JANUARY 2025 | 47 THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL that time, his small firm focused primarily on environmental and administrative law, helping companies and cities take care of regulatory matters. In 1996, Ken was approached by Hall Estill of Tulsa about merging his successful environmental practice with the larger firm. Ken has been with Hall Estill ever since and is now a senior director at the firm. “It’s been a great place to practice – a great bunch of lawyers,” he said of Hall Estill. “The firm is well run, well respected.” LOOKING FORWARD Ken says his experiences living in a small town in rural Oklahoma and coming from a lower-income background have influenced his perspective on the needs of rural Oklahomans, particularly when it comes to access to justice. His experiences have also influenced his goals for the OBA and where he hopes to see the association in the future. In the year ahead, Ken’s primary focus is on access to justice – both addressing legal deserts and making justice more affordable – as well as connecting with rural attorneys to address topics important to them. “I came from a very poor family, and so did Teresa; I have come to understand, having a general practice for a while, how devastatingly expensive any kind of legal services can be to private citizens,” he said. “I am focused on trying to do something about making legal services more affordable for common hardworking folks who can’t afford representation.” “That, coupled with the recognition of legal deserts,” he continued, “in so many different parts of the state, there aren’t enough lawyers to help people. I want to focus conversations on those topics.” With several counties in Oklahoma having few or no attorneys, Ken encourages law school students to consider practicing law in their hometowns after graduation. “We are desperately looking for solutions to legal deserts; it may come down to encouraging students to think about practicing law in their area when they get out of school and be a local resource,” he said. “There are 17 counties in our state where there are almost no attorneys – not enough people to even fill judge and DA spots.” He also wants to hear from attorneys across the state to bring focus on issues that affect them, hoping to elevate these issues to the board so they can be addressed. “There are things private practitioners have to deal with that I don’t even know about,” he said. “But if they tell me, I can elevate it to the Board of Governors and, ultimately, the Supreme Court if needed. I find it rewarding to be a link between practicing attorneys and the board for issues that may not be under discussion. We are always looking for solutions to things that practitioners are dealing with.” Above: The Williams family enjoys a family cruise on summer vacation. Right: The Williams family visits Durango, Colorado, for a ski trip.
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