Oklahoma Association for Justice honors Tulsa attorney during annual meeting celebrating legal excellence, public service, and leadership.
TULSA, Okla. | October 26, 2026 — Donald E. Smolen II, founder and principal of Smolen Law, The Alpha Firm, has been named the 2026 Oklahoma Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Oklahoma Association for Justice (OAJ).
The award was presented during OAJ’s 2026 Annual Meeting, held October 22–23 in Oklahoma City, recognizing Smolen’s more than two decades of trial advocacy and his commitment to representing individuals and families in complex litigation.
The recognition follows a landmark year for Smolen Law, including a $40 million federal jury verdict against Progressive Direct Insurance Company.
The Oklahoma Association for Justice traces its roots to 1943, when 17 attorneys came together to strengthen legal representation for injured individuals.
Founded three years before the national organization now known as the American Association for Justice, OAJ has become an important voice for protecting access to Oklahoma’s courts, preserving the right to trial by jury, and supporting the state’s plaintiffs’ attorneys.
For Smolen, receiving recognition from fellow trial attorneys within an organization with such a longstanding history carries particular significance.
“I am deeply honored and sincerely grateful for this recognition,” Smolen said during his acceptance speech.
The annual meeting celebrated several members of Oklahoma’s legal community for their professional achievements and service.
This year’s honorees included:
The event also marked the passing of the presidential gavel from outgoing OAJ President Frank Frasier to incoming President Brad Norman, celebrating the organization’s leadership and continued commitment to Oklahoma’s civil justice system.
Smolen’s career began in a 10-by-10 office with just $2,500 and the support of his wife, Katie, who worked nights to help put him through law school before becoming the firm’s first paralegal. More than two decades later, Smolen Law has grown into one of Oklahoma’s largest plaintiffs’ firms, reporting more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for its clients.
The firm’s work includes catastrophic injury, wrongful death, insurance bad faith, civil rights, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, and complex litigation against major corporations and institutions.
While the award honors Smolen’s individual accomplishments, he made it clear during his acceptance speech that the firm’s success is built on the dedication of an entire team.
“I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by such a loyal, hard-working group of people. I love my crew. I value and appreciate each and every one of them,” Smolen said.
He also expressed his appreciation for the attorneys who trust The Alpha Firm with their clients, recognizing the importance of those relationships and the responsibility that comes with them.
One of the most personal moments of the evening came when Smolen thanked his wife, Katie, who supported him through law school and helped establish the firm.
“She believed in me when no one else would,” he shared.
From the early days of building his practice to receiving one of Oklahoma’s distinguished trial lawyer honors, Smolen’s passion for the profession has remained unchanged.
“I tell people every day how blessed I feel to be doing something that I absolutely love.”
Donald E. Smolen II’s acceptance speech is available on YouTube:
Founded by Donald E. Smolen II, Smolen Law, PLLC, is a Tulsa-based plaintiffs’ trial firm representing individuals and families in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, insurance bad faith, medical malpractice, civil rights, and other complex litigation.
The firm reports securing more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients.
Website: https://smolen.law
Smolen Law | The Alpha Firm
Tulsa, Oklahoma
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