A third generation Oklahoman, Robert Butkin was educated at Yale College (B.A. 1975) and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law (J.D. 1978). Following graduation from law school, he was awarded a Henry Luce Scholarship, where he served as a visiting fellow at the University of the Philippines Law Center from 1978-1979. From 1979-81, he was an Associate Attorney at the Washington D.C. law firm of Hogan and Hartson, now Hogan Lovells.
In 1981, Robert returned to his native state of Oklahoma to assume management of a family owned oil and gas business that had been founded by his grandfather, a Russian immigrant, in 1931. In 1987, Robert took what he thought at the time would be a brief leave of absence from his family business to become an Assistant Attorney General of Oklahoma. In that capacity, Robert served as the consumers’ representative in utility rate proceedings before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, and workers’ compensation insurance rate proceedings before the Oklahoma Insurance Department. In addition, he served as the lead lawyer in Arkansas v. Oklahoma, a landmark environmental law case that he argued before the United States Supreme Court in 1991.
In 1994, Robert was elected State Treasurer of Oklahoma in his first race for political office. He was re-elected without opposition in 1998 and 2002. During his tenure as Oklahoma Treasurer, Robert served as President of the Southern State Treasurers Association and Chair of the Banking, Collateral and Cash Management Committee of the National Association of State Treasurers. He is most proud of his work in establishing the Oklahoma College Savings Program, and his lead role in sponsoring a successful effort to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to create a permanent trust fund for Oklahoma’s share of the tobacco settlement proceeds, the income from which is dedicated to anti-smoking and other public health initiatives.
In 2005, Robert resigned from the treasurer’s office to assume the position of Dean of the University of Tulsa College of Law, a job that he held until 2007. Since 2007, Robert has been a Professor of Law at the University of Tulsa College of Law. His teaching interests include administrative law, contracts, the Uniform Commercial Code, and corporate law.
During his government and academic career, Robert has continued to be involved in his family business. He currently serves as a Manager of Butkin Oil Company, LLC, and President of BRJN Investment Corporation, a family investment company. He also serves on the board of directors of LSB Industries, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange Company, headquartered in Oklahoma City.
Robert is married to Nina, a Vice President of a textile distribution company based in Tulsa. Together, they have three wonderful daughters—Olivia (age 9), Julia (age 7) and Claire (age 6).
