The Oklahoma Bar Journal April 2026

F rom the E xecutive D irector

More Than a Meeting Why the 2026 Midyear Conference Matters

By Janet Johnson

I N THE LEGAL PROFESSION, the pace rarely slows. Court dockets remain full, clients’ needs continue to evolve, and the demands on lawyers’ time seem to increase each year. Amid that busy landscape, it can sometimes be difficult to justify stepping away from the office for a conference. Yet one of the strongest takeaways from recent bar leadership discus sions around the country is that gathering together, with intention and in person, remains one of the most valuable investments lawyers can make in their profession. That is precisely why the upcom ing OBA Midyear Conference, set for June 17-19 at the OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma City, is so important. It is more than a meeting. It is an opportunity to reconnect with the broader legal community, engage with emerging issues in the profession, and help shape the direction of the bar. Continuing legal education is a necessary part of maintaining pro fessional competence, but the best conferences provide something that cannot be captured in a CLE credit alone. They offer context, conversation, and perspective. At the Midyear Conference, lawyers will hear directly from LEARNING BEYOND THE CLE REQUIREMENT

leaders in the profession about emerging trends, challenges, and innovative solutions being devel oped. Those conversations often spark new ideas that lawyers can bring back to their own practices and communities. Equally important, the discus sions that take place in hallways, over coffee, or during networking events often prove just as valu able as the formal programming. Conferences provide space for lawyers to share experiences, discuss practical challenges, and learn from one another in ways that rarely happen during the daily rush of practice.

STRENGTHENING PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS The practice of law can be both demanding and isolating. Many lawyers spend long hours focused on client matters, often without the opportunity to engage regu larly with colleagues outside their own firms or practice areas. The Midyear Conference will provide a chance to strengthen those professional connections. It brings together attorneys from across the state, solo and small firm practitioners, government lawyers, in-house counsel, and legal educators. That diversity of perspective enriches the conver sation and helps build a stronger, more connected legal community.

58 | APRIL 2026

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL