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Rivas All Set to Make Theatrical Debut in Don Juan Tenorio

Lorena Rivas is used to the spotlight as a high-profile and decorated Tulsa immigration attorney.

Popular Tulsa immigration attorney

This year alone Rivas won the AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) Dreams Contest and delivered a riveting speech at the National Convention in Orlando. She also presented in Southern California and in Kansas City at notable legal conferences earlier in 2019.

Tonight, though, Rivas will perform on an entirely different stage.

The Fry & Elder partner will make her theatrical debut at The Living Arts of Tulsa when she plays the plays the role of Doña Ana in an adaptation of the famous play Don Juan Tenorio.

“I am very excited and a little nervous about tonight,” Rivas said. “I’ve never performed in a play of this stature before, but I am used to performing and being in front of crowds. When I was offered the role to play Doña Ana, I really thought this would be a great opportunity for me to meet another group of professionals and transfer many of the skills I use in the courtroom onto a different stage.”

Presented by telatúlsa and written and directed by Tara Moses, performances of the classic play will run through Nov. 16, with six shows slated for Nov. 7-9 and Nov. 14-16 at The Living Arts of Tulsa, located at 307 E Matthew B. Brady Street.

Moses, who also serves as the Artistic Director for telatúlsa, “has put a new spin on the classic tale,” which is celebrated in many countries around the world during Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

“We cannot in good faith produce a show that celebrates a man who has assaulted women and hurt people then was redeemed for it,” Moses said in a release produced by telatúlsa. “When we view the classic story with our modern eyes, we just see how harmful machismo culture is. Don Juan has presented the perfect opportunity to change the narrative, introduce accountability, and give agency to Doña Inés and Doña Ana.”

Rivas says the adaptation of classic stories like Don Juan Tenorio is good for humanity.

“It’s important that we continue to evolve as a society,” Rivas said. “That’s not to say that we should forget the past; we should embrace it, but we should continue to grow as humans. I think what Tara (Moses) is doing with Don Juan Tenorio is an excellent example of us continuing to grow and become better.”

Don Juan Tenorio

Rivas a Sought-After Tulsa Immigration Attorney

If Rivas is able to replicate her legal prowess to the theater, she very well may be on her way to Broadway.

Rivas has already established herself as prominent Tulsa immigration attorney in a relatively short career. She is a two-time Super Lawyers® Rising Stars Selection, is the 2018 Fern Holland Award Winner and was part of the Leadership Tulsa Class 60.

Rivas provides comprehensive legal services in the following immigration law practice areas:

Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with proven Tulsa immigration attorney Lorena Rivas.

Top Oklahoma Law Firm Again Named to Best Law Firms List

With roots dating back to 1932, Fry & Elder has long been considered a top Oklahoma law firm. Nevertheless, it is always good to receive positive reinforcement.

The U.S. News & World Report further validated Fry & Elder as a top Oklahoma law firm when the prestigious publication unveiled its annual “Best Law Firms” List on Nov. 1.

Oklahoma alimony support

That Fry & Elder was selected for inclusion in 2020 is not a surprise; The Tulsa-based law firm has now been selected each of the past seven years to the elite Best Law Firms List.

“It’s a tremendous honor to receive this accolade,” Fry & Elder partner James R. Elder said. “To receive this type of recognition from such credible publications as the U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® is a testament to the level of work we do for our clients and the expectations we have for ourselves as trial lawyers here at Fry & Elder.”

Fry & Elder received Tier 1 status for Family Law in Tulsa for the upcoming 2020 Best Law Firms edition.

Firms selected for inclusion go through a rigorous review process as noted by Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer in an official release.

“For the 2020 ‘Best Law Firms’ publication, the evaluation process has remained just as rigorous and discerning as it did when we first started ten years ago,” Greer said. “This year we reviewed 14,931 law firms throughout the United States – across 75 national practice areas – and a total of 2,106 firms received a national law firm ranking.

“We are proud that the ‘Best Law Firms’ rankings continue to act as an indicator of excellence throughout the legal industry.”

