Oklahoma Bar Association

On behalf of our Fellows of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, the first-ever OBF Fellows Scholarships will be awarded this year. Fellows will have a firsthand opportunity to meet the scholars at the annual OBF Fellows Reception held during November in conjunction with the OBA Annual Meeting. Please take a moment to read about these scholars. You won’t be disappointed by these three worthy students.


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“My law interest is in public work and research. I enjoy a library as much as I enjoy helping a person in need! I will continue to serve the state of Oklahoma and the community of Tulsa not only as a law student, intern and member of the Women’s Law Caucus, but as an Oklahoma lawyer and grateful citizen.”

Katherine is a life-long resident of Oklahoma and an energetic young mother and wife commuting between Oklahoma City and Tulsa to attend law school at the University of Tulsa. She has been involved with many community projects that include Race for the Cure, building a one-room school house in Egypt and helping to host educational seminars for students on campus. She has recently worked for the public defender’s office in Tulsa County over the summer months. Ms. Becker graduated magna cum laude from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in arts and English literature. Katherine has been paying for law school completely with student loans until being named as one of the 2007 OBF Fellows Scholarship recipients.

“I look forward to working with organizations that allow me to give back to my community through participation in volunteer activities and being able to help build these organizations so they will continue to thrive and provide opportunities for others in the future.”

Third-year law student Chris Papin aspires to fulfilling his interest in public law through experiences he has earned as an accountant and will draw from leadership abilities gleaned from his service as the Oklahoma City University School of Law Student Bar Association president. Chris hopes to achieve his promise of giving back to the community and the Oklahoma legal profession through a wide variety of volunteer activities using his financial areas of interest such as taxation and securities regulation. This summer Chris has completed all requirements for CPA certification and eagerly anticipates receipt of his CPA credentials. Mr. Papin was previously honored as the 2006 Oklahoma Bar Foundation Chapman-Rogers Scholarship award recipient.

“Born and raised in Cherokee, I first developed an interest in public law while serving as a volunteer with Catholic Charities, the Oklahoma Blood Institute, the Oklahoma Partnership for Public Deliberation and the American Red Cross.”

Erin is interested in pursuing a career in family law focusing on adoptions, education law and other forms of law that serve public and community concerns. Ms. Means graduated summa cum laude from St. Gregory’s University with a degree in political science where she was active in student government and other volunteer services. She was previously honored as a Lee B. Thompson Sr. Scholarship award recipient in recognition of leadership, character and service to others. Ms. Means is a second-year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law and looks forward to the remainder of her law school career and becoming an Oklahoma lawyer

What is the new OBF Fellows Scholarship? – The new scholarship opportunity was created during 2006 in celebration of 60 years of foundation service to the profession and to Oklahoma. The award honors OBF Fellow members and will provide an annual $5,000 scholarship opportunity to one student at each of the state’s three law schools. The award will help to provide financial assistance to currently enrolled law students with a demonstrated need of financial assistance and an intent to practice law in Oklahoma. Candidates must show continued good academic standing, diligence of purpose and evidence of ability to succeed as an Oklahoma lawyer. Special consideration is given to students with an interest in the field of public law or a promise to give back to the community and to the profession.

What is the OBF and how do I become a Fellow? —Incorporated in 1949, the OBF is the third-oldest state bar foundation in the United States, an achievement that all Oklahoma attorneys can be proud of. The Fellows program was established in 1978 to aid the foundation in carrying out its philanthropic and educational purposes. All lawyers duly licensed to practice law in Oklahoma are foundation members and can become Fellows through annual contributions of only $100 over a 10-year period. Pocket change of only $8.33 per month gets it done. Fellow contributions, along with IOLTA revenues, earnings on investments, planned gifts and income from other sources have enabled the OBF to make grant awards exceeding $6,600,000. Grants this year should top $800,000. Use the following form to begin your support as a Fellow today!

It all starts with you! – If you are already a Fellow, continue your support as a Sustaining Fellow, or better yet, increase your level of giving to become a distinguished Benefactor Fellow. The Benefactor Fellow program was initiated in 2004 and requires tax-deductible contributions of $300 per year.

Join the OBF Fellows program and help us to help Oklahomans throughout our state. Join the OBF Fellows program and be rewarded by getting more out of being an Oklahoma lawyer.