Fry & Elder partner M. Shane Henry was named the 2016 Oklahoma Family Law Attorney of the Year by Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section. But as Henry proved this past week inside a packed Tulsa County courtroom, there is more to his repertoire as an accomplished trial lawyer than just family law. Henry was part of the criminal defense in a high-profile Tulsa murder trial involving defendant James Vasco Jones. After months of trial preparation, Henry’s role at trial included making the defense’ opening statement to the jury and cross-examination of a co-defendant who testified for the state. His cross-examination of co-defendant Sidney Aaron Randall was spotlighted in a Tulsa World article about the case.
“Shane’s cross-examination of the co-defendant(s) was really strong,” said fellow Fry & Elder partner Aaron D. Bundy, who observed the trial. “Shane highlighted points he made in his opening statement: that constant use of methamphetamine impaired the witness’ memory and that the witness a had strong motive to testify the way he did due to a deal he had cut with the state. Shane’s cross really raised important questions about the strength of the state’s case.”
Henry and Bundy recently attended the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers® 2017 Midwinter Meeting & Seminar in New Orleans in which acclaimed criminal defense lawyer Barry Scheck – O.J. Simpson legal defense team and co-founder of the Innocence Project – served as the keynote speaker.
He also is the second Fry & Elder attorney to work as part of the criminal defense in a high-profile Tulsa murder trial since December. Fry & Elder’s Kirsten Bernhardt was part of Cedric Poore’s criminal defense team and also was featured in a Tulsa World article covering the trial.
Fry & Elder has been synonymous with Oklahoma family law for over 40 years and will always focus much of its legal efforts in the realm of family law, but the firm has expanded its legal reach the past few years. The iconic law firm now has offices in Oklahoma City, and Henry and Bernhardt’s recent criminal defense efforts provide further evidence of Fry & Elder’s growth. Whether you are in need of a family law, criminal defense, immigration law or personal injury law attorney, Fry & Elder has the trial lawyers in place to suit your legal needs. Contact Fry & Elder today.