To be eligible for inclusion a firm must have at least one attorney who has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America©.

Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. more than fits the bill, as he was selected for a 10th consecutive year to Best Lawyers® earlier this year. The honor Fry received only goes to the “top 5% of private practicing lawyers in the United States.”

“He’s been a practicing attorney for a number of years, but what really sets him apart from others is the level at which he operates,” Elder said of Fry. “It really is remarkable.”

Popular Tulsa immigration attorney

Talented Team of Attorneys help Fry & Elder Standout as a Top Oklahoma Law Firm

In addition to Fry and Elder, the firm also bolsters one of Oklahoma’s top immigration attorneys in Lorena Rivas.

Rivas joined Fry & Elder in 2015 and has had a decorated career. She was named the 2018 Fern Holland Award Winner and is a two-time Super Lawyers® selection and has garnered numerous other honors during her career.

Fry & Elder attorneys James C. Morton, Sara Schmook and Mary McMillen each joined the firm in 2019 and bring an accomplished and committed legal skillset to the top Oklahoma law firm.

Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation.

Fry & Elder’s “Tulsa Super Lawyers” Continue to Shine

Tulsa Super Lawyers are in abundance at 1630 S. Main Street.

Tulsa Super Lawyers

The highly-reputable legal publication Super Lawyers® unveiled its list of 2018 honorees, and Fry & Elder was again well represented.

Fry & Elder’s Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr., Aaron D. Bundy, Lorena Rivas and T. Luke Barteaux were each selected for inclusion.

This year marks the 12th consecutive year Fry has designated as Super Lawyer for family law, while Bundy (2013-18), Barteaux (2014-18) and Rivas (2018) were each selected as Super Lawyers Rising Stars.

“Very, very pleased with how well our firm is represented,” Fry said. “Each are extremely accomplished and very deserving. I’m particularly thrilled for Lorena. She’s been a vital part to our firm’s success these past few years and has been worthy of recognition since she joined Fry & Elder (in 2015).

Super Lawyers Selection Further Validates Big Year, Stellar Career for Rivas

For Rivas, 2018 marks her first year to garner Super Lawyers accolades, but as Fry alluded to, Rivas has distinguished herself as one of Tulsa’s top immigration attorneys for quite some time.

She was the recipient of the 2018 Fern Holland Award which is annually given to a lawyer who advocates for human rights or the empowerment of women, and Rivas has traveled to Washington D.C. multiple times to meet with legislators to discuss immigration law reform and improved policies.

Rivas was additionally recognized in 2016 by the Tulsa Business & Legal News as being one of the city’s most accomplished professional women with their annual Women of Distinction Awards.

On multiple occasions, the prominent Tulsa immigration attorney has shared her powerful testimony on what led her into immigration law on multiple occasions and continues to looked at as an authority figure in immigration law.

“Super Lawyers is one of the most esteemed publications in our profession so I am very thrilled to be selected,” Rivas said. “It’s always an honor to receive recognition – be it from a client, colleague or publication such as Super Lawyers.”

Tulsa Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers Selection Process Second to None

What helps set Super Lawyers apart from other legal publications is its highly-regarded selection process. Only the best 5 percent of attorneys in a specific practice area are selected as Super Lawyers, while 2.5 percent of lawyers in a given practice area are chosen as Rising Stars.

The Super Lawyers website says the selection process is as follows:

“Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis.

“The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. Since Super Lawyers is intended to be used as an aid in selecting a lawyer, we limit the lawyer.” ratings to those who can be hired and retained by the public, i.e., lawyers in private practice and Legal Aid attorneys.”

Tulsa Super Lawyers

Fry & Elder Tulsa Super Lawyers to Continue Momentum

The honors and accolades for Fry & Elder do not figure to stop any time soon in 2018. The prestigious Oklahoma law firm is vying to make the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List for a sixth consecutive year.

The U.S. News & World Report will unveil its list on Nov. 1.

Fry, meanwhile, continues to be recognized for his 50th year of practicing law. He was recently recognized by the Tulsa County Bar Association during its Annual Awards Banquet in August for 50 years of membership with the TCBA.

