The office of attorney Robert Don Gifford sends this information as posted below:
Robert Don Gifford, a civil rights and criminal defense attorney in Oklahoma City, has been named the 2025 winner of the Clarence Darrow Award – signifying recognition as Oklahoma’s best trial lawyer.
The award, given by the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, recognizes an Oklahoma attorney who exemplifies the zealous criminal defense advocacy that befits the namesake of the award, Clarence Darrow.
Mr. Gifford was recognized for his work in securing Executive Clemency from President Joe Biden, on his final day in office, for Native American activist Leonard Peltier, his recent string of consecutive acquittals in federal court this past year, as well as his pro bono work and advocacy outside of the courtroom with his writings and public speaking.
The latest national statistics show that out of the 71,954 federal jury trials, there were only 290 acquittals. In federal criminal cases only 4% of all jury trials result in a “Not Guilty” verdict and he had multiple acquittals in a single year.
Mr. Gifford was also elected earlier this year to serve on the Board of Directors for American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU-Oklahoma), as well as selected to serve as a representative to the U.S. Commission for Civil Rights. A retired Colonel from the U.S. Army with 23 years of active and reserve service, he is currently in his 10th year as the Chair of the Military and Veterans Law Section for the Oklahoma Bar Association, a trustee for the Oklahoma County Law Library, and an elected member of the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma County Bar Association.
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