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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.

Marianela Estrella Schwabe Took Unique Path to Fry & Elder

Marianela Estrella Schwabe’s journey into becoming the newest associate attorney at Fry & Elder is compelling to say the least.

Marianela Estrella Schwabe

Estrella Schwabe joined Fry & Elder in July and will work directly under highly-regarded Tulsa immigration law attorney Lorena Rivas.

“I am thrilled to be working for Lorena at Fry & Elder,” Marianela Estrella Schwabe said. “Lorena has been a fantastic immigration attorney for a number of years and has a great reputation, as does the Fry & Elder name. It’s a great opportunity for me.”

Of the seven attorneys now with Fry & Elder, Estrella Schwabe’s path to the elite Oklahoma law firm might be the most unique.

Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Estrella Schwabe did not spend an extended amount of time in the United States until she came to Tulsa in 1995-1996 as a high-school exchange student.

After graduating from Sapulpa High School in 1996, Estrella Schwabe returned to the Dominican Republic where she attended law school. She then ventured to Paris, France for two years (2001-2003) to attain her Masters in Civil Law.

Estralla Schwabe’s fascinating ride did not stop there. She went back to the Dominican Republic to briefly work at her mother’s firm before moving back to Tulsa in 2004 and then attending and graduating from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2014.

“I guess I did take a rather unique route to get here,” Marianela Estrella Schwabe said. “I don’t think we took classes together, but I actually met Lorena in law school, and I have been working with her off and on since 2012 – first as a legal intern and now as an associate.”

Fry & Elder offers the following immigration services which Estrella Schwabe will focus on.

Due to her background and personal experiences, immigration law was a natural fit for Estrella Schwabe.

“The main reason why I chose to get into immigration law is because of my experiences as an immigrant going through the immigration process – from tourist visa, student visa, work H1-B visa to permanent residence and citizenship process,” Marianela Estrella Schwabe said. “I understand what the process entails and there are a lot of people out there who need the help of an attorney, particularly right now.”

Estrella Schwabe, who recently gave birth to a baby son, will work for Fry & Elder on a part-time basis so that she can spend time with her newborn.

She will help take over for Ruth Calvillo, who recently left Fry & Elder to return to the Los Angeles area to be closer with her family and work at a nonprofit organization as a child advocate.

“Ruth did an amazing job for me,” Rivas said. “It was very tough to see her go, but Marianela is an extremely detailed and thoughtful individual who will be a great addition to the Fry & Elder team.”

If you or someone close to you needs immigration law assistance, contact Fry & Elder today.

Barteaux Named to Metro Christian Academy Foundation Board

Fry & Elder trial lawyer T. Luke Barteaux’s ascension up the professional ranks continues to trend up.

Nearly one year after Barteaux become the first Fry & Elder lawyer to be sworn in as a judge, the experienced Tulsa attorney was appointed to serve on the Metro Christian Academy Foundation Board.

Metro Christian Academy Foundation Board

Barteaux’s appointment as a Metro Christian Academy Foundation Board member is meaningful for multiple reasons, the primary one being that he is a high school graduate of Metro Christian Academy, which first opened its doors as a school in 1983 and presently educates over 1,000 Preschool through 12th Grade students.

“It’s quite an honor to be asked to be on the board,” Barteaux said. “Metro is a place that holds a lot of special memories to me. It’s a great school and embodies many of the core values I believe need to be passed down to future students and generations – my children included.”

The Metro Christian Academy Foundation Board is made up of the following members: Michael Junk, Andrea Harmon, Donna Briggs, Matt Pinnell, Tamara Cornell, Melody Dixon, Jake Schooley, Jay Condry and Ryan Griesemer, along with Barteaux.

Bonnie Polak, Metro’s Director of Advancement and Community Relations, wrote that the board’s mission statement is to “… provide resources to further the vision of Metro Christian Academy, through fundraising, community relations and sound advisement.”

Polak added that the school encourages board members to play an active role, but that the group prides itself on supporting each other as a team with a belief that there are plentiful opportunities for board members to learn and grow with the organization.

Barteaux said he is excited to work alongside a committed and dedicated group.

“I know a few members on the board a little better than some of the others, but I am looking forward to getting to know the others and develop a strong working relationship with each member to further advance Metro Christian Academy, and its ideals,” Barteaux said. “The school has excellent resources and support which also includes the Foundation Board.”

Metro Christian Academy Foundation Board Members meet every other month.

