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The Best Oklahoma Immigration Lawyers Are In High Demand

As one of the best Oklahoma immigration lawyers, Lorena Rivas’ knowledge, experience and acumen are constantly in high demand.

That was indeed the case the case this past February when Rivas not only handled the demands of her busy private practice, the accomplished Fry & Elder immigration law attorney was also invited to be a part of an Immigration Law Panel hosted by her alma mater, the University of Tulsa College of Law and traveled to Capitol Hill to participate in the Hispanic National Bar Association’s 2018 Advocacy Day.

If that were not enough, the talented and sought-after immigration attorney somehow fit in the time to be the keynote speaker for The Judge Carlos Chappelle Minority Law Awareness Day also held at TU.

“It was a pretty busy month, but immigration law is a very important issue in Oklahoma and throughout our country right now,” Rivas said. “These were all exciting and informative professional opportunities for me to participate in and advocate for my clients and others affected by immigration law. For progress to happen, there must be dialogue.”

Rivas Among Best Oklahoma Immigration Lawyers in Washington D.C.

Rivas most recent voyage to Capitol Hill marked the second consecutive year one of the best Oklahoma immigration lawyers has been courted to visit Washington D.C.

She attended last year’s American Immigration Lawyers Association’s National Day of Action and met with U.S. Senators James Inhofe and James Lankford, U.S. Representatives Frank Lucas, Markwayne Mullin and James Bridenstine and also had a personal meeting with U.S. Representative Tom Cole.

This time around, Rivas met with staff members from Bridenstine and U.S. Representative Steve Russell to further advocate for a number of different issues that affect the Latino community, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Typically held in May, this year’s HNBA Advocacy Day was pushed up to Feb. 27 and 28 to allow HNBA members a more-timely platform to advocate and “express why DACA legislation is vital to the future of this country.”

President Donald Trump had previously imposed a March 5 deadline for ending DACA, but, as PBS recently reported, that “program, which protects young, undocumented immigrants from deportation, remains in place for now.”

“It’s a vital program which needs to be kept in place,” Rivas said. “I would not be where I am today without it. Congress needs to apply a long-term solution and not just a patch.”

Other issues that dominated this year’s HNBA Advocacy Day included:

Rivas Returns to Law School Alma Mater as a Member of a Distinguished Panel and as Keynote Speaker

Some of Rivas’ most fulfilling and challenging years came as a law school student at TU. So when the prestigious law school’s immigration law society ImmLaw invited Rivas to be a part of a panel for a forum held Feb. 19, Rivas jumped at the opportunity.

“I will forever be in debt to the knowledge and opportunities TU Law provided me with and continues to provide me,” Rivas said. “It was a great event that featured some very highly-respected professionals within Tulsa. It was an honor to be among them.”

The event’s panel featured Jania Michelle Wester (Managing Director of Communities in Schools of Mid-America) Elizabeth McCormick (TU College of Law faculty) and Stephanie Daniels-Jackson (former Sergeant of the Family Violence Unit of the Tulsa Police Department and third-year law student at TU), along with one of the best Oklahoma immigration attorneys Rivas.

No stranger to featured speaking engagements, Rivas also served as the keynote speaker for the annual Judge Carlos Chappelle Minority Law Awareness Day co-hosted by TU Law and the Law School Admission Council held on Feb. 23. The late Judge Carlos Chappelle had a decorated and distinguished career as Tulsa County District Judge.

Rivas Demonstrates Qualities of One of the Best Oklahoma Immigration Lawyers

While only six years removed from law school, Rivas already has already established herself as a very in-demand immigration law attorney. Rivas provides comprehensive legal representation in the following areas of immigration law:

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

A native of Mutual, Oklahoma, Rivas is a first-generation American who takes great pride in being able to represent the Oklahoma Latino community as an attorney.

“I’m a Mexican-American,” Lorena Rivas said. “Immigration law is something that is constantly hitting my life, whether it be family members, friends or my clients. In law school, I initially thought I wouldn’t go into immigration law, but I started thinking about it more, and felt like I could make a bigger impact in that area.”

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

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.

