CASA of Oklahoma County Executive Director Kim Vanbebber (left) presents the organization’s Community Impact Award to the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, represented by OBF President M. Courtney Briggs, Executive Director Renee DeMoss and Director of Grant Services and Communications Jessi Hesami.

As I begin my term as president of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, I do so with a clear appreciation for the responsibilities entrusted to the foundation and for its longstanding role in supporting access to justice across Oklahoma. My early work in publishing provided a practical understanding of how legal frameworks protect interests and facilitate informed decision-making, ultimately leading me to pursue a career in the law. Later, my service as chairperson of the OBA Young Lawyers Division reinforced the importance of public service and demonstrated the value of sustained engagement in our professional community. That experience, and the lasting relationships formed through it, continues to inform my commitment to the foundation’s mission and to the broader responsibilities we share as members of the legal profession.

This year marks the OBF’s 80th anniversary, a milestone that underscores both the progress made and the responsibility ahead. What began as a modest effort to support law-related issues has grown into a statewide leader in funding programs that expand access to justice. The generosity of Oklahoma lawyers over eight decades has strengthened our endowment and enabled the foundation to support organizations whose work reaches thousands of individuals each year. As we honor this legacy, we also look to the future: ensuring sound stewardship of our resources, strengthening our partnerships and maintaining the stability of our annual grantmaking for the long term.

The organizations we support best demonstrate the foundation’s impact. Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma provides essential civil legal assistance to vulnerable individuals across the state. Oklahoma Lawyers for Families and Children ensures that abused and neglected youth receive the advocacy they deserve. Numerous youth justice, diversion and legal education programs create avenues for accountability, understanding and second chances. Community organizations funded by the OBF work to improve access to the courts, assist individuals navigating legal processes and expand legal literacy in meaningful and practical ways.

Among our partners, CASA programs, including CASA of Oklahoma County and CASA organizations in Tulsa and statewide, perform particularly important work. Their trained volunteers provide consistent, informed advocacy for children navigating the court system, ensuring their voices are heard during difficult proceedings. Earlier this year, CASA of Oklahoma County honored the OBF with its Community Impact Award. I was privileged to accept the award on behalf of the OBF and to witness firsthand the dedication of CASA volunteers and the measurable impact their service provides. It was the first award the foundation has received and a meaningful recognition of our longstanding investment in the well-being of Oklahoma’s children.

Another significant grantee, the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program, offers confidential support to attorneys facing mental health challenges, substance use concerns and the pressures inherent in legal practice. Through counseling resources, peer assistance and crisis intervention, Lawyers Helping Lawyers contributes to the well-being of individual attorneys and to the overall health and integrity of the profession. Supporting those who serve the public is essential to maintaining a fair and reliable justice system.

As we celebrate this anniversary year, I invite every member of the OBA to engage with the foundation’s mission – whether by contributing to the endowment, sharing our work within your networks or encouraging community organizations to seek support. The needs across our state remain significant, and collective participation is vital to meeting them.

I extend my sincere appreciation to the donors, volunteers, board members and staff who sustain the OBF’s work. Your dedication over the past 80 years has built an institution that is both resilient and deeply impactful. I look forward to our continued work together on behalf of all Oklahomans.

Ms. Briggs practices in Oklahoma City and serves as the 2026 OBF president.