“It always feels great to be recognized by your peers and colleagues,” Fry said. “Honors and awards such as these are never taken for granted. The firm and myself are very appreciative.”

Contact Fry & Elder to set up a personal consultation with a team of Tulsa Super Lawyers.

Oklahoma Cyberbullying Attorney Discusses Cyberbullying Effects

Technological advancements have increased the opportunities for students of all ages to be successful. Unfortunately, the same advancements have given some pre-teen and teenagers an arena to further facilitate their bullying and abusive tactics around the clock.

Oklahoma cyberbullying attorney

Cyberbullying has become more commonplace in Oklahoma and throughout the United States, as it affects many students and young adults. Some reports claim that “more than 1 in 3 young people have experienced cyberthreats online.”

Fry & Elder Oklahoma cyberbullying attorney Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. believes cyberbullying presents a real problem for many of today’s youths, particularly those enrolled in middle school, high school and college.

Fry was named to Best Lawyers® 2021 Listings, which marked the 11th consecutive year the dynamic Tulsa family law attorney had received accolade.

Understanding Oklahoma Cyberbullying

Unlike physical, face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying does not end once the initial encounter is over.

Because cyberbullying occurs through digital technology mediums like email, text messaging and social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat, cyberbullying incidents frequently operate on 24-hour per day cycle, making it all the more difficult for the victim to escape from the acts of intimidation, harassment and embarrassment.

Cyberbullying becomes even more difficult to monitor and trace because the attacker can easily hide behind a keyboard anonymously and post the offensive messages to a wide audience. Once those messages and posts are sent they are often difficult to delete.

The Potential Effects of Cyberbullying

The effects of cyberbullying can have very serious consequences for both the victim and the perpetrator. These could include any of the following.

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Health problems
  • Low self-esteem
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions

Those who instigate the cyberbullying attacks may not initially realize the repercussion of their actions, but they can lead to a host of problems down the road which could include losing employment and education opportunities and potentially facing criminal charges.

If a cyberbullying incident was sexual in nature – such as sexting or sending and posting sexual pictures – the offender could be registered as a sex offender.

Oklahoma Cyberbullying Laws in Place

Oklahoma HB 1661 was signed into law in 2013. Known as the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act, the bill addresses bullying in general, but it gives schools greater authority to specifically address cyberbullying acts.

As stated in a 2017 TeenSafe.com article,

“With the new law, schools can use law enforcement to intervene. It allows schools to maintain internal records of cyberbullying for police investigation. It ultimately relieves Oklahoma schools from having to address it themselves when their hands are often tied from any meaningful ramification. It moves the punishment from a school consequence to legal matter.”

Oklahoma cyberbullying attorney

Why the Need for an Experienced Oklahoma Cyberbullying Attorney?

Though the passing of Oklahoma HB 1661 was a move in the right direction for Oklahoma schools, students and educators, cyberbullying incidents often feature many gray and murky areas, making it all the more important to contact an experienced Oklahoma cyberbullying attorney.

Whether you have been a victim of cyberbullying or are being accused of committing cyberbullying attack, an experienced Oklahoma cyberbullying attorney will keep your best interests in mind and help you efficiently navigate through the process to provide you with the best outcome.

Fry & Elder Oklahoma cyberbullying attorney Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. is knowledgeable and well-versed in the many different forms of bullying – physical and cyberbullying – which take place in out of school.

Fry has helped Fry & Elder garner national recognition. The firm has been named to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List every year since 2014, and a team of trial lawyers who are some of the most distinguished in the state and include:

If you feel your child or someone close to you is a victim of a cyberbullying attach or is being falsely accused of cyberbullying, we encourage you to contact Fry & Elder Tulsa today to set up a personal consultation with an experienced Oklahoma cyberbullying attorney.

Divorcing a Control Freak in Oklahoma Requires Strategy

It has been well documented that divorcing a narcissist can be a very difficult obstacle to overcome. With that said, divorcing a control freak in Oklahoma presents a whole new bag of issues and challenges for many individuals, as a “my way or the highway” attitude is the calling card of many control freaks.

