THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL 58 | SEPTEMBER 2025 Bar News: OBA Leadership Academy Shape the Future of the Bar By Gigi McCormick Apply To Join the 2026 OBA Leadership Academy IF YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING for an opportunity to sharpen your leadership skills and create connections, now is the time! Applications will open Sept. 15 for the ninth class of the OBA Leadership Academy. Since 2008, this program has equipped participants with the skills and connections to be leaders not only within the bar but also in their local communities and beyond. BUILDING TOMORROW’S BAR LEADERS Originating from the OBA’s Leadership Conference in 2007, the OBA Leadership Academy focuses on equipping participants with the skills and network connections to become leaders within the bar as well as their local communities. The comprehensive program provides participants with invaluable insights into OBA governance, special considerations for attorneys in public service, networking strategies and effective communication techniques. The Leadership Academy represents more than professional development – it’s an investment in the future of Oklahoma’s legal profession. Over the past eight classes, graduates have gone on to assume leadership roles within the OBA and their communities, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in cultivating the next generation of legal leaders. WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT The Leadership Academy follows a structured format designed to maximize learning and networking opportunities. Participants attend multi-day sessions throughout the year, combining educational content with evening networking events. The program culminates with attendance at the OBA Annual Meeting, providing participants with firsthand exposure to the association’s governance process. Based on previous years’ schedules, participants can expect approximately six sessions from January through November, with most events held in Oklahoma City. Each session typically includes both day-long educational components and evening networking activities, ensuring participants build meaningful professional relationships alongside their skill development. A TRANSFORMATIVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE The Leadership Academy goes beyond traditional continuing Retired Justice Yvonne Kauger gives the class a tour of the Oklahoma Judicial Center, providing a history of the center and discussing the artwork hanging throughout the building.
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