Aaron D. Bundy has been with the Tulsa law firm of Fry & Elder for less than two years, but he has already made a tremendous impression and impact.
Bundy, who holds the coveted AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® and is also recognized as a Super Lawyers® Rising Star™, arguably received his biggest professional honor Tuesday night when the elite and highly-decorated law firm of Fry & Elder honored the Tulsa criminal defense and divorce lawyer as its newest partner.
“Great day for Aaron and for Fry & Elder,” Robert G ‘Hap’ Fry Jr., said. “Aaron has only been with us since April of 2014 so for him to make partner in that short a period just speaks volumes to his talent, work ethic and the commitment he has for our firm. Very few attorneys would be able to achieve what Aaron has done this early in his career.”
Bundy, 35, is the first attorney at Fry & Elder to be recognized as a partner since M. Shane Henry became a partner in 2013. Before Henry, only Fry and James R. Elder were partners at the firm. Bundy’s selection further signifies the growth that Fry & Elder has achieved over the past three years.
The Tulsa law firm, which has made the U.S. News & World Report’s exclusive list of Best Law Firms from 2014-2016, now has eight full-time practicing trial lawyers and attorneys and recently moved to its current state-of-the-art 1630 S. Main Street office location that amasses 5,200 square feet and features 13 offices and two conference rooms.
Tulsa criminal defense and divorce lawyer believes Fry & Elder will continue to grow
While Fry & Elder’s calling card for nearly 40 years has been in its iconic work in high-conflict, high-resolution Tulsa divorce and child custody cases, the firm now actively practices criminal law, immigration law, personal injuries and probates. Much of this shift has had to do with Bundy’s vision, which is further evidenced by his work as both a Tulsa criminal defense and divorce lawyer.
“Family law has been very good to us and to this firm,” Bundy said. “I think we’re always going to be known and regarded as a premier Oklahoma family law firm. That’s probably never going to change. But, at the same time, we have the experience and personal in place here who are eager, able and willing to effectively practice areas outside of family law.
“Shane is trying a case right now in which the death penalty is in play, and Lorena (Rivas) is handling a ton of cases that involve immigration law. We’re actively practicing criminal law and immigration law, along with personal injury and probate cases.”
Bundy also making an impact outside the courtroom
In addition to his courtroom prowess, Bundy has been able to raise the profile of Fry & Elder throughout the state and, to some extent, on a national level through other platforms. Henry and he have become quite well known for their Trial Skills Presentations, which they put on at a number of County Bar Association Meetings, as well as for other paralegals, lawyers, and judges, throughout Oklahoma and beyond. The two AV-rated attorneys currently present on the following topics:
- Starting Your Trial Off Right: Opening Statements
- Evidence at Trial
- Using Social Media Evidence at Trial
- Advanced Cross Examination
- Dealing with Speaking Objections
at Trial - Advanced Trial Techniques
- Hostile Witness & Cross
Examination
If that weren’t enough, Bundy and Henry have also recently collaborated to co-author multiple articles for both the Oklahoma Bar Association and the Tulsa Lawyer Magazine.
“I think the big thing is Shane and I just want to become better trial lawyers,” Bundy said. “Writing these articles and conducting these trial skills presentations have allowed us to meet a number of people that we might not have met otherwise. It’s neat to be able to hear about their experiences because they’re definitely passing on knowledge to us.”
Experience the Fry & Elder difference
With his new role as partner, Bundy foresees Fry & Elder only building on it storied past. The firm boasts a number of talented, experienced and decorated attorneys, including Fry, who is one of just 19 attorneys in the state of Oklahoma to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Fry also was selected by Best Lawyers® as its Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016 and like Bundy, Henry and Elder is an AV-rated attorney.
Fellow Fry & Elder trial lawyer T. Luke Barteaux, along with Henry & Bundy, also has been recognized as a Super Lawyers® Rising Star™.
Rivas is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), while Katie Egan is licensed to practice in Oklahoma, New York and Connecticut. Mellissa Fell rounds out the staff of attorneys. Her practice focuses on taking a “concierge attorney” approach.
Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with a proven and experienced trial lawyer.
April Sellers White says
Congratulations, Aaron! Well done!
I look forward to reading of your continued success.