Hutson named Oklahoma Bar Foundation President

Allen Hutson is the 2024 Oklahoma Bar Foundation President. Hutson graduated from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 2010. He is a 2002 Marlow High School graduate. His wife, Tera, is a 2001 MHS graduate. They have three children, Rann, 11, Camile, 8, and Leigh, 5.

Hutson works at Crowe & Dunlevy and serves as a shareholder in the Labor & Employment Group.

Following is an interview "Meet OBF President Allen Hutson" that OBF shared on its website. The Review was granted permission to use the interview.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I always looked up to my uncle Doug Jackson who is an attorney in Enid and thought it would be neat to follow in his footsteps. Practicing law also seemed like it would be easier than farming. It is most days.

What is one thing you're glad you tried but would never do again?

I'm a pretty big chicken, so I generally avoid risky situations or ingesting something too exotic. I will certainly never tube behind a boat driven by some of my college buddies again.

Are there any social norms that completely baffle you?

Where do I start? I'm certainly baffled that some kids have never experienced a really good sunburn because they would rather play on an iPad than go outside. Or maybe their moms are just better at monitoring the application of sunscreen.

What is your biggest pet peeve with modern technology?

Zoom. Teams. Any other technology that allows folks to avoid one-on-one interaction. I get it. These communication platforms make things more efficient and were certainly necessary during COVID, but I'm afraid we may end up with a generation that can't effectively communicate in person. I really sound like a grumpy old man. Next, I will be telling everyone to get off my lawn.

What is on your bucket list?

Well, I hope to spend as much time with my family and friends as the good Lord allows. Outside of that, I would like to go to a Ryder Cup in Europe, so I can chant USA! USA! USA! (perhaps with a cold beer in one hand).

Explain the leadership roles you hold in professional and/or community settings and why these responsibilities are important to you.

This is going to sound bad, but I have a 10, eight- and five-year-old, so I have limited some of my involvement and focused my attention solely to the good work the Oklahoma Bar Foundation does for the courthouses and people of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Bar Foundation is the best-kept secret in Oklahoma. And it is important for me to help change that.

What would you tell current law students and young associates about the importance of professional and civic responsibility?

Being a lawyer has its good days and bad days. But you will never have a bad day when you are using your skills as a lawyer to help someone who needs it. Some of your most gratifying cases will be the ones where you get a hug and a thank you at the end of it.

What are your goals as 2024 OBF Board President?

The OBF is in the best shape it has ever been in. It has nothing to do with me. The Executive Leadership and Trustees over the last few years have worked tirelessly to ensure the long-term success and viability of the OBF. My goal is to continue the upward trajectory and to identify people and programs across Oklahoma that need the OBF's help. The OBF has resources, and we intend to use them to help as many Oklahomans as we can.