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Grapevine News

Conner & Winters, LLP, today announced C. Austin Birnie as the firm’s newest partner. Since joining the firm in 2014, Birnie has developed a practice in American Indian/Native American law, which includes litigation on behalf of Tribes in federal, tribal, and state courts, as well as transactional matters with an emphasis on Indian country financings and gaming developments. He also maintains an active general commercial litigation practice, serving clients across a broad range of industries, including banking, energy, and real estate, with a particular focus on trusts and estates disputes. “It is an honor and a privilege to join the ranks of the partnership at Conner & Winters,” said Birnie. “The firm has given me so many generous opportunities to develop as a lawyer. The ability to collaborate with attorneys from our many diverse practice groups has greatly enriched my own practice. This is especially true in our American Indian/Native American group, where I have brought my litigation experience to several high-profile cases, and have expanded my practice into transactional matters such as gaming and tribal financings. Recently, this work has included coordinating and handling all aspects of a major financing of a new casino resort.” “Austin is such a valued team member in the firm through his American Indian/Native American law and litigation work. He is a highly talented attorney, and we are proud of him,” said Scott Hathaway, president of Conner & Winters. Birnie earned his law degree from the Duke University School of Law in 2014 and received a B.A. cum laude in economics and philosophy from the University of Chicago in 2009. While in law school, he served as lead editor for the Duke Journal of Comparative & International Law, interned for the Honorable Sam Glasscock, Vice Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery, and worked for a boutique firm that specializes in high stakes corporate litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery and Delaware Supreme Court. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Tulsa County Bar Association and the Tulsa Opera, and maintains an active membership with the Oklahoma Bar Association and Tulsa County Bar Association. recognized Indian tribes. In addition, as a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Mr. Shores was appointed as Chair of the Native American Issues Subcommittee charged with developing and guiding national policy for Indian Country justice. He also served as the National Security Cyber Specialist and worked closely with the Joint Terrorism Task Force to investigate and prosecute cybercrimes and domestic terrorism. Throughout his career, including during his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Mr. Shores personally tried complex cases in federal district court and argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He has also testified at the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs regarding public safety policies in Indian country, led a presidential task force investigating systemic problems within the Indian Health Service, and negotiated international human rights resolutions at the United Nations. Mr. Shores is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, Indian Law Section, and is admitted to the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Oklahoma, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. He graduated with a B.A. in political science from Vanderbilt University and received his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma. He is also a graduate of Leadership Tulsa Class 56. “I am proud to join such a highly esteemed law firm. GableGotwals’ reputation as a great civic and community partner underscored for me why it was the right fit,” Trent Shores said, “I look forward to using my experience in litigation, Native American law, corporate investigations, and cybersecurity to further enhance the Firm’s offerings. There is no better place to begin the next phase of my legal career.” Dean Luthey, chair of GableGotwals’ Native American and Gaming Practice, said “I am excited to call Trent Shores one of my shareholders and I look forward to working with him. His experience managing government relationships with federally recognized tribes and his work advising on various issues including tribal gaming, white-collar crime, domestic violence, hunting and fishing treaty rights, community policing, and homeland security is a true asset.”

Following nearly 18 successful years serving with the United States Department of Justice, Trent Shores will join GableGotwals as a shareholder. He will officially start with the Firm on March 29, 2021. The former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma was the chief federal law enforcement officer responsible for all federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation in the Northern District, an area covering 11 counties, including 13 federally As part of its commitment to enhance diversity within the legal profession, Crowe & Dunlevy has added an externship component to the firm’s Diversity Scholars Program. The externship opportunity is open to first year law students who are recipients of the firm’s Diversity Scholars Program and is designed to provide practical experience, mentorship and academic credit. The program is open to students at Oklahoma City University School of Law, the University of Oklahoma College of Law and the University of Tulsa College of Law. Crowe & Dunlevy’s Diversity Scholars Program also includes scholarships awarded annually to outstanding law

students based on academic achievement, financial need and commitment to the law. Recipients can receive up to $10,000 during their law school tenure based on satisfactory progress and performance. Since the firm’s Diversity Scholars Program was established, more than $250,000 in scholarships have been awarded to exemplary law students. For more information about the Diversity Scholars Program, visit crowedunlevy.com/about-us/diversity.

