OCTOBER 2025 | 47 THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL Through his writing, teaching and CLE leadership, he continues to equip attorneys with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in a rapidly evolving landscape. Mr. Mwafulirwa has worked tirelessly to further legal education within the profession. OUTSTANDING YOUNG LAWYER AWARD Laura Talbert, Oklahoma City Laura Talbert’s dynamic leadership reflects the spirit of the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. For the past seven years, she has been deeply involved in the OBA Young Lawyers Division, where she has held several leadership positions, including secretary, treasurer, chair-elect, chair and now immediate past chair. Her steady guidance and enthusiasm have helped strengthen the division and expand opportunities for young lawyers across the state. Beyond her YLD leadership, Ms. Talbert has been a driving force in OBA initiatives, serving on the Access to Justice Committee and the Solo and Small Firm Conference Planning Committee and lending her time to various community service projects, like Wills for Heroes. She is also active in public service as a council member for the Child Abuse Training and Coordination Council and an Oklahoma delegate to the Uniform Law Commission, which she was appointed to by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Balancing these roles with a demanding career as an administrator at Oklahoma Human Services, Ms. Talbert has brought passion, energy and dedication to her work. She has set an example of how young lawyers can lead, serve and inspire. OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AWARD Sue Ann Arnall, Oklahoma City Sue Ann Arnall is admired for her extraordinary commitment to criminal justice reform and broad efforts to improve the lives of Oklahomans. She has devoted significant effort to criminal justice reform, focusing on reducing incarceration rates and addressing disparities. Ms. Arnall has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the public to create systemic change. She began her professional career in the energy industry before dedicating her time, leadership and resources to philanthropy and systemic change. She founded and has served as president of the Arnall Family Foundation. Through the foundation, she has made criminal justice reform a central focus. She has been a driving force behind the creation of the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub, a model that connects individuals with resources to achieve stability and avoid further justice system involvement. Her leadership and philanthropy, totaling more than $60 million in support, have transformed countless lives and communities. Ms. Arnall’s advocacy, generosity and determination have made her a catalyst for lasting change, and her service stands as a model of how one individual can elevate both the profession and the public good. AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRO BONO SERVICE Del Gustafson, Tulsa Del Gustafson has shown extraordinary dedication to serving Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens. Since joining the Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma Pro Bono Panel in 2017, he has given generously of his time and talents, most notably through his weekly volunteer work at the Tulsa Day Center. For the past three years, Mr. Gustafson has spent four hours every Tuesday at the Tulsa Day Center assisting individuals experiencing homelessness. He has shown compassion by helping clients complete forms, providing counsel and advice and working closely with LASO staff to ensure that cases are taken care of. His commitment has amounted to more than 200 hours of pro bono service each year, far exceeding the ABA’s aspirational standard of 50 hours annually. Mr. Gustafson approaches this service not for recognition but out of a genuine love for helping others. He has made it his mission to use his knowledge to help the underserved and vulnerable. Through his unwavering commitment to pro bono service, he embodies the very best of the legal profession and has set an example for others to follow.
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