Background: Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, moved to Oklahoma in 1975. Married Ruslyn in 1981; two daughters: Brianna, an illustrator in Northampton, Massachusetts, and Charlcy, director of music for Community Christian Church and lives in Stillwater. He and his family raised and bred quarter horses for about 25 years before selling the ranch in 2017.

Education: B.A. in history and political science from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin. J.D. from the OU College of Law.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? My first goal is to find an outstanding replacement for our retiring Executor Director John Morris Williams. He will be hard to replace. During my year as president, I plan on holding Board of Governor meetings throughout the state of Oklahoma. I want the attorneys of Oklahoma to have an opportunity to meet the new executive director. I also want to allow the Board of Governors to show bar members that we want to meet with them, get to know them and want to listen to their thoughts and concerns.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? Before I started practicing law, I wish I had known how important the business of practicing law is to a successful practice. When I started practicing, I was ill-prepared for the running of a small business and all the financial decisions necessary to make it successful. Learning how to properly run a law office was sometimes learned the hard way. That is why I believe so strongly in the need for continued emphasis on the OBA Management Assistance Program to aid the lawyers of our state in tackling those issues as they arise.

What is your favorite OBA member benefit? As I said above, I am a big fan of the Management Assistance Program. While in private practice, I relied on the information provided by MAP and the programs they presented. The ability to be able to pick up the phone and find out information from an expert was and is an outstanding member benefit.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? I have not eaten out at a restaurant in over a year and a half. That, along with finally having the ability to get rid of the masks, are high on my list of things I look forward to the most.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? I believe the lack of professionalism between lawyers is my biggest concern. All lawyers must understand that they must be truthful to the court at all times. Also, some attorneys try to bully their opponents to create an advantage in the courtroom. While I believe aggressive advocacy is certainly appropriate, advocates need to show respect to the opposing counsel and not try to demean or run over them.

What phone app could I not live without? I probably use my Garmin app more than anything else.

Best way to beat stress? I use the television to relax at the end of the day. It may be with television shows, movies, news or sports. I find it lets me put out of my mind the things I have been dealing with during the course of the day.

Background: I am an Oklahoma City native and third-generation attorney. I live in Oklahoma City with my wife, Andrea, and two sons, Fischer and Harrison. I played basketball and ran track in high school and continue to be a big basketball fan – particularly the Thunder and Jayhawks. After graduating from law school, I moved back to Oklahoma City to practice with the firm my parents founded. Currently, I am general counsel for The Bankers Bank.

Education: I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, where I double majored in political science and history. I received my J.D. from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, where I was a member of the National Moot Court Team.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? Enhancing attorneys’ prestige in our Oklahoma community and meeting as many lawyers as I can.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? How much I would need to know about IT to do the job.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? Fellowship and the fantastic CLE programs.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? Shaking hands and less hand sanitizer. My hands are really cracking.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Administrative burdens on small law offices. Between staying on top of technology, payroll and other administrative issues, it can be difficult (and very stressful) for smaller offices to obtain clients and actually practice the law.

What phone app could you not live without? Spotify. I love a good history podcast.

Best way to beat stress? Meditation, yoga, a glass of wine and/or a good workout.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution by my favorite history podcaster, Mike Duncan. This book details the inspiring life of the Marquis de Lafayette and his relationship to multiple revolutions.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be a... High school basketball coach and history teacher.

Background: I was born in Tulsa and grew up in Ardmore. My wife, Christy, and I were married in Oklahoma City in 1978 while I was in law school at OCU. We moved to Ardmore in 1985, where we currently reside. My daughter, Nataly, and her husband, Michael, live in Denver and are expecting a baby boy in April or May. My son, Chase, and his wife, Jill, live in Los Angeles with their 4-year-old daughter, Liv.

Education: I graduated from OU in 1977 and the OCU School of Law in 1980.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? I would like to disseminate to the membership the free benefits that are available to OBA members.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? The membership directory.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? Regular travel.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Discovery issues.

What phone app could you not live without? Weather app.

Best way to beat stress? Go for a jog.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? The Bible.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be a… Park ranger.

Michael R. Vanderburg

Background: Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, currently residing in Ponca City. Seven years in private practice, 39 years of service to local governments. Family: wife is Linda; adult children Robert and Lauren; and grandchildren Isaac, Cort and Ellie.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science and J.D. both from the University of Arkansas.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? Working to improve the OBA’s communications with county bar associations and various municipal organizations.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? I wish I knew how so much good can be accomplished through government service and how personal it is at the local government level.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? The Oklahoma Bar Journal.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? Personal travel and live theater.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Bringing young people into the profession to replace an aging and retiring group of individuals.

What phone app could you not live without? Email and messaging.

