The Oklahoma Supreme Court approved the resignation of attorney Kelsey Alison Baldwin from the Oklahoma Bar Association while disciplinary investigations into alleged professional misconduct remained pending, according to a court order issued Dec. 8, 2025.
Baldwin, admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association on April 20, 2021, voluntarily resigned her membership and relinquished her right to practice law through an affidavit filed Oct. 3, 2025, with the Professional Responsibility Commission under Rule 8.1 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings.
The court's order, designated as *State of Oklahoma ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Association v. Baldwin* (2025 OK 90), detailed the circumstances surrounding Baldwin's resignation and the pending disciplinary matters that prompted her decision to leave the legal profession.
According to the court's findings, Baldwin's affidavit of resignation confirmed that she freely and voluntarily rendered her resignation without coercion or duress, and that she was fully aware of the consequences of submitting her resignation. The affidavit was approved as to form by an Assistant General Counsel for the Oklahoma Bar Association.
The court noted that Baldwin was aware the Oklahoma Bar Association had opened six grievances against her at the time of her resignation. While the complete details of all grievances were not fully disclosed in the available portion of the court order, the document indicates that at least one matter, designated as DC-24-173, involved a grievance filed by General Counsel alleging misconduct in Case No. CIV-23-1147-SLP pending in the United States District Court.
Resignation pending disciplinary proceedings represents a significant development in professional responsibility cases, as it typically occurs when an attorney faces serious allegations that could result in suspension or disbarment. Under Oklahoma's disciplinary rules, attorneys may voluntarily resign their bar membership when facing disciplinary charges, effectively ending their ability to practice law in the state.
The Professional Responsibility Commission, which oversees attorney discipline in Oklahoma, investigates complaints against lawyers and makes recommendations to the state Supreme Court regarding appropriate sanctions. When attorneys resign pending disciplinary proceedings, the resignation serves as an acknowledgment that they would rather surrender their license than face potential disciplinary action.
For Baldwin, who had been practicing law for approximately four years since her 2021 admission to the bar, the resignation marks the end of her legal career in Oklahoma. The timing of her resignation, coming while multiple grievances were under investigation, suggests the allegations against her were substantial enough to warrant voluntary surrender of her license.
The court's approval of resignation pending disciplinary proceedings is a formal process that requires judicial review and approval. The Supreme Court must determine whether the resignation was voluntary and whether the attorney understood the consequences of their decision. In Baldwin's case, the court found that all procedural requirements had been met.
Oklahoma's disciplinary system is designed to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal profession. When attorneys face allegations of misconduct, the disciplinary process can result in various sanctions ranging from private reprimands to disbarment, depending on the severity of the violations.
The resignation effectively resolves the pending disciplinary proceedings, as an attorney who is no longer a member of the bar cannot be subjected to professional discipline. However, should Baldwin ever seek to practice law again in Oklahoma or another jurisdiction, her resignation pending disciplinary proceedings would likely be considered by any bar admission authority evaluating her fitness to practice.
The court's order carries the notation that it has not been released for publication and remains subject to revision or withdrawal until formally released. This is standard practice for Oklahoma Supreme Court opinions during the initial review period.
For members of the legal profession, Baldwin's case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that can result from alleged professional misconduct. The Oklahoma Bar Association's disciplinary system is designed to investigate complaints thoroughly and take appropriate action to protect clients and maintain public confidence in the legal system.
The resignation also highlights the option available to attorneys facing disciplinary charges to voluntarily surrender their licenses rather than proceed through the full disciplinary process. While this action ends an attorney's career, it may be preferable to facing potential disbarment following a formal disciplinary hearing.
Baldwin's resignation from the Oklahoma Bar Association is now complete, and she is no longer authorized to practice law in the state. The six grievances that prompted her resignation will not proceed further given her voluntary surrender of her license to practice law.