Fry & Elder

Tulsa Family Law Firm Focusing on Divorce, Child Custody & Litigation

Tulsa, OK Law Firm
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Leading Tulsa Divorce Attorney Fry Makes Best Lawyers List

Speeding around the Go-Kart track at Andy B’s Tulsa with his youngest grandson Clarke riding shotgun, Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. looked far removed from his day-to-day job as a leading Tulsa divorce attorney.

Leading Tulsa divorce attorney

Yes, Fry looked very much at ease zipping around the track and lapping the field which also included his son and youngest daughter. But when a pile up stopped the action on the track, Fry couldn’t resist the urge to revert back to his true professional calling.

With his Go-Kart stopped in the middle of the track, Fry calmly reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone … to call a client back.

To those who know Fry, both personally and professionally, the move was hardly surprising.

For 50 years and counting, Fry has gone the extra mile, and the leading Tulsa divorce attorney continues to be handsomely rewarded for his hard work and dedication.

Best Lawyers® publicly unveiled its 2019 listings on Aug. 15 and for the ninth consecutive year, Fry was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers© in America in the field of family law.

“It is a very big honor,” said Fry, who was named Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Oklahoma 2016. “To be recognized by my peers and colleagues, particularly at this stage in my career, is very humbling and satisfying. Honors such as this are never taken lightly or for granted, and Best Lawyers® is as good of a legal publication as we have in our industry.”

Best Lawyers® Selection Process Among the Most Rigorous

That Fry has been listed by The Best Lawyers in America© every year since 2011 is no small feat. The publication is widely viewed as the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession.

Much of this has to do with the rigorous selection process Best Lawyers® employs. Lawyers are not permitted to pay any fee to participate in or be recognized by Best Lawyers. As the website states:

“Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.

“Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.”

Leading Tulsa Divorce Attorney Fry Continues to Thrive

Because of Fry’s stature and longevity as a prominent Tulsa family law attorney, he has attained no shortage of accolades during a sparkling career.

In addition to being listed by Best Lawyers®, Fry is an 11-time Super Lawyers honoree, an AV-rated attorney by Martindal-Hubbell®, a 2018 Significant Sig Award Winner and he is one of only 19 attorneys in the state to be a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

“He has had a remarkable career and continues to operate at an amazing level,” Fry & Elder immigration attorney Lorena Rivas said. “He’s seen it all and done it all. Myself and all the other trial lawyers here at Fry & Elder have learned and continue to learn so much from him on a day-to-day basis.”

While Fry was the only Fry & Elder attorney selected for inclusion in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers©, he believes it is only a matter of time before other attorneys join him on the list from Fry & Elder.

The firm has been named U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms List each of the past five years and features an energetic and decorated team of attorneys which also include:

“We have a really talented team in place, and we work well together,” Fry said. “Each attorney brings a unique skillset to the firm which has only enhanced our profile and breadth of services. Many of them have already done some great things, and I only see them getting better down the road. The awards will come, no doubt about it.”

And with those words, Fry reached into his pocket to retrieve his cell phone and whisked away.

He had a client’s call to return.

Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with a leading Tulsa divorce 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.

Leading Tulsa Immigration Attorney Selected for Leadership Tulsa

As a leading Tulsa immigration attorney for the past six years, Lorena Rivas displays no shortage of leadership qualities.

Oklahoma immigration law practice

The Fry & Elder trial lawyer has traveled to Washington D.C. multiple times to meet with state and national legislators to discuss and advocate for immigration law reform.

The Tulsa Business & Legal News celebrated Rivas as one of Tulsa’s most accomplished professional women in 2016 with its annual Women of Distinction of Awards.

More recently, Rivas was honored as the 2018 Fern Holland Award Winner, which is annually given to a lawyer who advocates for human rights or the empowerment of women.

Rivas’ leadership qualities were further validated earlier this month when the leading Tulsa immigration attorney was selected to Leadership Tulsa Class 60 – a 10-month intensive leadership program which runs from August 2018 through May 2019.

Leadership Tulsa Explained

Just as the name suggests, Leadership Tulsa is a program designed to “identify, develop and connect diverse leaders who impact the community through service.”

Leading Tulsa Immigration Attorney

Leadership Tulsa began in 1973, “as a joint project with the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce and the Junior League of Tulsa to help build the leadership capacities of Tulsa area professionals.”

With roots extending beyond 40 years, Leadership Tulsa’s impact has been far reaching. A recent survey indicated that Leadership Tulsa members “serve on 200 boards and volunteer hundreds of hours a year” in the Tulsa community.

