Lawyers and Legal Rankings in Oklahoma
Today’s Oklahoma legal market is characterized by an impressive mix of outstanding lawyers and practices covering a wide-range of legal services. In Oklahoma, you’ll find that large law firms are an important part of the state’s legal industry . While they make up a small portion of the industry in terms of number – the 1,000 lawyers employed by large firms represent only 11% of the industry by number of lawyers – collectively they have a huge impact on the entire industry employing well more than half the total lawyers in Oklahoma. Large firms in Oklahoma tend to be generalists offering all types of legal services, though all include strong corporate and litigation groups.
Ranking Law Firms: The Criteria
In determining the largest law firms in Oklahoma, several criteria are considered. These include the number of attorneys at the firm, the areas in which the firms specialize, the revenue generated by the firm, and the influence a firm has in high-profile cases. The inclusion of various criteria takes into consideration the importance of a broad range of factors when assessing the overall standing of a firm in a particular market. For instance, a firm that represents a significant number of plaintiffs in a class action suit may not have many attorneys, but its influence in that arena matters. On the other hand, a huge firm with several dozen offices around the world could be the largest global firm even though it only has a handful of lawyers in Oklahoma. Therefore, each firm is ranked primarily by the number of employed attorneys, but an adjustment to the ranking is made if more than one firm is tied.
Oklahoma’s 5 Largest Law Firms and Their Compositions
Established in 1967, Crowe & Dunlevy make the top ten list of law firms in Oklahoma and is the largest firm according to Oklahoma’s June 2010 grant Thomson Reuters survey. Crowe & Dunlevy has 170 lawyers specializing in diverse legal disciplines such as antitrust, construction and real estate, health care and hospitals, environmental, insurance, labor and employment, petroleum and natural resources, telecommunications, water and water rights, and trusts and estates. Their major practice areas include energy, employment law, environmental law, healthcare, real estate, technology transactions, tribal law, water law and FDA.
The firm has won numerous recognitions over the years including 14 practice areas ranked by Chambers USA, 20 areas of precedence recognized by the US News Best Law Firms survey, and several practice areas noted by The Best Lawyers in America guidebook.
Their successful history comes from the breadth of their services to a range of clients including Fortune 500 corporations, major non-profits, financial institutions and government organizations. Some of their most notable clients include Continental Resources, Sonic Drive-In, Telemundo and Oklahoma Gas and Electric. Crowe & Dunlevy lawyers are highly recommended for their various fields of practice by their clients.
Focused on manufacturing and in firm export practice, Hall Estill represents both large and small manufacturers in design and advertising, product safety and disease claims, and distribution and franchising. They also prioritize their labor and employment practice and intellectual property practice. They are the second most recognized firm according to Thomson Reuter’s survey.
Some of their distinguished practice areas include general litigation, banking and financial institutions, employment, product liability litigation, real estate, taxation, corporate, employment and industrial relations law. They also render service in entertainment and sports law, Oil & Gas, and telecommunications.
Hall Estill’s clients include banks, large and small manufacturers, various hospitals and medical centers, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the University of Oklahoma.
Their clients have warmly recommended the firm’s services. One commented: "Their special knowledge about our industry has allowed us to take advantage of opportunities before our competitors."
Another client said: "We have found the team at Hall Estill to be a wonderful asset."
Founded in 1926, GableGotwals is the longest-established firm in Oklahoma with 193 lawyers serving primarily in executive compensation and employee benefits, environmental and natural resources, financial services, health care, intellectual property and litigation, among many other practice areas.
GableGotwals continues to be recognized for their services by "U.S. News – Best Law Firms" listed them in 65 ranked practice areas in the 2013-2014 edition. In 2014, Chambers USA ranked them first in 14 practice areas, and in 2013, Chambers USA honored them with award for Outstanding Client Service.
GableGotwals clients include Devon Energy, Williams Companies, Williams Tower, American Airlines, Citibank, and The McClain Companies, LLC. Clients have praised the firm for their expertise, experience and devotion to good results. "Because the GableGotwals team has an in-depth knowledge of our national business concerns and a familiarity with the intricacies of local legal issues, they provide excellent advice and counsel," said a client.
Trends in the Oklahoma Legal Market: Emerging Opportunities for Growth
As we navigate through the evolving legal landscape, it becomes clear that nationwide and statewide market trends will continue to have a significant impact on leading law firms in Oklahoma. Currently, many firms are paying close attention to key industry challenges including technological disruption, increased competition, and the growing demand for specialized legal services.
Many of the top Oklahoma law firms are facing the same concerns as other large firms across the country, such as declining profit margins and the increasing challenge posed by new legal technology. With this technological disruption, firms must continue to innovate and invest in their own technology. Today’s market demands a high level of digital connectivity with clients, secure access to data, and advanced project management capabilities.
In addition to these technological challenges, the legal industry in Oklahoma is also seeing an increased need for specialized legal services to meet complex client needs. Many of the top law firms in Oklahoma have taken advantage of this increased demand by expanding their practice groups to provide comprehensive support for corporate clients across the state . Further, some of these firms have established additional offices throughout the state, providing greater access to clients in strategic locations.
Across the state, leading law firms are increasingly focusing on recruiting, training, and retaining the next generation of attorneys. These firms recognize the value of emerging talent within their organizations and put a premium on professional development opportunities to meet the needs of their clients. Often, these programs will take the form of seminars and workshops designed to support the professional growth of the legal staff.
Ultimately, to maintain an edge in such a competitive landscape, the top law firms in Oklahoma must demonstrate their ability to adapt to a growing and ever-changing set of market trends. This means remaining nimble and responsive to both client concerns and industry changes. As we look to the future, the leading legal service providers in the state will surely find creative ways to meet the challenges and take advantage of the growth opportunities presented to them.
Role of Major Law Firms in the Oklahoma Legal Ecosystem and Client Base
The largest law firms in Oklahoma often have a significant impact on their local communities. Many of these firms are deeply engaged in pro bono work, contributing to the development of the local society and the region’s legal education.
For instance, many large law firms in Oklahoma actively engage their attorneys in pro bono activities. These activities are not only seen as an ethical responsibility, but also as a means of fostering good relations with the surrounding community. The pro bono work undertaken by large law firms can range from legal aid for low-income individuals to representation of environmental and political causes.
Additionally, many of the larger law firms provide their lawyers with opportunities to participate in continuing legal education programs in various capacities. This ensures that attorneys are both technologically and legally savvy, which also enhances overall public interest legal issues.
Many large law firms in Oklahoma also take steps to give back to their local communities in various ways. Some may offer internship programs to high school students or college students studying law. In addition, some large law firms are known to offer scholarships that are exclusively reserved for low-income students.
The largest law firms in Oklahoma are also major players in the development of the region’s economic status. According to law firm representatives, they have helped various businesses and even start-up companies to gain a firm foothold in the Oklahoma marketplace.
As a result of the above initiatives and programs, many of Oklahoma’s larger law firms have been seen as a positive influence on the state’s ever-growing economic landscape. Law firms in Oklahoma also often sponsor local charities and donate to schools. As a result, numerous foundations have been created for college students studying under various programs, including law.
Future Prospects for the State’s Most Prominent Firms
The future landscape for top law firms in Oklahoma is poised to undergo a fascinating evolution. As the state’s economy continues to diversify and evolve, so too will the legal needs of its residents and businesses. Legal specialties such as energy law, environmental law, health law, corporate law, and intellectual property law are expected to undergo increases in demand, creating growth opportunities for firms that specialize in these areas. Furthermore, with the continued expansion of the technology sector, particularly in major cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa, firms specializing in information technology, cybersecurity, and data privacy may have significant growth potential.
Over the next five to ten years, it is anticipated that we will see an increase in the inter-firm competition for new talent – with lateral and associate recruiting efforts becoming more intense. Firms that emphasize a healthy work-life balance , fostering strong mentorship programs, and providing opportunities for ongoing education and training will likely be in high demand, in this new market. Additionally, the ever-evolving landscape of financial compliance and regulation may provide a challenge to some firms and lawyers as Oklahoma continues to address the regulatory demands of marijuana legalization and tribal-state interplay with federal jurisdiction.
While competition will undoubtedly increase, the large law firms in Oklahoma are well-positioned to meet the challenges of tomorrow, through continued investment in human capital and a willingness to adapt. With expected population growth, improved infrastructure, and an increasingly diverse local economy, Oklahoma will continue to require high-quality legal services and, as the state’s largest firms, they are ready to lead the charge.