Participating in the OBA's numerous community service activities is the best way for attorneys to show the public the compassionate side of lawyers working together as a group to make a difference in the lives of others in our society. Attorneys involved benefit from the personal satisfaction of sharing with others – and enhance the legal profession's image for all lawyers.

Many of the OBA's community service programs are projects of the Young Lawyers Division, but attorneys don't have to be a YLD member to become involved. To sign up for a YLD project, contact Kim Warren in Tecumseh at (405) 239–7961 or kwarren@coleandreed.com.

Ask A Lawyer – a one–day project held during Law Week to offer the public free legal advice from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. by calling designated local and toll–free phone numbers, sponsored by the OBA and county bar associations. Approximately 300 attorneys volunteer and help nearly 2,500 people with legal problems every year.

Ask A Lawyer TV Show – a one–hour television program designed to share information about legal issues in easy–to–understand language. The show is produced by the OBA Law Day Committee and OETA for broadcast throughout the state.

Citizenship/Americanism/Patriotism (CAP) – promotes citizenship, Americanism and patriotism among the youth of Oklahoma through a program educating high school seniors of the rights and responsibilities attendant to being a citizen of the United States, YLD project.

Civitas – the Civitas exchange program provides international teachers and leaders in civic education with opportunities to exchange information and assist individuals in partner countries with improving education in democracy. Program funded through the Civitas. (OBA LRE project)

Clients' Security Fund – a fund created by the OBA Board of Governors in 1965 for the purpose of reimbursing losses to clients as a result of dishonest conduct of persons practicing law in Oklahoma and to maintain the integrity and good name of the legal profession as a whole.

Consumer information brochures – pamphlets on 14 topics covering commonly asked questions; topics are wills, probate, joint tenancy, home buying, tenant rights & duties, landlord rights, divorce, small claims court, employee rights, bankruptcy, trial juror information, lawyers & legal fees, living wills (brochure & form) and resolving conflicts & disputes; OBA distributes the brochures free to courthouses and libraries throughout the state, OBA Communications Committee project.

Disaster Legal Assistance – assists victims of disasters by providing free legal advice in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, OBA Committee and YLD project. This committee is active only in the wake of a disaster which results in a need for its services.

Fundraising for public television – every year 25 attorneys volunteer one evening during OETA's fund drive to take pledges from viewers to support education television statewide, attorneys make individual financial contributions on behalf of the OBA to earn a senior executive producer sponsorship level.

Gift of Life Project – educates bar members about organ and tissue donations and encourages participation in organ sharing networks, YLD project.

Hatton W. Sumners Summer Institute – summer institute committed to curricula advancing education programs in civics. The Foundations of Democracy curriculum and Bill of Rights, “Being an American” were utilized in the inceptive year. (OBA LRE project) Funded through a grant from the Hatton W. Sumners foundation.

Law–related Education (LRE) – This department works toward the advancement of citizenship education within Oklahoma’s education system.  This goal is accomplished through civics based institutes and workshops developed for educators as well as the distribution of relevant educational materials.  All services and materials are provided at no charge to the recipient.

Lawyers in the Classroom Program – more than 200 dedicated attorneys volunteer each year to present civics education topics in classrooms and school assemblies around the state. (OBA LRE project)

Legal Guide for Young Adults – You’re 18 Now it’s Your Responsibility – this free publication summarizes for young adults the new rights and responsibilities acquired upon their eighteenth birthday. This publication was produced by the OBA Law–related Education Committee and made possible through funding from the OBA and the Sonic Corporation.

Mock Trial – a statewide mock trial competition in which high school students in grades 9 – 12 model the roles of attorneys and witnesses, trials are heard by actual judges in courtroom settings, by interpreting, analyzing and portraying the major issues of a case, students obtain a unique insider's perspective of the American legal process, participants develop poise and confidence through both individual and team efforts, state championship team advances to national competition, hundreds of judges and attorneys volunteer to serve as attorney coaches, trial judges, scoring panelists and trial site coordinators, YLD project.

Non–Profit Business Law – provides fledgling non–profit businesses with legal assistance, working in conjunction with the Oklahoma Center for Non–profits, YLD Project.

Oklahoma CloseUp – this program affords students the opportunity to meet face–to–face with members of the Oklahoma legislature, judiciary, and executive branch. The annual event is co–sponsored through the OBA LRE Department.

oklahomafindalawyer.com – the Oklahoma Bar Association does NOT refer attorneys to consumers, provide legal advice, license or regulate paralegals or other non–lawyers. As a community service, the OBA does provide a directory of its attorney members who have given their permission to have their names published in this directory. Go to www.oklahomafindalawyer.com. Check out the OBA's [Lawyers and Legal Fees] brochure for tips on how to select an attorney, what to expect when you hire an attorney and typical fee arrangements.

Oklahoma Supreme Court Teacher and School of the Year Awards – each year one teacher and one school receive recognition from the Oklahoma Supreme Court for innovative approaches in the instruction of civics.

Peaceful Resolution for Oklahoma Students (PROS) – this peer mediation program teaches students alternative, non–violent methods of conflict resolution. The program is a joint venture of the Administrative Office of the Courts and the OBA LRE Department.

Pro bono activities for legal services – pro bono efforts by private attorneys increase the amount of free civil legal services to poor and elderly Oklahomans offered through Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Legal Services.

Programs Advancing Citizenship Education Institute (PACE) – this summer institute for teachers has been conducted annually since 1989. The institute promotes innovative ways of teaching subjects such as law, government, rights, values, responsibilities, and community participation. This is an OBA LRE Department project, funded through the OBF.

Religion and the Law – draft and distribute a handbook for religious professionals and religious organizations and institutions which addresses common legal issues concerning these individuals and entities. It is also expected that a seminar for religious professionals will be conducted on issues such as tort liability, employment law, sexual misconduct, taxation, religious liberty and other, YLD Project.

Representative Democracy in America – this program is a national project designed to reinvigorate and educate Americans on the critical relationship between government and the people it serves. The project introduces citizens, particularly young people, to the representatives, institutions, and processes that serve to realize the goal of a government of, by, and for the people. OBA LRE project funded through the Center for Civic Education.

Seniors Handbook – a 70–page reference guide for senior citizens containing useful practical information on various legal topics of interest to seniors, distributed free of charge, YLD project.

Sports Law – provides high school athletes and coaches with information regarding issues relating to careers in professional sports, YLD project.

Tolerance Education Project – promotes tolerance among children in Oklahoma for differences in race, religion, national origin and others, all of which make the melting pot of America. Volunteers speak to grade school children with a presentation promoting tolerance, YLD project.\

U.S. Constitutions – pocket Constitutions are published for distribution to educational institutes, community service groups, attorney speakers, and individuals. (OBA LRE project)

Volunteers Booklet – a publication for volunteers addressing their legal rights and responsibilities, distributed free of charge, YLD project.

Volunteer/pro bono activities – over 50 percent of Oklahoma attorneys spend three or more hours a week on professional legal volunteer work, 70 percent of state attorneys spend three or more hours a week on civic, community, charitable work, source: 2002 OBA Membership Survey.

We the People: Project Citizen – this curriculum developed by the Center for Civic Education explores the foundations of the Constitution and Bill of Rights (5th–12th grade). Participating high school students may compete in simulated congressional hearings. OBA LRE project; funded through the Center for Civic Education.