Honors and Awards

The National Law Journal 's NLJ 350McAfee & Taft was named to ALM's National Law Journal 2013 NLJ 350, its annual list of the nation’s largest law firms in the United States. McAfee & Taft was ranked at No. 222 on the list this year.  Read More  Read More
Fortune’s Top Ranked Law FirmsMcAfee & Taft was selected for Fortune magazine's 2013 list of “Top Ranked Law Firms” in the United States. Editors asked LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell® to leverage its comprehensive database of 1 million lawyers and firms in more than 160 countries to identify U.S. law firms of 21 or more attorneys, where at least one out of three of their lawyers achieved the AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating. Of McAfee & Taft’s 180 attorneys, 103 — or 57 percent — are top-rated, more than any other law firm in Oklahoma.  Read More  Read More
Best Law FirmsMcAfee & Taft was named to the most recent edition of “Best Law Firms” rankings by U.S News and World Report and Best Lawyers, providing a comprehensive view of the U.S. legal profession that is unprecedented both in the range of firms represented and in the range of qualitative and quantitative data used to develop the rankings. McAfee & Taft received top-tier rankings in 47 practice areas.  Read More  Read More
Go-To Law Firms of the World's Leading CompaniesCorporate Counsel magazine named McAfee & Taft to its 2013 edition of Go-To Law Firms of the World's Leading Companies. According to the publishers, less than one half of 1% of all law firms are included in the magazine's "Go-To Law Firm" list. The list is limited to those law firms that general counsel at the world's leading 500 companies rely upon routinely and for the most critical matters.  Read More  Read More
Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for BusinessMcAfee & Taft received top marks in the 2013 edition of the Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, earning top rankings in the areas of corporate/commercial (including tax and healthcare), energy and natural resources, intellectual property, labor and employment, litigation and real estate law. The firm’s Native American law practice was also highly ranked. In addition, 49 of the firm’s attorneys are currently honored as leading lawyers in 50 practice areas, more than any law firm in Oklahoma.  Read More  Read More
Benchmark LitigationMcAfee & Taft earned top marks in the 2013 edition of Benchmark Litigation, the definitive guide to America’s leading business litigation firms and attorneys. In addition, 12 of the firm’s attorneys – the most of any law firm in Oklahoma – were singled out for recognition, 10 named "local litigation stars" and two more named "future stars." McAfee & Taft was recognized as “highly recommended,” reserved for those firms receiving the most mentions by peers and clients, and who were held as dominant in their particular jurisdiction.  Read More  Read More
Best Lawyers in AmericaA record 97 McAfee & Taft attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, with 10 firm lawyers being named to the prestigious list for the first time. McAfee & Taft was top-ranked in Oklahoma in the total number of attorneys listed and the most listed attorneys in 46 practice areas. The firm was also top-ranked in the United States for most listed attorneys in the practice areas of Commercial Transactions/UCC Law and Equipment Finance Law.  Read More  Read More
Best Lawyers' Lawyer of the YearBest Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, selects a single lawyer in each legal practice specialty in each community to be honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.” Since its inaugural 2010 edition, 32 McAfee & Taft attorneys have been selected for this honor.  Read More  Read More
Super Lawyers — Oklahoma EditionIn its annual Oklahoma edition, Super Lawyers recognizes the top 5 percent of Oklahoma attorneys in more than 70 practice areas. McAfee & Taft has perennially led the state in the number of attorneys selected to this list, with several of our attorneys being singled out for top honors. In the most recent edition, John N. Hermes and John A. Kenney were recognized as “Top 10 Oklahoma Lawyers.” Mary Quinn Cooper, Kathy R. Neal, Susan Shields, Mary Ellen Ternes and Elizabeth Tyrrell were named to the list of “Top 25 Oklahoma Female Lawyers.” Mark Christiansen, Mary Quinn Cooper, Frank Hill, William S. Leach, Kathy R. Neal, Reid Robison and Elizabeth Tyrrell were honored as “Top 50 Oklahoma Lawyers.” In all, the following McAfee & Taft attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers:  Read More  Read More
Super Lawyers’ Rising StarsSuper Lawyers recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state in its annual Oklahoma edition of “Rising Stars.” McAfee & Taft has perennially led the state in the number of attorneys selected to this list, with several of our attorneys being singled out for top honors. In all, 33 current McAfee & Taft attorneys have been recognized as “Rising Stars,” with three subsequently being named to Super LawyersRead More  Read More
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings have awarded the highest rating of AV® Preeminent™ to more than 100 McAfee & Taft attorneys and the most of any law firm in Oklahoma. This certification mark is a significant rating accomplishment and a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.  Read More  Read More

Leadership in Law Honorees
Since the award's inception in 2006, 25 McAfee & Taft attorneys have been recipients of The Journal Record's Leadership in Law Award. Honored in the inaugural edition were John N. Hermes, Frank D. Hill, James Dudley Hyde, Michael E. Joseph, John A. Kenney, N. Martin Stringer and Erin M. Van Laanen. Honored in 2007 were Mark E. Burget, Myrna Schack Latham, Richard D. Nix, Elizabeth D. Tyrrell and Jennifer Wheeler. Honored in 2009 were Reuben Davis, Maria E. Gonzalez, Brandon P. Long, Sally Mock, Jay B. Shanker, and Barry L. Smith. Honored in 2010 were Rachel Blue, Michael J. LaBrie, James C. McMillin and Chris A. Paul. Honored in 2011 were Sam Fulkerson, Gerald Hilsher, Susan Shields and Kathy Taylor.  2012 honorees were Ruth J. Addison and Mary Quinn Cooper.


Mona Lambird Service to Children Award
Robert W. Dace (2004) and T. Michael Blake (2009) were honored by Oklahoma Lawyers for Children with its prestigious Mona Lambird Service to Children Award. 

Oklahoma Bar Association's Outstanding Service to the Public Award
Jim Sharrock was honored by the Oklahoma Bar Association with its 2009 Outstanding Service to the Public Award.

Oklahoma County Bar Association's Community Service Award
Brandon Long was awarded the Oklahoma County Bar Association's 2009 Community Service Award, recognized as “one of our younger members who is not only active in the community, but who leads other young lawyers to get involved.”
 
American College of Employee Benefits Counsel (ACEBC)
In 2000, J. Dudley Hyde was one of 150 Charter Fellows inducted in the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel.
 
American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL)
Lloyd T. Hardin, Jr., Frank D. Hill and Richard A. Riggs are elected members of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, the premier organization of U.S. real estate lawyers.
 
American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL)
John N. Hermes and John A. Kenney have been selected as Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the nation's premier legal associations composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada.
 
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
Richard D. Craig was elected a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a national organization of approximately 2,600 lawyers elected to membership by demonstrating the highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence and experience as trust and estate counselors.

American College of Environmental Lawyers
Mary Ellen Ternes was selected as a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers, a professional association of private sector environmental lawyers recognized by their peers as pre-eminent in their field.
 
American Law Institute
Richard D. Craig and John N. Hermes are elected members of the American Law Institute, a professional organization with a membership limited to 3,000 eminent federal and state judges, distinguished lawyers, and respcted law professors.

Litigation Counsel of America
Timothy J. Bomhoff, Reuben Davis, Richard P. Hix and Reid E. Robison were selected as Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America, a trial lawyer honorary society dedicated to promoting superior advocacy, professionalism and ethical standards among its Fellows.

OBA Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award
Nominated by a pro bono client, James R. Webb was honored by the Oklahoma Bar Association with its Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award. 
 
OCU School of Law Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
Brandon P. Long (2010) and Beau Patterson (2011) were honored by the Oklahoma City University School of Law with its Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
 
Oklahoma City University Law Review Outstanding Alumna Award
In 2012, Oklahoma City University Law Review honored Amy D. White with its Outstanding Alumna Award.
 
Mona Salyer Lambird Spotlight Award
In 2011, the Oklahoma Bar Association honored Susan B. Shields with its Mona Salyer Lambird Spotlight Award.  Sponsored by the OBA Women in Law Committee, the award is given annually to five women who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession and who have lighted the way for other women.