The Oklahoma Bar Journal February 2025

Do a Good Turn Daily F rom the P resident By D. Kenyon “Ken” Williams Jr.

“D O A GOOD TURN DAILY” has been the slo gan for both the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for over a cen tury (well before I was a Boy Scout in the ‘60s). In today’s vernacular, we might say, “Do a good deed daily.” For many, this may evoke the old comedy routines showing a scout “helping” (dragging) an elderly woman across a busy street and the scout stating, “There you are, ma’am, safely across the street.” To which the elderly woman replies, “But, young man, I did not WANT to cross the street!” followed by a rim shot and laugh track. For the literal-minded lad that I was at age 10 and a half (my scoutmaster let me start the program a little early because I persuaded him that the activities of Cub Scouts did not call to me – I was certain I was ready to run wild in the woods!), this meant that every day, I intentionally looked for a “good deed” I could do for someone. I did not think about the slogan any more deeply than perceiving it as another “check-the-box” requirement of being part of that organization. It was not until much later in life that I

president when I chaired the Professionalism Committee at the request of 2023 President Brian Hermanson. In that role, I interacted with many of our state’s county bar associa tions and OBA sections by generating monthly “Professionalism Moments” and coordinating CLE presentations on the topics of professional ism and civility. From that interaction and my service on the Board of Governors, I learned and am inspired by how many great things our members are doing, quietly and without concern for credit or thanks. In addition, I saw the professional and personal relationships of our members that are constantly being formed and reinforced through members’ involvement in our association. If you are still thinking about what committees, sections and/or divisions in which to participate, call any of our officers, your district governor or the executive director and let us help you find one or more areas of service that will allow you to shine, grow and befriend some of the finest people on the planet, our association’s members. On a related note, please plan to join the Board of Governors and many of our mem bers on March 25 for this year’s OBA Day at the Capitol event. The expertise of Oklahoma lawyers is an excellent resource for lawmakers when legislation is considered, and now is the time to reach out to your state representative in advance of this annual opportunity to dis cuss legislative issues. Our members who par ticipated last year were well received by their state representatives, and I am confident your participation will be appreciated this year! Again, all you do as volunteers in service to the public and your communities is amaz ing and inspiring! I cannot say often enough how much I appreciate all that you do. It is an honor to represent our association this year as your president. Let’s find a “good turn” to do together!

came to see the deeper meaning of the concept. For me, it is another way to teach and learn that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Personal satis faction and reward come from freely doing good deeds for others (notwith standing the oft-quoted notion that “no good deed goes unpunished”). I look at this year as one of oppor tunity for the OBA – the opportunity to find more satisfaction in what you do with your time (both professional and personal), what and who you know (professionally and personally) and how you make your part of the world a better place. Over the last 47 years of my membership in the bar, I have been fortunate to serve on many of its com mittees and sections, having chaired several of them. One of the most excit ing opportunities I had was as vice

D. Kenyon “Ken” Williams Jr. is a shareholder and director at Hall Estill in Tulsa. 918-594-0519 kwilliams@hallestill.com

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL