The acclaimed Oklahoma law firm of Fry & Elder recently hosted elite company at the Robert G Fry Jr. Center for Trial Studies for the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section Trial Advocacy Institute.
Professor Charles H. Rose III, Director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy and a Professor of Excellence in Trial Advocacy, traveled to Tulsa on April 22 to present to approximately 15 attorneys, four which were Fry & Elder’s M. Shane Henry, Aaron D. Bundy, Lorena Rivas and Amy Page. Needless to say, the esteemed professor came away impressed with the caliber of Oklahoma family law trial lawyer Fry & Elder and the state of Oklahoma produce.
“It was an absolute joy to spend Saturday working with some outstanding advocacy teachers,” Rose said. “Their commitment to the art and skill of trial work ensures that the family law section of the Oklahoma bar is in great hands.
“Rarely do you get the chance to work with other attorneys so committed to developing the advocacy skills of others. Tucked away in Oklahoma are some of the best teachers of trial advocacy.”
Rose’s remarks are notable for many reasons. First and foremost, Rose is a “nationally and internationally recognized expert in persuasion.” He spent 20 years on active duty in the United States Army in which he served as an intelligence officer, intelligence analyst, linguist and judge advocate before embarking on a full-time career in academia.
His persuasive techniques in trial are highly regarded and well documented.
“Professor Rose’s presentation was amazing,” Bundy said. “To be able to hear him present and offer his insight on persuasion and trial advocacy was a real treat and a very big deal.”
Rose’s visit further reiterates Fry & Elder’s continued commitment to professional development and continuing legal education. Bundy, Henry and Rivas already have traveled to New Orleans and Atlanta this year for continuing legal education seminars. Page held a seminar in March at the Robert G Fry Jr. Center for Trial Studies, while Rivas spoke a day before Rose at a CLE event sponsored by the Tulsa County Bar Association.
Rose isn’t the first high-profile legal stalwart to visit Fry & Elder. In 2015, renowned trial lawyer and best-selling author Roger Dodd visited the Robert G Fry Jr. Center for Trial Studies and presented a two-day seminar on cross-examination techniques.
Fry & Elder’s continued commitment to trial advocacy and professional development is not surprising given the firm’s stature. The U.S. News & World Report has named Fry & Elder to its U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firm’s list from 2014-2017. Fry & Elder now also has office in Oklahoma City and features five attorneys who have received Super Lawyers® accolades, four attorneys who are AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® and three of the past four Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section Chairs.
“The decision to support advocacy training so completely speaks to the character, quality and foresight of the Fry & Elder law firm,” Rose said. “The time we spent in their facility this weekend working with a group of true dedicated advocacy teaching professionals would not have been possible without the support of the firm. From top to bottom it is one of the most enjoyable training experiences I have had the pleasure of participating in.”