Every year, the Oklahoma Bar Association honors individuals and organizations that have made an impact on the legal community. One of the annual awards is the Hicks Epton Law Day Award, which recognizes outstanding Law Day activities.
In 2007, two county bar associations received the award – Payne County and Pontotoc County.
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Payne County Bar Association
The Payne County Bar Association orchestrated a successful Law Day with the theme of “Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy.” This year’s events were coordinated by Jodie Gage and Mozella Irwin-Smith.
Payne County’s Law Day incorporated a children’s contest in conjunction with the state bar’s Law Day contest. Children were asked to submit entries of artwork in differing categories while four Payne County bar members met and judged the competition. About 120 entries were received. Local winners from both the county and state contests were honored at the county’s “Honor Docket” and presented with cash prizes and certificates.
In addition, there was a bowling tournament held on May 15, in which 13 teams participated. The event raised $583 for a local charity. The annual Law Day banquet was held on May 17. Justice Steven Taylor was invited as the keynote speaker and administered a speech about ethical legal behavior and heroes in the legal practice. |
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Pontotoc County Bar Association
The Pontotoc County Bar Association utilized a new, effective technique for their Law Day activities, which were carried out with the leadership of Ada lawyer Kaycie Sheppard.
Pontotoc County Bar kept consistent with the “Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy” theme. The members traveled to several schools in the county during the weeks of April 13 to May 11 to speak with junior high students about Law Day, the legal profession, the court structure and educational avenues that students may take if considering a career in the legal field.
The bar association also worked directly with East Central University’s Legal Professions Association and the Student Activities Center to host a Law Day Blood Drive to benefit the Oklahoma Blood Institute. As many as 68 students, attorneys and support staff contributed to the success of this event by donating blood. |
Background on the award:
The award is named for Wewoka attorney Hicks Epton, who decided that lawyers should go out and educate the public about the law in general, and the rights and liberties provided under the law to American citizens. Through the efforts of Mr. Epton, who served as OBA president in 1953, and other bar members, the roots of Law Day were established. In 1961 the first of May became an annual special day of celebration nationwide designated by a joint resolution of Congress. |