“I am very excited about participating in Leadership Tulsa,” Rivas said. “The opportunity to meet and learn from community leaders in a wide variety of professions is something which really sets this program apart from others.”

Leadership Tulsa could also be described as a more intensive, focused and selective leadership program.

Rivas is one of only 49 participants selected for the 10-month program which includes:

  • Orientation and an overnight retreat
  • Monthly class days covering geographic regions of our city as well as topics including education, healthcare, business, the arts, social services and community history
  • A hands-on board internship with a choice of nearly 100 area agencies

Leading Tulsa immigration attorney

A Leading Tulsa Immigration Attorney Who Makes a Difference

As the proud daughter of two Mexican nationals, Rivas has been directly impacted by immigration law which enables her the ability to make a deeper connection with her clients.

In 2017, Rivas gave her powerful story about what led her into the field of immigration law to a Pre-Law Society meeting at the University of Central Oklahoma.

“I’m a Mexican-American,” 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.”

Rivas has indeed done that and more during her accomplished tenure at Fry & Elder. Her practice areas include the following:

Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with leading Tulsa immigration attorney Lorena Rivas.

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.

Earl Sneed Winner Bundy Visits Nation’s Capital to Present

Aaron D. Bundy carried the Fry & Elder banner proudly and highly in our nation’s capital earlier this month.

The accomplished Oklahoma trial lawyer traveled to Washington D.C. to present at the 55th Annual Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Conference, which ran June 6-9.

Annual Association of Family and Conciliation Courts Conference

Bundy co-presented with highly-regarded forensic psychologist Dr. Sol Rapaport and former Fry & Elder attorney M. Shane Henry for a presentation titled “Preparing for and Conducting a Cross Examination of a Custody Evaluation.”

“The presentation went very well,” Bundy said. “There were nearly 200 people in attendance – half of them were mental health professionals and the other half were lawyers with one judge on hand.”

Bundy said the presentation fell into three parts.

  • Discussion about preparing to testify as a witness and preparing early to cross-examine an expert with an adverse conclusion.
  • Discussion about what constitutes a sound custody evaluation.
  • Final discussion about the goals and ways to cross-examine a mental health professional making a recommendation to the court.

“We had a lot of positive feedback from the audience immediately after the presentation,” Bundy said. “It really was the most I can remember in terms of the number of people approaching to thank us. It felt great and it was a wonderful event.”

55th Annual Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Conference a Big Deal

Being part of the presentation lineup at the AFCC Conference is quite an honor for both Bundy and the Tulsa legal community.

The AFCC was founded in 1963 and its members include all of the following:

  • Judges
  • Lawyers
  • Mediators
  • Psychologists
  • Researchers
  • Academics
  • Counselors
  • Court Commissioners
  • Custody Evaluators
  • Psychiatrists
  • Parenting Coordinators
  • Court Administrators
  • Social Workers
  • Parent Educators
  • Financial Professionals

Some of the most well-known and highly-regarded family law minds in the profession presented at the conference, including Bundy.

The conference featured keynote presentations by kidnapping victim Jayce Duggard, who authored the New York Times best seller “A Stolen Life,” along with iconic journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Bob Woodward, who uncovered the Watergate scandal which led to President Richard Nixon’s impeachment.

Aaron D. Bundy an Accomplished Attorney and Presenter

That Bundy was invited to present as the event is hardly surprising. He was the co-winner of the 2017 Earl Sneed Award for significant and outstanding continuing legal education contributions.

Bundy has presented throughout Oklahoma to various bar associations and has traveled out of state to locales like San Diego, Las Vegas, Boston, Miami and New Orleans for CLE opportunities with many other Fry & Elder attorneys.

Additionally, Bundy has been named to Super Lawyers® Rising Stars™ every year since 2013 and has been recognized as an AV-rated attorney every year since 2014 — this year he claimed the 2018 Platinum Client Champion honor.

Bundy’s practice at Fry & Elder focuses on family law, criminal defense and personal injury law throughout Oklahoma.

Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with highly-regarded Oklahoma trial lawyer Aaron D. Bundy.

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.

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 Oklahoma protective order ruled as frivolous.

Oklahoma protective order

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.

What is a Protective Order?

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 an Oklahoma 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 protective order

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, immigration law and personal injury law. The firm and its attorneys have been the subject of 36 articles by various Oklahoma media outlets since 2014.

The firm’s lineup of attorneys is comprised of:

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 Oklahoma 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.