OBF Grants & Awards
The Oklahoma Bar Foundation (OBF) offers a variety of grants aimed at improving the legal landscape in Oklahoma. These grants support nonprofit organizations, courts, and individuals dedicated to enhancing legal services, education, and the administration of justice. All grant applications are reviewed, and applicants are interviewed by the OBF Grants & Awards Committee before being submitted for a formal vote of approval by the OBF Board of Trustees. Below are the types of grants available:
IOLTA Grants
The Oklahoma Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program provides annual grants to nonprofits that offer legal services, court advocacy, law-related education, and improvements to the administration of justice. This funding ensures that essential legal resources remain accessible to those in need.
Housing Protection & Community Redevelopment Grants
Nonprofits focused on housing protection, landlord-tenant, and community redevelopment programs can apply for these grants annually. The funding is specifically restricted to programs that provide mortgage foreclosure defense or landlord/tenant legal services. These grants aim to stabilize housing situations and support community development through legal action.
Court Grants
District and Appellate Courts in Oklahoma can apply for grants to improve courthouse technological equipment. This includes funding to update or replace courtroom audio/visual equipment, computers, interactive displays, digital recorders, and other tech-related improvements supporting the efficient administration of justice. These grants help courts enhance their infrastructure to better serve the public.
Court Reporter Rural Service Grants
Court Reporters committed to moving and working in rural Oklahoma courts can apply for these grants. Additionally, court reporting schools can apply for educational grants to support scholarships and purchase necessary equipment. These grants are designed to address the shortage of qualified court reporters in rural areas, ensuring available, accurate and timely court reporting.
Scholarships & Awards
The Oklahoma Bar Foundation (OBF) is committed to supporting the next generation of legal professionals through scholarships and awards. These are offered in connection with Oklahoma City University School of Law, University of Oklahoma College of Law, and University of Tulsa College of Law. Each academic year, OBF provides financial assistance to deserving law students through the following scholarships and awards:
Partners for Justice Scholarship
Established in 2006 to commemorate the OBF’s 60 years of service to the legal profession and Oklahoma citizens, the Partners for Justice Scholarship (formerly known as Fellows) is awarded to law students from each of Oklahoma’s three law schools. This scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated high academic standards, intend to practice law in Oklahoma, and show a strong commitment to public service.
Chapman-Rogers Scholarship
The Chapman-Rogers Scholarship honors an outstanding law student from each of Oklahoma’s three law schools. It was established through donations to the OBF from Leta M. Chapman in honor of her Tulsa lawyer and advisor, John Rogers. This scholarship recognizes students for their exceptional academic performance and leadership qualities.
W.B. Clark Memorial Scholarship
The W.B. Clark Memorial Scholarship is awarded to law students from Kay County attending law school in Oklahoma. It was established by Ms. Frances Clark Eubank in honor of her father, W.B. Clark, an esteemed lawyer from Kay County. This scholarship supports students who exhibit outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to ethical standards.
Maurice H. Merrill Award
Named in honor of OU Law Professor Dr. Maurice H. Merrill, this award recognizes a law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law displaying an interest in Public Law. The Maurice H. Merrill Award was established to honor Professor Merrill’s outstanding contributions to the legal profession in Oklahoma.
Phillips Allen Porta Award
The Phillips Allen Porta Award is presented to the law student with the highest grade in Legal Ethics at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Established by OBF Board of Trustees member A. Francis Porta in memory of his son, Phillips Allen Porta, this award recognizes students for their academic excellence in legal ethics.
Thomas L. Hieronymus Memorial Award
The Thomas L. Hieronymus Memorial Award honors a law student from the University of Oklahoma College of Law engaged in the study of Oil and Gas Law or other energy and natural resources law. This award was established to honor Woodward lawyer Thomas L. Hieronymus, who served as OBF Board President in 1975.
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