Divorcing a control freak in Oklahoma

Simply put: this is not the type of mindset any party should be subjected to in what is supposed to be a shared and committed relationship.

If you or someone close to you is trying to end a relationship with a control freak, our experienced and accomplished team of Tulsa divorce attorneys at Fry & Elder empathize with the challenges you are facing and wish to offer some strategies to incorporate when divorcing a control freak in Oklahoma.

Self-Preservation is a Must

If you have been involved in a serious relationship with a control freak, chances are your self-esteem has taken a hit. This, however, should not be the case.

By seeking to end the toxic relationship, you have taken arguably the biggest step in reclaiming your life.

Keep moving forward.

Seek out friends and family to interact with and lean on, particularly during rough times. Think about trying out different activities such as taking up CrossFit, a cooking class or attending a Meetup group which will allow you to further showcase your individualism and newfound independence.

Tulsa immigration law

Document Everything

Whether you are divorcing a narcissist or a control freak, it is important that you keep records of all correspondence, including text messages, emails, voicemails and social media messaging/posts. This will help you further validate and reinforce your ex’s controlling patterns.

Documentation could also be particularly useful to your attorney when he or she advocates for you in court or in mediation.

Establish Boundaries

This likely won’t be easy, but establishing boundaries will be vital in your quest to terminate a relationship with a control freak.

One boundary you could establish would be to limit correspondence to only one communication channel (email) to correspond with your ex. You may even want to take it a step further and limit communication with your ex to just one day per week.

If you have children, another boundary you likely would want to implement would be to have a neutral pickup and drop-off location that’s open to the public so that you have witnesses should your ex act hostile toward you.

Annual Association of Family and Conciliation Courts Conference

Understand the Core Issue Behind a Controlling Personality

In establishing boundaries and limitations, it is important to understand that at the root of most control freaks are deeply-rooted issues with anxiety.

As Psychology Today pointed out in a 2015 article:

“While there are some out there who are controlling because they are into power or feel entitled and expect the world to go their way, for most controlling people it’s all about anxiety. Control is a bad solution—but it’s not the problem.

“Often such people grew up in chaotic environments, or with anxious or even abusive parents. As children they walked on eggshells, looking over their shoulders. To cope, they became hypervigilant—always on alert, always anticipating problems.”

Why the Need for an Experienced Attorney When Divorcing a Control Freak in Oklahoma

Divorcing a control freak in Oklahoma or anywhere else presents a difficult set of challenges, making it all the more imperative to consult with an experienced Tulsa divorce attorney as soon as possible.

Fry & Elder’s team of family law attorneys are some of the most decorated in the state and include the following:

Fry & Elder has also been named to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List each of the past five years.

Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with an established and experienced Tulsa divorce attorney.

Elite Tulsa Law Firm Has Always Fought For Wrongfully Accused

As an elite Tulsa law firm with roots dating back to 1932 when C. Lawrence Elder began trying cases in Oklahoma courtrooms, Fry & Elder has achieved no shortage of legal feats.

Elite Tulsa Law Firm

The nationally-acclaimed firm’s trial lawyers have donned multiple legal hats, taken on many leadership positions and received numerous honors over the past 86 years. Fry & Elder’s attorneys actively practice Oklahoma family law, immigration law, criminal law and personal injury law cases.

One legal role no Fry & Elder trial lawyer, however, has played in the elite Tulsa law firm’s illustrious history has been that of a prosecutor.

“That is a point of pride for us, especially in criminal defense work” Fry & Elder trial lawyer Aaron Bundy said. “The entire careers of every lawyer working here at Fry & Elder have been dedicated to helping individuals, including fighting for the wrongfully accused.”

Bundy and fellow Fry & Elder trial lawyer and partner M. Shane Henry focus much of their respective practice areas on criminal defense work, including protective orders, federal criminal defense, bullying and DUI.

“I think with all of the technology and media coverage in place today, it is now easier than ever before for the court of public opinion to presume the accused is guilty and not innocent,” Bundy said. “But the judicial system has and will continue to operate under the presumption that one is innocent until proven guilty.”

