The Oklahoma Bar Journal January 2024

Setting Goals for the New Year F rom T he P resident By Miles Pringle

I AM HUMBLED AND EXCITED TO SERVE AS THE Oklahoma Bar Association president for 2024. As a native Oklahoman and third-generation attorney, it

In the public interest, for the advancement of the administration of justice according to law, and to aid the courts in carrying on the admin

is an honor to serve our honorable profession. I hope to make you proud. Perhaps you feel it too, but I believe we are at a moment of great change. That means the practice of law is in the midst of change as well. For example, our demo graphics are shifting. The OBA has more members over the age of 80 than under the age of

istration of justice; to foster and maintain on the part of those engaged in the practice of law high ideals of integrity, learning, competence and public service, and high standards of conduct; to provide a forum for the discussion of subjects pertaining to the prac tice of law, the science of jurisprudence, and law reform; to carry on a con

Perhaps you feel it too, but I believe we are at a moment of great change. That means the practice of law is in the midst of change as well.

30. Nevertheless, Oklahoma’s population and the num ber of businesses continue to grow. That means lawyers are needed to serve the needs of more clients than ever.

tinuing program of legal research in technical fields of substantive law, practice and procedure, and to make reports and recommendations thereto; to prevent the unauthorized practice of law; to encourage the formation and activities of local bar associations; to encourage practices that will advance and improve the honor and dignity of the legal profession; and to the end that the responsibility of the legal profession and the individual members thereof, may be more effectively and efficiently discharged in the pub lic interest, and acting within the police powers vested in it by the Constitution of this State. 1 That is a huge responsibility, but it is the responsibility the OBA has carried out atten tively for more than 100 years. Our task today is to continue to execute this mission in an ever-changing world. To that end, the OBA staff is working on improving its technology, such as a more user-friendly website and inte grating a single sign-on to the MCLE website.

Technology continues its march forward, transforming the practice of law. As a child, I spent much of my time at my parents’ law offices. One of the main areas of action was the law library, where I loved climbing up and down the ladders. Today, few law firms keep libraries and instead use online services for legal research. It’s hard to imagine, but the techno logical pace of change may actually increase in the coming years with the implementation of technologies like artificial intelligence. Despite these changes, the OBA and its mission remain more important than ever. As set out by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in the preamble of the Rules Creating and Controlling the Oklahoma Bar Association, its purpose is:

Miles Pringle is executive vice president and general counsel at The Bankers Bank in Oklahoma City. 405-848-8877 mpringle@tbb.bank

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL