Mbilike (pronounced “Bee” “Lee” “Kay”) is a trial and appellate lawyer. His practice focuses on complex civil litigation, civil rights, self-driving cars, and appeals both in state and federal court.
Mbilike’s peers have recognized him as a “Rising Star” “Super Lawyer” in civil litigation, and he is the 2017 recipient of the Golden Quill Award—one of the Oklahoma Bar Association’s highest intellectual award.
While in practice, Mbilike has achieved notable milestones. He was appellate counsel in a number of important Oklahoma constitutional law decisions such Steidley v. Singer; Steidley v. Community Newspapers, Inc. and Anderson v. Wilken.
Mbilike received his LL.B from the University of Wales in 2009 and his Master of Laws and Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2010 and 2012. While at TU College of Law, he was a member of the Constitutional Law National Appellate Moot Team, the Energy Law Journal, and he was also inducted into the Order of Barristers─in recognition of excellence in court-room advocacy.
Notable Cases
Steidley v. Singer, 2017 OK 8
Steidley v. Community Newspapers, Inc., 2016 OK CIV APP 63
Anderson v. Wilken, 2014 OK CIV APP 35
Garrett v. Okla. Work. Comp. Ct., No. 112915 (Okla. Sup. Ct. Aug. 8, 2014)
Church of Holi. Sci., Inc. v. Bilder, No. 114829 (Okla. Ct. App. Aug. 17, 2017)
Publications
Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, Legal Ethics and Federalism: A New Blueprint for Federal Trade Commission Enforcement Action, 87 Okla. B. J. 2531 (Dec. 17, 2016);
Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, Suing on Shifting Sands: The Oklahoma Constitution, Retroactive Legislation, and the Scramble for Clarity, 88 Okla. B. J. 935 (May 20, 2017);
Spencer Pittman & Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, Autonomous Vehicles and the Trolley Problem: An Ethical and Liability Conundrum, 88 Okla. B. J. 1719 (Sept. 9, 2017);
Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, Abatement Ab Initio: Old Wine in New Casing or Old Wine With a New Kick? 89 Okla. B. J. 40-46 (April 2018);
Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, Second Time’s A Charm: Oklahoma Citizens Participation Act’s Applicability in Federal Court, 89 Okla. B.J. 24 (Sept. 2018);
Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, The Unique Problems of a Tort Within a Tort: Charting a Way Forward for an Uncertain Area of Oklahoma Law, 89 Okla. B.J. 10 (Nov. 2018);
Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, The iPhone, the Speaker and Us: Constitutional Expectations in the Smart Age, 90 Okla. B.J. 24 (March 2019);
Spencer Pittman & Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, Not so Hypothetical After All: Addressing the Remaining Unanswered Questions About Self-driving Cars, 90 Okla. B.J. 36 (March 2019);
Alexandra G. Ah Loy and Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, When Elephants Collide: Maintaining Technological Competence v. Complying with Discovery Rules, 90 Okla. B.J. 23 (May 2019);
Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, Through the Tapestry of Life: In Search of Guiding Legal Principles in End-of-Life Decisions, 90 Okla. B.J. 26 (Sept. 2019);
Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, Smoke and Mirrors: Constitutional Ideals When Facts and Fiction Can’t Be Separated, 91 Okla. B.J. __ (March 2020) (forthcoming).
Awards & Honors
Oklahoma Bar Association Golden Quill Award — awarded for publishing the best peer-reviewed scholarly article in the Oklahoma Bar Journal
Selected as the author of the best peer-reviewed scholarly article in the May 2017 issue of Oklahoma Bar Journal (Constitutional law) and nominated for theGolden Quill Award
Selected as co-author of the best peer-reviewed scholarly article in the September 2017 issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal (Transportation law) and nominated for the Golden Quill Award
Selected by peers as an Oklahoma “Rising Star” Super Lawyer in civil litigation
Order of the Barristers —
University of Tulsa College of Law — in recognition of excellence in court-room advocacy
Notable Speeches/Presentations
Keynote speaker – public lecture at the University of Tulsa College of Law: “A Question of Our Time: A Driverless Future?” – Mbilike M. Mwafulirwa, Richard B. Risk Practicum Lecture (April 26, 2019);
Keynote speaker – TU College of Law Alumni Reunion Lecture: “The iPhone, the Speaker and Us: Constitutional Expectations in the Smart Age” (Oct. 25, 2019);
CLE Lecture, Tulsa Area Paralegal Association, “The iPhone, the Speaker and Us: Constitutional Expectations in the Smart Age” (Spring 2019)
