyde Amyx II
Judge David Barnett
Brad Benson
Loyd Benson
Judge Richard Darby
Deanna Hansell
Ty Johnson
Jon Lagerberg
Pat Kent
Tony Massad
Dan Medlock

He said, "Every bar member in this county is very active in their community and dedicated to public service. They are involved in the chamber of commerce, civic organizations, nonprofit organizations, churches and municipal government in a number of cities. Also, several of our bar members have served many years in the state Legislature and distinguished themselves as leaders."

Every lawyer actively participates in Legal Aid Service's pro bono program.

He is also proud of the fact that "since 1990, 100 percent of Tillman County bar members are Fellows of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation." He doesn't know of another county that can match that 100 percent participation.

The county bar also set itself apart from others in its financial support of the OBA's Justice House. Even though they are small in numbers, they contributed $6,000 - nearly 10 percent - of the money needed to build a house with Habitat for Humanity for a deserving family with limited means. And they didn't let the house's distance from their county affect their generosity.

President Evans said, "Giving this award to my county bar association allows me to express my appreciation to each and every member. They are a great bunch of people, who represent the legal profession well. As lawyers and judges, they take pride in making a difference in people's lives every day and keep on giving. And isn't that what being a lawyer is all about?"