Elite Tulsa Law Firm

Fighting for the Wrongfully Accused Often Comes with Prosecutor Bias

In 2017, Bundy and Henry traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers® 2017 Midwinter Meeting & Seminar where the two AV-Rated attorneys listened in as legendary criminal defense mastermind Barry Scheck presented.

Perhaps no other attorney is more well-versed in advocating for the wrongfully accused than Scheck. He co-founded the Innocence Project which has exonerated innocent, yet wrongfully convicted individuals like Michael Morton.  

Morton was released from prison in 2011 after serving nearly 25 years in prison after he was wrongfully convicted of his wife’s murder.

Morton publicly unveiled his remarkable and tragic story in his book “Getting Life: An Innocent Man’s 25-Year Journey from Prison to Peace” which also documented the unethical work of prosecuting attorney Ken Anderson.

Anderson was arrested and jailed after a court of inquiry found that the Morton’s former prosecutor had failed to “provide defense lawyers with exculpatory evidence indicating that another man might have killed Morton’s wife, including information that his 3-year-old son witnessed the murder and said his dad was not home at the time.”

Unfortunately, Anderson’s tale is not the only example of prosecutor immorality. As The Hill reported in a 2017 article:

“Traditionally, prosecutors are seen as measuring success in terms of convictions, plea bargains or the amount of punishment exacted.”

Titled “Criminal justice reform starts with the prosecutor,” the piece discussed how some 24 prosecutors from across the country met to discuss changes to their roles in the criminal justice system.

Adam Foss is an assistant district attorney in Suffolk County, Massachusetts had this to say: “Prosecutors are the most powerful actors in the criminal justice system. Our power is virtually boundless.”

When discussing the mindset of many prosecuting attorneys, Foss added this insight:

“For the most part, prosecutors step on the job with little appreciation of the impact of our decisions, regardless of our intent. Prosecutors aren’t really incentivized to be creative. … We stick to an outdated method that is counterproductive to achieving the goal that we all want, which is safer communities.”

Elite Tulsa Law Firm Attorneys Who Will Fight for You

If you are investigated or charged with a crime, you will need to contact an experienced criminal law defense attorney. Should you decide to contact Fry & Elder, you can have the peace of mind that no lawyer at the firm has ever worked on behalf of the government to accuse people of crimes

Furthermore, the elite Tulsa law firm has been named to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firm’s List every year since 2014. The renowned law firm’s lineup of attorneys includes the following:

Contact Fry & Elder Tulsa today to set up a personal consultation with a proven trial lawyer who will aggressively fight for you in and out of the courtroom.

Oklahoma Alimony Support No Longer a Tax Deduction in 2019

Changes to Oklahoma alimony support are on the horizon.

Oklahoma alimony support

Under the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law by President Donald Trump, alimony (also known at spousal support) will no longer be deductible by the payor and count as income by the recipient. The provisions will not affect divorce decrees and separation agreements entered before Dec. 31, 2018, but those signed after would be impacted.

The Oklahoma alimony support lawyers of Fry & Elder are well aware that ending the 76-year old deduction could drastically impact many divorce settlement negotiations and agreements and are taking a proactive approach in preparing for the imminent changes set to come to Oklahoma alimony support.

“The change in tax treatment will have obvious effects on settlement agreements, as the tax deduction is often an important consideration when crafting a settlement agreement that includes support alimony,” local attorney Amy Page said in an email directed to Fry & Elder attorneys. “We are aware of these effects and are and will continue to be prepared to educate our clients about them as well.”

Oklahoma Alimony Support Defined

Alimony in Oklahoma and most other states is financial support paid by one spouse to another after divorce. Oklahoma alimony terms can be agreed upon by the parties involved or a judge can decide. Spousal support payments typically come in monthly installments but also can be paid in one large lump sum.

Unlike child support, there is no set formula to determine spousal support in Oklahoma. There also is no set time frame on how long a spouse can expect to pay or receive alimony. When determining the amount of spousal support to be paid, the following components often apply:

  • The length of the marriage
  • The health and age of each spouse
  • The mode of living to which each spouse has become accustomed during the marriage
  • Evidence of a spouse’s own income-producing capacity and the time necessary to make the transition for self-support
  • Demonstrated need during the post-matrimonial economic readjustment period
  • The parties’ station in life
  • The earning ability and education of each spouse
  • The parties’ physical condition and financial means

The Potential Impact of the Tax Provisions to Oklahoma Alimony Support

As Fry & Elder’s teams of attorneys alluded to, changes to the tax treatment of spousal support could be far reaching, particularly at the negotiation table where the ability to use alimony deduction was often a powerful bargaining chip.

With only one year remaining for alimony to be claimed as a deduction, it has been reported that some family law attorneys are advising couples considering divorce to file this year – before the deduction is eliminated.

Politico quoted former American Bar Association Family Law Section Chair Mary Vidas as saying: “Now’s not the time to wait. If you’re going to get a divorce, get it now.”

The reasoning behind Vidas’ recommendation may stem from the fact that with alimony being wiped out as a deduction, more disputes could emerge between the two parties and what they deem as a fair number for spousal support.

“The deduction substantially reduces the cost of alimony payments – for people in the highest income-tax bracket, it means every dollar they spend to support a former spouse really costs them a little more than 60 cents.”

Added Pittsburgh family law attorney Brian Vertz:

“The repeal reduces the bargaining power of vulnerable spouses, mostly women, in achieving financial stability after a divorce.”

Though alimony was historically awarded to the wife, this is not the case anymore. Gender is now irrelevant when determining Oklahoma alimony support, meaning either the husband or wife can receive alimony.

Why Experience the Fry & Elder Difference?

Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr.’s divorce philosophy to “always seek mediation and resolution first, but when a compromise can’t be made to shoot all the bullets you have and throw the empty gun at them” has long been a hallmark of the firm. That said, Fry & Elder has remained proactive in staying up to date with Oklahoma family law practices, including spousal support.

The firm has been named to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List every year since 2014 and Is comprised of an experienced team of family law attorneys which include:

Should you have any additional questions in regards to Oklahoma alimony support or any other family law matter, we encourage you to contact Fry & Elder Tulsa today to set up a personal consultation with a proven family law attorney.

Elite Immigration Law Attorney Rivas Collaborates With Edstrom

Lorena Rivas has already developed a reputation as an elite Oklahoma immigration law attorney.

She is now establishing herself as a sought-after speaker on the important and controversial legal issue. Earlier this year, Rivas presented at a Tulsa County Bar Association CLE event and also gave her compelling personal account of what inspired her to become an Oklahoma immigration law attorney at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Elite Oklahoma immigration law attorney

Rivas most recently collaborated with fellow immigration law attorney Michelle Edstrom for a Family Immigration 101 CLE presentation during the Immigration & Nationality Law & Your Practice Seminar. Co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Bar Association Immigration Section, the presentation was one of seven featured sessions during the day-long event which took place in Oklahoma City.

The other presentations were:

  • Overview of U.S. Immigration Law
  • Nonimmigrant Visas – Alphabet Soup of the U.S. Visa System
  • Employment Immigration 101
  • Removal Proceedings
  • Refugees, Asylum Seekers & Other Vulnerable Immigrant Populations
  • Executive Orders and Immigration Policy (Ethics)

Rivas and Edstrom’s Family Immigration 101 CLE presentation focused on the “growing intersection of immigration law with Oklahoma family law and adoption law.” It also provided a compelling “overview of how U.S. companies may sponsor certain family members to immigrate to the U.S.”

Elite Oklahoma immigration law attorney

“It truly was a pleasure to be able to work and present with Michelle,” Rivas said. “She’s extremely knowledgeable and is very highly-respected, as were all the other attorneys and presenters. It was a great CLE event that offered a variety of important sessions on immigration law.”

