Each year at the Annual Meeting, the Oklahoma Bar Association proudly recognizes deserving lawyers and organizations that are making a difference in our community. These awards are bestowed upon worthy individuals and entities for their hard work in public service, leadership and service to our profession. That is where you come in! I am asking each of you to make it a priority 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. It only takes a few minutes for you to fill out a nomination form for one of these awards. And I can tell you firsthand how meaningful the awards are to the chosen recipients.

 I am asking each of you to make it a priority 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.

To encourage nominations, the Awards Committee has streamlined the process to make it as simple as possible. The designated awards are listed below, along with a short summary of the original honoree of the award. 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 has been extended to Friday, July 8 at 5 p.m. Visit www.okbar.org/awards for more information.

Writing a nomination letter for someone is an act of kindness that will cost you minimal time but will make a meaningful difference to those who are recognized.

Please spread the word to your colleagues and friends about the awards process and encourage them to submit a nomination. Writing a nomination letter for someone is an act of kindness that will cost you minimal time but will make a meaningful difference to those who are recognized.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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

Nomination Rules and Tips

• The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, July 8, 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):
  1. email: awards@okbar.org (you will receive a confirmation reply);
  2. fax: 405-416-7089;
  3. 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.