OBA Awards
The following awards will be presented during the Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 12.
AWARD OF JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE
Judge Lisa Hammond, Oklahoma County
For 25 years, Judge Lisa Hammond has served the people of Oklahoma County from the trial bench with distinction, professionalism and an enduring commitment to the administration of justice. Her career reflects the qualities at the heart of the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Award of Judicial Excellence: integrity, service, leadership and a genuine devotion to the rule of law.
Perhaps no quality better defines Judge Hammond than her willingness to serve wherever she is needed. During her career as a special judge, she has presided over some of the court system’s most demanding dockets, including family and domestic matters, juvenile cases and criminal proceedings. Each requires a different command of the law, a different temperament and an understanding that the matters before the court are often among the most consequential moments in the lives of the people who appear there.
Read More About Judge Lisa Hammond
Judge Hammond has brought preparation, patience, sound judgment and professionalism to each of them. That commitment has been particularly evident this year. Although eligible to retire earlier in 2026 after a quarter century on the bench, Judge Hammond chose to remain and continue serving her court and her colleagues. She has regularly covered domestic, misdemeanor, felony prehearing conference and arraignment dockets while repeatedly stepping forward when another judge or another courtroom needed assistance.
For Judge Hammond, service has never been limited to the docket bearing her name. She understands that the work of a courthouse is shared work, and that justice depends upon judges who are willing to shoulder responsibility when and where it is needed. Her colleagues know that when Judge Hammond agrees to take an assignment, she will arrive prepared, understand the matters before her, and she will give every case the careful consideration it deserves.
Her commitment to the legal profession also reaches beyond the courthouse. As an adjunct professor at the OCU School of Law for 10 years, Judge Hammond teaches Pretrial Litigation for Criminal Law, helping prepare future attorneys for the responsibilities of advocacy. She teaches students not simply how to argue a case, but how to understand and respect the rules that govern the process, how to prepare thoroughly, and how to present a case with confidence. In doing so, she helps train a new generation of lawyers to advocate effectively while remaining grounded in the rule of law.
Judge Hammond has likewise devoted herself to the civic and professional life of her community through organizations including the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, the Downtown Exchange Club, and the Ruth Bader Ginsburg American Inn of Court. Her involvement reflects a belief she has demonstrated throughout her career: that the responsibility of a judge does not end when court adjourns. It includes strengthening the legal profession, building relationships within the community and helping others understand and have confidence in the institutions of justice.
That commitment has even extended beyond Oklahoma. Through the Congressional Office for International Leadership’s Open World Program, Judge Hammond has helped foster relationships between American judges and members of the international judiciary for years. Most recently, she coordinated a visit by a delegation of Armenian judges to Oklahoma, creating an opportunity for judges from two very different legal systems to exchange ideas about courts, judicial independence, jury trials and the rule of law.
YVONNE KAUGER TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Retired Justice Tom Colbert, Oklahoma City
Justice Tom Colbert’s life and career embody the spirit of the Yvonne Kauger Trailblazer Award: using significant achievement, visionary leadership and a commitment to service to open doors for others.
Justice Colbert grew up in circumstances where higher education and a legal career could have seemed out of reach. His family encouraged him to work hard, dream boldly and pursue a college degree as a path out of poverty. Despite being told by a school counselor that he was not smart enough for college, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Kentucky State University, served in the U.S. Army, earned a master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University and later received his J.D. from the OU College of Law.
Read More About Retired Justice Tom Colbert
His legal career was marked by historic firsts. In 2000, Gov. Frank Keating appointed him to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, making him the first African American to serve on an Oklahoma appellate court. He later became the first to lead that court as presiding judge and, in 2004, was appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court – becoming the first African American to serve on Oklahoma’s highest court since statehood. He later became the court’s first Black chief justice.
Yet Justice Colbert’s greatest legacy extends beyond these milestones. Throughout his career, he has mentored young people, participated in educational programs and spoken to students across Oklahoma about the possibilities created by hard work and perseverance. His journey has expanded not only his own opportunities but also the possibilities others can envision for themselves. Through decades of service to the judiciary, legal profession and community, Justice Colbert has blazed a trail for generations of Oklahomans to follow.
JOE STAMPER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
A. Mark Smiling, Tulsa
For more than 40 years, A. Mark Smiling has dedicated his career to the practice of law in Tulsa County and throughout Oklahoma, building a reputation defined not only by legal experience and professional achievement but by service, humility and respect for others.
