Best Family Lawyer in Oklahoma City
Jimmy Lai
Family Lawyer
Jimmy comes from a diverse, multicultural background and received his multilingual K-12 education in Taiwan, the United States of America, Japan, Germany, and England. While pursuing his undergraduate degree in marketing at the University of Central Oklahoma, he received the prestigious Top Central Man for outstanding leadership and accomplishments, awarded to only 1 student each year. He received his JD/MBA from the University of Oklahoma in 2021.
Having been involved with international students throughout his academic years and being one himself, he developed a deep passion for learning immigration law to help others worldwide realize their dreams of coming to live and work in America. As a result, he resisted the idea of following the conventional employment route for graduate attorneys, which is to join an established law firm as a junior attorney.
Instead, Jimmy founded Lai & Turner Law Firm when his great friend and fellow law student, Braden Turner, echoed his vision to go directly into practice. Jimmy’s vision was to establish a practice to “do law differently” and to inspire the next generation of immigrants to follow their dreams, “The American Dream,” of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
John P. Cannon
Family Lawyer
John is a husband, father, soldier, and counselor.
He is dedicated to helping you and your family through the difficult situation you are facing. He will Fight for Your Rights, while always keeping you informed. It is important to have competent and caring counsel by your side throughout your case.
John’s experience and reputation will be an asset to you during this difficult time. With CANNON & ASSOCIATES, you will never have to make a decision without all the available information and you will always understand the process at hand and ahead. Our firm hopes to help you and wishes you and yours the best.
Attorney John P. Cannon graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in English Literature. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he did a clerkship in Washington, D.C. for the United States Senate. He attended Oklahoma City University College of Law where he clerked for the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.
He began his litigation career by competing in the National Trial Competition. Additionally, he was captain of the American Association of Justice Trial team. Further, he participated in international law and trial advocacy programs in Germany. After receiving his Juris Doctor (law degree), John was an Assistant District Attorney in Canadian and Garfield County, where he tried multiple cases.
Chris Smith
Family Lawyer
Chris Smith is a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent peer-review-rated attorney that has been recognized as a Journal Record Achiever Under 40 and has been named to the Super Lawyer Rising Star list from 2014-2020 as well as the most recent issue of Super Lawyers, in addition to being identified by Best Lawyers in America in the area of Family Law.
He represents individuals located throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and the Western United States in high-conflict family law and custody litigation and appeals, and he does not shy away from complicated cases including ones that involve: highly contested custody matters, parental alienation, parental rights, sexual abuse allegations, high-stakes property division, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, family businesses, and child support.
Chris’s experience combined with his genuine compassion allows him to break down complex legal matters in a relatable way for his clients. He is a tireless advocate for parental equality and helped write 2021’s House Bill 1151 which strengthened the public policy for equal rights for parents in Oklahoma.
Outside of the office Chris is committed to multiple civic organizations, and has served on the board of Oklahoma Institute of Child Advocacy, Oklahoma Christian National Alumni Council and has been a member of the Oklahoma Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, and he serves a Senior Counselor with Oklahoma American Legion Boys State the last week of May.
Chris is the author of Faithfully: Marriage, Divorce, & Family in the 21st Century Church which is available on Amazon.
Bryan Stratton
Family Lawyer
Bryan is an experienced and dedicated attorney with expertise in a number of legal fields. If you need legal advice or representation for Oklahoma family law, Oklahoma criminal law, United States immigration law, or if you need a bankruptcy attorney, call Bryan Stratton.
Bryan earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 2002. In 2006, he finished his Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City University, and opened his own legal practice in 2007. Since then, he has helped clients from every walk of life with their legal problems.
In terms of legal certifications, Bryan is:
- A member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, the Canadian County Bar Association, the Chickasaw Bar Association, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Bar Association, allowing him to practice law throughout the state of Oklahoma and on Chickasaw, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribal land.
- A member of the Western District of Oklahoma’s U.S. District Court, giving him the ability to represent clients in federal cases..
- Qualified to practice immigration law in any court in the United States.
- Part of the Federalist Society, an organization of legal professionals and students devoted to the principles of the Constitution and to legal reform.
Ashley D. Rahill
Family Lawyer
Ashley received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2011. Ashley was recognized by the National Academy of Family Lawyers as one of the “Top 10 Under 40” in Oklahoma in 2019; 405 Magazine’s Top Family Law Attorneys in 2020; the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys as one of the “10 Best Family Law Attorneys” in Oklahoma in 2017, 2019, and 2020; and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in 2021. Since admission to the bar in 2011, Ashley has been actively involved in the Oklahoma State and County Bar Associations. She was a recipient of the Oklahoma Bar Association President’s Award in 2012 and graduated from the OBA Leadership Academy in 2014.
While in law school, Ashley served on the Dean’s Leadership Council as a student mentor for incoming first year students and was involved with the OU College of Law Criminal Defense Clinic. Ashley was a recipient of the American Jurisprudence award in Legal Research and Writing and the Scribes Legal Writing Award.
Ashley graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations and a minor in Political Science. While in undergrad, she received the Valedictorian Honor Scholarship and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Brian Putnam
Family Lawyer
The legal system can be very stressful even for experienced people. From estate planning for avoiding probate actions to criminal charges for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, you should not fight your battles alone. Everyone needs help sometime, even if just a little.
We build our practice on relationships, not just transactions. Will Rogers once said, “A stranger is just a friend I haven’t met yet.” That is how we see you, too. You are a person, not a case file. You need help…we’re here to give it because that’s what Oklahomans do.
