Just as this year’s OBA Annual Meeting is moving up to July, the annual call for entries for OBA Awards is moving up for 2024 as well. As is our customary practice, these awards will be presented during the meeting – that means your nominations are being accepted right now.

Each year, the Oklahoma Bar Association proudly recognizes those lawyers who represent the best of the best in our profession, as well as those law-related organizations that support our members and the legal profession. Please help our association continue its legacy of recognition by nominating one of your worthy colleagues for a 2024 OBA Award.

Deserving individuals and entities stand out for their hard work in public service, leadership and service to our profession. Do you know an outstanding lawyer or organization that exemplifies these ideals? I encourage you to look among your peers, search your legal associations and contact local bar members to seek out those who should be recognized for their efforts. The nomination process is very simple. It only takes a few minutes for you to fill out a nomination form for one of these awards.

The designated awards are listed below, and a historical list of award winners is online at https://bit.ly/4863Q1r. Anyone can submit a nomination, and anyone can be nominated. No specific form is required, and the nominations can be as short as a one-page letter but cannot exceed five single-sided 8 ½ x 11 pages. You can email, fax or mail the nominations to the Awards Committee at the information below. The deadline for the nominations is Friday, March 1, at 5 p.m. Visit www.okbar.org/awards for more information.

I hope you will make it your New Year’s resolution to recognize a deserving Oklahoma lawyer by nominating them for a 2024 OBA Award. Please also resolve to spread the word to your colleagues and friends about the awards process and encourage them to submit a nomination by March 1. We are looking forward to a great group of nominees this year!

The deadline is 5 p.m. March 1, but get your nomination in EARLY! Nominations, complete with all supporting material, MUST be received by the deadline. Submissions or supporting material received after the deadline will not be considered.

Length of nomination is a maximum of five 8 ½ x 11-inch, one-sided pages, including supporting materials and the form, if used. No exceptions.

Make sure the name of the person being nominated and the person (or organization) making the nomination is on the nomination.

If you think someone qualifies for awards in several categories, pick one award and only do one nomination. The OBA Awards Committee may consider the nominee for an award in a category other than one in which you nominate that person.

Submission options (pick one):

• email:awards@okbar.org (you will receive a confirmation reply);
• fax: 405-416-7089;
• mail: OBA Awards Committee, P.O. Box 53036, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.

Visit www.okbar.org/awards for the nomination form if you want to use one (not required), history of previous winners and tips for writing nominations.

Click here to read more about the OBA Awards

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LeAnne McGill is an attorney in private practice in Edmond. She serves as the Awards Committee chairperson.