A longtime member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and Tulsa County Bar Association, Mr. Smiling has practiced in numerous courts and jurisdictions and has tried more than 400 cases. His career accomplishments include recognition as a Top Lawyer and Best Lawyer by respected publications and membership in the American College of Trial Lawyers and other professional organizations.
Read More About A. Mark Smiling
Yet it is Mr. Smiling’s contributions to the legal community beyond these accomplishments that make him especially deserving of this award. Colleagues describe him as approachable, kind and generous with his time and experience. He readily shares the lessons he has learned throughout four decades of practice, offering guidance and encouragement to lawyers at every stage of their careers. His stories from the courtroom have become a memorable part of his interactions with colleagues, but it is the knowledge and perspective behind those stories that have made a lasting impact.
Mr. Smiling’s professionalism is grounded in humility and a genuine respect for the courts, opposing counsel and everyone he encounters. He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving the practice of law and strengthening the legal community around him.
After more than four decades, Mark Smiling’s legacy is measured not simply by the cases he has tried or the honors he has received, but by the countless colleagues he has supported, mentored and befriended along the way.
JOHN E. SHIPP AWARD FOR ETHICS
Judge Michael Tupper, Norman
Judge Michael Tupper exemplifies the highest ideals of the legal profession through his commitment to ethical leadership, service and the belief that the justice system can create opportunities for meaningful change. His dedication to recovery courts in Cleveland County extends well beyond his professional responsibilities, reflecting a personal commitment to helping individuals pursue recovery and build better lives.
Through his work with recovery court, Judge Tupper has championed best practices and worked to make Cleveland County’s programs among the strongest possible. His approach demonstrates that ethical leadership is not limited to the courtroom; it also means recognizing the broader impact members of the legal profession can have on individuals, families and communities.
Read More About Judge Michael Tupper
Judge Tupper has devoted significant personal time and energy to increasing awareness and support for recovery programs. He has helped organize fundraising and outreach efforts, including the Trail to Recovery 5K, as well as community cleanup initiatives involving recovery court participants. These efforts have helped connect recovery court with the broader community while providing participants with opportunities to contribute and give back.
Judge Tupper’s commitment to recovery courts has become a defining part of his service to the profession and his community. His willingness to invest both his professional expertise and personal time in supporting others serves as an example to his colleagues and demonstrates the importance of compassion, integrity and service in the practice of law. Through his actions, he has shown how ethical leadership can extend beyond professional obligations to create lasting, positive change.
ALMA WILSON AWARD
Gwendolyn L. Clegg, Owasso
Gwendolyn L. Clegg has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of Oklahoma children through her leadership and work with the Office of Family Representation (OFR). Her work has helped transform the practice of deprived law in Oklahoma by advancing a model focused on quality representation, accountability and ensuring children and families have meaningful advocacy in court.
The OFR grew from a pilot program in Tulsa created to address long-standing deficiencies in the representation of parents and children in deprived cases. Under Ms. Clegg’s leadership, the office has developed a comprehensive approach that provides attorneys with fair compensation, supervision, mentorship, social workers, legal resources and other support necessary to effectively represent their clients.
Read More About Gwendolyn L. Clegg
Ms. Clegg’s work recognizes that meaningful representation requires more than simply assigning a lawyer to a case. Children deserve attorneys who understand their role as advocates and who can ensure their clients’ voices, wishes and interests are heard in court. By strengthening the quality of representation, the OFR also helps families access resources and treatment programs that can support reunification and improve outcomes for children.
Through her efforts, Ms. Clegg has helped establish a framework that benefits not only the children and families directly involved in deprived cases but also the broader legal system. Her commitment to improving advocacy for Oklahoma’s most vulnerable children exemplifies the profound impact members of the legal profession can have beyond the courtroom. Her leadership through the Office of Family Representation has helped create lasting change in the way Oklahoma approaches representation for children and families.
NEIL E. BOGAN PROFESSIONALISM AWARD
John W. Gile, Oklahoma City
John W. Gile has spent more than 40 years practicing law and, throughout his career, has demonstrated the conduct, honesty, integrity and courtesy that represent the highest standards of the legal profession. His influence, however, extends well beyond his own practice. Through decades of mentoring and training attorneys, he has helped shape not only the lawyers he has worked alongside but also the professional standards they carry forward.
