Best Lawyers in America® 2010
Seventy-two attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2010. First-time honorees were Timothy J. Bomhoff (Commercial Litigation and Labor and Employment Law), Steven P. Cole (Tax Law), Robert W. Dace (Commercial Litigation), Bradley K. Donnell (Construction Law), Drew D. Webb (Commercial Litigation), and Jennifer Wheeler (Corporate Law). Attorneys re-selected to this prestigious list were: Terry R. Barrett (Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law), T. Michael Blake (Corporate Law and Tax Law), Rachel Blue (Intellectual Property Law), Joseph H. Bocock (Commercial Litigation), Steven W. Bugg (Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law), Jennifer H. Callahan (Non-Profit/Charities Law), W. Chris Coleman (Corporate Law), Richard D. Craig (Tax Law and Trusts and Estates), C. Bruce Crum (Banking Law and Corporate Law), Stanley L. Cunningham (Oil & Gas Law), Reuben Davis (Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation), Jacque Brawner Dean(Workers’ Compensation Law), Clifford C. Dougherty, III (Intellectual Property Law), Theodore M. Elam (Corporate Law), S. Gregory Frogge (Health Care Law), Sam R. Fulkerson (Labor and Employment Law), Gary F. Fuller (Corporate Law and Tax Law), Robert L. Garbrecht (Corporate Law), E. Harrison Gilbert, III (Intellectual Property Law), Robert H. Gilliland, Jr. (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Energy Law), Charles Greenough (Banking Law and Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law), Philip D. Hart (Energy Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil & Gas Law), John N. Hermes (Bet-the-Company Litigation and Commercial Litigation), Frank D. Hill (Corporate Law and Real Estate Law), Gerald L. Hilsher (Natural Environmental Law), Richard P. Hix (Commercial Litigation), Henry D. Hoss (Construction Law), James Dudley Hyde (Employee Benefits Law), Michael E. Joseph (Corporate Law, Franchise Law, Health Care Law, Non-Profit/Charities Law and Project Finance Law), John A. Kenney (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Intellectual Property Law), David J. Ketelsleger (Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law and Securities Law), Michael J. LaBrie (Intellectual Property Law), Michael F. Lauderdale (Health Care Law and Labor and Employment Law), Robert T. Luttrell, III (Banking Law and Corporate Law), Scott D. McCreary (Equipment Finance Law), D. Keith McFall (Corporate Law), John McHenry Mee (Corporate Law), M. Richard Mullins (Health Care Law), Kathy R. Neal (Labor and Employment Law), Richard D. Nix (Corporate Law and Employee Benefits Law), J. Michael Nordin (Health Care Law and Real Estate Law), John A. Papahronis (Employee Benefits Law), Ross Plourde (Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law), Charles S. Plumb (Labor and Employment Law), Frank L. Polk (Corporate Law and Equipment Finance Law), Louis J. Price (Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law), James C. Prince (Employee Benefits Law and Health Care Law), Tony G. Puckett (Labor and Employment Law), Anthony L. Rahhal (Intellectual Property Law), Dee A. Replogle, Jr. (Tax Law), Richard A. Riggs (Real Estate Law), Reid E. Robison (Antitrust Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Legal Malpractice Law), Patricia A. Rogers (Health Care Law), John E. Sargent, Jr (Real Estate Law), John N. Schaefer (Trusts and Estates), Susan B. Shields (Trusts and Estates), Barry L. Smith (Health Care Law), C. David Stinson (Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law), N. Martin Stringer (Corporate Law and Mergers & Acquisitions Law), Mary Ellen Ternes (Environmental Law), Elizabeth D. Tyrrell (Franchise Law, Health Care Law and Non-Profit/Charities Law), Peter T. Van Dyke (Labor and Employment Law), Erin M. Van Laanen (Equipment Finance Law), Jerry A. Warren (Corporate Governance and Compliance Law and Securities Law), Nathan L. Whatley (Labor and Employment Law) and Elizabeth Scott Wood (Labor and Employment Law).
Benchmark Litigation 2009
McAfee & Taft's litigation practice earned top marks in the 2009 edition of Benchmark Litigation, the definitive guide to America's leading business litigation firms and attorneys. Ten attorneys were singled out for recognition in this year's guide — the most of any Oklahoma law firm. Benchmark focuses on the US litigation market, with a research team conducting face-to-face interviews around the country with leading legal professionals, in-house counsel and business owners. Named as "local litigation stars" were Joseph Bocock, John Hermes, John Kenney, Reid Robison, Spencer Smith, Jeff Todd andJames Webb. Named as "future stars" were Michael McClintock, Tamara Pullin and Natalie Ramsey.
Best Lawyers in America® 2009
Sixty-six attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2009. First-time honorees were Jennifer H. Callahan (Non-Profit/Charities Law), Jacque Brawner Dean (Workers’ Compensation Law), Gerald L. Hilsher (Natural Environmental Law), Scott D. McCreary (Equipment Finance Law), M. Richard Mullins (Health Care Law) and John A. Papahronis (Employee Benefits Law). Attorneys re-selected for the annual list were Terry R. Barrett (Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law), T. Michael Blake (Corporate Law and Tax Law), Rachel Blue (Intellectual Property Law), Joseph H. Bocock (Commercial Litigation), Steven W. Bugg (Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law), W. Chris Coleman (Corporate Law), Richard D. Craig (Tax Law and Trusts and Estates), C. Bruce Crum (Banking Law and Corporate Law), Stanley L. Cunningham (Oil & Gas Law), Reuben Davis (Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation), Clifford C. Dougherty III (Intellectual Property Law), Theodore M. Elam (Corporate Law), S. Gregory Frogge (Health Care Law), Sam R. Fulkerson (Labor and Employment Law), Gary F. Fuller (Corporate Law and Tax Law), Robert L. Garbrecht (Corporate Law), E. Harrison Gilbert III (Intellectual Property Law), Robert H. Gilliland, Jr. (Commercial Litigation and Energy Law), Charles Greenough (Banking Law and Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law), Philip D. Hart (Energy Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil & Gas Law), John N. Hermes (Bet-the-Company Litigation and Commercial Litigation), Frank D. Hill (Real Estate Law), Richard P. Hix (Commercial Litigation), Henry D. Hoss (Construction Law), James Dudley Hyde (Employee Benefits Law), Michael E. Joseph (Corporate Law, Franchise Law, Health Care Law and Project Finance Law), John A. Kenney (Commercial Litigation and Intellectual Property Law), David J. Ketelsleger (Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law and Securities Law), Michael J. LaBrie (Intellectual Property Law), Michael F. Lauderdale (Health Care Law), Robert T. Luttrell III (Banking Law), D. Keith McFall (Corporate Law), John McHenry Mee (Corporate Law), Sally Mock (Banking Law and Real Estate Law), Richard D. Nix (Corporate Law and Employee Benefits Law), J. Michael Nordin (Health Care Law and Real Estate Law), Ross A. Plourde (Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law), Charles S. Plumb (Labor and Employment Law), Frank L. Polk (Corporate Law and Equipment Finance Law), Louis J. Price (Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law), James C. Prince (Employee Benefits Law and Health Care Law), Tony G. Puckett (Labor and Employment Law), Anthony L. Rahhal (Intellectual Property Law), Dee A. Replogle (Tax Law), Richard A. Riggs (Real Estate Law), Reid E. Robison (Antitrust Law, Commercial Litigation and Legal Malpractice Law), Patricia A. Rogers (Health Care Law), John E. Sargent (Real Estate Law), John N. Schaefer (Trusts and Estates), Susan B. Shields (Trusts and Estates), Barry L. Smith (Health Care Law), C. David Stinson (Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law), N. Martin Stringer (Corporate Law and Mergers & Acquisitions Law), Mary Ellen Ternes (Environmental Law), Elizabeth Tyrrell (Health Care Law), Peter T. Van Dyke (Labor and Employment Law), Erin M. Van Laanen (Equipment Finance Law), Jerry A. Warren (Corporate Governance and Compliance Law and Securities Law), Nathan Whatley (Labor and Employment Law) and Elizabeth Scott Wood (Labor and Employment Law).
Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2008
McAfee & Taft received top marks in the ranked areas of corporate/commercial, employment, energy, litigation and real estate law in the 2008 edition of the Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Lawyers for Business, the only Oklahoma firm to be top-ranked in all five major areas of legal practice. Twenty-six attorneys – more than any law firm in Oklahoma – were listed as leading lawyers in their respective ranked areas. Named to the prestigious list were Terry R. Barrett (Energy), T. Michael Blake (Corporate/Commercial: Tax), Joseph H. Bocock (Litigation), W. Chris Coleman (Corporate/Commercial), Richard D. Craig (Corporate/Commercial: Tax), C. Bruce Crum (Corporate/ Commercial), Theodore M. Elam (Corporate/M&A), Sam R. Fulkerson (Employment), Gary F. Fuller (Corporate/Commercial: Tax), Robert L. Garbrecht (Real Estate), John N. Hermes (Litigation), Frank D. Hill (Real Estate), John A. Kenney (Litigation), Myrna S. Latham (Real Estate), Michael F. Lauderdale (Litigation), Tony G. Puckett (Employment), Richard A. Riggs (Real Estate), Reid E. Robison (Litigation), John E. Sargent Jr. (Real Estate), C. David Stinson (Energy), N. Martin Stringer (Corporate/Commercial) Jeff L. Todd (Litigation), Peter T. Van Dyke (Employment), Steven Welch (Energy) and Nathan L. Whatley (Employment).
Oklahoma Super Lawyers 2008
Thirty-seven attorneys are included in the 2008 edition of Oklahoma Super Lawyers. The honorees included Rachel Blue, Joseph Bocock, Steven Cole, Chris Coleman, Richard Craig, Bruce Crum, Robert Dace, Reuben Davis, Clifford Dougherty III, Bill Freudenrich Jr, Gregory Frogge, Sam Fulkerson, Gary Fuller, Robert Garbrecht, Robert Gilliland, John Hermes, Frank Hill, Dudley Hyde, Michael Joseph, John Kenney, Myrna Latham, Michael Lauderdale, Robert Luttrell III, Keith McFall, Michael Nordin, John Papahronis, Charlie Plumb, Tony Puckett, Richard Riggs, Reid Robison, Susan Shields, Martin Stringer, Elizabeth Tyrrell, Peter Van Dyke, Joseph Walters, Drew Webb and Nathan Whatley.
In addition, John Hermes and Frank Hill were recognized as “Top 10 Oklahoma Lawyers”; Myrna Latham, Susan Shields and Elizabeth Tyrrell were named to the list of “Top 25 Female Oklahoma Lawyers”; and senior attorneys Chris Coleman, Richard Craig, Robert Dace, Sam Fulkerson, Michael Joseph, Reid Robison and Nathan Whatley were honored as “Top 50 Oklahoma Lawyers.”
Oklahoma Rising Stars 2008
Ten attorneys were included in the 2008 edition of Oklahoma Rising Stars. The honorees included Stephanie Chapman, Cheryl Vinall Denney, Shawn Harrell, Rodney Hunsinger II, Brandon Long, Michael McClintock, Tamara Schiffner Pullin, Ronald Shinn, Spencer Smith and Jeff Todd.
Best Lawyers in America® 2008
Fifty-eight attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2008. First-time honorees were T. Michael Blake, Robert T. Luttrell III, Steve R. Welch, Nathan Whatley, and Elizabeth Scott Wood. Those re-selected for the annual list are: Terry R. Barrett, Joseph H. Bocock, Stephen W. Bugg, W. Chris Coleman, Richard D. Craig, C. Bruce Crum, Reuben Davis, Clifford C. Dougherty III, Theodore M. Elam, S. Gregory Frogge, Sam R. Fulkerson, Gary F. Fuller, Robert L. Garbrecht, E. Harrison Gilbert III, Robert H. Gilliland, Jr., Charles Greenough, Philip D. Hart, John N. Hermes, Frank D. Hill, Henry D. Hoss, James Dudley Hyde, Michael E. Joseph, John A. Kenney, David J. Ketelsleger, Michael J. LaBrie, Michael F. Lauderdale, D. Keith McFall, John McHenry Mee, Sally Mock, Richard D. Nix, J. Michael Nordin, Ross A. Plourde, Charles S. Plumb, Frank L. Polk, Louis J. Price, James C. Prince, Tony G. Puckett, Anthony L. Rahhal, Dee A. Replogle, Richard A. Riggs, Reid E. Robison, Patricia A. Rogers, John E. Sargent, John N. Schaefer, Susan B. Shields, Barry L. Smith, C. David Stinson, N. Martin Stringer, Mary Ellen Ternes, Elizabeth Tyrrell, Peter T. Van Dyke, Erin M. Van Laanen, and Jerry A. Warren.
Leadership in Law Honorees 2008
Three McAfee & Taft attorneys were named to the Journal Record's list of 2008 Leadership in Law honorees. Recognized for their professional and civic contributions were James W. Sharrock, James R. Webb and Elizabeth Scott Wood.
BTI Client Service All-Star Team
Shareholder Louis J. Price was one of 148 lawyers nationwide — and the only one in Oklahoma — to be named to the BTI Client Service All-Star Team for 2008. According to BTI researchers, this year's elite group of honorees were nominated for leveraging their ability to understand the client and deliver strategic advice, delivering the highest value to clients through and efficient and practical approach, and providing ultra-responsiveness through immediate, on-demand communication.
2007 Oklahoma Super Lawyers
Thirty-eight attorneys were included in the 2007 edition of Oklahoma Super Lawyers. The 2007 honorees were Joseph Bocock, Tim Bomhoff, Steven Cole, Chris Coleman, Richard Craig, Bruce Crum, Robert Dace, Reuben Davis, Clifford Dougherty III, Gregory Frogge, Sam Fulkerson, Gary Fuller, Robert Garbrecht, Robert Gilliland, John Hermes, Frank Hill, Dudley Hyde, Michael Joseph, John Kenney, Michael Lauderdale, Robert Luttrell III, D. Keith McFall, Michael Nordin, John Papahronis, Charles Plumb, Frank Polk, Tony Puckett, Richard Riggs, Reid Robison, Susan B. Shields, Barry L. Smith, David Stinson, Martin Stringer, Elizabeth Tyrrell, Peter Van Dyke, Joseph Walters, Drew Webb and Nathan Whatley.
In addition, John Hermes was recognized as a “Top 10" Oklahoma lawyer; Susan Shields and Elizabeth Tyrrell were named to the list of “Top 25 Women" attorneys; Chris Coleman, Frank Hill, Michael Joseph, John Kenney, Susan Shields and Peter Van Dyke were honored as “Top 50" Oklahoma lawyers.
Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2007
Nineteen McAfee & Taft attorneys – more than any law firm in Oklahoma – were listed as leading lawyers in their respective ranked areas in the 2007 edition of the Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Named to the prestigious list were Terry R. Barrett (Energy), Joseph H. Bocock (Litigation), W. Chris Coleman (Corporate/Commercial), Richard D. Craig (Corporate/Commercial: Tax), C. Bruce Crum (Corporate/Commercial), Theodore M. Elam (Corporate/M&A), Sam R. Fulkerson (Employment), Gary F. Fuller (Corporate/Commercial: Tax), John N. Hermes (Litigation), Frank D. Hill (Real Estate), John A. Kenney (Litigation), Myrna S. Latham (Real Estate), Michael F. Lauderdale (Litigation), Tony G. Puckett (Employment), Richard A. Riggs (Real Estate), Reid E. Robison (Litigation), C. David Stinson (Energy), N. Martin Stringer (Corporate/Commercial) and Peter T. Van Dyke (Employment).
2007 Leadership in Law Honorees
Five McAfee & Taft attorneys were named to the Journal Record's list of 2007 Leadership in Law honorees. Recognized for their professional and civic contributions were Mark Burget, Myrna Latham, Richard Nix, Elizabeth Tyrrell and Jennifer Wheeler.
2007 Oklahoma Bar Association Awards
The Oklahoma Bar Association honored John Hermes with its "Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award" and Frank Hill with the "Outstanding Service to the Public Award" at its 103rd annual meeting on November 9, 2007.
International Who's Who of Environment Lawyers 2007
Mary Ellen Ternes was one of only 370 attorneys to be named to The International Who’s Who of Environmental Lawyers 2007 (3rd edition), a highly selective list of pre-eminent environmental lawyers worldwide.
ABA Section of Environment, Energy & Resources "Best Paper Award"
Environmental attorney Mary Ellen Ternes won a competitive, peer reviewed "Best Paper Award" for her comprehensive publication entitled "Basic Practical in Nanotechnology" at the ABA SEER 2007 fall meeting in Pittsburgh, PA.
EnergyPoint 2007 Client Satisfaction Survey
EnergyPoint Research awarded McAfee & Taft its highest ratings for overall customer satisfaction in its 2007 legal services survey. McAfee & Taft was the only firm in Oklahoma, and one of only six law firms nationally, to receive the industry-leading four-ribbon rating.
The American Law Institute
Richard D. Craig was elected for membership to The American Law Institute in October 2006. Elected membership is currently limited to 3,000 eminent federal and state judges, distinguished lawyers and respected law professors. Members are selected on the basis of professional achievement and demonstrated interest in the improvement of the law.
ALM National Guide of Go-To Law Firms, 2007 edition
McAfee & Taft was named to the national Guide to Go-To Law Firms published by ALM, the nation’s leading legal journalism and information company, in the May 2007 edition of Fortune magazine. Fortune 500 companies Devon Energy Corporation (#239) and Tyson Foods, Inc. (#86) both named McAfee & Taft as a “go-to” firm for legal work.
2006 Oklahoma Super Lawyers
Thirty-five attorneys from McAfee & Taft were named to the inaugural 2006 edition of Oklahoma Super Lawyers, with seven being singled out for “Top Lawyers” honors. Frank D. Hill was recognized as a “Top 10 Oklahoma Lawyer” and Elizabeth D. Tyrrell, leader of the firm’s healthcare practice group, was named to the list of “Top 25 Female Oklahoma Lawyers.” Senior attorneys John Hermes, Michael Joseph, John Kenney, Martin Stringer and Peter Van Dyke were honored as “Top 50 Oklahoma Lawyers.”
The 2006 honorees from McAfee & Taft are: Joseph Bocock, Tim Bomhoff, Steven Cole, Chris Coleman, Richard Craig, Bruce Crum, Robert Dace, Bradley Donnell, Clifford Dougherty III, Theodore Elam, Gregory Frogge, Sam Fulkerson, Gary Fuller, Robert Garbrecht, Robert Gilliland, John Hermes, Frank Hill, Dudley Hyde, Michael Joseph, John Kenney, Michael Lauderdale, Robert Luttrell III, Michael Nordin, John Papahronis, Frank Polk, Tony Puckett, Richard Riggs, Reid Robison, David Stinson, Martin Stringer, Elizabeth Tyrrell, Peter Van Dyke, Joseph Walters, Drew Webb and Nathan Whatley.
The Best Lawyers in America® 2007
Forty-seven McAfee & Taft attorneys, including one associate, were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2007. First-time honorees are Steven W. Bugg, David J. Ketelsleger, Richard D. Nix, Patricia A. Rogers, Mary Ellen Ternes, Erin M. Van Laanen and Jerry A. Warren. Those re-selected for the annual list were Terry R. Barrett, Joseph H. Bocock, W. Chris Coleman, Richard D. Craig, C. Bruce Crum, Clifford C. Dougherty III, Theodore M. Elam, S. Gregory Frogge, Sam R. Fulkerson, Gary F. Fuller, Robert L. Garbrecht, E. Harrison Gilbert III, Robert H. Gilliland, Jr., Philip D. Hart, John N. Hermes, Frank D. Hill, Henry D. Hoss, James Dudley Hyde, Michael E. Joseph, John A. Kenney, Michael J. LaBrie, Michael F. Lauderdale, John McHenry Mee, Sally Mock, J. Michael Nordin, Ross A. Plourde, Frank L. Polk, Louis J. Price, James C. Prince, Tony G. Puckett, Anthony Rahhal, Dee A. Replogle, Richard A. Riggs, Reid E. Robison, John E. Sargent, John N. Schaefer, C. David Stinson, N. Martin Stringer, Elizabeth Tyrrell and Peter T. Van Dyke.
Oklahoma County Bar Association's 2006 Community Service Award
Jim Webb was awarded the Oklahoma County Bar Association's 2006 Community Service Award for his dedicated service to law-related education through the INFORM program.
International Who's Who of Aviation Lawyers 2006
Erin Van Laanen was one of only 303 attorneys to be named to The International Who’s Who of Aviation Lawyers 2006 (2nd edition), a highly selective list of pre-eminent aviation attorneys worldwide, and her selection automatically qualifies her for inclusion in Who’s Who Legal – The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers 2007.
Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2006
A record 13 McAfee & Taft attorneys were listed as leading lawyers in their respective areas in the 2006 edition of the Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Named to the prestigious list are W. Chris Coleman (Corporate/Commercial), Richard D. Craig (Corporate/Commercial: Tax), Theodore M. Elam (Corporate/M&A), Sam R. Fulkerson (Employment), Gary F. Fuller (Corporate/Commercial: Tax), John N. Hermes (Litigation), Frank D. Hill (Real Estate), John A. Kenney (Litigation), Tony G. Puckett (Employment), Richard A. Riggs (Real Estate), Reid E. Robison (Litigation), N. Martin Stringer (Corporate/Commercial) and Peter T. Van Dyke (Employment).
Top One Hundred Labor Attorneys in the United States 2006
Peter T. Van Dyke was the only Oklahoman to be named to the list of "Top One Hundred Labor Attorneys in the United States" for 2006, as compiled by Labor Relations Institute, Inc. Van Dyke is one of the most active attorneys representing companies in National Labor Relations Board-monitored elections.
2006 Leadership in Law Honorees
Seven McAfee & Taft attorneys were named to the inaugural list of 29 Leadership in Law honorees by the Journal Record. The program was created to honor those in the legal profession who strive to improve the communities where they live and work. Recognized for their professional and civic contributions were John N. Hermes, Frank D. Hill, James Dudley Hyde, Michael E. Joseph, John A. Kenney, N. Martin Stringer and Erin M. Van Laanen.
2006 Perfect Partnership Award
The Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation honored McAfee & Taft with its 2006 Perfect Partnership Award at the annual "Stars of Education" event. The firm was recognized for its ongoing and outstanding contributions of time and resources in support of Gatewood Elementary School.
International Who's Who of Environment Lawyers 2006
Mary Ellen Ternes is one of only 317 attorneys to the 2006 edition of The International Who’s Who of Environmental Lawyers, a highly selective list of pre-eminent environmental lawyers worldwide. Her selection automatically qualifies her for inclusion in Who’s Who Legal 2006 – The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers.
ALM National Guide of Go-To Law Firms, 2006 edition
McAfee & Taft was named to the national Guide to Go-To Law Firms published by ALM, the nation’s leading legal journalism and information company, in the May 2006 edition of Fortune magazine. Fortune 500 companies Devon Energy Corporation (#219) and Tyson Foods, Inc. (#80) both named McAfee & Taft as a “go-to” firm for legal work.