About Andrea
Mine be the conscience void of blame. The upright heart, the spotless name. The tribute of the widow’s pray’r. The righted orphan’s grateful tear! To virtue and her friends a friend. Still may my voice the weak defend! Ne’er may my prostitued tongue Protect th’ oppressor in his wrong. On me my favouring Heaven bestow That peace which good men only know Power, fame and riches i resign The praise of honesty be mine That friends may weep, the worthy sigh And poor men bless me when i die
an excerpt from William Blackstone’s “The Lawyer’s Prayer”
From the moment I read this prayer, it spoke to my soul. Everyday, I begin with thanks for the work I am able to enjoy and my clients whom I am blessed to be able to assist during their most stressful times. I hope I am a light in their life, a calmer of their legal storm and a true advocate to their legal needs.
I never imagined I would be a criminal defense attorney. In fact, I thought I would be a human rights attorney or a prosecutor. I would not have guessed my calling was defense work but I am glad I was wrong because I love what I do. I am extremely passionate about my work and my clients’ best interests. I consider it a privilege to help those in the most vulnerable of legal situations.
I began my legal journey at the University of Oklahoma School of Law focusing on constitutional law and my career path at the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office prosecuting misdemeanors. After working for the State, I started my law office and my eyes were opened to the other side of the story. I realized the need for highly ethical, compassionate, passionate, empathetic, involved, knowledgeable, respectable criminal defense attorneys. It made sense to me that those who were looking at the possibility of losing their freedom needed someone who would really take the time to know their story, their case and the law.
As my criminal defense experience grew, I realized these stories sometimes include addiction and illness and often these things lead to criminal behavior. This reality ignited an interest in me to learn more about addiction and mental illness, which is in part why I have continuously served as defense counsel for the Anna McBride Mental Health Court and offer my services to those involuntarily committed to mental hospitals and in DHS custody. Serving others is genuinely why I do what I do.
Education:
- University of Central Oklahoma, B.A. in Political Science, minors in Criminal Justice and Communications
- University of Oklahoma, J.D.