Mr. Gile leads by example. Rather than simply encouraging others to uphold high standards, he demonstrates those standards through his own actions and professional relationships. His approach to mentorship reflects a genuine commitment to strengthening the legal profession by helping younger attorneys understand the responsibilities that come with being a lawyer.
Read More About John W. Gile
Over more than four decades, Mr. Gile’s commitment to these principles has made a lasting impression on the attorneys he has mentored and trained. His example demonstrates that the highest standards of the profession are not merely found in rules or requirements, but in the daily choices lawyers make in their interactions with clients, colleagues, opposing counsel and the courts.
Through his career and his investment in the next generation of attorneys, Mr. Gile exemplifies the character, integrity and courtesy this award recognizes.
OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AWARD
Mac Finlayson, Tulsa
Mac D. Finlayson, who is celebrating 50 years of OBA membership in 2026, exemplifies the spirit of outstanding pro bono service through decades of dedicated legal and community service. A senior counsel with Eller & Detrich, Mr. Finlayson has combined a distinguished legal career with a longstanding commitment to helping individuals and communities access justice.
His pro bono work through the Tulsa County Bar Association’s Court Assistance Project (CAP) is a defining example of that commitment. Since CAP’s inception, Mr. Finlayson has made 76 appearances at the Evictions Docket, representing clients in more than 300 cases and donating 397.25 hours of legal services, valued at more than $110,000. His work provides critical assistance to families facing housing insecurity, helping clients understand their legal options and work toward greater stability.
Read More About Mac Finlayson
Mr. Finlayson’s commitment to public service extends well beyond the courtroom. From 2019 to 2024, he chaired the TCBA Pro Bono Committee and helped strengthen the resources available to attorneys and members of the public. In 2021, he worked with the Tulsa County Court Administrator to update the Landlord-Tenant Act booklet and revised the CAP Evictions Handbook, which judges now use as a bench manual.
His record of service also includes helping establish the OBA Disaster Response and Relief Committee, volunteering as a firefighter and captain with the Beggs Fire Department, and supporting numerous civic and community organizations.
Through his pro bono work, leadership and willingness to serve wherever his skills are needed, Mr. Finlayson demonstrates the profound difference an attorney can make when professional expertise is placed in service to others. His career reflects a sustained commitment to expanding access to justice and strengthening the communities he serves.
MAURICE MERRILL GOLDEN QUILL AWARD
Mbilike Mwafulirwa, Tulsa
Mbilike Mwafulirwa is awarded the Maurice Merrill Golden Quill Award for authoring “The Whimper (Almost) No One Heard Coming: Berk v. Choy and Anti-SLAPP Statutes,” which was featured in the April 2026 issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal, and was selected by the Board of Editors as the best article published in the journal in the last year.
He is a leader in continuing legal education, known for creating innovative, thought-provoking programming. A partner at Coffey, Senger, Hancock & Harmon, he co-chairs the Tulsa County Bar Association Bench & Bar Committee. He also teaches at the TU College of Law on artificial intelligence and the legal profession, equipping attorneys to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape.
Mr. Mwafulirwa was the 2025 recipient of the Earl Sneed Award for his outstanding continuing legal education contributions
OUTSTANDING YOUNG LAWYER AWARD
Clayton M. Baker, Grove
The Oklahoma Bar Association’s 2026 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award recognizes Clayton M. Baker of Grove for his exceptional commitment to the legal profession, the OBA YLD and the communities he serves.
Throughout his career, Mr. Baker has distinguished himself through a rare combination of professional excellence, humility and a genuine commitment to service. His contributions to the YLD span years of dependable leadership, including service as district representative, secretary and treasurer. When an unexpected vacancy recently arose, Clayton once again stepped forward to serve as secretary, willingly accepting the additional responsibility because he understood the organization needed him.
Read More About Clayton M. Baker
His dedication to public service continues as he serves with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and prepares to take the bench as Delaware County’s next associate district judge.
The following awards will be presented during the General Assembly on Friday, Nov.13.
