Helton Law Firm

Attorney Scott R. Helton

Scott is a business and estate planning attorney with 20 years of experience assisting clients in the Northeastern Oklahoma area. Scott practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions and general business transactional matters, complex estate planning, probates, trust administration and litigation, and real estate title and transaction matters. Scott enjoys advising business owners and their families on many important areas of the law including asset protection, business succession planning, buy/sell agreements, shareholder agreements, mergers and acquisitions, employment matters and compliance issues.

When he's not in the office working for his clients, Scott loves to enjoy the outdoors and exploring grand open places. Scott, his wife Carrie, and their three children have hiked and camped in twenty-three National Parks around the country and try to add one or two more each year. 

Bar Admissions:

• Oklahoma, 2003
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Oklahoma, 2003
• U.S. District Court Western District of Oklahoma, 2003
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma, 2003
• U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2003

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Bar Association (Member)
• Tulsa County Bar Association (Member)
• Oklahoma Bar Association (Member)

Education:

• University of Tulsa College of Law, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 2003
  • J.D.
  • Honors: With Honors
  • Law Review: Energy Law Journal, Editor
• Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, Oklahoma, 2000
  • B.S.
  • Major: Secondary Education

Honors and Awards:

• Recipient of the Maurice Merrill Golden Quill Award
• Super Lawyers

Attorney Tara M.Penick

Tara M. Penick practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, trust administration, real estate transactions, and non-emergency adult and minor guardianships. She attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University to obtain her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and went on to attend and Graduate Law School at Oklahoma City University School of Law for her Juris Doctorate. Tara's goal as an attorney is to bring compassion and understanding to her clients as she helps them navigate a loss and/or set up their legacy through her Estate Planning Practice. Tara is married to her wonderful spouse, Brian Penick, with whom she shares two beautiful children with. Tara and Brian attend Together We Church in Yukon, Oklahoma and are active members in the congregation. Tara greatly enjoys reading, the outdoors, camping, running and working out, and spending as much time as she can with the Lord, her family, and treasured friends.

Bar Admissions:

• State of Oklahoma
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Oklahoma
• U.S. District Court Western District of Oklahoma
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma

Education:

• Oklahoma City University School of Law, OKC, Oklahoma
  • Juris Doctorate (J.D.), 2020
• Southwestern Oklahoma State University
  • Major: English Literature
  • Minor-Political Science

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Oklahoma Bar Association
• Oklahoma County Bar Association

Current Employment Position:

• Of Counsel 

Attorney Whitney Cox

Whitney is a transactional attorney with over a decade of experience supporting clients in Oklahoma.  Whitney has owned, operated, purchased, and sold businesses; worked as in-house counsel for a national real estate auction firm; and has worked as an associate in a mid-size law firm in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Her unique background gives her the ability to examine opportunities and problems from the perspective of both a client and an attorney.  She has a talent for identifying potential issues and providing creative, but practical solutions.  Whitney practices in the areas of commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and general business advisement.

Whitney spends her free time with her husband, child, and goldendoodle. Whitney and her family enjoy traveling, exploring the great outdoors, and discovering the hidden treasures of their local community.  When she isn’t with clients or family, you can find Whitney at the gym boxing, reading a book at a local coffee shop, or working in her garden. 

Education: 

• University of Tulsa College of Law, Tulsa, Oklahoma - J.D. 2011
• University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas - B.A. 2008, Major: Psychology, Minor: Philosophy

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Oklahoma Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Women In Law

Current Employment Position

• Of Counsel

Attorney Samantha Oard

Samantha earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sports Media from Oklahoma State University. After graduating from OSU, she attended Oklahoma City University School of Law for her Juris Doctor, graduating with honors. Prior to joining Helton Law Firm, Samantha held various positions in both the federal and State governments working as an intelligence analyst and operational support technician for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and as an assistant attorney general for the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office.

In her free time, Samantha enjoys cheering on the OSU Cowboys and playing pickleball with friends. Samantha is also very active in her church and volunteers as a youth leader where she leads a junior and senior girls’ small group. Samantha is an active member of her sorority and several professional organizations and loves to give back to the community by donating her time and talents to the causes she cares deeply about.

at a local coffee shop,or working in her garden. 

