Education

  • University of Oklahoma (Bachelor of Arts in economics, summa cum laude; Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, with special distinction)
    • Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma
  • Vanderbilt University School of Law (Juris Doctor, 1988)
    • Order of the Coif; student writing editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review; Patrick Wilson Scholar (full scholarship to Vanderbilt School of Law); president of the Honor Council; American Jurisprudence Awards for Estate Planning II, Real Property II and Evidence

Admissions

  • State Bar of Oklahoma
  • State Bar of Texas

Experience

  • Law clerk for the Honorable Jerry Buchmeyer of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (1988-1989)

Professional Organizations & Memberships

  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel – fellow (2002-present)
  • William J. Holloway Jr. American Inn of Court – master
  • Oklahoma City Estate Planning Council – past president and director
  • Oklahoma Bar Association: Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section – past chair; Tax Section
  • Oklahoma Bar Foundation – sustaining fellow
  • American Bar Association: Real Property, Probate and Trust Section; Tax Section

Honors, Awards & Rankings

  • Best Lawyers in America – Non-Profit/Charities Law; Trusts & Estates; and Litigation, Trusts & Estates
  • Best Lawyers 2021 Lawyer of the Year, Oklahoma City – Litigation, Trusts & Estates
  • Best Lawyers 2019 Lawyer of the Year, Oklahoma City – Nonprofit/Charities Law
  • Best Lawyers 2018 Lawyer of the Year, Oklahoma City – Trusts & Estates
  • Best Lawyers 2017 Lawyer of the Year, Oklahoma City – Litigation, Trusts & Estates
  • Best Lawyers 2016 Lawyer of the Year, Oklahoma City – Non-Profits/Charities Law
  • Best Lawyers 2015 Lawyer of the Year, Oklahoma City – Litigation, Trusts & Estates
  • Best Lawyers 2012 Lawyer of the Year, Oklahoma City – Litigation, Trusts & Estates
  • Oklahoma Super Lawyers – Estate Planning & Probate
  • Leadership in Law Award, The Journal Record (2008)

News, Articles & Publications

  • Revocable Trust Section, OBA/CLE Form Book (2005)
  • Guardianship Pleadings Section, OBA/CLE Form Book (2001)

Community Involvement

  • Leadership Oklahoma City, Class XXVI
  • Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City – finance council (2011-2019)
  • Christ the King Church – parish council (2011-2014)
  • Christ the King School, School Advisory Council – past chair
  • Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Planned Giving Advisor Council – former member