Accomplished Tulsa Divorce Attorney Fry Embraces 50th Year

Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. found himself in an awkward situation last summer in Ireland. Turns out, driving on the opposite side of the road requires a bit of getting used to – not that the acclaimed Tulsa divorce attorney had difficulty adjusting to the other side of the road.

No, Fry did just fine. He successfully navigated his way along the picturesque country’s Eastern coast and through the Ring of Kerry. Successful navigation, though, has been a hallmark of Fry’s legal career since its inception in 1968.

Tulsa divorce attorney Robert G "Hap" Fry Jr.

Accomplished Tulsa Divorce Attorney Fry Still Going Strong at 50

The elite Tulsa divorce and child custody attorney recently celebrated a birthday on Dec. 19 to signify the beginning of his 50th year practicing law.

When it comes to Oklahoma family law, there is not much Fry has not achieved. He is one of only 19 attorneys in the state to be a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, is an eight-time Best Lawyers® selection and is an 11-time Super Lawyers honoree.

Fry also was named the Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Oklahoma 2016 and this past summer – shortly before his drive along the Irish coastline – joined the likes of John Wayne, Brad Pitt and David Letterman as a Significant Sig Award winner.

While there might not be much left for him to achieve professionally, Fry embarks on his 50th year still going strong and anticipating another busy and very productive year.

“I feel great,” Fry said. “I understand that I might not have the same energy I had 20 years ago, but I feel very good and I am a whole lot wiser at this stage of my career. I don’t think many people enter their respective profession thinking they will work in it for 50 years, and I didn’t either. I realize I am extremely fortunate to be in this position. Practicing law is something I continue to find very rewarding and challenging each day.

“Our firm has grown so much these past couple of years which has been a lot of fun to be a part of and observe. We’ve really got an incredible staff together that’s just been a joy to work with and has kept me feeling young and energetic. I am very blessed and there is much to look forward to here at Fry & Elder.”

Tulsa divorce attorney Robert G "Hap" Fry Jr. and Badger

Fry & Elder, Fry Jr. Continue to Grow

As the accomplished Tulsa divorce attorney alluded to, Fry & Elder has experienced immense growth in the past two years. The renowned Oklahoma law firm’s accomplished team of attorneys has increased from 5 to its current roster of 12 since 2015. The firm also offers immigration law, criminal defense and personal injury law services to compliment its highly-regarded family law services.

Fry & Elder has been named to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List every year since 2014, and the firm’s lineup of trial lawyers includes the following:

Though the firm has grown exponentially the past few years, Fry & Elder’s trial lawyers continue to seek out Fry for wisdom and perspective.

“He’s a legend,” said Fry & Elder partner M. Shane Henry, who joined Fry in Best Lawyers this year. “To have the longevity that he has had is remarkable, but even more remarkable is the fact that he has operated at such a high level throughout his career. It really is incredible. Our attorneys and myself have learned and continue to learn so much from him.”

Premier Tulsa Divorce Lawyer Reflects on Changes in Family Law

As a high-level practicing Tulsa divorce lawyer for 50 years, there is not much Fry has not seen or encountered in the realm of family law. He was proactive in embracing and advancing the changes in child support guidelines in the 1980s, presenting CLE seminars on the changes to the Tulsa County Bar Association.

“The guidelines were needed,” Fry said. “Child support comes before car payments, mortgages and other expenses.”

Fry also championed the efforts of fathers being granted child custody when the “norm” was for the mother to typically gain custody of the child.

Through it all, Fry has been a trailblazer of sorts in Oklahoma family law, but he has always been guided by two constants which he learned while clerking for Judge Robert D. Simms in 1966 and 1967 and he conveyed in a 2016 article by the Tulsa Business & Legal News. The first is to “always be prepared.”

The second:

“I deal with other lawyers every day and tell them what I am going to do,” Fry said. “I deal in trust and letters follow on the more complicated cases. Your word is your bond.”

Contact Fry & Elder Tulsa or Fry & Elder Oklahoma City today to set up a personal consultation with Fry or one of the firm’s many other accomplished Tulsa divorce attorneys.

Oklahoma Law Firm Enjoys Memorable 2017, Excited For 2018

Happy New Year!

Not that the prestigious Oklahoma law firm Fry & Elder is all that sad to see 2017 go.

By all accounts, 2017 was one for the ages for Fry & Elder and its talented team of attorneys and legal personnel. While the firm’s roots date back to 1932, C. Lawrence Elder, Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr., James R. Elder and M. Shane Henry would be hard-pressed to identify a more memorable or significant year in Fry & Elder’s storied history.

“It was an incredible year for this firm,” Fry said. “We have grown exponentially and the firm’s future could not be brighter. We enjoyed a tremendous 2017 and are looking forward to an even bigger 2018.”

The Headquarters Building Becomes Fry & Elder’s New Tulsa Home

Of all the memorable events for Fry & Elder in 2017, none may have been bigger than when the notable Oklahoma law firm moved into its new state-of-the-art Tulsa office – The Headquarters Building – this past October. The 11,200 square-foot facility features 19 offices, four conference rooms, a large training room with full kitchen, a gym and shower facilities.

The Maple Ridge office facility, located at 1616 S. Main Street, is expected to be the firm’s Tulsa home for many years to come.

“It’s a game changer,” Henry said back in October. “We’re proud of it …. We hope it’s our home for many years to come.”

Western Expansion: Fry & Elder Oklahoma City Opens

Fry & Elder Oklahoma City technically opened its offices late in 2016, but the firm waited until early 2017 to publicly announce that is was actively accepting cases and inquires in the realms of Oklahoma City family law, criminal defense, immigration law and personal injury law

Allyson Dow spearheads Fry & Elder Oklahoma City’s team of attorneys, which also includes T. Luke Barteaux, Aaron D. Bundy and Henry.

Dow, who is Henry’s younger sister, became the third Fry & Elder attorney in the past four years to serve as the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section Chair in 2017. She was also named to Super Lawyers® Rising Stars for a third consecutive year.

Fry & Elder Bolsters Staff with Page, Calvillo

Perhaps the biggest indicator as to the growth Fry & Elder experienced in 2017 were the key additions of family law attorney Amy Page and immigration law attorney Ruth Calvillo.

Page joined Fry & Elder in March of 2017 after a successful 17-year tenure with the Department of Human Services (DHS). Much of Page’s practice focuses on child support and enforcement.

Calvillo, meanwhile, joined Lorena Rivas’ talented immigration law team in April of 2017. She completed the OBA FLS Trial Advocacy Institute and also gave a passionate speech to the University of Tulsa College of Law’s incoming class of law students this past August.

Continuing Legal Education and Professional Development Emphasized

Fry & Elder attorneys’ commitment to CLE went above and beyond in 2017. Nowhere might that commitment be better signified than when Bundy and Henry received the illustrious Earl Sneed Award for their significant and outstanding continuing legal education contributions during the 2017 OBA Annual Meeting.

“Continuing legal education is something Shane and I strongly believe in, as well as the rest of the trial lawyer here at Fry & Elder,” Bundy said. “We’ve been fortunate to have been able to present and attend some really outstanding and thought-provoking seminars, which, we truly believe, has only made us better advocates for our clients.”

Fry & Elder attorney Melissa Fell traveled across the Atlantic Ocean – to London – for a professional development opportunity, while Rivas visited our nation’s capital to take part in the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s National Day of Action. Other firm attorneys traveled to the following locales for CLE seminars and conferences.

Barteaux Makes Fry & Elder History with Appointment

While Fry & Elder has had many notable achievements during its impressive tenure, the firm had never had an attorney appointed to judge until Barteaux was confirmed as Cherokee Nation District Court Judge on May 15, 2017.

Shortly after being appointed, Barteaux stated:

“I feel deeply honored to be appointed as District Judge, by Bill John Baker, Chief of the Cherokee Nation. My Native American heritage is very significant and sacred to me. To be able to assist and serve the Cherokee Nation in this type of capacity is quite an honor and a big responsibility.”

Media Continues to Cast Spotlight on Elite Oklahoma Law Firm

Barteaux’s confirmation as a Cherokee District Court Judge was just one of many feats by the firm the Oklahoma media chose to spotlight.

All total, Fry & Elder and its attorneys were the subject of a staggering 11 different articles and feature stories in 2017 by some of the largest and most prestigious outlets in the state.

Oklahoma Law Firm Continues to Receive Honors, Accolades and Awards

For the fifth consecutive year, Fry & Elder was named to the elite U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List. The honor was one of many highlights during an autumn week in which the firm moved to its new Tulsa office location and Bundy and Henry received the Earl Sneed Award.

Best Lawyers® also named Fry Jr. and Henry to its 24th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. It was Fry Jr.’s eighth consecutive year to be selected and Henry’s first year to be honored.

Other notable accolades Fry & Elder and its attorneys garnered in 2017 include:

Yes, by all accounts 2017 was a banner year for Fry & Elder and its attorneys. With that said, the firm is happy to usher in 2018 and is excited for what the prospects of the new year hold for the Oklahoma law firm.

“No doubt about it, we had a great year in 2017,” Henry said, “But we’re expecting even bigger things to happen in 2018. The firm is growing and our future is bright. We only want to do bigger and better things here at Fry & Elder. We’re a team.”

Contact Fry & Elder Tulsa or Fry & Elder Oklahoma City today to set up a personal consultation with a distinguished Oklahoma trial lawyer.

Reasons To Request An Oklahoma Child Custody Modification

Sometimes it takes the holiday season for a parent to realize that their current child custody agreement is no longer working in their favor or in the best interest of the child. Fry & Elder’s team of accomplished Oklahoma family law attorneys understand the importance, sensitivity and urgency in which child custody modifications need to be addressed. Below are four reasons why a parent should request an Oklahoma child custody modification.

Oklahoma child custody modification

REASON 1: When the Present Oklahoma Child Custody Agreement is not in the Best Interest of Your Child

Because Oklahoma is one of many states that applies the “best interest of the child” standard when determining visitation and child custody issues, this needs to be at the forefront of a parent’s request for an Oklahoma child custody modification.

A judge will typically not consider a child custody modification if the present agreement appears to be working for both parties involved and meeting the best interests of the child. A parent wishing to make a modification would need to show that the other party is not meeting the child’s best interest standard through questioning the parenting ability and consistency of the other parent.

REASON 2: If You Believe Your Child is in Danger

If there are legitimate reasons why you believe your child is in danger or is not safe, the courts will look very closely at a child custody modification. Examples of your child being in an unsafe environment might be constituted by acts of domestic violence, physical or psychological abuse and neglect.

REASON 3: When the Agreed Upon Visitation Schedule is Repeatedly Violated by Your Ex

The courts are likely to consider an Oklahoma child custody modification when a parent is not following the agreed upon parenting plan and not cooperating with the visitation schedule. Lack of communication and respect are often at the core of these violations taking place. The parent looking for a modification would want to document instances and examples of these violations.

REASON 4: When a Parent is Considering Relocation

Oklahoma courts typically do no want to remove a child from his or her established environment and routine. When a party is considering relocation, and moving the child out of state or to a distant location, a judge will want to look into a parent’s motivation for relocating, if the parents have communicated about a solution to modify the visitation schedule and whether a child’s life would be interrupted by a move or modification.

Other Things to Consider in Regards to an Oklahoma Child Custody Modification

For a modification to be strongly considered, a parent would need to show that a child’s best interests are not being met under the current agreement. The parent would need to prove that there is or has been a change in conduct in which the child’s best interest would be better served with a modification.

Oklahoma City child custody modification

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

Whether you are inquiring about an Oklahoma child custody modification or another family law, criminal law or immigration law issue, Fry & Elder has the experience and team in place to help you successfully navigate through your legal issue. The firm’s talented lineup of the attorneys has helped the Fry & Elder be named to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List each of the past five years and includes the following trial lawyers:

Contact Fry & Elder Tulsa or Fry & Elder Oklahoma City today to set up a personal consultation with a distinguished and accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyer.

Fry & Elder Trial Lawyer Katie Egan Gives Back To The Community

For many, the holiday season signifies a time of giving. Whether that means volunteering at a shelter, donating food and clothes or just spending additional time with a friend or family member, it is important to understand the importance of giving back.

Fry & Elder trial lawyer Katie Egan

Fry & Elder trial lawyer Katie Egan recognizes the importance of giving back and, for the second year in a row, the accomplished Tulsa family law attorney served as the Chair for the annual Champagne and Chocolate Gala. Sponsored by Living Arts, the event was staged November 18 and is the organization’s major yearly fundraiser with all proceeds going to support the local arts.

“It’s a great event and one that is highly anticipated by many in the Tulsa arts’ community,” Egan said. “The turnout was bigger than last year, and we continue to improve the gala each year. We were able to showcase talented local artists and raise money for the arts education. It’s a wonderful event to be a part of, and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside so many talented and dedicated people.”

As Egan said, the event was well attended and was well publicized by the Oklahoma media. Tulsa CBS affiliate KOTV Channel 6 aired a segment previewing the event which spotlighted Egan and Laura Echols.

The event was held in the Tulsa Arts District and featured the work of several Tulsa artists, including Chris Mantle, who is well known for his paintings of Buffalos.

“We have so many talented and dedicated artists in Tulsa,” Egan said. “It is important that we promote their work and the arts as well.”

Egan’s legal practice at Fry & Elder is focused on family law and criminal law issues. She became the first female trial lawyer at Fry & Elder when she joined the prestigious Oklahoma law firm in 2015 and is also licensed to practice in Connecticut and New York.

Egan participated and graduated from the 4th Annual OBA FLS TAI this past August and attended an advanced child custody seminar – AAML / AFCC Conference – in San Diego in September.

Fry & Elder trial lawyer Katie Egan

Not the Only Fry & Elder Trial Lawyer Giving Back

Egan’s work as the Champagne and Chocolate Gala Chair has been exemplary, but she is far from the only accomplished Fry & Elder trial lawyer giving back to the community.

Fry & Elder’s Lorena Rivas has coached the Union Alternative High School mock trial team for a number of years and was featured in the October issue of Tulsa Lawyer Magazine. Fry & Elder partner M. Shane Henry has also been involved with the team.

Fellow Fry & Elder immigration attorney Ruth Calvillo spoke to the University of Tulsa College of Law’s incoming class of law students in August and stressed the importance of giving back to the community.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

Whether you are facing a family law, criminal law, immigration law or personal injury matter, Fry & Elder has a decorated team of attorneys in place to help you navigate through the legal process.

Fry & Elder attorneys include:

The elite Oklahoma law firm has been named to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List each of the past five years. Contact Fry & Elder Tulsa or Fry & Elder Oklahoma City today to set up a personal consultation with a distinguished and accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyer.

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.

Accomplished Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Attend Las Vegas CLE Seminar

November has turned out to be quite the Continuing Legal Education month for Fry & Elder partners and accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyers Aaron D. Bundy and M. Shane Henry.

Accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyers

The tandem kicked off the month on Nov. 3 by winning the 2017 Earl Sneed Award for their significant and outstanding CLE contributions at the OBA Annual Meeting in Tulsa. That was followed up by the two accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyers learning that their application to present at the distinguished 55th Annual Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Conference this upcoming year was accepted.

If all of that were not enough, Bundy and Henry, along with Fry & Elder standout immigration law attorney Lorena Rivas, closed out a busy and memorable November month by attending the “2017 Defending Sex Cases Conference” presented by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers® (NACDL) on Nov. 16-17 in Las Vegas.

“It’s certainly been a busy month for us, but Shane, Lorena and I all agreed that this was a very important conference to attend, Bundy said. “As with previous NACDL conferences, the speakers were nationally-renowned experts and trial lawyers. The information we learned will apply across the board to all aspects of our practice. Several other great criminal defense lawyers from Tulsa were also at the conference.”

What the Accomplished Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Learned

Founded in 1958, the NACDL has long been recognized at as the “preeminent organization in the United States advancing the mission of the nation’s criminal defense lawyers to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or other misconduct.”

The organization’s website lists its mission as:

  • Ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime…
  • Foster the integrity, independence and expertise of the criminal defense profession…
  • Promote the proper and fair administration of criminal justice.

Bundy and Henry attended the NACDL 2017 Midwinter Meeting & Seminar earlier this year in New Orleans. The two-day seminar on Defending Sex Cases Seminar took place at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas and featured a number of informative and thought-provoking breakout sessions Bundy, Henry and Rivas attended including:

  • “Forensic Child Interviews: Suggestiveness and Taint”
  • “False Confessions in Child Sexual Assault Cases”
  • “Stop the Insanity: Effective Cross-Examination of the SANE Witness”

“The topics covered during each of those sessions were very important for both our criminal and family law cases,” Bundy said. “It was a very relevant seminar for us to attend.”

Accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyers

CLE Emphasized

Fry & Elder and its attorneys have developed both a national and state-wide reputation for really putting an emphasis on CLE and professional development opportunities. In addition to the most recent Defending Sex Cases Seminar in Las Vegas, attorneys from the standout Oklahoma law firm have traveled to the following locales for important and relevant CLE conferences.

Why Experience the Fry & Elder Difference?

Whether you are facing a family law, immigration law or criminal law matter, Fry & Elder has the accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyers in place to help you navigate through the process. The firm has been named to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List from 2014-2018.

Its talented lineup of accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyers includes the following:

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.

Oklahoma Child Support Attorney Page Accepts Leadership Posts

The Oklahoma law firm of Fry & Elder enjoyed one of its most memorable weeks in firm history this past week. The firm moved into its new Tulsa office at 1616 S. Main Street and was named to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms list for a fifth consecutive year before the week culminated with Fry & Elder partners M. Shane Henry and Aaron D. Bundy receiving the 2017 Earl Sneed Award for their significant contributions in Continuing Legal Education during the general assembly of the Oklahoma Bar Association Annual Meeting.

Oklahoma child support attorney

Not to be outdone by last week’s dynamic set of events was Amy Page’s acceptance of two leadership positions during the OBA Annual Meeting Family Law Section day. The experienced Oklahoma child support attorney was formally announced as the 2018 Tulsa County Bar Association Family FLS Chair in 2018, and the 2018 and 2019 OBA FLS CLE Chair.

“I have always believed in the importance of being able to give back to the Tulsa and Oklahoma legal community,” Page said. “There have been numerous attorneys, judges and other legal personnel who have helped me throughout my legal career when they certainly had no obligation to do so. I am very grateful to them.  One of the things that really influenced my decision to join Fry & Elder (in February of 2017) was the firm and its attorneys commitment to continuing legal education and professional development.”

Oklahoma Child Support Attorney Page Gained Experience with DHS

Before joining Fry & Elder, Page worked as an attorney with the Child Support Services Division of Oklahoma’s DHS. While with DHS, Page gained valuable insight and experience into child support (establishment, enforcement, and defense) and paternity/parentage issues. It was during her tenure at DHS when Page held her first OBA leadership position. The experienced Oklahoma child support attorney also served as the OBA FLS CLE Chair in both 2008 and 2009.

“I definitely believe that I learned a lot during those two years,” Page said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that it will help me be more efficient and effective this time around (as OBA FLS CLE Chair).”

Oklahoma child support attorney

Leadership Positions Nothing New for Fry & Elder Attorneys

Page is just the latest in a long line of Fry & Elder trial lawyers to tackle a leadership position with the OBA and TCBA.

Fry & Elder Oklahoma City divorce attorney Allyson Dow is the current OBA FLS Chair and third attorney from the vaunted Oklahoma law firm to hold the post in the past four years, following Henry (2014) and T. Luke Barteaux (2016). Dow, who also is one of five Fry & Elder attorneys to garner Super Lawyers® accolades, was in charge of the FLS day during the OBA Annual Meeting this past week. Several attorneys and personnel with the firm also have been active in the further development of the OBA FLS TAI.

Why Experience the Fry & Elder Difference?

Whether you are in need of legal counsel for a family law, immigration law or criminal law matter, Fry & Elder has the experience and knowledge in place to help implement a plan to resolve the issue in the best way possible. The firm’s decorated staff of attorneys includes the following:

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

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