Fry & Elder Tulsa Law Firm

Divorce, Child Custody, Protective Orders, Criminal Defense

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Tulsa, OK Law Firm
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Fry & Elder Partners Garner Top Peer Review Ratings

With roots dating all the way back to 1868, Martindale-Hubbell® has established itself as the “gold standard” in legal directories and attorney ratings. Not surprisingly, the esteemed legal publication has taken notice of Fry & Elder and its accomplished trial lawyers over the years. This year, all four Fry & Elder partners – Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr., James R. Elder, M. Shane Henry and Aaron D. Bundy – received the prolific AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®.

Fry & Elder partners

“To be an AV-rated attorney is a big deal,” Henry said. “They (Martindale-Hubbell) have set a high standard for so long that it really is quite an honor to be regarded by your peers in this light.”

The AV® Preeminent Rating on the Martindale Hubbell® website is defined as: “The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that the lawyer’s reviewed peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.”

Accolades and Accomplishments Nothing New at Fry & Elder

The iconic Oklahoma law firm of Fry & Elder is no stranger to honors and awards. Fry & Elder has been named to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firm’s list from 2014-2017. The standard of excellence for which the firm and its attorneys have become known for has been in high-demand as evidenced by Fry & Elder Oklahoma City opening its doors in late 2016. All total, the firm has five attorneys – T. Luke Barteaux, Allyson Dow, Fry, Elder, Henry and Bundy – who have garnered Super Lawyers® accolades and three of the past four Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section Chairs.

Fry was named by Best Lawyers® as its Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016. He also is one of only 19 attorneys in the state to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Henry was named the Oklahoma Family Law Attorney of the Year for 2016 by the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section.

While family law has been a hallmark of Fry & Elder’s excellence for over 40 years, the firm has experienced trial lawyers and attorneys in place who focus on immigration law, criminal defense law and personal injury law throughout Oklahoma. Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with an accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyer.

Oklahoma Child Support Enforcement Requires Experienced, Creative Attorney

Getting a child support order is standard practice in any family law case involving minor children. But enforcing and collecting child support can be anything but standard, which is why it is all the more important for you to seek consultation with an experienced Oklahoma child support attorney in these complex legal matters.

A typical Oklahoma child support enforcement scenario

Oklahoma law requires all parents to support their children. Usually, if a parent does not live with his or her child, the court will enter an order for that parent to pay support for the child to the person the child lives with. Many parents obey the court’s order and pay their support every month. A lot of parents even have the child support taken out of their paycheck and sent directly to the other parent. But what happens when a parent doesn’t want to pay?

Oklahoma child support enforcement

Why consult with an experienced Oklahoma child support attorney?

Fry & Elder’s newest attorney and trial lawyer, Amy Page, a former attorney for Oklahoma’s Child Support Services Division, has this to say about Oklahoma child support enforcement: “Collecting child support, like many areas of family law, depends a lot on the circumstances of the family. Is the parent who is supposed to pay child support self-employed? Does he or she have a source of income that can be proven in court? Does the parent have professional or recreational licenses? All of these factors can determine how easy or difficult child support enforcement will be in a particular case. It’s important to know what questions to ask, and that’s where an individual attorney’s experience can really make a difference.”

Why Fry & Elder?

If a parent chooses not to pay child support, an experienced family law attorney is an essential ally in applying or modifying Oklahoma child support enforcement. An experienced family law firm like Fry & Elder can help develop a plan to collect the support your child needs in a reliable way. Experienced attorneys, like those at Fry & Elder, know how to dig deep to find assets and income that can be attached for child support purposes in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and all other locations throughout the state. They know what to file in court, whether it’s a lien against an asset like a home, boat, or business, or something stronger, like an action to revoke a license or even seek jail time for non-payment.

If you are a parent, grandparent, or other custodian owed child support and the child’s parent is not paying you, we can help with Oklahoma child support enforcement.  Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation. Our lawyers are some of the most highly regarded and accomplished family law attorneys not only in the state of Oklahoma, but in the United States. Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. has been named a “Super Lawyer” in Oklahoma every year since 2007 and is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Firm attorneys James Elder, M. Shane Henry, Aaron Bundy and Fry all have attained the esteemed AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, which is the highest recognition in the legal industry. Amy Page, a former attorney for Department of Human Services’ Child Support Services Division, has more than 16 years’ experience in the establishment and collection of child support. Additionally, the family law firm of Fry & Elder made the U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Law Firms every year since 2014.

Fry & Elder Trial Lawyers Serious About Professional Development

Fry & Elder trial lawyers

The Oklahoma law firm of Fry & Elder was well-represented last week in various pockets of the Southeastern region of the country.

Criminal defense and family law attorneys M. Shane Henry and Aaron D. Bundy took to New Orleans and attended the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers® 2017 Midwinter Meeting & Seminar. Oklahoma immigration law attorney Lorena Rivas, meanwhile, traveled to Braselton, GA and participated the Trial Lawyers College 2017 Georgia Regional Seminar: Direct Examination.

Henry, Bundy and Rivas’ travel excursions for Continuing Legal Education purposes further show the commitment Fry & Elder trial lawyers have in the arena of professional development and training.

“These seminars are important in our development as attorneys,” Bundy said. “There are always new techniques, approaches and things that we can learn, along with ways that we can improve as trial lawyers.”

Bundy and Henry, who are also actively accepting criminal defense, family law and personal injury cases from the newly established Fry & Elder Oklahoma City offices, had a bird-eye view of renown criminal defense attorney Barry Scheck during The VooDoo of Voir Dire.

Scheck is the co-founder of the Innocence Project and was a member of O.J. Simpson’s legal defense team that led to the acquittal of the former football star.

“He’s pretty much a living legend, particularly in the realm of DNA testing,” Bundy said. “He did not disappoint. It was very inspiring and motivating to hear him present. He was the most well-known presenter, but the speaker list was just top-notch all the way through.”

Fry & Elder trial lawyers

Rivas also gained a lot of insight and knowledge from the seminar she attended this past week in North Atlanta which focused on how to convey clients’ and witnesses’ stories in more powerful and impactful ways.

“The conference was extremely helpful and enlightening,” Rivas said. “It made me really discover some untapped sources that I can use to better present my clients’ stories.  I was a unique participant at the conference because all of the participants, except me, were either in criminal defense or plaintiff’s attorneys in civil cases.  I’m pretty sure I may had been the first immigration attorney to attend one of their conferences.”

With President Donald Trump’s pending travel ban and other potential immigration policy changes, Rivas’ immigration law services have been in high demand. She spoke at a recent community form attended by Mexican Consul Rodolpho Quilantan in Tulsa that was spotlighted in the popular Hispanic publication La Semana del Sur.

Why Fry & Elder Trial Lawyers?

Whether you are in need of an experienced and highly-regarded Oklahoma family law, criminal defense or immigration law attorney, Fry & Elder has the team in place to help navigate your through the legal process. The firm has been named to the esteemed U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firm’s list from 2014-2017 and features five attorneys who have garnered Super Lawyers® accolades, four attorneys who are AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® and three of the past four Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section Chairs. Contact Fry & Elder today to speak to a skilled and accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyer.

Fry & Elder Now Open for Business in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City State Capital Building

Iconic and acclaimed law firm, Fry & Elder, recently opened its Oklahoma City law offices and is now actively accepting new cases and client inquiries in the Oklahoma City area and throughout the western part of the state.

Fry & Elder’s Oklahoma City location is at 228 Robert S. Kerr, STE 835. The office phone number is 405-605-0681 and the fax number is 405-594-6004.

Regarded as one of the premier family law firms in the nation, high-conflict and high-resolution divorce and child custody cases will continue to be one of the primary focus areas for Fry & Elder Oklahoma City attorneys. Other legal practice areas the firm will provide include criminal defense law and personal injury law.

Fry & Elder’s staff of Oklahoma City attorneys are Allyson Dow, M. Shane Henry, Aaron D. Bundy and T. Luke Barteaux, along with Fry & Elder named partners Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. and James R. Elder.

Dow (2017), Barteux (2016) and Henry (2014) give the Oklahoma City staff three of the past four Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section Chairs. Bundy, Barteaux, Dow, and Henry are each designated Super Lawyers® Rising Stars™, while Henry and Bundy have each garnered the coveted AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubble.

Fry & Elder Oklahoma City Law Offices:

228 Robert S. Kerr, STE 835
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Phone 405-605-0681
Fax 405-594-6004

For additional information, including a map and directions to our new Oklahoma City office, please visit okc.fryelder.com.

Henry, Bundy Discuss Merits of Voluntary Disclosure in Article

Voluntary disclosureFry & Elder trial lawyers and partners M. Shane Henry an Aaron D. Bundy continue to reap the rewards of their writing talents. The two SuperLawyers® Rising Stars™ and AV-rated attorneys recent published work was titled: “Show Them Yours” and appears in the January issue of the Tulsa Lawyer Magazine.

Henry and Bundy cover the importance of voluntary disclosure in legal trials such as divorce. Henry and Bundy open the article by stating that “evidence in the possession of our clients should be prepared for early disclosure to the other side.” Despite the fact that federal and state discovery procedure laws back this up, “disclosures rules are too often overlooked or ignored, despite the many potential benefits of “showing them yours’ early on.”

Oklahoma trial lawyers

Henry and Bundy provided further validation later in the article that voluntary disclosure is advantageous, saying: “Judges can reward voluntary disclosure. It is no secret that judges hate using precious court time to deal with discovery issues that could and should be handled by lawyers. In a typical discovery dispute, two lawyers stand before the judge and point fingers arguing (what) the other side has done wrong. Contrast this with counsel who has been voluntarily disclosing throughout the case then has to bring a discovery motion again her opponent, thus making the judge’s decision much easier.”

Heny and Bundy’s “Show Them Yours” article is the duo’s most recent written installation. The experienced and acclaimed Tulsa trial lawyers wrote three other article for the Tulsa Lawyer Magazine and another two for the Oklahoma Bar Journal in 2016.

Oklahoma trial lawyers

Experience the Fry & Elder difference

Whether you are perplexed by voluntary disclosure or another legal issue, the legal team at Fry & Elder is here to help. The acclaimed firm features the  Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016  and the 2016 Oklahoma Family Law Attorney of the Year by the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section. The firm also boasts four attorneys who have garnered Super Lawyers® accolades and four who are AV-rated attorneys. Collectively, the group has helped Fry & Elder be recognized by  The U.S. News & World Report. The esteemed publication has named Fry & Elder to its Best Law Firms list each of the past four year. Contact Fry & Elder today.  

James R. Elder Presents on the Importance of Prenuptial Agreements

Prenuptial agreements

When the renown and acclaimed Tulsa law firm of Fry & Elder moved into the Robert G Fry Jr. Center for Trial Studies in the fall of 2015 much of the reason for the move was because the firm had simply outgrown its previous downtown Tulsa offices. Another significant contributing factor, however, in why the firm relocated to their current state of the art 5,200-square foot facility, which features 13 offices and two conference rooms, was because the office would give the firm enhanced space for conferences and Continuing Legal Education (CLE opportunities).

Fry & Elder trial lawyers have made good use of the facility, and partner James R. Elder was the latest to do so. Elder helped usher in the New Year by holding the first CLE presentation of 2017 at the Robert G Fry Jr. Center for Trial Studies earlier this week.

His presentation, titled “Protecting Assets: Primer on Prenuptial Agreements,” centered on what has long been a touchy yet often necessary family law service in Oklahoma and other parts of the country.

James R. Elder

“Prenuptial Agreements are becoming more prevalent as people learn they can govern much of the result in a Dissolution case,” Elder said. “It also serves to shorten the proceedings since many otherwise disputed issues are eliminated from the litigation.”

The entire Fry & Elder staff of attorneys and other personnel attended Tuesday’s presentation.

“Mr. Elder did an amazing job with his presentation to the F&E team on the importance of prenuptial agreements,” fellow Fry & Elder partner M. Shane Henry said. “This is yet another example of how F&E is dedicated to improving each day so that we can achieve the very best results for our clients.”

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

Elder has been with Fry & Elder for over 25 years and has garnered the esteemed AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubble. His father C. Lawrence Elder set the wheels in motion for what Fry & Elder has become today – an acclaimed law firm – back in 1932 when he began practicing law in Oklahoma.

Today, Fry & Elder’s team of attorneys include four AV-rated attorneys, four who have been recognized by Super Lawyers®, the Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016  and the 2016 Oklahoma Family Law Attorney of the Year by the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section. Collectively, Fry & Elder’s team of nine attorneys have helped the firm make the prestigious U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms list each of the past four years. Contact Fry & Elder today to speak to an experienced and accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyer.

Dealing With The Holidays And Divorce (Part Five)

Tulsa divorce and child custody law firm

Divorce doesn’t always have to be difficult. In fact, divorce can often give someone a new lease on life. Above all, consider a pending or recent divorce as a chance to begin a new journey, and there is no better time to kick off that journey than at the beginning of a New Year. So, as you say goodbye to 2016 and usher in 2017, the Tulsa divorce and child custody law firm of Fry & Elder encourages you to be optimistic about what the future holds and wishes to offer you a few tips on how to get 2017 off on the right foot.

Establish Some Goals Early

They are not called New Year’s resolutions for nothing. But if you are going through or have been recently divorced, it is all the more important for you to set some worthwhile and attainable goals for 2017 because with goal-setting comes confidence and empowerment.

These goals might range from saving a certain amount of money over the next six months to trying out a hobby to traveling somewhere you have never been. Your goals can of course change over the course of the year and likely will, but it is important that you have some in place entering the New Year that you would like to fulfill.

Give Yourself Some Space and Alone Time

You have just gotten yourself out of a trying and committed relationship. One of the most important things you can do for your self-preservation is to re-learn how to be alone. That is not to say avoid activity and contact with others, but allowing yourself some alone time will help you develop your new identity moving forward.

Don’t be Afraid to Mourn but Bid Bitterness Farewell

There is a fine line between sadness and anger. While it’s OK to have both at times, it’s important for you to try and move on from the relationship. No one enters a marriage with the idea of getting a divorce so it’s perfectly understandable to be sad over the relationship ending. It’s also understandable that that you will have some anger toward your ex. The important thing is that you don’t over indulge yourself with either emotion. The quicker you can bid bitterness farewell, the quicker you can move on with your new lease on life.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

If the divorce or separation is a little more difficult than you expected don’t be afraid to ask for help. This could come in the form of reaching out to a family member or friend. It could also mean contacting a proven and established Tulsa divorce and child custody law firm.

Over the years, Fry & Elder has proven itself to be such a firm. The U.S. News & World Report has named Fry & Elder to its Best Law Firms list each of the past four years. Collectively, Fry & Elder has a talented staff of attorneys that include the Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016  and the 2016 Oklahoma Family Law Attorney of the Year by the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section. The firm also boasts four attorneys who have garnered Super Lawyers® accolades and four who are AV-rated attorneys. Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a consultation with a proven trial lawyer from an acclaimed Tulsa divorce and child custody law firm.

Bernhardt Legal Counsel in High-Profile Murder Trial

Tulsa high-profile murder trial

Fry & Elder attorney Kirsten Bernhardt has been part of the legal counsel for a high-profile murder trial that has generated publicity within the Tulsa community.

Bernhardt is a member of the legal defense team for Cedric Poore, who has been charged with the Jan. 7, 2013 shooting deaths of Rebeika Powell, Kayetie Powell Melchos and Misty Nunley. Bernhardt was quoted in a recent Tulsa World article about the case which was published earlier this month.

That Bernhardt is a central legal-figure in a murder case provides yet another shining example of the depth in which the Tulsa law firm of Fry & Elder has expanded its range of services within the past couple of years.

While Fry & Elder will always be known as a leading and acclaimed Tulsa family law firm, it is gaining recognition and accolades in the legal realms of immigration law, criminal defense and personal injury law among other areas.

“We’re always going to do divorce, child custody and other family law cases,” Fry & Elder partner M. Shane Henry said. “But we’re continuing to grow and expand as a firm. Kirsten’s criminal defense work on this current high-profile murder trial is another illustration of our growth, and she’s doing a great job on it.”

Much of Bernhardt’s preparation for her current high-profile trial involved collaborating with other Fry & Elder trial lawyers and personnel on jury selection topics and ideas to further emphasize the teamwork the Tulsa law firm embodies.

High-profile murder trial

Bernhardt is no stranger to high-profile cases. Before joining Fry & Elder in 2016, Bernhardt had won a judgement in excess of $10 million from Coca-Cola and has proven to be a successful practitioner in both jury and bench trials. She left a successful self-practice to join Fry & Elder, saying it was the only firm she considered leaving her self-practice to join.

“This is the only firm I would have done that for,” Kirsten said. “They’re growing, and they’re just doing some incredible things. They really stand out from the rest of the firms in town.”

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

Whether you are in need of vigorous criminal defense or legal representation in immigration law or family law, Fry & Elder has proven itself to be a dynamic Oklahoma law firm. The firm has been named to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms list each of the past four years, and features a talented staff of attorneys that include the Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016  and the 2016 Oklahoma Family Law Attorney of the Year by the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section. The firm also boasts four attorneys who have garnered Super Lawyers® accolades and four who are AV-rated attorneys. Contact Fry & Elder today and experience the difference.

Dealing With The Holidays and Divorce (Part Four)

Managing the holidays without children

For those recently divorced or separated parents out there who will be without their children for the first time during a portion or all of the holidays this season, this could be an ideal time for you to recharge your batteries and gain proper perspective on life and what you would like to accomplish for the New Year.

That is not to say that being without your children on Christmas Eve or Christmas won’t be difficult, but if you go into the holidays with an open mind and positive attitude, the time off could make you an even better parent and more cheerful person moving forward. Below are a few tips the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder has put together for divorced or separated parents going through the holidays without their children.

Plan Your Holiday Celebration on a Different Day

Not many children are going to have a problem with receiving Christmas presents on two separate days. If you have the children up until Christmas Eve, plan to have a dinner, gift exchange and some other family activity on one of the days leading up to Christmas Eve. If you are not going to see your children until after Christmas do the same thing. Either way, your children and you will have a fun and memorable time.

Skype of FaceTime on Christmas Day

Even if you cannot be physically present with your children on Christmas Day, technology has made it where you can come pretty close. Try and set up time with your ex when it would be appropriate for you to Skype or FaceTime in and say hello. They obviously will have a lot to talk about and will want to hear from you on Christmas day.

Get out and do Something Different

That’s right. Take advantage of the year off and treat yourself. This might mean going on a quick a getaway trip – chances are you will meet some people in the same spot as you – or it might mean reacquainting yourself with family members you have not seen or spent the holidays with in a long time. Either way, the important thing for you to do is to be active and do something.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

Whether you are going through a tightly-contested divorce or child custody issue this holiday season, the Tulsa divorce and child custody attorneys at Fry & Elder have the experience and background to assist you with your legal needs. Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr., is one of only 19 attorneys in the state to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and was also named by Best Lawyers® as the Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016 . Fellow Fry & Elder trial lawyer and partner M. Shane Henry was named the 2016 Oklahoma Family Law Attorney of the Year by the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section, while Aaron D. Bundy and T. Luke Barteaux, along with Fry and Henry also garnered Super Lawyers® accolades earlier this fall.

The firm’s James R. Elder, Fry, Henry and Bundy are all AV-rated attorneys, while Kirsten Bernhardt has been successful in trying both criminal and family law cases. Bernhardt’s work on a current Tulsa murder trial has been well documented.

Additionally, the firm’s Lorena Rivas has drawn praise for her work in immigration law and Katie Egan and Melissa Fell round out a talented staff of acclaimed attorneys that have helped Fry & Elder be named to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms list each of the past four years. Contact Fry & Elder today.

Dealing With The Holidays And Divorce (Part Three)

Put the children first

Oklahoma divorce lawyer Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. with his grandson Clarke and loyal companion Badger.

For children, the holiday season is often the most anticipated time of the year. Memories are made and gifts are unwrapped. For many parents who have recently gone through a divorce or are in the process of going through a divorce, the holiday season is likely met with a little less excitement. Scheduling and the holidays themselves can lead to stress, discomfort and sadness. The Oklahoma divorce lawyers of Fry & Elder believe that one proven and effective way to reduce this stress is to shift the focus off yourself and put the children first this holiday season. Below are some tips for how this can best be achieved.

Make time for your children

If this is the first holiday season you will experience with your children separated from your ex, it is important that you carve out some additional free time to spend together. This might mean trying to get a little time off from work or leaving work a little earlier on some days. It is a new experience for your children and you so spending quality time and doing things together will help them and you better cope with the changes. The most important thing you can do this holiday season for your children is to strengthen your relationships with them and reinforce that things happen and life goes on.

Embrace the past and inject the new

Just because the family dynamics has changed does not mean you need to let go of old traditions. If cooking a certain dinner on Christmas Eve and watching a certain movie or going on a drive to check out Christmas lights is something you have enjoyed and look forward to doing together then keep those traditions intact. That said, this holiday season also might be a great time to incorporate some new traditions into the mix. That might mean volunteering at a shelter together or going on some sort of quick getaway trip. The important thing is that you’re trying out new things together.

Be considerate of your children’s feelings

Simply put: Take the high road. While you may have some negative feelings about your ex, it is important that you keep them in check. You are not doing your children any favors by putting down or making negative statements about your ex, particularly in front of them. If you really want to show your children a shining example of taking the high road and putting others first, consider going the extra mile and helping them out with gifts for them to give your ex and other family members (i.e. ex in-laws).

Experience the Fry & Elder difference

For nearly 50 years, the Oklahoma divorce lawyers at Fry & Elder have been highly regarded in their ability to handle family law dynamics. Much of this stems from their philosophy of putting the best interests of the children first not just during the holidays but throughout the entire year.

For their efforts, The U.S. News & World Report has named Fry & Elder to its Best Law Firms list each of the past four years. Individually, Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. was named Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016 by Best Lawyers® and he is one of just 19 attorneys in the state of Oklahoma to be named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Fellow Fry & Elder partner M. Shane Henry was named the 2016 Oklahoma Family Law Attorney of the Year by the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section, while Aaron D. Bundy and T. Luke Barteaux, along with Fry and Henry also garnered Super Lawyers® accolades earlier this fall. If you are dealing with a divorce or child custody issue this holiday season, contact Fry & Elder today and consult with a team of talented attorneys.

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