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The University of Tulsa College of Law Hall of Fame honors alumni and friends for their distinguished contributions to the legal profession and tireless support of the College of Law. The Hall of Fame is presented each spring at the TU Law Alumni Gala. The next Hall of Fame Gala is Friday, March 7, 2025, at Southern Hills Country Club.
If you would like to submit a nomination for the TU Law Hall of Fame, please send an email to tulawalumni@utulsa.edu.
*The Lifetime Achievement in Law Award
The Lifetime Achievement in Law Award honors notable individuals who have brought honor to the legal profession and to society. With this award, the TU Law Alumni Association recognizes individuals who epitomize the mission and vision of The University of Tulsa College of Law: diligence, discernment, integrity, and a commitment to the betterment of our civic life.
**W. Thomas Coffman Award for Community Service
The W. Thomas Coffman Award for Community Service is presented to College of Law alumni or individuals who have distinguished themselves in the legal field or other chosen profession at an exemplary level and who embody the high ethical standards and commitment to community service. W. Thomas Coffman (1940-2007) was an alumnus of the College of Law’s Class of 1966 and will always be remembered for his years of dedicated service to the Tulsa community. Read more about W. Thomas Coffman.
The Ben Abney Cor Legis Award
The Ben Abney Cor Legis Award is an honor given yearly to one TU College of Law inductee. These individuals are TU Law alumni who have made a significant impact in the legal field by embodying the Heart of Law through a strong dedication to justice and humanity.
2024
Buck Colbert (B. C.) Franklin – W. Thomas Coffman Award for Community Service (awarded posthumously)
Wendy Drummond (JD ’07) – Benjamin P. Abney Cor Legis Award
Gov. Bill Anoatubby – Lifetime Achievement Award
2023
Danny C. Williams, Sr. (JD ’91) – W. Thomas Coffman Award for Community Service
Stacy Leeds (JD ’97) – Benjamin P. Abney Cor Legis Award
The Honorable Gregory Kent Frizzell (BA ’81) – Lifetime Achievement Award
2022
The Honorable T. Lane Wilson (BS ’89, JD ’94) — W. Thomas Coffman Award for Community Service
Marcia M. MacLeod (BS ’75, JD ’80) — Lifetime Achievement in Law Award
Terry W. West (LLB ’66) — Benjamin P. Abney Cor Legis Award
2019
M. David Riggs (JD ’68)
Beverly K. Smith (JD ’87)
Sidney G. Dunagan (BA ’65, JD ’67)
2018
See video, photos and article from the event here.
Wm. Stuart Price (JD ’82)
Michael C. Turpen (BS ’72, JD ’74)
2017
See an article and pictures from the event here.
Allen Smallwood (JD ’74) – Lifetime Achievement in Law Award
Rachel Blue (JD ’88) – W. Thomas Coffman Award for Community Service
The Honorable Dana Kuehn (JD ’96) – W. Thomas Coffman Award for Community Service
2016
The 2016 Hall of Fame induction ceremony was Saturday, May 14, at Gilcrease Museum, part of 2016 Reunion Weekend.
Benjamin P. Abney (JD ’68)*
The Honorable Carlos J. Chappelle (JD ’80)** (posthumous)
The Honorable Danny C. Williams Sr. (JD ’91) accepted the award on behalf of the late Judge Chappelle.
The Honorable John E. Dowdell (JD ’81)
The Honorable Kathy L. Taylor & Elizabeth Frame Ellison
2015
The 2015 Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held May 16, 2015.
See a photo gallery from the 2015 Law Alumni Gala on Facebook.
The Honorable John Reif (BA ’73, JD ’78)*
Kathy R. Neal (JD ’82)**
William G. LaSorsa (JD ’74)
Frederic Dorwart
Janet K. Levit, Dean, TU College of Law, 2007—2015
2014
The 2014 Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held May 10, 2014.
See a photo gallery from the 2014 Law Alumni Gala on Facebook.
Ken Brune (JD ’74)**
William B. Carmody (JD ’88)
The Honorable Tom Colbert
Mary Quinn Cooper (JD ’86)
The Honorable Jane Wiseman (JD ’73)*
2013
See a photo gallery from the 2013 Law Alumni Gala on Facebook.
The Honorable Daniel J. Boudreau (JD ’76)*
The Honorable Millie Otey (JD ’79)**
The Honorable Layn Phillips (BS ’74, JD ’77)
The Honorable Stephanie Seymour
2012
The Honorable Claire V. Eagan
Sevier M. “Buddy” Fallis Jr. (BA ’58, JD ’60)*
James O. Goodwin (JD ’65)**
Karen E. Langdon (BA ’69, JD ’85)**
Steadman Upham, PhD, President, The University of Tulsa
2011
The Honorable W. Andrew “Drew” Edmondson (JD ’79)**
John R. Woodard III (BA ’65, JD ’67)*
2010
Sharon J. Bell (JD ’85)**
Honorable Charles S. Chapel (JD ’68)*
2009
Paul D. Brunton (JD ’71)**
The Honorable William W. Means (JD ’61)*
2008
Dale Briggs (JD ’50)*
S. Douglas Dodd (BS ’71, JD ’81)**
2007
James E. Poe (BA ’57, JD ’59)*
2006
Peter B. Bradford (JD ’61)*
2005
The Honorable Joseph W. Morris
2004
The Honorable Robert D. Simms Sr. (JD ’50)*
2003
John L. Boyd (JD ’50)*
2002
The Honorable Charles L. Owens (JD ’60)*
2001
Floyd L. Walker (JD ’49)*