Busy Year Continues for Experienced Tulsa Attorney Barteaux

To say 2018 has been an active year for Barteaux would be an understatement.

He was named to Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list for a fifth consecutive year and was reappointed as Cherokee Nation District Court Judge in February of 2018 through February of 2022.

“Luke has been doing very well for us,” Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. said. “I’ve had my eye on him for a while now and I really believe his career is taking off.”

Barteaux’s has helped Fry & Elder make the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List every year since 2014.

Much of Barteaux’s practice at Fry & Elder focuses on family law, including divorce and child custody issues, adoptions and criminal defense.

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

Fry & Elder Back In Business At Robert G Fry Jr. Center for Trial Studies

The Robert G Fry Jr. Center for Trial Studies is re-open for business.

Robert G Fry Jr. Center for Trial Studies

The elite Tulsa law firm of Fry & Elder will be moving back to its former 1630 S. Main Street Tulsa location, the Robert G Fry Jr. Center for Trial Studies, where it resided for two brief but memorable years from 2015-2017 by the end of the month.

“Very happy to be moving back to the 1630 location,” Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. said. “From a financial perspective, moving back to this location makes the most sense. I feel the greatest advantage, however, for me is that I will be able to see everyone daily just walking down the hall. I believe our culture will be much stronger at this location which is vital to the success and morale of any workplace. It will feel much more like home.”

Fry & Elder, which has been named to the illustrious U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List for five consecutive years, will continue to feature an acclaimed lineup of attorneys who have won many awards and accolades during their legal careers.

Joining Fry at the 1630 S. Main Street location will be James R. Elder, Aaron D. Bundy, Lorena Rivas, T. Luke Barteaux, Katie Egan, Amy Page and Ruth Calvillo.

Fry & Elder’s talented legal support team of Joyce Caldwell, Judy Willits, Allison Smith, Kathy Keener, Rosie Renteria, Esther Salas and Amy Figueroa will also relocate with Fry & Elder’s experienced team of attorneys at 1630 S. Main Street.

The group is so respected and accomplished in the legal community that Caldwell and Willits were the subject of a recent feature story by the Tulsa Business & Legal News.

“We all work well together and respect one another’s talents and abilities,” Barteaux said. “I think we are all excited to begin a new chapter at Fry & Elder.”

The vaunted Tulsa law firm will return to 1630 S. Main Street riding a tidal wave of legal momentum.

Rivas has solidified herself as one of the premier Oklahoma immigration law attorneys and was the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Fern Holland Award.

Now in his 50th year of practice, Fry remains one of the best and most established Tulsa divorce attorneys. He is one of only 19 attorneys in the state to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and was the 2016 Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Oklahoma. Fry was also a Significant Sig Award Winner in 2017.

Barteaux became the firm’s first and only attorney to be sworn in as a judge when he was appointed Cherokee Nation District Judge in 2017. He was reappointed by the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council in February of 2018.

Bundy was the co-winner of the 2017 Earl Sneed Award, while Page is the 2018 Tulsa County Bar Association Family Law Section Chair, and the 2018 and 2019 OBA FLS CLE Chair.

All total, Fry & Elder features four lawyers who have garnered Super Lawyers® accolades and three AV-Rated attorneys. Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with a proven and experienced Tulsa attorney at the Robert G Fry Jr. Center for Trial Studies.

Fighting A False, Frivolous Oklahoma Protective Order

Long before Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. became a distinguished Tulsa family law attorney, he served as the Chief Public Defender for Tulsa County. The skills Fry acquired as a criminal defense attorney certainly have not diminished. He is a highly skilled Tulsa protective order defense attorney.

Fry not only successfully defended a client from a protective order, the sought-after divorce attorney was able to turn the tables on the petitioner and have the Tulsa protective order ruled as frivolous.

Tulsa protective order defense attorney

The court stated:

“The court finds Petitioner filed this Protective Order action against Defendant to ‘retaliate’ against Petitioner’s wife and her family and to cover and distract from his own violations of the emergency protective order then in effect against him. The Court finds Petitioner filed the instant protective order action frivolously and no victim exists.”

This ruling opens the door for the Respondent (defendant) to secure attorney fees against the Petitioner, which Fry said his client fully intends to do.

“It’s an unusual case, which has a lot of moving parts,” Fry said, “A request for a frivolous ruling from the court is unusual, primarily because most people don’t know that it is available and must be alleged in a response to an emergency protective order.”

Oklahoma Protective Orders Trending Up

Oklahoma protective orders are on the rise. The Tulsa World reported in 2017 that protective orders in Tulsa County “doubled from 2015 and 2016.”

As an acclaimed Oklahoma law firm, which has been named to the U.S. News & World Report’s elite Best Law Firms List every year since 2014, Fry & Elder understands the significant importance protective orders have as a legal boundary for victims to protect themselves against psychological and physical abuse.

However, there also are times when protective orders might be abused.

Protective orders intersect family law with criminal law. Though not always the case, protective orders can be misused as a means for a spouse or family member to get you out of the house or to get emergency custody of children.

Fry & Elder’s experienced team of Oklahoma family law and criminal defense attorneys want you to know that the ramifications of having a protective order filed against you can be detrimental.

Below is some information you need to know about Oklahoma protective orders.

Tulsa Protective Order Defense Attorney Explains Protective Orders

Protective orders in Oklahoma are defined and governed by the “Protection from Domestic Abuse Act.” Protective orders are typically entered against a family or household member when a victim has experienced or feels a threat of:

  • Domestic violence
  • Harassment
  • Stalking
  • Sexual assault

There are two types of protective orders which can be filed in Oklahoma: an emergency ex parte order of protection and a final or permanent order of protection.

What Having a Tulsa Protective Order Filed Against You Means?

Having a protective order filed against you can have very serious consequences which can potentially affect your parenting rights and employment opportunities.

Once a protective order has been served, the defendant may not have contact with the person protected by the order until the protective order is lifted. Violation of a protective order can result in criminal charges.

Oklahoma protective orders are initially heard on an “ex parte” basis, which means the defendant (the person who is accused of abuse, stalking, or harassment) has no opportunity to be heard or to challenge the protective order when it is first filed. When the protective order is granted, a court hearing date is set by the judge and the protective order petition, order, and notice of the hearing is set for service upon the defendant. A trial will be held at that set date and time to determine if a protective order is necessary.

If a permanent protective order is granted there is a chance you could lose your job and your professional license in certain circumstances. You also will no longer be legally allowed to possess or transport a firearm.

Protective orders are serious and the violation of a protective order can bring about even greater consequences.

What are the Consequences of Violating an Oklahoma Protective Order?

If you have had a protective order filed against you, it is important that you understand the serious nature of it and contact a proven Oklahoma protective order defense attorney to help you challenge it. Violation of a protective order can result in the following:

  • 1st offense: misdemeanor, up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000
  • 1st offense resulting in injury: misdemeanor, 20 days to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000
  • 2nd offense: felony, 1 to 3 years in prison and a fine of $2,000 to $10,000
  • 2nd offense resulting in injury: felony, 1 to 5 years in prison and a fine of $3,000 to $10,000  

Oklahoma alimony support

Why Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

With roots dating back to 1932, Fry & Elder has long epitomized Oklahoma legal excellence in family law, criminal law, and personal injury law. The firm and its attorneys have been the subject of 36 articles by various Oklahoma media outlets since 2014.

Although Fry is considered an elite Tulsa protective order defense attorney, the firm’s lineup of attorneys is are all well experienced. They include:

Among the many titles and accomplishments Fry & Elder trial lawyers have recently collected include the following:

If you think you have been the victim of a false or frivolous Oklahoma protective order, we encourage you to contact Fry & Elder as soon as possible to set up an immediate consultation with a proven Tulsa protective order defense attorney.

Longtime Paralegals Latest to Garner Media Spotlight for Elite Firm

Fry & Elder is no stranger to the media spotlight, but the final week of March took on a whole new level of notoriety for the nationally prominent Oklahoma law firm.

media spotlight

Tulsa journalists converged on Fry & Elder not once, twice but thrice for feature stories.

Immigration attorney Lorena Rivas was the subject of two articles for her recent travels to Washington D.C. and for winning the prestigious Fern Holland Award.

If that weren’t enough long-time Fry & Elder paralegals Joyce Caldwell and Judy Willits were the subject of a center-piece story on March 28, giving the elite Tulsa law firm back-to-back-to-back cover stories in the Tulsa Business & Legal News.

“Very pleased that (Ralph Schaefer) decided to do a story on those two,” Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. said. “Joyce and Judy are as big a reason for this firm’s success and longevity over the years as anyone. They are both incredibly loyal and very hard-working. We are very fortunate to have them here at Fry & Elder.”