Best way to beat stress? Taking time to play with children and dogs.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? Six Amendments: How and Why We Should Change the Constitution by John Paul Stevens or Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be… (with glasses) a teacher, (without glasses) a pilot.

Background: I am from Durant, where I am involved with the Durant Rotary Club and serve on the Durant Industrial Authority Board of Trustees. I am happily married to my wife, Katy, who is from Antlers. In my free time, I cheer for the University of Oklahoma Sooners and volunteer with nonprofit organizations.

Education: I am a graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and I received my J.D. from the OU College of Law in Norman. I also have a Ph.D. in criminal justice leadership from the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? My goal has been to serve my fellow attorneys with integrity and diligence, prioritize systems that protect the professionalism and esteem of the legal profession in Oklahoma and support the continued relationship between legal academia, including the three law schools of the state, and the bar association to the best of my capacity.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? Traditional lawyering is litigation, but you are just as much of a lawyer when you work in compliance, real estate and other transactional or risk management roles. Never let anyone tell you otherwise!

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? The Oklahoma Bar Journal and the brilliant essays and research articles contained within have been a primary source of professional development for me, and I look forward to each monthly issue. I think every practicing attorney should carve out some time to contribute to the journal. Seeing your name in print on a scholarly document that benefits the profession is a heartwarming reward for the work it involves.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? I expect to travel to both France and Germany.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? On the civil side, the challenges of big data, prohibitively large digital discovery files and restrictive shackles of tort reform have been serious hurdles. On the criminal side, the high frequency of light-handed plea agreements has placed domestic violence victims in danger repeatedly.

What phone app could you not live without? The New York Times Crossword app.

Best way to beat stress? The New York Times Crossword app.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be a… Storm chaser.

Background: I grew up and graduated high school in Stillwater. I joined the U.S. Marine Corps after high school, which included a deployment to Fallujah, Iraq. Following deployment, I completed my education and started practicing law. I work with Maples, Nix & Diesselhorst and primarily practice catastrophic injury and medical negligence cases. I have an amazing wife, Lindsay, and two wonderful daughters, Makenna and Teagan.

Education: B.A. from OSU in 2008; J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 2011.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? To get members more involved with the OBA, especially us young lawyers and millennials.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? Every single family member, friend and distant relative would need “legal advice” on a daily basis.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? The wonderful events and networking.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? Being around people and traveling, especially OSU and Thunder games.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Dealing with bad internet connections during Zoom depositions and hearings.

What phone app could you not live without? ESPN and Bleacher Report.

Best way to beat stress? Turn off the Oklahoma State game, go for a run and listen to relaxing music.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? A True History of the United States by Daniel Sjursen.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be a… Guest Host on TV shows like Booze Traveler – travel the world and try different craft beers.

Background: I was born and raised in Garfield County. I attended Garber schools, graduating in 2002. After law school, I came back to Garfield County to serve the community and have been with Gungoll Jackson Box & Devoll since graduating from law school. I have two daughters, Averly and Emerie, and a son, Charlie. I enjoy working with community groups, attending Oklahoma State athletic events and spending time chasing my kids to school and athletic events.

Education: B.S. from OSU in 2006; and a J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 2011.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? Learn all of what the association has to offer and spread that knowledge to members in my district and across the state.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? Not able to easily take time off.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? The OBA forums for discussion of various topical issues and questions.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? Traveling and the reduction in back-ordered items.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? The loss of civility.

What phone app could you not live without? Email and calendar.

Best way to beat stress? Woodworking and spending time with family and friends.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be a… Professional traveler.

Background: I am from Tulsa. I graduated high school from Metro Christian Academy and attended college at the University of Oklahoma. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting as well as human resource management in May 2007. Then, I moved to Texas to work as an internal auditor and accountant for two different firms. I began law school at the OU College of Law and graduated in May 2012. Since then, I have practiced primarily in family law and have a firm with my brother, Shane Henry.  I am married to Mick Dow, and we have two little boys, Max and Beau. We currently live in Norman.

Education: B.A. in accounting and human resource management from OU; J.D. from the OU College of Law.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? I hope to reach more members of the bar and the local community to bring assistance to any areas needed.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? Time management is crucial. Work can take over your life if you allow it to do so. I believe in the saying, work to live rather than live to work.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? The community. I have met wonderful friends and mentors through the OBA, and I would not have had the opportunity to connect with them without the OBA.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? I am most looking forward to seeing how people, communities and the world define the “new normal.”

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? I truly believe the work-life balance is such a struggle for a lot of attorneys. Work is wonderful, and it is a way we can truly help the community, but our own mental health and personal boundaries are also very important. It is difficult to prioritize our time.

