Areas of Practice

  • Clients often assume that a case is finished once the Judge issues his or her final order in that matter. While that may sometimes be the case, it is very common for the losing party to file an appeal in an attempt to have the Judge’s final ruling overturned. Appellate practice is very different from trial practice and requires an experienced team of attorneys to navigate the appellate system. This involves reviewing the entirety of the case, all evidence and briefing presented, and presenting that information to the Court of Civil Appeals in a digestible, persuasive manner. Our team of litigation attorneys have experience successfully carrying the matter to its true finish line through the appellate courts.

    Successful Appellate Matters:

    • Siemens Financial Services, Inc. v. MTG Guarneri Mfg., 269 P.3d 36 (Okla. Civ. App. 2011).

    • Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. v. BancFirst, 2011 OK CIV APP 111, 264 P.3d 1262.

    • Deal v. Brooks, 2016 OK 123 (Okla. 2016).

    • Oil Valley Petroleum, LLC v. Moore, _____ OK _____ (Okla. 2021).

  • Our firm has a rich history of bank representation. From foreclosures to drafting complex loan documents to helping take BancFirst public in the 1990’s, Stuart & Clover has assisted various banks in every facet of banking law. With the addition of Randy Gordon as partner in 2021, our firm has added collections and creditor’s rights to our menu of bank representation services. The following is an overview of our banking law experience and offerings:

    • Residential and Commercial Foreclosures: Our firm’s expertise in title work has assisted us in creating forms and practice guides to ensure a seamless case from start to finish.

    • Specialized knowledge in complex loan document drafting and advisory services.

    • Full-service collections practice with an eye towards compliance in every step of the process.

    • Interactive client portal where all documents, invoices, and calendars are available 24/7 to the client.

    • Real-time access for debtors to directly communicate with an attorney acting on your behalf to set up payment arrangements for debt.

    • Cost-saving measures for debt repayment by debtors at the beginning of the file opening.

  • Everyone experiences estate planning issues at some point in their life, either for themselves or a loved one. Whether it is ensuring that your family is provided for in the event of your passing or dealing with the death of a family member, we have the resources and expertise to help you navigate the process. From the most complex wealth preservation and business succession plans to a simple will, proper preparation is important and personal. We believe every situation is unique and requires individual attention and not the “one size fits most” approach you will find on the internet or at other firms. Our firm’s goal in estate planning is to make this complex subject understandable to our clients, and assist them in making the best choice for their family.

    Available Services:

    • Individualized, tailored estate plans that meet your needs and your budget, including

    • Wills

    • Transfer on Death Deeds

    • Trusts

    • Durable Power of Attorney

    • Advanced Healthcare Directive

    • Medical Power of Attorney

    • Guardianship Designation

    • Real Estate Transfers

    • Trust administration and advisory roles, including serving as the trustee for various trusts

    • Wealth preservation and management

    • Corporate estate planning

    • Litigation representation for contested estate matters and complex estate litigation

  • Government Entities must operate as businesses but require special expertise to navigate the transparency requirements mandated by law. Whether it is open meeting, open records, or competitive bidding requirements, we have the experience and knowledge to keep the government moving at the speed of business. Our attorney diversity also ensures a high level of specialization no matter the issue facing your municipality, political subdivision, or political trust.

    Our Government Entities Services:

    • General representation and advisement for multiple municipalities in our region.

    • Representation of municipalities in tort-claim litigation.

    • Municipal contract reviews and negotiations.

    • Formation and governance of multiple political subdivisions and public trusts.

    • Compliance guidance for open meetings, open records, and competitive bidding issues.

  • Business law deals with the creation of new businesses and the issues that arise as existing businesses interact with the public, other companies, and the government. Business law attorneys specialize in transactional work and are often hired for the purpose of avoiding future litigation. Our experience and approach are highlighted by the following:

    • Handling a wide variety of business law matters including the formation of business entities, preparation of business agreements and contracts, negotiating business transactions, and assistance in the record keeping of the business.

    • Handling mergers and acquisitions, as well as the purchase and sale of businesses. This includes the sale of single-member family operations to multi-million-dollar companies.

    • Assistance with both State and Federal compliance.

    • Serving as the registered service for entities, providing peace of mind that important notices and legal documents do not slip through the cracks.

  • Our collaborative approach is what sets our firm’s litigation team apart from other firms. Litigation is never a “one size fits all” approach here. Each matter is staffed and strategized as a team, with valuable input from all members. We believe this approach is the foundation to the successful outcomes we achieve for our clients. We pride ourselves in seeking to act in our client’s best interest, whether that is seeking settlement or litigating the case through trial.

    Our litigation services:

    • Civil and commercial litigation representation for matters including contract law, corporate law, torts, interpleader, oil and gas, real property, injunctive relief, and municipal law, among others.

    • Attorneys licensed to practice in state, federal, appellate, and some tribal courts.

    • Alternative dispute resolution representation, both pre- and post-suit, including mediation and arbitration (FINRA, AAA, ICSID, LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL).

  • Our litigation services:

    • Civil and commercial litigation representation for matters including contract law, corporate law, torts, interpleader, oil and gas, real property, injunctive relief, and municipal law, among others.

    • Attorneys licensed to practice in state, federal, appellate, and some tribal courts.

    • Alternative dispute resolution representation, both pre- and post-suit, including mediation and arbitration (FINRA, AAA, ICSID, LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL).

    James T. Stuart
    Jim has 43 years of experience in civil litigation, real property, and estate planning and is a Certified Mediator. His expertise in these areas lends him unique mediation skills that can facilitate settlement.

    • $325/Hour With a 3-Hour Minimum

    Joe Vorndran
    Joe’s practice has focused on commercial and civil litigation, corporate entities, banking law, and municipal and public trust representation and is a Certified Mediator. His knowledge regarding these practice areas leads to successful mediation experiences. He is skilled in devising creative strategies to resolve issues.

    • $325/Hour With a 3-Hour Minimum

    Breanne Gordon
    Breanne has centered her practice on commercial and civil litigation, corporate entities, banking law, and estate planning and is a Certified Mediator. She has dynamic problem-solving skillsets that are perfectly matched to a mediation setting.

    • $300/Hour With a 3-Hour Minimum

  • After the death of a loved one, the last thing you want to think about is meeting with an attorney and going to court. Our firm is here to assist you with that emotional process, and take the burden off your shoulders. Our compassionate probate attorneys guide you through the probate process with empathy and professionalism.

    Our probate services:

    • Intestate and testate probate proceeds, summary probates, and ancillary probates

    • Affidavits of Surviving Joint Tenants

    • Sale of real estate and personal property from a probate

    • Distribution of property from an estate

    • Inventorying of an estate

    • Assistance with mineral interests and division orders

  • Whether it is dealing with a fence line dispute, addressing a title defect, or drafting a simple deed, our firm has the experience to help. We oftentimes see clients attempt to tackle real estate issues themselves, which results in litigation and costly cleanup work on the backend. With our firm’s decades of real property experience, we can assist you with any real property issues.

    Our firm is involved with, and has experience in, all aspects of real property, as illustrated below:

    • Representation of individuals, banks, businesses, and utilities in all types of real property matters, including sales, purchases, rights-of-way issues, loans and foreclosures, title issues, damage claims, zoning and land use, agricultural issues and more.

    • Extensive experience with drafting deeds, contracts for sale, rights-of-way and leases.

    • Quiet title and partition litigation

    • Review of abstract and preparation of title opinions

    • Representation in disputes involving landowners, easements holders, and lessees/lessors.

    • Surface damage issues and compensation

    • An efficient approach to staffing and task management

    • A collaborative team approach that fosters the free exchange of ideas and techniques while promoting responsiveness to the client through multiple points of contact.

    • Familiarity with title opinions, their interpretation, and their interplay with real property issues

    • Attorneys licensed in all state and federal courts in Oklahoma and Texas.