The Survivor Tree is an American elm tree with roots stretching back to the early days of Oklahoma statehood. After surviving the bomb’s blast, it is seen as an iconic symbol of hope in downtown Oklahoma City. Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.

On April 19, 1995, the United States witnessed one of its deadliest acts of domestic terrorism when a truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The attack killed 168 people, including 19 children, and left hundreds more injured. Three decades later, the memory of those lost remains central to the nation’s collective consciousness. Honoring their lives means not only remembering their stories but also acknowledging the profound changes in law and security that followed this tragedy.

Among those lost were government employees, military personnel, children and citizens simply going about their daily lives. The impact on families and the Oklahoma City community was immeasurable. In the wake of the bombing, the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum was established, serving as a solemn tribute to the victims, survivors and first responders who risked their lives in the aftermath. The annual remembrance ceremony ensures that their stories are never forgotten and that the lessons learned continue to shape future generations. Among the victims were four Oklahoma lawyers. I encourage you to read the tributes honoring our fallen fellow OBA members.

Beyond physical memorials, the legal community also sought to honor the victims through justice and reform in ways that can still be felt today. One notable example is the implementation of the OBA Disaster Response Legal Services, which still works to provide assistance for disaster victims in our state 30 years later. OBA members representing numerous practice areas stepped up in a big way to lend a hand to fellow Oklahomans. The impact was so significant that even the state of New York reached out after the 9/11 attacks to model the framework that had been developed here. The support provided by these volunteer lawyers demonstrates just one notable example of what has come to be known as “the Oklahoma standard.”

The bombing also changed how terrorism cases were prosecuted. The trials of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols required careful legal strategy, balancing the demand for justice with constitutional protections. The proceedings set important legal precedents for handling terrorism-related cases and reinforced the necessity of due process even in emotionally charged situations. Some of you may already be aware that 2023 OBA President Brian Hermanson was assigned as a prosecutor during the state trial of convicted co-conspirator Terry Nichols, a seven-year trial that made a major impact on his legal career. You can read more about Mr. Hermanson’s experiences in the January 2023 issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal.

The event’s reverberations can still be felt three decades later when we experience heightened security at federal buildings, courthouses and government facilities. In 2025, the legal community continues to draw lessons from this event, ensuring that justice, security and remembrance remain at the forefront of national discussions. Through these efforts, the memory of the 168 lives lost endures, guiding the nation's commitment to justice and resilience.

The attack emphasized the critical role lawyers play in upholding justice, balancing security with individual rights and ensuring that legal systems remain fair and effective. As domestic terrorism remains a concern, legal professionals continue to study the case, drawing lessons on prosecution strategies, victim advocacy and the evolving intersection of law and national security.

In remembering the tragedy, the legal community honors not only the victims but also the resilience of those who sought justice, reinforcing the enduring importance of law in times of national crisis.

To contact Executive Director Johnson, email her at janetj@okbar.org.