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2012 Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award to Goble, Jones & Stricklin

  • 11/16/2012
  • Oklahoma Bar Association

Cindy Sooter Goble, Laurie Jones and G. Gail Stricklin are joint recipients of the 2012 Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service for their combined efforts to develop the Oklahoma County Courthouse Pro Se Waiver Divorce Docket Project. The project seeks to improve access to justice for Oklahoma County residents, support the Oklahoma County Domestic Court Docket, educate law students and foster a pro bono ethic in them, and provide pro bono service and mentoring opportunities for volunteer lawyers. The project is designed to maintain the nature of the pro se waiver divorce docket while providing limited assistance to litigants who have been referred during the docket by the presiding judge due to minor errors in their divorce documents.

The effort began in March 2010 and has served approximately 500 people since then. Through the initiative, law students gain understanding of courthouse procedure, proper conduct in court and dealing with clients. They also learn more about civil procedure as well as the importance of screening for domestic violence and referral for safety planning.
 

Image:  Cindy GobleMs. Goble, who coordinates volunteers for the project, currently serves as the interim managing attorney for the Oklahoma City office of Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma Inc., which provides the umbrella liability coverage for the project. She is a 1993 graduate of the OU College of Law.
 


Professor Jones is the associate dean for admissions and a professor of legal research and writing Image:  Laurie Jonesat OCU School of Law. She was the school’s pro bono and public interest law coordinator from 2006-2012. She brings students into the project as well as volunteers her legal services as often as law school duties permit. She is a 1984 graduate of the OU College of Law.

Image:  Gail Stricklin Ms. Stricklin, an attorney in private practice in Oklahoma City, developed the project through discussions with OBA leadership. She also worked with judges to ensure the project was feasible and coordinated efforts with other attorneys. This is the second time she has received the Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service; she was also honored in 2001 for her work in launching a Legal Aid program and shelter for victims of domestic violence. She is a 1979 graduate of the TU College of Law.

 

Topics:
  • Pro Bono/Legal Services