Photo: East Central University’s Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business. (East Central University)
LegalShield on Thursday honored the legacy of its late founder with its second annual Harland C. Stonecipher Day.
The company that now provides legal safeguards to more than 4.1 million began with Stonecipher’s vision to make legal protection accessible to all. He founded the company in 1972 after an automobile accident, through no fault of his own, left him in financial ruin. LegalShield offers identity protection beginning at $9.95 a month and legal representation beginning at $17.95 a month.
“Harland was an innovative leader that created a solution that creates equal access to justice and ensures one’s identity is theirs alone,” said Jeff Bell, CEO of LegalShield.
During a Founder’s Day event held Wednesday, the company introduced the Harland C. Stonecipher Awards honoring individuals who, like the company’s founder, are committed to the community and entrepreneurship. The first, an award for public service, was presented to Rep. Tom Cole, a Republican who on the previous day was elected to his eighth House term out of southwestern Oklahoma.
“I am honored to receive the Harland C. Stonecipher Award for Public Service in memory of a reputable man such as Harland,” said Cole, a fifth-generation Oklahoman. “Harland’s commitment to the community has made a lasting impact and will forever be remembered.”
Another award, this one for entrepreneurial vision, was presented to John Addison, CEO of Addison Leadership Group and former Co-CEO of Primerica. Addison, who sits on the LegalShield board, was recognized “for his contribution to improving the local community and the quality of life for others.”
According to Addison, “Harland’s leadership and desire to foster entrepreneurship was truly remarkable. His dedication to education, access to services and empowering others has spread throughout his company. I am delighted to receive this award in his memory.”
For his achievements at LegalShield, Stonecipher himself was named 2002 Southwest Master Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. In 2005, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reappointed him to a two-year term on its 100-person board of directors. Stonecipher’s alma mater, East Central University, recognized him as Distinguished Alumnus in 1987. He and his wife, Shirley, later endowed a gift to the university, which memorialized him through its Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business.