Education: 

• Oklahoma City University School of Law, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Juris Doctor (2019)
• Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma – Bachelor of Arts (2016)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Federal Bar Association, Tulsa Lawyers Chapter
• The Federalist Society, Tulsa Lawyers Chapter
• Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society, Hand Inn
• Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society, Hand Inn
• Phi Mu Fraternity, Epsilon Nu Chapter

Bar Admission:

• Oklahoma
• United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit 
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
• United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma

Honors and Awards:

• Cherokee Nation Outstanding Scholar
• CALI Award, Tribal Law
• Oklahoma Bar Foundation Chapman-Rogers Scholar

Attorney Blake Cantrell

Blake is a business and commercial transactions attorney with over a decade of experience in a variety of corporate areas. Blake’s career has primarily been focused on corporate governance and transactional matters in his capacity as an entrepreneur and start-up business owner. After launching and rapidly scaling his first entrepreneurial venture, a food delivery company based in Norman, he successfully negotiated the acquisition and sale of his company to GrubHub, Inc. Later, he served as General Counsel and Chief Executive Officer of a multi-unit retail business based in OKC, overseeing the expansion of the business to 6 locations across Oklahoma, and managing 70+ employees. During his time as General Counsel, he also established the company as an FTC-compliant franchisor, with multiple franchisee entities operating under the corporate brand. Most recently, Blake has the distinct honor of guiding young future entrepreneurs in his capacity as a Professor of Entrepreneurship & Law at the University of Oklahoma. 

Blake and his wife Devon met at TU Law and recently celebrated the arrival of their first son. After living several years in Boulder, CO, Blake and his wife often visit Colorado to hike in the summers and snowboard in the winters. In his free time, Blake enjoys traveling, playing with their Bernese Mountain Dogs, boating on Grand Lake, golfing, and attending Oklahoma Sooners football games in Norman.

Education: 

• University of Tulsa College of Law, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Juris Doctor with Honors - 2011
• University of Tulsa Collins College of Business, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Master of Business Administration - 2011
• University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, Bachelor of Business Administration - 2004

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honors Society, Rogers Inn
• American Inns of Court, Hudson-Hall-Wheaton Chapter
• Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) Food Safety Standards Board (2021-2022), Chairperson, Advisory Board
• Oklahoma Cannabis Industry Association (2020-Present), President, Board of Directors

Bar Admission

• Colorado
• Oklahoma

Honors and Awards:

• Tulsa Law Review, Editor

Current Employment Position

• Of Counsel

Attorney Colleen M. Morris

Colleen is a litigator and practices in the areas of estate and trust disputes, complex commercial litigation and real estate matters. Colleen has several years’ experience fighting for her clients in the courtroom and resolving cases in multiple states. Colleen is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated in 2011 Cum Laude from Duquesne University with her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. She also graduated from Oral Roberts University in 2014 Summa Cum Laude with her Master of Arts and Master of Divinity. During her final year of graduate school, she was named Overall Outstanding Student and served as the graduate department Student Body President. Colleen then graduated from Loyola University Chicago School of Law with her Juris Doctorate. Colleen also has extensive experience in worker’s compensation and insurance defense and is currently admitted to practice law in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Tennessee.

Colleen has been married for over ten years to her husband, Adam, and together they share two daughters. During her free time, Colleen enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time with her family and friends.

Education: 

• Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, Juris Doctorate - 2020
• Duquesne University, B.A., Major: International Relations, Minor: French
• Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK, Master of Arts, Major: Master of Divinity

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Allegheny County Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Institute
• Inns of Court, 2020-2021
• Knoxville Bar Association, 2021 to 2022
• Tennessee Bar Association, 2021 to 2022

Bar Admission

• Tennessee, 2021
• Pennsylvania, 2022
• New Jersey, 2022
• Oklahoma, 2023

Attorney Joe D. Byars Jr.

Joe Byars is an experienced litigator and trial attorney with 35 years of experience assisting clients in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas with complex legal disputes. Joe has extensive experience litigating a range of matters including complex business and commercial cases, probate estate and trust disputes, employment claims, major personal injury cases, real estate matters, and partner disputes. Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Baylor University in 1985 and his Juris Doctor at the University of Arkansas in 1988. Joe's decision to become an attorney was spurred by his passion for service. He has always been one to stand up for others, particularly those who are at a disadvantage. Joe treats each of his clients with respect and compassion and makes a point to give each case the time, effort, and research that it deserves.

Joe is admitted to practice in all state courts throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, as well as several U.S. district courts, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Education: 

• University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Leflar Law Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas, J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 00/1988
• Baylor University, Waco, Texas, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration - 1985

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Bar Association
• Dallas Bar Association
• State Bar of Texas

Bar Admission

• Arkansas, 1995
• Texas, 1988
• Oklahoma, 2019
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas
• U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit

Attorney Bethany Turney

Bethany practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, real estate and commercial transactions, and business services. Bethany earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oklahoma. Bethany loves practicing in areas of the law that allow her to help clients work through difficult situations by providing confident and responsive advice and service throughout the entire process. 