Rivas’ further enhanced her reputation as an elite Oklahoma immigration law attorney when she visited our nation’s capital this past April and met with Oklahoma lawmakers to discuss and advocate for necessary reforms to America’s immigration system and to prevent policies that would hurt Oklahoma like mass deportations during the annual American Immigration Lawyers Association’s National Day of Action.

Rivas is one of several Fry & Elder attorneys who have developed a reputation and following as being an informative and engaging presenter on an array of legal issues. Fry & Elder partners Aaron D. Bundy and M. Shane Henry received the 2017 Earl Sneed Award for their significant and outstanding CLE contributions at the OBA Annual Meeting in Tulsa this past November.

The Hallmarks of an Elite Oklahoma Immigration Law Attorney

Rivas and her Fry & Elder immigration law team, which also includes firm attorney Ruth Calvillo, have the resources and experience in place to help provide you with the necessary legal assistance to help you navigate through a variety of immigration law issues. The team offers the following services:

Contact Fry & Elder Tulsa or Fry & Elder Oklahoma City today to set up a personal consultation with Rivas or another accomplished Oklahoma immigration law attorney.

Fry & Elder Intern Elissa Stiles Thankful For Experiences, Opportunities

Elissa Stiles

Perhaps no other enterprise offers greater perspective, empathy and appreciation than traveling.

Fry & Elder intern Elissa Stiles knows this all too well.

As a 2014 International Studies graduate of the University of Tulsa, Elissa Stiles studied abroad and researched in Peru, Brazil and Madagascar. Those travel experiences provided her greater insight into other cultures and nationalities, along with just how thankful she is for the opportunity to live in the United States.

“It was a great opportunity that allowed for me to meet a wide variety of people from different cultures and regions of the world,” Elissa Stiles said. “The more I talked to them the more I really began to understand the immense privilege I had living over here in the U.S.

“There are a lot of people who would love the opportunity to live here but are unable to come over here because they are poor, don’t know how to get a visa or are just unable to because of the laws we currently have in place.”

Now, a second-year law school student at the University of Tulsa College of Law, Stiles is in the process of learning how to better advocate for immigrants and foreigners hoping to come to the U.S.

She interns for Fry & Elder’s talented and experienced duo of immigration law attorneys Lorena Rivas and Ruth Calvillo and believes her experiences with the acclaimed Oklahoma law firm have reinforced what she learned from her travel experiences.

“I never really planned on pursuing a career in law,” Stiles said, “but I came back to TU (from studying abroad) and began working with international students, and it just became clear to me that becoming an immigration law attorney would better enable me to help those looking to come to the U.S.

“I love working with Lorena and Ruth and have learned so much from both of them during my time at Fry & Elder. Law school is great, but it doesn’t teach the practical skills that it takes to be a good attorney like working for a firm like Fry & Elder.”

Elissa Stiles

Tulsa Media Spotlights Elissa Stiles, Others

With immigration law becoming such a controversial and pressing issue for many, the national and Oklahoma media has taken notice. Stiles and two others are profiled in the November issue of TulsaPeople Magazine. Click HERE to read the article which documents Stiles’ background and how she helped co-found the Immigration Law Society at TU.

Stiles is quoted in the article saying:

“There’s not a specific reason that I was born in the United States and they weren’t. That’s just the luck of the draw. How silly of me to think I deserve to be in this country but the people who weren’t born here don’t deserve that. People who want to come to this country … I want to help them get here.”

Stiles said her first experience studying abroad in Peru was when she initially began to question boarders and that her experiences researching traditional medical practices in Madagascar made her call into question U.S. boarder policy even more. By the time she got to Brazil to research sex trafficking and the World Cup, her beliefs and values were “solidified” in viewing people with a borderless lens.

“Staying with my host families really opened my eyes to the opportunities I have and take for granted,” Stiles said. “They were some of the most kind-hearted and generous people I have ever met.”

Elissa Stiles

Stiles Reinforces Fry & Elder’s Diversity

Elissa Stiles is one of several people at Fry & Elder making a difference. The nationally-recognized firm has embraced a progressive, forward-thinking approach that permeates through its multilingual staff.