Caldwell, Willits’ Loyalty with Fry & Elder Has Remained Steadfast Over the Years

As Fry alluded to, the article highlighted Caldwell and Willits’ remarkable tenure with the firm that has combined to span for over 70 years and counting.

Caldwell began working at the firm in 1969 under C. Lawrence Elder and then for Fry in 1972. Other than a brief stint with another firm and a move to Connecticut, Caldwell has worked closely with Fry as his financial paralegal.

In the article, Caldwell discussed how no two days are the same.

As Schaeffer wrote:

“A person is constantly learning, assisting individuals with family issues either through a marriage, a modification of support after a divorce decree or other issues. The atmosphere always is changing, and there are so many people with diverse problems.”

Divorce and child custody trials often bring about an array challenges which are emotional and sensitive, but success can follow once the parties have worked their way through the process.

Caldwell reflected on two challenging child custody cases involving fathers and young children which were satisfying.

“The mothers (sadly) were unstable and we were fortunate enough to get full custody of the children for the fathers,” Caldwell said. “We have watched them grow to become productive, good students, and both are doing very well. One is in high school, the other college. It is very satisfying knowing we have been part of changing someone’s life for the better.”

After joining Fry & Elder in the 80s as a file clerk, Willits’ role with the firm rapidly evolved into an irreplaceable one as Fry’s personal paralegal.

She maintains the acclaimed Tulsa divorce lawyer’s files, but her primary roles is to make sure Fry is organized and prepared for anything and everything that they might see in trial.

Willits was quoted in the article saying:

“When Mr. Fry says to do this or that, I am so familiar with the procedure that I can do whatever needs to be done. I handle most of his really bad divorce cases that involve custody, abuse — stuff like that … He treats me more like an attorney than an assistant. He trusts and depends on me.”

media spotlight

Standout Personnel Staff a Hallmark of Elite Tulsa Law Firm

Though Caldwell and Willits were featured in the article, the duo is far from the only exceptional members of Fry & Elder’s outstanding legal personnel team which has now, deservedly so, received some notoriety.

The team also includes the firm’s project coordinator Allison Smith, family law and criminal law paralegals Deborah Lauderdale and Kathy Keener, legal assistant Amy Figueroa and immigration legal assistants Esther Salas and Rosie Renteria.

“It’s a very hardworking and dedicated team,” Fry & Elder partner M. Shane Henry said. “We are extremely fortunate to have them here at Fry & Elder. They do so much for us day-in, day-out.”

The acclaimed Oklahoma law firm also boasts a talented team of interns – several of which are multilingual and aspiring attorneys.

Media Continues to Seek out Prominent Oklahoma Law Firm for Legal News, Compelling Story-lines

It is not a very common practice for a media outlet to choose to profile a law firm’s paralegals, but Fry & Elder continues to prove it is not the common Oklahoma law firm.

Led by an aggressive and creative public relations and marketing approach which began in 2014, Fry & Elder and its attorneys and legal support staff has been the subject of an eye-popping 36 stories by various Oklahoma media outlets. The firm has been featured six times alone thus far in 2018.

The list of 36 articles written about Fry & Elder since 2014 include:

“We very much appreciate the efforts of our local media to promote many of our attorneys and their achievements,” Fry said. “We began incorporating a more proactive approach to promote the firm in 2014 and it has paid big dividends without question. The number of articles written about the firm is just one example of our marketing efforts paying off.”

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

Fry & Elder’s team of attorneys in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City are some of the most decorated in the state. The lineup includes the following:

Whether you are need of consultation in family law, criminal law, immigration law or personal injury law matters know that Fry & Elder’s team of trial lawyers has the experience and aptitude in place to help best navigate you through the process. Contact Fry & Elder Tulsa or Fry & Elder Oklahoma City today to set up a personal consultation with a proven trial lawyer who will aggressively fight for you in and out of the courtroom.

Tulsa Immigration Attorney Rivas’ Feats Net Spotlight

Lorena Rivas just might have become the most publicized attorney in Tulsa County. The acclaimed Tulsa immigration attorney was the subject of not just one but two profile pieces on consecutive days — March 26 and March 27 – by the Tulsa Business & Legal News.

“It was a little surprising and a little flattering,” Rivas said. “I spoke with one of the reporters a couple of weeks ago, so I knew he was working on something and then I heard from the other reporter and knew she also was working on a story.  I thought they both did a good job.”

Tulsa immigration attorney

Tulsa Immigration Attorney to Receive Prestigious Fern Holland Award

Rivas was spotlighted by Sharon Bishop-Baldwin in Tuesday’s TB&LN for being named the 2018 Fern Holland Award Winner.

Presented by the TU College of Law’s Women’s Law Caucus, the honor is given to a lawyer who advocates for human rights or the empowerment of women which Rivas has valiantly done since graduating TU College of Law in 2012. Rivas will be presented with the award during a banquet Thursday at The Pearl District Building.

Holland attended TU Law and was a practicing Tulsa attorney before joining the Peace Corps and then working for the Coalition Provisional Authority during the Iraq Conflict to fight for women’s rights and to help Iraqis establish a democratic government.

Described as a “doer not a doubter,” Holland’s efforts and legacy are well documented. She became the first American civilian to be killed in the Iraq Conflict when the Bluejacket native and 2004 Oklahoman of the Year was tragically shot by Iraqi insurgents dressed as Iraqi police on March 9,2004.

Rivas has this to say about Holland in the article:

“She was an amazing individual. She was willing to lose her life while fighting for a very worthy cause and the voiceless. I hope that when I’m gone, people will look at my life and think something similar: ‘She was willing to tell the stories of the voiceless and fight for them.’ In my case, it’s immigrants.”

The article examined Rivas’ immigration law background, which the highly-regarded Tulsa immigration attorney so eloquently explained to a captivated crowd this past fall at the University of Central Oklahoma.

The article also discussed some of the challenges Rivas faces in today’s immigration law climate, yet that she continues to have hope that immigrants will remain resilient.

“… I do see good things on the horizon for immigrants in the U.S., and this is all because I believe in the power of immigrants. The current political climate has not only stirred and awakened hateful voices, but it also has stirred and awakened the hopeful and persistent voices of everyday immigrant-rights activists.

“This country was founded by revolutionists and immigrants. They have shown time and time again they will persist and win.”

Tulsa immigration attorney

Leading Tulsa Media Outlet Also Reports on Rivas’ Visit to Nation’s Capital

The Tulsa Business & Legal News also sent longtime legal reporter Ralph Schaefer out to report on Rivas’ recent trip to Washington D.C. where she attended the Hispanic National Bar Association 2018 Advocacy Day and met with legislators to advocate for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).

The article highlighted Rivas’ meeting with Oklahoma Rep. Steve Russell, who is supportive of the Dreamers, and of a growing frustration that a long-term solution and path toward citizenship may not be available in the foreseeable future.

Said Rivas:

“Even though some congressional members want a more permanent solution, I think they will have to give into a temporary fix until after the mid-term election this year and after the next presidential election.

“… “I tell clients to hold on to the hope for a solution and talk to their congressman/ I also tell them to tell people who are active and willing to express their voices that they need help. I also tell them that as long as they don’t get into serious problems, don’t get into bad situations and don’t get a criminal arrest, they should be OK.”

Tulsa immigration attorney

Respected Tulsa Immigration Attorney One of Several Fry & Elder Attorneys to Garner Media Attention

That Rivas was the primary subject of back-to-back articles by an Oklahoma media outlet is not all that surprising.

Fry & Elder and its decorated team of attorneys are actually quite used to the spotlight.

All total, Fry & Elder and the firm’s attorneys have been profiled a staggering 35 times since 2014, including five times this year so far.

Schaefer, a 2017 Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame inductee, has made his way to the Fry & Elder offices on numerous occasions, as have several other highly-regarded Oklahoma journalists and media outlets.

“We really appreciate all that they do for the Tulsa legal community,” Rivas said. “They don’t really have the easiest job, but they work hard and do a good job keeping the public informed.”

Below are the links to the 35 articles written about Fry & Elder.

Prestigious Tulsa Law Firm No Stranger to Awards, Accolades

The 2018 Fern Holland Award is just the most recent honor for the decorated Tulsa immigration attorney. In 2016, Rivas was also recognized by Tulsa Business & Legal News as being one of the city’s most accomplished professional women with their annual Women of Distinction Awards.

The leading Tulsa immigration attorney is one of several Fry & Elder attorneys to singled out for their significant legal contributions, which has helped the firm be named to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firm’s List every year since 2014. The elite Oklahoma law firm’s attorneys include the following:

Contact Fry & Elder Tulsa or Fry & Elder Oklahoma City today to set up a personal consultation with Rivas or another one of the firm’s experienced trial lawyers.

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.

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.

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