The Oklahoma Bar Journal February 2024

L eadership A cademy

Shaping the Next Generation of Bar Leaders By Lori Rasmussen

T HE EIGHTH CLASS OF THE OBA Leadership Academy is officially underway after its members met for the first time in January. Over the course of this year, these program participants will become equipped with the skills and connections to become leaders within the bar as well as their local communities. The 16 members of the class were selected for their demon strated commitment to the pro fession and community impact. Through this program, which orig inated from the OBA’s Leadership Conference in 2007, participants will learn about OBA governance, special considerations for attorneys in public service, networking skills and effective communication. “Leadership is a talent that needs to be honed and developed,” said

LHL programs aimed at address ing the mental health and sub stance abuse challenges those in the legal profession may encoun ter. The following day, the group attended the swearing-in ceremony for OBA officers and new members of the Board of Governors. The class will meet bimonthly in 2024 and conclude with a grad uation celebration in November.

Gigi McCormick, director of OBA Educational Programs. “As attor neys, we often find ourselves in leadership positions, either because of our own goals and ambitions or because of the public’s perception that attorneys inherently make good leaders. The future of our association and our state depends on the inten tional development of these talents.” During the first meeting, participants were welcomed by OBA President Miles Pringle. They also took a tour of the Oklahoma Bar Center and met with staff to learn more about the association and how its various

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lori Rasmussen is the OBA Director of Communications.

departments function. Later, they heard from Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program Committee Chair Scott Goode, who spoke about

Left: Members of the Leadership Academy meet with the Oklahoma Bar Foundation during their tour of the Oklahoma Bar Center. Above: LHL Committee Chair Scott Goode presents on mental health and substance abuse challenges within the bar during the afternoon session.

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL