Oklahoma Bar Journal
From the Executive Director | Step Up and Lead: Get Involved in OBA Leadership
By Janet Johnson
The Oklahoma Bar Association plays a critical role in regulating the practice of law, promoting ethical standards, supporting professional development, and protecting the public interest. These responsibilities require thoughtful and engaged leadership. When lawyers choose to serve on boards, committees, and task forces, they bring firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing the profession. Their practical experience allows them to identify emerging issues, develop meaningful solutions, and advocate for policies that benefit both attorneys and the public.
Leadership within the bar provides attorneys with an opportunity to give back to a profession that has invested in their growth and success. Every lawyer has benefited from the legal system, professional mentorship, and the collective efforts of those who came before them. Serving in a leadership capacity is a way to continue that tradition of service. Through active participation, lawyers can help shape educational programs, improve member services, and contribute to initiatives that promote access to justice and public confidence in the legal system.
Since the OBA Annual Meeting is right around the corner, this is the perfect time for members to consider becoming more involved in leadership within the association. Whether through service on committees, participation in sections, involvement in the House of Delegates, or pursuing elected leadership positions, the Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to learn how the association operates and discover meaningful ways to contribute to the future of the profession.
The Annual Meeting is also where many important conversations take place. Members gather from across Oklahoma to discuss the profession's priorities, celebrate achievements, and set a course for the future. It is an ideal setting to connect with current leaders, learn about volunteer opportunities, and gain a better understanding of how and why decisions are made within the association. For attorneys who have considered becoming more involved, there is no better time to take that first step.
A discussion of rapid change taking place within the legal profession is a notable example of these conversations. Most practicing lawyers are feeling the effects of these seismic shifts, which are being driven largely by technology and evolving client expectations. These developments require innovative leadership and diverse perspectives. Lawyers who become involved in bar leadership can help guide their organizations through these transitions. They can ensure that discussions about artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, remote practice, and access to legal services are informed by practical experience and professional judgment. Strong leadership helps the OBA remain relevant and effective in addressing contemporary challenges.
Leadership roles also provide significant professional benefits. Serving in the OBA develops valuable skills in governance, strategic planning, communication, and consensus-building. Lawyers who participate in leadership often expand their professional networks, gain exposure to different areas of practice, and build lasting relationships with colleagues across the state. These experiences strengthen not only the association but also the individual attorneys who serve.
Equally important is the opportunity to ensure that OBA leadership reflects the diversity of Oklahoma's legal community. Attorneys from different practice areas, geographic regions, backgrounds, and career stages bring unique perspectives that enrich decision-making and strengthen the association. Broad participation helps ensure that OBA programs and policies effectively serve all members and the public.
The future of the legal profession depends on attorneys who are willing to lead. As the Annual Meeting approaches, members are encouraged to explore opportunities for involvement and consider how they can contribute their time, talents, and ideas to the association. Leadership begins with engagement, and there is no better time than now to become part of the conversations and decisions that will shape the future of the Oklahoma Bar Association and the profession it serves.
Originally published in the Oklahoma Bar Journal – OBJ 97 No. 7 (September 2026)
Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.