The Oklahoma Bar Journal October 2026

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

GENERATIONS OF JUSTICE

YEARS STRONG 2026 OBA ANNUAL MEETING

Join us for the 122nd OBA Annual Meeting Nov. 11-13 at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City! This year, we will be celebrating “Generations of Justice: 250 Years Strong.” Register today and learn more about the events, speakers and CLE at www.okbar.org/annualmeeting. Thanks to our Premium Conference Sponsor, Oklahoma Attorneys Mutual Insurance Co. Make sure to book your room at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel before the room block closes on Oct. 20. To reserve a room, call 1-800-HILTONS and mention the Oklahoma Bar Association 2026 Conference (or group code 93R). You can also book online through the “Book your room” tab at www.okbar.org/annualmeeting. THURSDAY MORNING PLENARY SESSION On Thursday, Nov. 12,

transformation. He previously worked as director of development and alumni relations for the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana and served as Secretary of Senate in the Montana State Senate. He also worked in private practice earlier in his legal career. He received his bachelor’s degree in American Government from the Catholic University of American in 1994 and his J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 2000. Mr. Mudd’s session is sponsored by our Premium Conference Sponsor, Oklahoma Attorneys Mutual Insurance Co. DELEGATES BREAKFAST Lawyer and Historian non-fiction books (176) than anyone else in history. He was born in Broken Bow and now practices constitu tional law in Oklahoma City. Four of his books have won the Oklahoma Book Award and four have been nomi nated for the Pulitzer Prize. Mr. Burke graduated with a journalism degree from OU and a law degree from the OCU School of Law. He is Corporate Secretary of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, a Trustee of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, and vice-chair of the Oklahoma Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Elections. He is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Bob Burke will join us as the guest speaker for the Friday Morning Delegates Breakfast. Mr. Burke has written more historical

John Mudd, executive direc tor and general counsel for the State Bar of Montana, will be the guest speaker during the morning plenary session. During this engag ing CLE session, Mr. Mudd

will discuss “Navigating Uncharted Seas: How our History and Enduring Principles will Help the Legal Profession Meet Current Challenges and Change.” From paraprofessional licensing to artificial intelli gence to threats directed toward attorneys, the courts, and the Rule of Law itself, navigating the professional landscape of the twenty-first-century lawyer has never been more challenging. Beginning with the roots and development of attorney ethics and regulation, and with an eye toward how that history has shaped the enduring principles of the American Lawyer, this program offers a way forward through shared values and renewed hope. “As I talk with lawyers and judges across the country, one theme emerges consistently: ‘This is an uncertain time.’” Mr. Mudd said. “I think that really encapsulates it. Trust in institutions is eroding. Threats to the judiciary are growing. Access to justice remains out of reach for far too many. And transformative changes from artificial intelligence add to the tremendous uncertainty for our profession. Returning to our history and our fundamen tal principles can help guide us and provide hope that we will meet these challenges.” Mr. Mudd is an experienced chief executive and general counsel who is presently leading a mandatory state bar during a time of significant organizational

52 | OCTOBER 2026

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL