Cynda Ottaway’s practice focuses on estate planning, trust and estate administration and litigation, and planning for closely-held family businesses. She has experience in wealth transfer techniques and assists individuals and families with succession planning in the business context and other generational matters.
Ms. Ottaway is a frequent speaker and writer, having most recently served as Co-Reporter for the ACTEC Commentaries on the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Fourth Edition, 2006, and has participated in several presentations on the ethical rules for estate planning and trust lawyers. In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Ottaway is an active community volunteer in Oklahoma City, serving on several boards including the United Way, Allied Arts, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools. She is a volunteer with Leadership Oklahoma City and Rotary Club 29 and was previously chosen as a finalist for the Journal Record Woman of the Year.
- Best Lawyers’ 2012 Oklahoma City Non-Profit/Charities Lawyer of the Year
- Best Lawyers’ 2010 Oklahoma City Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year
- The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC),Treasurer and Executive Committee Member
- The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Foundation, Past President and Board Member
- The Best Lawyers in America (Trusts and Estates, 1996 to Present)
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Professional Associations & Memberships
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow (1989 to Present), Board of Regents (1999 to 2005), Professional Responsibility Committee, Chair (1999 to 2006), Bylaws Committee (1999 to 2002), Nominating Committee (1999 to 2001), Annual Meeting Speaker (1998 and 2005), Chair of Environmental Committee (1996-1998), Program Committee (1996-1998, 2003-2005), Member of Special Task Force Committees (1995-1999 and 2004 to 2007)
- Oklahoma City Estate Planning Council, President (1995-1996), Board of Directors (term 1988-1996)
- American Bar Association: Committee Vice Chair, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section (1985-1990); Committee Member, Estate and Gift Tax Committee, Tax Section (1979-1980)
- Oklahoma Bar Association: Chairman, Estate Planning and Probate Section (1987); Executive Committee and Officer of Estate Planning and Probate Section (1984-1986); Member, Young Lawyers Committee (1978-1980)
Honors & Awards
- Oklahoma Super Lawyers (Estate Planning and Probate, 2006 – present)
- Journal Record Woman of the Year Finalist
Published Works
- Co-Reporter, ACTEC Commentaries on the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Fourth Edition, 2006
- Oklahoma Comments to the Oklahoma Uniform Prudent Investor Act, 1995
- Co-Author, "What We Learned by Comparing the ACTEC Commentaries to NAELA
- Oklahoma Editor, Drafting the Durable Power of Attorney, 1988 to 1996
Pro Bono
- The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools
- United Way
- Allied Arts
Community Service
- The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools (Board Member, Chair - 2005)
- Leadership Oklahoma City, Class XV
- Rotary Club 29, Board of Directors
- United Way, Board of Directors
- Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Board of Directors
- Allied Arts, Board of Directors
- Served as a Board Member or volunteered for the following: Volunteer Center of Central Oklahoma (Founding Chair), Junior League, Center for Non-Profit Management, Calm Waters, University of Oklahoma Breast Health Institute, United Way, Omniplex, Easter Seals, YMCA, St. Anthony’s Professional Advisory Board, Rainbow Fleet, Casady School, Westminster School, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Future Fund Member, American Red Cross, Central Oklahoma Chapter (Board Member and Financial Development Committee), Infant Crisis Center, Oklahoma City Arts Festival Volunteer