I am a native Oklahoman. I was born and raised in southeastern Oklahoma. My father was a lawyer in Poteau, Oklahoma and was well known throughout the state. My parents raised me and my two brothers to believe we could do anything as long as we worked hard and played by the rules. A good education was emphasized, along with compassion and empathy for others.
I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in May, 1982. After my graduation, I attended Oklahoma City University School of Law, where I received my juris doctor degree in May, 1985. While in law school, I received the American Jurisprudence Award in Estate Planning.
Since 1985, I have practiced law on a full time basis in Oklahoma City. I practice law with the following in mind:
I believe that people should be treated with decency, dignity and respect.
I believe in equality and justice for everyone.
Equality is fundamental and necessary if we are to have a just society.
Over the decades that I have practiced law, I keep the above principles in mind when I meet with clients to help them attain their life and estate planning goals. I really would not have it any other way based on my upbringing and beliefs.
I firmly believe the greatest gift a person may pass on to his or her family or loved ones is a well thought out and easy to understand estate plan. It can make a world of difference and make matters easier after a loved has passed.
I was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association in October, 1985. I am licensed to practice law before the Oklahoma Supreme Court and all district courts in all 77 counties in Oklahoma. I have been in most of them. On the federal level, I am admitted to practice before the United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, Colorado. I am admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma and the U.S. District Court of Nebraska.
My published cases include:
• Mamoodjanloo v. Wolf, et. al., 2008 OK CIV APP 59
• Goodall v. Trigg Drilling Company, 1997 OK 74
• Franklin v. Thompson, 981 F.2d 1168 (10th Cir. 1992)
From 1996 to 2007, I was a member of the Board of Directors of Red Rock Behavioral Health Services in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. During this time, I served as board president for 6 years.
I am a member of the following professional associations:
• Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA)
• Oklahoma County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Estate Planning, Probate and Trust section of the OBA, committee member
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
