THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL 48 | OCTOBER 2025 MAURICE MERRILL GOLDEN QUILL AWARD Martha Rupp Carter, Tulsa Martha Rupp Carter is awarded the Maurice Merrill Golden Quill Award for authoring “‘Whatcha Gonna Do?’ A Primer on Oklahoma’s Attorney Discipline Process,” which appeared in the December 2024 issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal. Ms. Carter is a retired Tulsa County district court judge. She serves the OBA as chief master of the Professional Responsibility Tribunal and on the Board of Editors for the Oklahoma Bar Journal. She received her J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1980. MAURICE MERRILL GOLDEN QUILL AWARD Randall J. Yates, Tulsa Randall J. Yates is awarded the Maurice Merrill Golden Quill Award for authoring “End-Running the First Amendment in Public Schools? Lessons on the State Actor Doctrine From Oklahoma’s Religious Charter School Case,” which appeared in the April 2025 issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal. Mr. Yates is a director in the Tulsa office of Crowe & Dunlevy. He practices in the areas of appeals, government and tribal affairs and complex commercial litigation. Mr. Yates is a member of the firm’s Appellate, Litigation & Trial and Indian Law & Gaming practice groups. He is also the past chair of the OBA Appellate Practice Section. The following awards will be presented during the General Assembly on Friday, Nov. 7. OUTSTANDING COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION AWARD Tulsa County Bar Association The Tulsa County Bar Association has been committed to serving attorneys, advancing the legal profession and strengthening the Tulsa community. Over the past year, the TCBA has provided exceptional professional development, including 84 hours of free CLE, mentorship, leadership opportunities and more. The TCBA also fosters strong professional bonds through social and networking opportunities, from leagues and tournaments to family-friendly events, creating a welcoming and collegial bar community. The association invests in the next generation of lawyers through its Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy, mentorship program, complimentary membership and opportunities for law students in the county. The association also helps the community. Projects like Street Law, the revitalized Court Assistance Program and the annual holiday challenge fundraiser are just a few examples of how they demonstrate dedication to legal access and public service. The TCBA’s celebration of Law Day is also notable, including hosting Ask A Lawyer, student writing and art contests, the Lynn Miller Law Day Book Club and a luncheon and awards ceremony. The TCBA remains steadfast in its mission to educate, assist and empower both its members and the broader community. Through innovative programs, thoughtful leadership and a deep sense of civic responsibility, the TCBA sets the standard for what a county bar association can accomplish. GOLDEN GAVEL AWARD OBA Membership Engagement Committee The OBA Membership Engagement Committee, co-chaired by Tim DeClerck of Enid and April Moaning of Oklahoma City, has demonstrated leadership and innovation. The committee consistently works to ensure the OBA is best serving its members and the public. In 2025, the committee revitalized a long-stalled project to update the OBA’s free legal information brochures, ensuring Oklahomans once again have access to accurate, easy-to- understand information on essential legal topics, like family law and real estate. The committee has also expanded its focus to engaging law students early in their careers and cultivating long-term connections. They have worked diligently to ensure members can take pride in their profession and their status as Oklahoma lawyers, specifically. Since its formation in 2021, the committee has consistently delivered meaningful results. Highlights include spearheading membership surveys that identified critical needs, improving communication strategies and enhancing member benefits – such as boosting Fastcase usage through OBA-specific training programs. Their survey-driven approach has directly shaped OBA offerings, from improved online platforms to more inclusive Annual Meeting experiences. Through forward-thinking vision and dedication to member service, the Membership
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