Meet 2026 OBF President Courtney Briggs

Law school: University of Oklahoma
Graduation year: 1991
Current Position: Partner, Derrick & Briggs, LLP
Location: Oklahoma City

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I decided to become a lawyer after working in publishing in New York, where I spent years negotiating contracts as a literary agent and later handling international rights at Random House. Those roles gave me a front-row seat to how critical strong legal understanding is in protecting authors, shaping deals, and helping people understand their rights and options in general.

What is one thing you’re glad you tried but would never do again?
Raising three daughters has involved plenty of brave experiments, but one thing I’m glad I tried just once was hosting a sleepover for an entire middle-school friend group. It was wonderful, chaotic, and deeply educational. I treasure the memory, but I’m satisfied with it remaining a one-time event.

Are there any social norms that completely baffle you?
I struggle with the norm of documenting life instead of experiencing it. With three daughters who are practically glued to their phones, moments barely begin before they’re photographed, filtered, and posted. I appreciate the connectivity technology brings, but I question how this became our default.

What is your biggest pet peeve with modern technology?
What frustrates me most is how technology can replace meaningful interaction with superficial contact. A text or notification often substitutes for a real conversation, even when connection is exactly what people need.

What is on your bucket list?
I’d love to spend a significant amount of time living in France. I have a personal connection to the Loire Valley, where my grandmother’s family had a home for nearly a century. Growing up, I spent summers there and spoke only French. Returning and experiencing the region fully, with family and friends, is a dream I hope to make a reality.

Explain the leadership roles you hold in professional and/or community settings and why these responsibilities are important to you.
I served for years on the board of the Oklahoma City Ballet, helping purchase a new building that enhanced the school and production spaces—an experience that was incredibly rewarding. Years ago, I also served as chairperson of the Young Lawyers Division of the Oklahoma Bar Association, leading public service projects throughout the state and forming lifelong friendships—friends I now see thriving in the prime of their careers. These roles are meaningful because they allow me to make an impact in our communities.

What would you tell current law students and young associates about the importance of professional and civic responsibility?
I would tell law students and young associates that professional and civic responsibility is what gives your career purpose beyond the cases you handle or the deals you close. Getting involved—whether through bar leadership, community boards, pro bono work, or public service projects—builds your skills, expands your perspective, and strengthens your community. These experiences also create lifelong relationships and networks that are invaluable personally and professionally. In short, how you use your legal skills to serve others defines not just the kind of lawyer you are, but the kind of legacy you leave.

What are your goals as 2026 OBF Board President?
As 2026 OBF Board President, my goal is to enhance and protect the endowment generously given by lawyers across Oklahoma, continue supporting the annual grants we provide to organizations that assist the public with law-related matters, and safeguard the Bar Foundation’s assets for the benefit of future generations of attorneys and Oklahomans.