LIBERTY BELL AWARD
Jerzy the Court Dog/Mindie Baab
The 2026 Liberty Bell Award recognizes Jerzy the Court Dog and her handler, Mindie Baab, for nearly a decade of extraordinary service to the courts, the legal profession and the people they serve. Jerzy’s work exemplifies the purpose of the Liberty Bell Award: strengthening and promoting our system of justice by helping ensure that everyone who enters the courtroom can participate in the legal process with dignity and confidence. As Oklahoma’s pioneering facility court dog, Jerzy has provided a calm and reassuring presence to countless children and other vulnerable individuals during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Read More About Jerzy and Ms. Baab
At the Rogers County Courthouse and in surrounding jurisdictions, Jerzy has provided comfort during juvenile deprived matters, in-camera interviews, adoptions, guardianships, protective order proceedings, mental health hearings and other sensitive family and court proceedings. Her presence can reduce fear and anxiety, helping witnesses, particularly children, feel safe enough to participate more fully in the judicial process. Judges, attorneys, court staff and litigants have come to rely on Jerzy as a trusted member of the courthouse community.
Jerzy’s service extends beyond the courtroom. Through school visits, community outreach, hospital and hospice visits and public appearances, she has helped demystify the justice system and build connections between the courts and the communities they serve.
Sustained without public funding and through the dedication of Jerzy and Ms. Baab and the support of their community, this work represents an exceptional commitment to public service. Their impact demonstrates that strengthening our system of freedom under law sometimes begins with something as simple and powerful as helping someone feel safe enough to be heard.
OUTSTANDING COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION AWARD
Canadian County Bar Association
The Canadian County Bar Association is being recognized for its outstanding commitment to its members, the legal profession and the community it serves.
Canadian County is Oklahoma’s fastest-growing county, and the Canadian County Bar Association has responded to that growth with thoughtful leadership, practical programming and a strong commitment to maintaining a connected and engaged legal community. Through regular monthly meetings and continuing legal education programs, the association provides local attorneys with meaningful opportunities to stay informed, exchange ideas and build the professional relationships that strengthen the bench, the bar and the administration of justice.
Read More About the Canadian County Bar Association
The association’s influence also extends well beyond Canadian County. Its members have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to service within the OBA, including leadership on the OBA Board of Governors, service as OBA president-elect and participation on the YLD Board of Directors. This willingness to serve at the state level reflects both the depth of leadership within the Canadian County Bar and its commitment to the legal profession as a whole.
The association’s dedication to community engagement was particularly evident through its 2026 Law Day program, which featured Judge David Lewis of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals discussing the theme, “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” By bringing together members of the legal profession and the public for meaningful discussion, the association helped highlight the importance of the rule of law and the vital role of the courts in our communities.
Through its support of attorneys, promotion of professionalism and continuing education, and commitment to public service, the Canadian County Bar Association demonstrates the meaningful difference a local bar organization can make. Its record of service makes it a deserving recipient of the Outstanding County Bar Association Award.
OUTSTANDING COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION AWARD
Tulsa County Bar Association
The Tulsa County Bar Association is being recognized for its exceptional commitment to strengthening the legal profession, supporting its members and serving the Tulsa community. Since 1903, the TCBA has been an integral part of the Tulsa legal community. Today, it continues that tradition through an impressive combination of professional development, member engagement, leadership development and direct community service. Since September 2025, the association has provided its members with 84 hours of complimentary CLE, including 16 hours focused on ethics. Its programming addresses both the practical and emerging challenges of modern legal practice, while its Brown Bag Series and other programs foster meaningful connections between the bench, bar and legal scholars.
Read More About the Tulsa County Bar Association
The TCBA also recognizes that a strong legal community depends on relationships. Through mentorship, social and recreational activities, volunteer projects and development of its YLD Leadership Academy, the association creates opportunities for attorneys at every stage of their careers to connect, learn and contribute.
Perhaps most significantly, the TCBA translates that commitment into meaningful service to the public. Its revitalized Court Assistance Program has assisted more than 1,570 individuals facing housing insecurity since September 2025. Its Street Law program brings legal education to young people, while its Lawyer Referral and Information Service has handled more than 2,000 public inquiries this fiscal year. The association also supports the courts through its biennial Judicial Dinner, which raised nearly $40,000 this year for courthouse needs.
The TCBA’s commitment to public education was equally evident during Law Day 2026, with a 12-hour Ask A Lawyer program, record participation in student contests and a sold-out annual luncheon featuring Chief Justice Dustin Rowe.
Through all of these efforts, the Tulsa County Bar Association demonstrates how a county bar can elevate both the profession and the community it serves. Its breadth of service, innovation and sustained commitment make it a deserving recipient of the 2026 Outstanding County Bar Association Award.