In her free time, Bethany enjoys spending time with her husband Brandon and their dog Odin. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, volunteering with her church, going to OU Football games, and baking.

Education: 

• University of Oklahoma College of Law, Norman, Oklahoma, Juris Doctor
• University of Oklahoma, Major: Political Science

Attorney  John S. Farley, III

John is an experienced litigator and trial lawyer who handles a variety of complex civil litigation matters, including contract disputes, banking, construction, wrongful death, personal injury, quiet titles, oil & gas, foreclosures, partnership disputes, Osage Headright probates, easement and boundary disputes, securities litigation, evictions, and real property litigation. John is the recipient of multiple TopVerdict awards, including the Top 50 Truck Accident Jury Verdicts in the United States in 2019 (No. 29) and Top 100 Motor Accident Jury Verdicts in the United States in 2019 (No. 60).

In addition to his work in litigation, John assists businesses and individuals with a wide array of transactional matters, including title examination, estate planning, mergers and acquisitions, real estate sales, trademarking, business formation & structuring, contract drafting, and tax avoidance strategies. Before beginning his legal career, John worked in tax accounting at a Fortune 500 company and served in an upper management role for a multi-state legal software and service company based in Missouri.

When John is not in the office working for his clients, you can often find him enjoying carpentry, hunting, or spending time with his wife, Kambree, and their children.

Education: 

• University of Tulsa College of Law, Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • J.D.
  • Honors: Highest Honors
  • Law Review: Tulsa Law Review, Executive I.T. Editor
• University of Oklahoma
  • B.B.A.
  • Major: Accounting
  • Minor: Management Information Systems and English Writing

Bar Admissions:

• • Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
  • Osage Nation Tribal Court

Attorney Scott R. Helton

James is an experienced litigator and trial attorney, with a track record of successfully representing clients across a diverse array of practice areas. In his career, James has practiced in the areas of commercial litigation, probate (contested and uncontested), family and domestic disputes, insurance defense, personal injury, criminal defense, property disputes, and more. He began his career as an assistant district attorney, before moving into private practice. James enjoys leveraging his broad experience to develop individual solutions to the problems his clients are facing. Indeed, James sees the practice of law as a vehicle for helping clients find creative solutions to their problems. Born in Oklahoma but raised around the country, James earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa, where he earned membership in the coveted Order of Barristers for his skill as an oral advocate.

He is also a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in political science. 

When he is not in the office or in the courtroom, James enjoys spending his free time with his wife and child. He enjoys camping and is a voracious reader. 

Bar Admissions:

• Oklahoma
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Oklahoma
• U.S. District Court Western District of Oklahoma

Education:

• University of Tulsa College of Law, Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Juris Doctorate
  • National Trial Competition Team, The Order of Barristers

• Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• • Bachelor of Science
  • Major: Political Science
  • Minor: Theology

Attorney Kaylee Lewis

Kaylee is a dedicated legal professional who earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law, graduating with honors. She also holds a dual bachelor’s degree in business administration (Pre-Law) and Marketing from Oklahoma State University. Currently awaiting the results of the Oklahoma Bar Exam, Kaylee is eager to put her passion for the law into practice.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Kaylee enjoys spending quality time with her family and pets, hosting game nights with friends, and exploring new spots around Tulsa. She also loves reading and being outdoors whenever she gets the chance.

Education:

• University of Tulsa College of Law
  
  • Juris Doctor
  • Honors: With Honors
• Oklahoma State University
  
  • Business Administration (Pre-Law) and Marketing 

Current Employment Position:

• Attorney

Attorney Patrick H. Kernan

Patrick H. Kernan is Of Counsel with the Helton Law Firm.  He has been in the active practice of law in Oklahoma since 1975.  He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Business Administration and earned his Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University, graduating in the top 10% of his law school class. He is permitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Oklahoma, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Kernan has focused his law practice on civil litigation, business contract law, estate planning, and probate law.  He has tried more than 80 cases to verdict in state and federal courts dealing with trust & estate disputes, commercial transactions, business torts, bad faith insurance claims, oil & gas, securities fraud, fiduciary claims, and personal injury litigation.  In addition, Mr. Kernan has represented the Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners for over forty (40) years and in such capacity has tried over 150 administrative cases before the Board of Bar Examiners related to character & fitness of individuals who have made applications to practice law in Oklahoma.