Officers and Trustees of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation look forward to seeing you at OBF events to be held in conjunction with the OBA Annual Meeting, Nov. 19 through 21.  OBF will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Oklahoma IOLTA at the annual meeting, as the voluntary IOLTA program was started in Oklahoma in 1983.  Of the more than $8.4 million in grant awards made by OBF to date, only $500,000 had been awarded prior to the historic establishment of the program.  Since IOLTA became a mandatory program only a few years ago in 2004, grant awards have increased by $2,865,810.

The OBF Fellows Reception will be a special celebration of grants, growth and Oklahoma lawyers transforming lives.  Please plan to join this Casablanca themed event to be held at the beautiful downtown Oklahoma City offices of Hartzog, Conger, Cason & Neville.  We will commemorate the 25 years of the OBF’s mission to promote justice, advance legal education, and fund critical legal services.  The Casablanca theme is not a random one – the OBF has a few things in common with the film.  This 1940s era movie was not expected to be anything out of the ordinary; it was just one of dozens of pictures that were routinely churned out by Hollywood every year during that time.  The film, however, went on to win three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and consistently ranks near the top of the list of the greatest films of all time.  Like Casablanca, the Oklahoma Bar Foundation was not expected to be anything exceptional, but thanks to the support of Oklahoma lawyers, it is rapidly growing into an amazing organization of which all Oklahoma lawyers can be proud.  Further, “As Time Goes By,” it becomes more and more evident how special the many participants of the Fellows program truly are. This special group of lawyers and concerned supporters of the law have made a personal investment in the improvement of legal services and educational programs in Oklahoma.

You can catch a ride in the OBF Fellows limo to the reception or walk the short distance from the Sheraton Hotel to the 16th Floor of the Bank of Oklahoma Plaza for fun, food, entertainment and fellowship.  The limo runs continuously from the Sheraton to the reception from 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20.  We look forward to hosting you.

Win OKC Thunder NBA Tickets 

Visit the OBF Hospitality Suite Number 1215 on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Nov. 19 and 20.  Don’t forget to stop by the OBF Exhibit Booth earlier in the day to learn how to win OKC Thunder* tickets and pick up extra OBF Fellows Enrollment forms.  Become a part of the Fellows team and enhance your chances to win.  Pledge to become a Fellow, or sign up a new Fellow if you are already a member.  And if your Fellows pledge is already complete, upgrade to Sustaining Fellow status to increase your odds of winning, or even better, become a distinguished Benefactor Fellow and maximize your chances to win while serving as an example for all to follow.  All contributions received from this contest will be used to carry out the ongoing mission of “Lawyers Transforming Lives through the advancement of education, citizenship and justice for all.”

Please plan to attend the OBF events during the Annual Meeting.  The OBF wants to thank you in person for your contributions to the Fellows program and other generous gifts, your participation and cooperation with the Oklahoma IOLTA program, and for remembering OBF through cy pres awards. With your help, more than $8.4 million has gone to help so many Oklahoma citizens, and this is only the beginning.  The OBF has much to celebrate this year, and we encourage you to take part in the celebration of the work being done on behalf of all Oklahoma lawyers.  Let’s play it again, and help OBF do remarkable things in the future!