Biography

Dara Wanzer’s state and federal litigation practice is focused on labor and employment law and general civil litigation, particularly in the areas of energy, construction, healthcare, insurance, products liability defense, and real estate.  In addition to representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil litigation matters, she also counsels and represents employers in litigation matters involving all types of wrongful discharge claims, claims related to employment agreements, and other disputes arising from the employer-employee relationship.

As a part of her employment counseling practice, Dara speaks at seminars on a variety of employment-related matters and serves as a contributing author to the Oklahoma Employment Law Letter.  She has also been interviewed by the local media on the topics of religious discrimination, the legal pitfalls of online social media, and the crafting of social media policies, and has been a featured guest speaker at seminars on the subject of legal issues arising from the use of social media.

Dara is a 2005 honors graduate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.  Prior to joining McAfee & Taft in 2007, she practiced as a litigation associate with another Oklahoma City-based civil practice law firm in the areas of commercial litigation, hospital liability and medical malpractice.

In addition to her legal practice at the firm, Dara also serves as a volunteer attorney for Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, a nonprofit organization that uses the time, talent and resources of qualified pro bono lawyers and others to represent and assist children in the Juvenile Division of the Oklahoma County District Court. She also serves on the board of directors of the Young Lawyers Division of the Oklahoma County Bar Association.

Representative Experience Representation of a seller of over-the-road trucks and trailers against charges of breach of contract, negligence and fraud. Obtained judgment on the pleadings of the plaintiff’s negligence and breach of contract claims and was granted a Rule 50 motion for judgment as a matter of law on the fraud claim at the conclusion of plaintiff’s case in chief. Representation of a national manufacturer and distributor of commercial products in defense of an employee claim of race discrimination and retaliation. Obtained summary judgment for an Oklahoma electric cooperative in an employment lawsuit alleging wrongful termination. Representation of a national travel stop chain in defense of an employee claim of age discrimination. Obtained summary judgment for a blood bank in a federal court matter involving claims of gender and age discrimination. Obtained summary judgment for a temporary agency in an employment lawsuit alleging race discrimination and retaliation. Representation of a healthcare facility in its appeal of an audit in which Medicare sought reimbursement of claims due to lack of supporting documentation.  Representation of a developer in a construction industry arbitration dispute involving the development of a hotel in Houston, Texas. Local representation to one of the nation’s leading branded foods companies in mass torts litigation involving more than 70 Oklahoma plaintiffs and one class action. Obtained summary judgment in contractual dispute involving $10 million Stock Purchase Agreement.

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