February 14, 2013
The OBF Grants & Awards Committee is now accepting applications for 2013 OBF Court Grant Awards from Oklahoma District and Appellate Courts. Applications are to be submitted or post marked no later than 5:00 pm, CST on Tuesday April 16, 2013 to receive consideration. Applications will be accepted in advance of the deadline and early submission is encouraged.
February 14, 2013
We are well into 2013 and have all (hopefully) fully recovered from the end of 2012, including our holiday and year end festivities and the dangers of the fiscal cliff, with the looming debt crisis still to be addressed. Another “crisis” said to be facing our country is the enormous need for pro bono service from lawyers. It is estimated that more than 80% of the legal needs of persons in the U.S. with limited income are currently unmet. That is a crisis that the OBF, and each person who supports the OBF, directly helps to improve.
February 13, 2013
You are providing legal advice to a start-up non-profit organization or sitting on the board of such an organization. You believe strongly in the entity’s mission, and want to do all you can, as a lawyer and as a volunteer, to help it succeed. A perfect example to follow is right in front of you – the Oklahoma Bar Foundation. This non-profit charitable organization, which is the third oldest bar foundation in the U.S, has successfully raised and distributed over $10 million to provide legal services and law-related benefits and education to Oklahoma citizens, all in the name of Oklahoma lawyers. The OBF provides a valuable legal blueprint for any lawyer to follow in establishing, operating, or contributing to the success of a non-profit organization.
January 1, 2013
Susan Shields takes the helm as president of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation at a time when the OBF is working hard to maintain grant funding for important law-related charitable programs that serve Oklahomans in need and school children throughout the State. 2012 proved to be a very different year for your Bar Foundation, with a dramatic decline in income of near fifty percent compared to 2011. Going forward, grants will need to be reduced further without additional financial support and help from the Oklahoma legal community.
December 31, 2012
To be a Fellow means that you are a player — not just a fan. Fellows are stakeholders in the mission and purpose of OBF. Mixed metaphors aside, I present you with my top ten reasons why you should be proud to be a Fellow of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation.
December 1, 2012
The OBF supports causes important to lawyers and law firms. In these challenging economic times when other sources of funding for OBF grantees have been drastically cut or have completely gone away, contributions from people like you will help the OBF be able to continue our mission of supporting law-related charities. Law-related charitable services are not an area other organizations or groups willingly support and it is important that we, as attorneys, help.
November 11, 2012
by President Shon T. Erwin It is my privilege to announce the 2012 Oklahoma Bar Foundation Grant Awards in the total amount of $356,000. The grants are down this year as a direct result of the continued instability of the economy, and particularly the ongoing low interest rate environment. Banks have dramatically reduced the rates [...]
November 11, 2012
I hate fundraising, but what I hate more is that every day equal justice under the law is being denied Oklahomans. Equal justice under the law means nothing without equal access to justice…This is a cause to which we as lawyers, are all called. Learn more about FUN…
October 6, 2012
October 1, 2012
When you pay your OBA dues, you are paying annual rent for your license to practice law in Oklahoma, and you are paying for the many valuable services your bar association provides to the legal profession and to the citizens of our state. However, when you pay your OBA dues you are not making a payment of any kind to the Oklahoma Bar Foundation. Read More of the Story