Brian Putnam is a multi-practice attorney at law in Oklahoma City proudly rendering legal services in Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas. Mr. Putnam hails from Del City, OK where he graduated high school in 1987 and went on to be a member of the last University of Oklahoma football team to win a Big 8 championship title in 1987.
He was inducted into the Del City High School Hall of Fame in 2013 for career achievements from serving on active duty in the United States Air Force. He also received the Distinguished Alumni award from Rose State College in 2014 and is an avid supporter of the Rose State Alumni Association.
Mr. Putnam retired from service in the United States Air Force where he finished his career as the Director of Strategic Initiatives focusing on the acquisition and management of major weapon system intellectual property. He led a 15,000-member virtual organization covering three states in developing policy and business processes to standardize intellectual property management operations.
Lawrence Goodwin
Family Lawyer
I am Lawrence Goodwin, and I am a criminal defense and family law attorney in Oklahoma City. I was born and raised in this city, and enjoy working in it as well. I graduated from the Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1998. After undergraduate school, I attended OCU’s School of Law and graduated cum laude in 2003. I have memberships with the Oklahoma Bar, the Oklahoma County Bar, as well as the Phi Alpha Delta international law fraternity.
Having lived in Oklahoma City my entire life, I enjoy and am proud to represent my fellow Oklahomans and others in the courtroom. As an OKC lawyer, I pride myself on being a reliable resource for those going through some of the most difficult and challenging times in their lives. Whether you have need of Oklahoma City attorneys for representation during a family law matter or are in need of criminal defense, I enjoy aggressively defending all of my clients and their rights. I have worked a wide array of cases including, but not limited to, divorces, child custody issues, cases with the Department of Human services, and those involving all types of criminal charges. As an Oklahoma City lawyer, I seek to provide you with the information and understanding that you need in any situation related to family law or criminal defense in which you find yourself.
My vast experience in matters of both family and criminal law can help you in any specific situation with which you are faced. And if I have not experienced a case like yours, I can still help you through the meticulous preparation that I do for every single client and case. I am willing to aggressively fight for your rights and my track record of success proves my zeal for the law. There are many Oklahoma City attorneys and Oklahoma City law firms from which you can choose for representation, but I encourage you to take advantage of my offer of a free consultation at the Law Offices of Lawrence Goodwin to allow me to prove how valuable my expertise can be to you
Lateesha D. Hunter, P.C.
Family Lawyer
Lateesha Hunter is an attorney located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma whose practice consists of family law, estate planning, and personal injury. Ms. Hunter takes the time to find out what is important to her clients and to listen to their concerns. Most importantly, Ms. Hunter makes it a priority to keep her client’s best interests at the forefront of every case.
When handling a client’s case, Ms. Hunter will attempt to resolve matters in a peaceful and cost-effective manner by skillfully negotiating a favorable result for her client. However, if the opposing party is unreasonable or unwilling to participate in negotiations, Ms. Hunter is fully prepared to fight for a just result in the courtroom.
Ms. Hunter completed the Oklahoma Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute in 2016. In addition, she has received a Lead Counsel Rating from LawInfo for the past four years. In 2008, Ms. Hunter graduated from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in political science and general business. In 2011, she received her Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law.
How Summer Vacation Can Affect Child Custody Agreements
Summer vacation can significantly impact child custody agreements, as it often requires adjustments to the regular custody schedule. Here’s how summer vacation can affect these arrangements:
1. Extended Visitation Periods
- Non-Custodial Parent Time: Many custody agreements include provisions for the non-custodial parent to have extended visitation during summer vacation. This period can range from a few weeks to the entire summer, depending on the agreement.
- Adjustments to Routine: The extended time may require adjustments to the child’s usual routine, including changes in location, daily activities, and time spent with the custodial parent.
2. Vacation Plans
- Coordination Between Parents: Both parents may wish to take the child on vacation during the summer. The custody agreement should outline how vacation time is divided, including the need for advance notice and approval from the other parent.
- Impact on Regular Visitation: Vacation plans can temporarily override the regular visitation schedule, requiring flexibility and cooperation between parents to ensure the child’s best interests are maintained.
3. Modifications to Custody Agreement
- Temporary Changes: Some custody agreements include clauses that allow for temporary changes during the summer, such as swapping weekends or extending weekday visits.
- Permanent Modifications: In some cases, parents may seek to modify the custody agreement permanently to better accommodate summer schedules, particularly if one parent relocates or if the child’s needs change.
4. School and Extracurricular Activities
- Summer School: If the child is enrolled in summer school or other educational programs, custody arrangements may need to be adjusted to ensure that both parents can support the child’s academic progress.
- Extracurricular Activities: Participation in summer camps, sports, or other activities can also affect the custody schedule, requiring careful planning and communication between parents.
5. Communication and Cooperation
- Effective Communication: Successful navigation of summer custody arrangements requires open and effective communication between parents. This includes discussing plans, being flexible, and prioritizing the child’s well-being.
- Dispute Resolution: If disagreements arise, some custody agreements include dispute resolution mechanisms, such as mediation, to help parents resolve conflicts without going to court.
6. Legal Considerations
- Court Approval: Significant changes to a custody agreement during the summer may require court approval, particularly if one parent objects to the changes.
- State Laws: The impact of summer vacation on custody agreements can vary by state, so it’s important to consult with a family law attorney to understand your rights and obligations.
In summary, summer vacation can lead to adjustments in child custody agreements, including extended visitation periods, vacation plans, and modifications to the regular schedule. Effective communication and cooperation between parents are key to ensuring that these changes are managed in the best interests of the child.