Single mothers need help with child support issues. Those who can afford it the least are being preyed on by predator scam artists. Kids are growing up without a proper respect or knowledge of how the law works. Thousands of children need an advocate to work for their best interest. It helps to improve the public image of the legal profession. It’s the right thing to do. Why would you contribute to the Oklahoma Bar Foundation? We all have our reasons and some may be as simple as
a respected colleague asked you to join the Fellows
program.

Whatever your reasons, your gifts help to make a difference! This year $238,750 has been awarded by the OBF to the public good on behalf of Oklahoma attorneys.

OBF has stepped in to fund the full $10,000 budget shortfall for the Oklahoma Court Appointed Special Advocates State Conference next summer. CASA volunteers, board members and staff are required annually to complete 12-hours of mandatory specialized training to continue providing child advocacy services. CASA volunteers are appointed by Oklahoma judges to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children. Executive Director Anna Naukam stated, “It is paramount CASA be able to train our volunteers each year or they will not be allowed to continue their services for abused children in Oklahoma.” The statewide conference will train more than 1,300 volunteers.

Nineteen consecutive years of funding has gone to help support statewide civil legal service providers. This year $150,000 has been awarded to Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. OBF and Legal Aid Services share a common goal in working to provide access to the justice system for all Oklahomans. Executive Director Gary Taylor comments, “We are the lawyers and law firm of last resort for many of our clients.” Aiding people with disabilities, preventing homelessness, helping senior victims of consumer scams and fraud, plus assisting innocent survivors of domestic violence are among the many areas of service. Legal Aid Services and the many attorneys providing pro bono services across Oklahoma work to provide solutions to problems through legal means and not just a temporary fix.

The OBA Young Lawyer’s Division Oklahoma High School Mock Trial Program will receive $20,000 for presentation of the 25th Mock Trial Program. Volunteer teacher-coaches, judges and lawyers work with YLD to present the program each year involving students in grades 9 through 12. “The Mock Trial Program literally changes every student it has ever touched. Every school participates on a level field, with no school having advantage over another,” reports YLD Mock Trial Chairperson Sandra Benischek. “Oklahoma will step into the national spotlight by hosting the 2006 National Mock Trial Finals in Oklahoma City. We look forward to Oklahoma not only hosting, but gaining in national standing.” An additional $7,500 has been reserved for 2006 National High School Mock Trial Finals in
Oklahoma City.

The OBA Law-related Education Teacher Workshop will receive $20,000. The 2005 summer program will bring a group of Oklahoma teachers together to provide in-depth training on Oklahoma’s court system. The group will receive LRE-developed lesson-plans and classroom materials, and teachers will develop their own lesson-plans to share with others from around the state at a fall follow-up meeting at the Oklahoma Bar Center. Department Coordinator Elizabeth Davis stated, “It’s difficult to quantify the number of Oklahoma school children who will be affected by LRE, but just think of the potential that is made possible by Oklahoma attorneys through this great program.”

A total of $28,750 will go for scholarship funding to Oklahoma law students at Oklahoma City University School of Law, University of Tulsa College of Law and the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Funding of $2,500 has gone toward Oklahoma historical preservations projects of the tenth judicial circuit.

Oklahoma Bar Foundation President Bill LaSorsa reports, “OBF grant funding remains low again this year due to the economy, but we look forward to increased funding levels in the future. It has been my pleasure to be part of the success of OBF in making major changes, which will increase revenues and in turn help all Oklahomans. Every attorney should become an OBF Fellow and be a part of the good work.” President LaSorsa added, “On behalf of OBF Officers and Trustees, I would like to thank OBF Fellows who have stepped forward to join the new leadership category of Benefactor Fellow. OBF Benefactor Fellows will provide the necessary funding to supplement grant award levels this year.”