EARL SNEED AWARD
Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation
The Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation is recognized as this year’s winner of the Earl Sneed Award for its dedication in providing quality continuing legal education to empower attorneys in addressing the access to justice issues facing our state. The foundation’s annual Access to Justice Summit directly confronts this challenge by bringing urgent issues to the forefront, convening thought leaders and practitioners committed to finding real, lasting solutions. Central to the summit’s mission is its robust focus on pro bono service as a cornerstone of access to justice. The program elevates pro bono not merely as a professional obligation, but as a calling, inspiring attorneys across the state to step forward and serve those who cannot afford legal representation.
Read More About the Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation
What distinguishes the Access to Justice Summit is the breadth and caliber of its programming. By bringing together both Oklahoma-based voices and nationally recognized speakers, the event offers attendees a uniquely rich perspective – grounding discussions in the specific legal landscape of our state while drawing on innovations and best practices from across the country.
The Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation exemplifies the spirit of the Earl Sneed Award: a genuine, sustained effort to strengthen the legal profession’s role in serving all Oklahomans, regardless of means or geography.
HICKS EPTON LAW DAY AWARD
Payne County Bar Association
The Payne County Bar Association, chaired by Stillwater lawyer James V. Murray, is being recognized with the Hicks Epton Law Day Award for its local bar members’ outstanding participation in the 2026 Law Day activities, and for its continued commitment to public service, professionalism and community engagement.
Throughout the month of May, the association demonstrated the spirit of Law Day through meaningful events that connected attorneys, courthouse staff and community members while highlighting the important role of the law and the legal profession.
Read More About the Payne County Bar Association
On May 1, members of the Payne County Bar Association volunteered their time and legal knowledge through the annual Ask A Lawyer program, providing free legal information and guidance to members of the public. The association further expanded its outreach efforts on May 15 by hosting an additional in-person Ask A Lawyer event at the Stillwater Public Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., making attorneys accessible to citizens in a welcoming community setting and helping answer important legal questions for local residents.
The association also honored the legal community’s traditions and service through a memorial ceremony held May 5 at the Payne County Courthouse. The event provided a meaningful opportunity for remembrance and reflection among colleagues, friends and members of the judiciary.
In addition to serving the public and honoring members of the profession, the Payne County Bar Association strengthened relationships within the courthouse community by hosting a barbecue lunch for Payne County Courthouse employees on May 6. This event fostered goodwill and appreciation among the many individuals who work daily to support the administration of justice.
Through these diverse Law Day activities, the Payne County Bar Association exemplified service, professionalism and dedication to public education regarding the Rule of Law while making a lasting impact on its local community.
GOLDEN GAVEL AWARD
Bar Association Technology Committee
The Golden Gavel Award is presented to the OBA Technology Committee in recognition of its dedication, vision and meaningful impact on the legal profession. Through forward-thinking guidance and steadfast service, the committee has become an essential leader in advancing innovation, security and technological competence within the Oklahoma Bar Association.
One of the committee’s most significant contributions has been helping protect the association’s data and technological infrastructure. As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, the committee has provided valuable guidance on cybersecurity solutions, risk management and critical system upgrades, helping safeguard sensitive member and organizational information while promoting responsible technology governance.
Read More About the Bar Association Technology Committee
The committee also has helped position the OBA for the future through its recommendations for a more streamlined association management system and a modernized public-facing website. Recognizing the need for intuitive, accessible and user-friendly digital experiences, the committee has advocated for technology solutions that improve communication, member engagement and operational efficiency while helping the association better serve the public.
Beyond these accomplishments, the Bar Association Technology Committee continues to provide thoughtful collaboration and innovative ideas as new challenges and opportunities emerge. Whether evaluating new tools, improving workflows or exploring ways to enhance member services, its members consistently demonstrate a commitment to helping the OBA adapt to a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Perhaps most importantly, the committee has been a strong voice for recognizing technological competence as an essential component of professional responsibility. In today’s practice of law, attorneys must understand the technology that affects their work and their ethical obligations to clients. The committee has helped advance this message by encouraging education, awareness and thoughtful engagement with emerging technologies.