Stiles is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, while fellow Fry & Elder intern Danya Mahjoub is fluent in German and Arabic. All total, there are nine Fry & Elder attorneys and employees who are fluent in a foreign language.

“The ability to communicate effectively with clients and in court has always been a vital skill attorneys and legal personnel need to possess,” Rivas said. “As our world becomes more interconnected and immigration law services become in greater demand, having a well-rounded, multilingual legal staff is becoming more and more paramount. Fry & Elder is a firm that has always sought to grow and diversify its ability to help clients. The number of people who are multilingual here is a direct sign of the firm embracing that culture and movement forward.”

Fry & Elder offers legal assistance and representation in immigration law, family law and criminal law matters. The firm’s decorated lineup of attorneys includes:

Contact Fry & Elder Tulsa or Fry & Elder Oklahoma City today to set up a personal consultation with an experienced trial lawyer from nationally-recognized and elite Oklahoma law firm.

Collaborative Law Provides Family and Civil Dispute Options

Not every family or civil dispute needs to find its way into the litigation stage. Fry & Elder attorney Melissa Fell is setting out to prove this to be the case. The experienced Tulsa family law attorney recently attended the mandatory 2-day Collaborative Law training for the International Academy of Collaborative Lawyers in Chicago Illinois.  This training, along with her previous certification in Family and Divorce Mediation, now qualifies her to start practicing in this growing field of conflict resolution.

Collaborative Law

“I am very excited to bring this new family law practice area to Fry & Elder,” Fell said. “We now have the ability to offer our family law and other clients additional options when it comes to representing them in family and civil disputes.  One of my greatest strengths is the ability to negotiate difficult disputes, often helping our clients find creative or “out of the box” solutions that they may not have thought of before. This utilizes the skill sets I have attained from my training as a Certified Mediator as well as those I have developed as a Certified Life Coach.”

Collaborative Law Defined

Collaborative Law allows the clients to resolve conflicts without having to go into the courtroom.  It is designed to create an atmosphere of cooperation and teamwork.  Each party is represented by a trained collaborative law attorney, and issues are addressed in meetings between the parties and lawyers along with a collaboratively trained therapist, child specialist (if there are children involved) and financial expert.  The coaches act as neutrals on an as needed basis to guide and assist the parties in assembling and assimilating information to use throughout the problem-solving process.

“I found in my training, as I have in my litigation practice, that involving experts in their specific fields to create a team approach provides the best opportunity for an outcome that works for the parties, and the whole family unit,” Fell said.

Having mental health and financial coaches as a part of the process from the start neutralizes often strong emotions in ways that traditional litigation just cannot do.  The coach is there to redirect the parties during meetings to focus on their needs and interests so that they may come to a resolution that they can agree to.

Collaborative law

The Benefits of Collaborative Law

Collaborative Law is an ideal method for all types of cases, including those where the parties do not want their personal lives published in court documents online.  More and more people are finding that their personal information is used for fishing, or by people snooping into their private life.  With collaborative law, only the necessary documents are filed, and disputes between the parties and confidential information can be kept far more private than in traditional litigation.  The parties own the process and are able to make agreements that work for them and their families at their own pace.

“It gives ownership of the whole process and the outcome to the parties,” Fell said. “I have spent a great deal of time getting to know some of the collaborative professionals in our area, and I am convinced that the professionals in this group are all as invested as I am to revolutionize the practice of law.”

Another important benefit is the potential for cost savings to the parties.  By directly involving the coaches in the process from the beginning, issues are processed by the team members and the parties on a more timely basis than waiting for the court process and experts to be appointed, as well as the parties being able to share in the cost of the services that the experts provide.

The most important aspect of collaborative law is the impact that it has on the parties and their families and loved ones.  By focusing the process on mutual cooperation to find agreements, participants are far less likely to involve their children or to feel the stress of the process when drawn out through combative litigation.

Contact Fry & Elder Tulsa or Fry & Elder Oklahoma City today to set up a consultation with Melissa Fell and find out more about how Collaborative Law can be the right choice for you at Fry & Elder.

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