What phone app could you not live without? Venmo.

Best way to beat stress? Having a consistent relationship with the Lord, exercise and scheduled time off.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? The Judge’s List by John Grisham.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be an… Accountant. Boring, I know.

Richard D. White Jr.

Background: I’m from Long Beach, California, and I currently reside in Broken Bow. I’m married and have five children and 10 grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from California State University Long Beach; J.D. from the TU College of Law.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? To provide leadership in participation in the governance of our bar association during a time of change in our profession and our professional associations.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? The time demands to properly prepare a case for trial. They make it look so easy on television.

What's your favorite OBA member benefit? Continuing legal education offerings.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? Getting rid of masks.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Inadequate judicial resources. Justice delayed is often justice denied.

What phone app could you not live without? Google Maps.

Best way to beat stress? Maintain a balanced lifestyle that sets aside sufficient time for family, hobbies and other interests.

What's the best book you've read this year? The Last Lion, a biography of Winston Churchill by William Manchester and Paul Reid.

If I weren't a lawyer, I'd be a… College professor.

Background: I was born in Muskogee, where I graduated from high school. I met my wife, Amber, at a singles dinner on Valentine's Day in Austin, Texas. Three months later, we were engaged. We have three kids and a dog, and we spend most of our free time at our family cabin on the Baron Fork River. I work in private practice with my father, Roger Hilfiger, and Jay Cook. I practice in criminal and family law, and I am also a certified mediator.

Education: J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law; M.S. in energy legal studies from OCU and BI.S. in multi-disciplinary studies, commerce theory with a minor in communications from OU.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? To represent my district as best as I can.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? How fun it is to be in the courtroom.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? Fastcase! Free legal research!!!

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? Taking my family on vacations and social interaction in large groups.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Adapting to technology.

What phone app could you not live without? Professionally, Clio.

Best way to beat stress? Walking around my neighborhood with my wife and kids.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? Lonesome Dove or Beneath a Scarlett Sky.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be a… Professional student.

Background: I was raised by my parents, Mark and Shelia Edwards, in the small town of Weleetka (go Outlaws!). I went to OU for college, where I met my wonderful wife, Amanda. I stayed at OU for law school, then moved to Ada to begin my career as an attorney in private practice. The bulk of my practice is family law and criminal defense, and my wife works as a special education teacher in Davis

Education: I graduated from OU with a B.A. in sociology-criminology in 2007 and received my J.D. from the OU College of Law in 2010.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? I would like to increase our community's knowledge of the services that attorneys provide.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? That, for the most part, other lawyers are very helpful with advice and responsive to questions from new lawyers. In other words, to not be afraid to ask for help.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? I appreciate the ability to call the OBA Ethics Counsel for advice when dealing with unusual situations.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? I am looking forward to traveling without restrictions or COVID tests.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Protecting the community from non-lawyer "legal" advice and informing the public of the need to seek quality legal representation.

What phone app could you not live without? Google Maps.

Best way to beat stress? Being creative in the kitchen.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be a… Barbecue-circuit champion!

Background: Native of Lawton and married with three adult kids.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting from OU and J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? Bringing local concerns of the bar to the board.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? The great camaraderie of our bar and attorneys in Oklahoma.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? CLE.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? Getting back to traveling.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Burnout.

What phone app could you not live without? Google Calendar.

Best way to beat stress? My dogs Boo, Belini and Paisley.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? The Whistler by John Grisham.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be a… Teacher.

Background: I was born in Berlin, Germany, and was raised in an Air Force family. Altus is my “hometown.” My husband, Mark, has a public accounting firm. Our daughter, Isabella, is about to graduate from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Education: Undergrad at OU with B.A. in economics and BAC in accounting. Law school also at OU.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? To learn, to educate and to represent. And to hire a first-rate executive director (big shoes to fill!).

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? Not to make lawyer jokes.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? The Legislative Monitoring Committee’s information and free CLEs.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Lack of confidence due to politics in the judiciary.

What phone app could you not live without? My contacts list – and yes, Candy Crush.

Best way to beat stress? Talking to my hubby.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? Killers of the Flower Moon.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be a… Teacher.

Background:  My hometown is McAlester, but I moved twice a school year from the third grade until the seventh grade. Then I went to high school in Savanna (south of McAlester), where I graduated. I have lived in Tulsa for the last 20 years.

 Education:  I graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University (alma mater of Reba McEntire and North Korean Ambassador Dennis Rodman) in 2000 with dual bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science. I received my J.D. in 2003 from the TU College of Law and a mini-MBA from TU in 2007.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? To serve an organization that has given so much to me.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? How to set boundaries and thereby preserve space for me to just be.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? Fastcase and discounts on so many different legal services like Ruby.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? Solo and Small Firm Conferences, like the next one at the Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Upholding the rule of law.