The Bar Association Technology Committee exemplifies excellence in leadership, service and innovation. Its work has strengthened the association, supported its members and helped prepare the legal profession for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRO BONO SERVICE
Tulsa Lawyers for Children
Tulsa Lawyers for Children is being recognized with the Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award for its long-standing service, innovative approach to pro bono representation and its unwavering commitment to giving vulnerable children a voice in the legal proceedings that can profoundly shape their lives.
For more than 25 years, Tulsa Lawyers for Children has provided advocacy and representation to children and families facing some of life’s most difficult circumstances. In 2025, the organization expanded that mission in a significant way by launching a pro bono guardian ad litem program for children involved in high-conflict custody, guardianship and adoption cases whose families cannot otherwise afford this critical service.
Read More About Tulsa Lawyers for Children
The program addresses a fundamental need in the justice system: ensuring that children have an independent advocate focused solely on their safety, well-being and best interests. In cases where adults may disagree about what should happen next, a guardian ad litem gives the child an opportunity to be heard and helps provide the court with a fuller understanding of the child’s circumstances and needs.
This service is particularly meaningful because access to a dedicated advocate should not depend on a family’s ability to pay. Through its pro bono program, Tulsa Lawyers for Children is extending high-quality, child-centered legal advocacy to families who might otherwise go without it. Its volunteer attorneys help children navigate an often intimidating legal process while advocating for outcomes that promote safety, stability and healthy development.
The program also reflects a broader commitment to equal access to justice. By identifying a gap in legal services and creating an innovative response, Tulsa Lawyers for Children is helping ensure that some of the community’s most vulnerable individuals are not overlooked when important decisions are being made about their futures.
Outstanding Senior Law School Student Awards
The following awards will be presented during the various law school alumni luncheons
OCU SCHOOL OF LAW
Alexis White
Alexis White is a third-year law student at the OCU School of Law. She has been on the Dean’s List and Faculty Honor Roll each semester of law school and has been awarded seven CALI Excellence for the Future awards. Ms. White is the resource editor for the Oklahoma City University Law Review and received the Excellence in Technical Editing award from the previous Law Review Board. She has served as an academic fellow to law professors for torts, property and constitutional law. She is a member of the Federal Bar Association and William J. Holloway Jr. American Inn of Court. Additionally, Ms. White is a student fellow for the 10th Circuit Year in Review Program.
Read More About Alexis White
Ms. White earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations with minors in Spanish and Portuguese from OU, graduating with honors. She was the vice president of the Undergraduate Student Congress and member of the OU mock trial team. Ms. White spent a semester abroad in Mexico where she taught English at a Mexican high school. Additionally, Ms. White has served as a translator on multiple mission trips to Central and South America.
After graduation, Ms. While will clerk for Judge David Russell in the Western District of Oklahoma. She spent two summers at GableGotwals in Oklahoma City and will join the firm as an associate attorney after her clerkship.
TU COLLEGE OF LAW
Mary Hill
Mary Hill is the number one student in her class and has been named to the faculty honor roll throughout her time in law school. A repeat CALI Award recipient, she earned the top grade in Contracts, Civil Procedure I, Torts, Constitutional Law I, Constitution Law II, Criminal Law & Administration, Legal Writing I, Legal Writing III and Professional Responsibility.
Read More About Mary Hill
Ms. Hill serves on the prestigious Tulsa Law Review and participates in the National Moot Court Competition while in law school. She currently serves as secretary of the Federal Bar Association, treasurer of the Christian Legal Society, and is an inductee into the Council Oak Johnson Sontag Chapter of the American Inns of Court. Off campus she has served as a summer associate at the law firms of Crowe Dunlevy and Gable Gotwals in Tulsa and as a legal extern for the Oklahoma Attorney General Solicitor General Unit.
Prior to law school, she earned her B.A in political science graduating magna cum laude from Utah Valley University. While an undergraduate, she also studied Foundations of American Constitutionalism at the University of Oxford. After college, she earned a Master of Public Administration, graduating summa cum laude from the University of Nevada. Her experience prior to law school includes service at the University of Nevada Office of Equal Employment and Title IX where she served as an equal employment and Title IX analyst. Additionally, she was a Wood research assistant at the Center for Constitutional Students where she acted as liaison to government officials, donors, academic visitors, and Utah Valey University student body while overseeing work on the Quill Project to digitally model the negotiations of constitutional texts.
Ms. Hill will earn her J.D. from the TU College of Law in May 2027.
OU COLLEGE OF LAW
Shelby Frost
Photo and bio to come!
