News & Insights
Family Law Attorney Ann Keele ‘It’s about service’: Law alumna talks Tulsa, career and gratitude
July 2026
University of Tulsa
Ann Keele (J.D. ’06) has built a career defined by service, leadership and a commitment to strengthening Oklahoma’s legal community.
A shareholder at Hall Estill, she previously served as a Tulsa County special judge, president of the Tulsa County Bar Association and its foundation and most recently as president of The University of Tulsa Law Alumni Board. In August, she will become president-elect of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, making history as the first woman from Oklahoma, the first attorney from Tulsa and only the third Oklahoman to serve in the organization’s leadership pipeline.
Her commitment to service extends beyond the courtroom. Through leadership roles with the Tulsa County Bar Association and UTulsa Law, Keele has expanded opportunities for Native American law students and attorneys, including supporting the creation of the Tulsa County Bar Association’s Native American Law Section. Earlier this year, those efforts were recognized when she became the first person honored by the Native American Law Students Association since the revival of the group’s annual powwow. There, she received a ceremonial shawl and led a traditional honor dance.
Keele recently spoke about the decision that brought her to Tulsa, the mentors who shaped her career and why she believes the legal profession is ultimately about serving others.
