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Robert Butkin
Robert Butkin
Professor Butkin served as an Assistant Attorney to the State of Oklahoma from 1987 to 1993 where he handled a number of important utility and workers compensation rate cases before state administrative agencies and courts. Professor Butkin also represented Oklahoma in Arkansas v. Oklahoma, a landmark Clean Water Act case. He argued that case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991. In 1994 Professor Butkin was elected State Treasurer of Oklahoma. He was re-elected without opposition in 1998 and 2002. Professor Butkin’s principle accomplishments as State Treasurer were drafting, securing the passage, and administering Oklahoma’s 529 College Savings Plan; co-chairing the successful effort to pass constitutional amendments that now permit state colleges and universities to partner with the private sector on research initiatives; and co-chairing the successful effort to pass a constitutional amendment that place Oklahoma’s share of its tobacco settlement moneys in a permanent trust fund to support health care and education. Professor Butkin currently serves on Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor’s advisory committee on municipal finance. His teaching interests are in Contract Law, State Administrative Law, Corporate Law, Sales, and Oil and Gas Conservation.
Professor Butkin has been appointed by Governor Henry to serve as one of Oklahoma’s representatives on the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.
Education and Degrees Earned
- University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D. 1978
- Yale College, B.A. 1975, magna cum laude; distinction in History
Areas of Academic Specialty
- Contracts
- State and Local Government Law
Previous Teaching Experience
- Henry Luce Scholar
Visiting Fellow, U. of the Philippines Law Center 1978-1979
Previous Relevant Work Experience
- Dean, The University of Tulsa College of Law June 2005—June 2007
- State Treasurer of Oklahoma January 1995—June 2005
- Assistant Attorney General, Oklahoma 1987-1993
- Transition Director, Gov.-elect Brad Henry November 2002-Jan. 2003
Professional Affiliations
- State of Oklahoma Bar
- Tenth Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States