Grapevine

Grapevine News

Twelve McAfee & Taft lawyers –nine from the firm’s OklahomaCityofficeandthreefromTulsa–werenamedto the inaugural list The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch. This honorrecognizes attorneys who have demonstrated outstanding professionalexcellenceearlierintheircareers, withthemajority of recipients having been in private practice for 5 –9 years. Recognition by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch is based entirely on peer review and employs the same methodology as the publisher’snamesakepublication, The Best Lawyers in America, whichmadeitsdebutin1981. Attorneys named to the 2021 inaugural list, as well as thepracticeareasinwhichtheyhavebeenrecognized, are: • Elizabeth Bowersox (labor and employment law –management; laborandemploymentlitigation) • J.D. Brown(transportationlaw) • Philip R. Bruce(laborandemploymentlaw–management; laborandemploymentlitigation) • Judy Burdg(employeebenefits/ERISAlaw) • John R. Chubbuck(transportationlaw) • Jacob S. Crawford (labor and employment law –management) • Alex Duncan (commercial litigation; securities litigation; white-collarcriminaldefense)· • Paige Hoster Good (labor and employment law –management; laborandemploymentlitigation) • Danae V. Grace (business organizations; closely held companies and family business law; corporate governance andcompliancelaw;corporatelaw;mergersandacquisitions law) • Allison C. McGrew(transportationlaw) • Jason A. McVicker(commerciallitigation) • Patrick L. Stein (commercial litigation; energy law; environmentallitigation)

Best Lawyers lists are compiled using Purely Peer Review™ methodology. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers publicationsareconsideredasingularhonor.

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The Oklahoma Center for

Community and Justice (OCCJ)

accepted Conner & Winters lawyer, Hayley N. Stephens,intoits2020cohort of the Inclusive Leadership Institute. This three-day, immersive training develops leaders who are informed and want to challenge diversity, creating a moreinclusiveworkplace. “Hayley is an exceptional lawyer and has served the Tulsa community through many organizations. I’mveryproudoftheworkshe’salreadydoneatthefirmthrough our diversity and recruiting committees, and I look forward to hearing her recommendations on how we can improve after she completes the program,” said Scott Hathaway, president of Conner&Winters. Stephenswasselectedthroughacompetitiveapplication process and will join 20-30 participants from the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas. Participants will gain a tool kit for addressing diversity in personal and professional settings, build upon their six characteristics of inclusive leadership (commitment, courage, cognizance of bias, curiosity, cultural intelligence, and collaboration,) and gain the ability to be an advocatefordiversityandinclusion. “Thefirm’semphasisondiversity, equity, andinclusion ispartofwhatdrewmetoConner&Winters,andIhavestrivedto enhancethefirm’sdiversityandinclusiveatmosphereduringmy tenurehere.I’mexcitedtocontinuedeepeningmyunderstanding ofthe connectionbetweeninclusionandorganizationalsuccess, thus, driving Conner & Winters forward in offering a more equitable environment, and enabling me to better assist clients withtheirowndiversityandinclusioninitiatives,”saidStephens. Stephens joined Conner & Winters in 2015 as an associate immediately after law school. She primarily focuses her practice on commercial litigation and labor & employment law matters. She also serves on the firm’s diversity, business development, and recruitment committees, as well as assists withplanningeventsforthefirm’sConnectingWomeninitiative. Stephens was recently named to the inaugural Best Lawyers®: OnestoWatchlistfor2021. Outside ofthe office, she serves as aboardmemberfor YouthServices ofTulsa. Stephens also enjoys spendingherfree timewithherbelovedpuppies, practicingyoga, andtravelingas herbusyscheduleallows. StephensearnedherJurisDoctordegreefromVanderbilt UniversityLawSchoolin2015andgraduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas in 2011 where she studied economics, politicalscience, andAfricanAmericanstudies.