What phone app could you not live without? Twitter.

Best way to beat stress? I haven’t found one yet, but I’m using the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program to find out.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? I don’t think I have gotten to finish one yet.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be an… Art gallery owner.

Kara I. Smith

Background: I was born in Oklahoma City but moved to Newalla at an early age and attended and graduated from McLoud Public Schools. Following a brief stint in private practice, I continued my legal career as a public servant, as general counsel to the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management, chief assistant attorney general and chief of the Civil Rights Unit at the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office and now as general counsel with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. I am also an adjunct professor of law at the OCU School of Law. I have two grown children, Marcel (grandkids Jordan and Allayna) and Kameron (who is a junior at OSU), and two fur babies, Mojo and Travis.

Education: I received my B.A. in political science with a minor in legal studies (Price College of Business) from OU in 1999 and my J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 2002.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? To honor my duties as a member of the OBA Board of Governors and contribute to the efficient and diligent governance of this most esteem organization. I strive to best represent the members of this wonderful organization.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? I am a first-generation lawyer in my family, and I wish I had a better understanding of the legal community and the profession before entering it. Do not get me wrong, I have had some wonderful mentors and colleagues who have really helped shape my experiences and career paths, and to experience things within this great profession on your own is something we all have to navigate. What I am saying is, there are certain aspects of it that if I had better knowledge would have had a more meaningful impact on my life in this legal profession.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? I would have to say the ability to be connected to lawyers from all over the state through bar service, whether it be volunteering for OBA programs or being involved with sections and committees. I have met lawyers who I have gotten to know better, like Charles Chesnut, who I would have probably not met if not for my involvement with the OBA and OBF.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? Normalcy, unrestricted vacationing (I am oh so missing the beach), no mask, a better appreciation in our society for each other regardless of our diverse cultures and backgrounds.

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Diversity and attracting and retaining talent.

What phone app could you not live without? Text messaging app.

Best way to beat stress? Find time to enjoy life and unwind. The pandemic has put some restrictions on this, but my advice is to find new ways to relax that may be right in your own backyard. For me, during the height of the pandemic, I focused on projects in my backyard and enhanced my backyard space.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? The best has to be reading various books of the Bible, then next, I would have to say reading A Promised Land by the 44th President Barack Obama.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be a… Veterinarian.

Background: I was born and raised in Lawton. My family has been in southwest Oklahoma since the land lottery, and I have the privilege of calling myself a fifth-generation Oklahoman. Growing up, my dad practiced at a small firm in Lawton; so I spent my young life being slowly marinated in the profession that would ultimately be my own. I currently live in Oklahoma City with my wife, Leslie, who is also an attorney, and our daughter, Eloise, who is not an attorney but, rather, a newborn. In my free time, I enjoy writing and reading fiction.

Education: After graduating from Lawton High School in 2007, I attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a minor in classical cultures. A few months after graduating college, I began my legal studies at the OU College of Law. I obtained my J.D. in 2014.

What is your most important goal during your service on the OBA Board of Governors? My main goal, and the idea that will flavor all my decisions, is inclusion. I want the OBA to be for everyone, and I want everyone to feel welcome in the OBA.

What is something you wish you knew about practicing law before you entered the profession? Being right and being clever can rarely co-exist peacefully in the same oral argument.

What’s your favorite OBA member benefit? I’m a very big fan of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program. A lot of people don’t realize that as OBA members, we have access to up to six hours of free, short-term, problem-focused or crisis counseling. It’s so comforting to know we aren’t alone, and there’s always help if we need it.

In a post-pandemic world, what are you most looking forward to? I’m excited to travel again. Leslie and I had tickets to go to Italy and Scotland in September 2020, but the world had other plans. Instead, we ate pizza and watched Outlander. Same thing, right?

What is the biggest challenge facing the legal profession? Perception. Both our perception of ourselves and the country’s perception of us. As they say, there’s a reason there are a lot more lawyer jokes than doctor jokes.

What phone app could you not live without? My “Podcasts” app keeps me sane and helped me through 2020.

Best way to beat stress? Physical activity has always been one of the only things that can truly help me beat stress. My wife and I joke that the better shape I’m in, the more stressed I am.

What’s the best book you’ve read this year? As humdrum as it sounds, the best book I read in 2021 was Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. I tackled a chapter a day for Lent, and it completely changed my outlook on life, faith and sacrifice – truly no hyperbole here.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be a… College literature professor. I distinctly remember standing in my backyard senior year of college on the phone with my dad, trying to determine if I wanted to register for the LSAT or the GRE. Spoiler: I chose the LSAT.