Robert A. Butkin was an esteemed member of The University of Tulsa College of Law faculty from 2005-2021, being named a Professor Emeritus of Law upon his retirement in May of 2021. Butkin served as the dean of the college from 2005-2007. In his teaching, Robert Butkin specialized in the areas of contracts, state and federal administrative law, selling and leasing of goods, and secured transactions. He also served as faculty advisor to the Energy Law Journal, as well as Director of the College of Law’s Sustainable Energy and Resources Law Program.
Professor Emeritus Butkin was recognized with awards and honors for his dedicated service to his students, including TU’s Outstanding Teacher Award (2013), and the TU College of Law Outstanding Professor Award (2009 and 2015).
Robert Butkin was a devoted public servant before joining the TU Law faculty, serving as State Treasurer of Oklahoma from 1994-2005, during which time he advocated legislation creating Oklahoma’s 529 College Savings Plan and co-chaired the successful effort to pass a constitutional amendment creating the Oklahoma Tobacco Endowment Trust Fund.
He also served as an Assistant Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma from 1987-1993, handling a number of important utility and workers’ compensation rate cases and representing Oklahoma in Arkansas v. Oklahoma, a landmark Clean Water Act case, which he argued before the United States Supreme Court in 1991.
Throughout his government and academic careers, Robert Butkin continued to fulfill his duties related to his family’s businesses, including Butkin Oil Company, LLC and BRJN Investment Corporation, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of LSB Industries, Inc.
Professor Emeritus Butkin’s wife, Nina, has made her career at Fabricut, Inc. in Tulsa, where she serves as Vice President of Design. The Butkins have three children, Olivia, Julia and Claire.
The couple has generously supported The University of Tulsa since 2005, investing in the TU Annual Fund for the College of Law, law scholarships and lectures, along with gifts to support KWGS and the Nimrod International Journal of Prose and Poetry. Their generosity has brought them recognition as members of the honored Circle Society and the Chapman Legacy Society.
In 2019, on the occasion of their twentieth wedding anniversary, Nina Butkin wanted to honor her husband’s service to the College of Law through the establishment of a scholarship fund, and the couple established The Nina and Professor Robert Butkin Endowed Scholarship in Law.
This important scholarship program supports full-time law students in any year of study, with an emphasis on those with significant financial need and those who are first-generation college students.
The University of Tulsa is deeply grateful to these loyal friends of TU, whose generosity will create important opportunities for TU Law students for generations to come.