Rhodes Hieronymus Jones Tucker and Gable, PLLC announced the addition of Lindsey Kaiser and Curtis Kaiser to the Tulsa location 2 West 2nd Street, Suite 1000, Williams Tower II, Tulsa, OK.

Lindsey graduated from the University of Oklahoma Magna Cum Laude with a degree in international business. She received her law degree from the University of Oklahoma college of Law. Lindsey has extensive experience in community association law as well as defense of insurance matters. Curtis brings with him over 35 years of experience in real estate transactions, real estate title work and community law. During the last 25 years his primary focus has been estate planning, probate and community association law. Curtis has worked closely with developers, boards of directors and property managers serving condominium and neighborhood associations. He is a graduate of the University of Tulsa College of Law. Contact info@rhodesokla.com.

Matlock Sharrock Stall

Rhodes Hieronymus Jones Tucker and Gable, PLLC announced the relocation of their Oklahoma City office to 1001 NW 63rd Street, Suite 280, Oklahoma City, OK. With the addition of office space, we welcome Malinda Matlock and Elizabeth Sharrock as Partners and Joseph Stall as an Associate. Malinda’s experience is diverse in professional Liability (Medical, Legal, A&E, E&O, D&O), Employment Litigation, Sexual Misconduct, Premise Liability, Transportation, Bad Faith Insurance claims and Coverage disputes. She was peer selected as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer for 10+ years and is recognized as one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators. Elizabeth specializes in professional liability, employment law, premise liability and general civil litigation. She is a 2017 Best Lawyers inductee, serves on the Rockin G Equine Sanctuary board and makes her home in the Oklahoma City area. Joe Stall, likewise, lives in the Oklahoma City area and is experienced in complex litigation matters, including transportation, product liability, employment, medical negligence and construction. Contact info@rhodesokla.com.

Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold is pleased to announce that Brian J. Kuester, Emily C. Krukowski, and Samanthia S. Marshall have joined the firm. Mr. Kuester joins the firm as of counsel. He was admitted to the Oklahoma bar in 2000. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Central Missouri (B.S. 1990), and his law degree is from the University of Tulsa College of Law (J.D., with highest honor, 2000). Prior to joining the firm Mr. Kuester had served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma since September 2017. As the district’s top federal law enforcement official he led the law enforcement community in preparation for the unprecedented criminal jurisdiction shift ushered in by the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic McGirt decision. Mr. Kuester will focus his efforts in the areas of education and municipal law and litigation. Ms. Krukowski joins the firm as of counsel. Ms. Krukowski is licensed to practice in Oklahoma and Missouri. Her undergraduate degree is from Marquette University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2011), and her law degree is from the University of Tulsa College of Law (J.D., with highest honor, 2014). While in law school, Ms. Krukowski served on the Tulsa Law Review as an Articles Research Editor and was inducted into the Order of the Curule Chair. Ms. Krukowski is an active member of the Junior League of Tulsa and the Council Oak/Johnson-Sontag Chapter of the American Inns of Court. Ms. Krukowski’s practice is focused primarily on research and writing at all stages of litigation in the areas of education, employment, and municipal law. Ms. Marshall joins the firm as a shareholder and director. She was admitted to the Oklahoma bar in 2009 and previously practiced with the firm from 2009 to 2014. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Southern California (B.A., cum laude, 2001), and her law degree is from the University of Tulsa College of Law (J.D., with highest honor, 2009). While in law school, Ms. Marshall served as the Editorin-Chief of the Tulsa Law Review. Ms. Marshall has been included in Oklahoma Super Lawyers’ list of “Rising Stars” and in Best Lawyers in America. Ms. Marshall is a graduate of Leadership Tulsa, a past president of The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, and a former board member for the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association. She concentrates her practice on providing daily guidance and litigation support to educational institutions and on representing both public and private employers in all areas of employment law and litigation.