OU Law Student Awarded Equal Justice Works 2020 Regional Public Interest Award

OU Law rising 3L Kimberly Noe-Lehenbauer was recently awarded an Equal Justice Works 2020 Regional Public Interest Award. Out of 127 applications, Noe-Lehenbauer and seven other law students were selected in recognition of exemplary commitment to public interest law and pro bono work.

“Kimberly is most deserving of the Equal Justice Works Regional Public Interest Award,” said Aoife Delargy Lowe, director of law school engagement and advocacy at Equal Justice Works. “She is a passionate advocate for human rights and social justice as shown in her work on campus and in the community.”

Noe-Lehenbauer has a passion for public interest law, as shown by her work both on campus and in the community. As the president of Lawyers Against Human Trafficking, a student organization at OU Law, Noe-Lehenbauer leads education and outreach efforts on pro-bono opportunities for student members. She spearheaded an expungement drive for non-violent past offenders after Oklahoma’s law changed last November and assisted in organizing a pro se divorce clinic in Cleveland County that has since been adopted by the associated judge as a mandatory part of pro se adjudication.

In addition to her work on campus, Noe-Lehenbauer has served her community through professional experiences. Over the past year, she interned for Legal Aid Services and recently began a research fellowship with the Center for WorkLife Law. 

“I left a career in journalism mid-life and came to law school specifically to promote social justice for underserved populations, which always works in favor of the public interest,” said Noe-Lehenbauer. “Service coupled with knowledge is powerful and I look forward to a lifetime of service ahead.”

 Noe-Lehenbauer logged 75 hours of pro bono service in her first year in law school and will top 100 hours this year through her work with the Victim’s Advocacy Program, where she will help to file protective orders for victims of domestic abuse.