ATTORNEY GENERAL DREW EDMONDSON TURNS TO PRIVATE PRACTICE WITH GABLEGOTWALS AFTER TERM ENDS

 

Attorney General Drew Edmondson today announced he will join the law firm of GableGotwals as a shareholder in the firm’s Oklahoma City office after his term in public office ends in January 2011. Edmondson has served as the state’s attorney general since his election in 1994 and served as the president of the National Association of Attorneys General from 2002-2003.

“Drew Edmondson has been a powerful and principled force as Oklahoma’s attorney general,” said David Keglovits, GableGotwals president. “We are excited about bringing his talents to bear on behalf of our clients.”

During his term, Edmondson was one of eight attorneys general asked to serve on the negotiating team for states involved in a multi-billion dollar lawsuit filed against the tobacco industry. The suit resulted in a national settlement in excess of $200 billion with the industry and will bring more than $2 billion to Oklahoma over a 25 year period.

Under his leadership, the attorney general’s office has helped reform the death penalty appeals process, established victims’ services and vigorously represented rate payers in telephone, gas and electric rate cases. On his watch, the attorney general’s office finally ended the Battles prison case, the Terry D. juvenile justice case and the Hissom class action lawsuit. He was instrumental in creating the constitutional Technology Trust  and the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust.

“Although it will be hard to leave public service after 16 years in office, I look forward to working in private practice,” Edmondson said. “I could not be more excited to become a shareholder in a firm that has such a great reputation and long history of serving public and private companies and individuals throughout the United States.”

Before his election as attorney general, Edmondson was elected, unopposed, to three consecutive terms as Muskogee County District Attorney in 1982, 1986 and 1990. He served as president of the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association and was selected as Outstanding District Attorney for the State of Oklahoma in 1985 and the Outstanding Death Penalty Prosecutor in the 9th and 10th Circuits.

Edmondson served one term in the Oklahoma Legislature before entering the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1976. His undergraduate teaching degree is from Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, which he attended after graduating from Muskogee Central High School.

Edmondson is a Navy veteran with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association.

About GableGotwals
GableGotwals is a full-service law firm representing a diversified client base in Oklahoma, the Southwest and across the nation. The firm has offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. With more than 60 attorneys on staff, the firm handles complex litigation in all areas of state and federal courts as well as representation in compliance matters before state and federal administrative agencies and regulatory authorities, energy-related disputes and transactions, sophisticated business transactions and administrative matters for many different clients including individuals, corporations, regulated entities, financial institutions, insurance companies, estates and trusts, inventors, employers and employees.
 

OU Freshman (and Republican) Wins Muskogee Mayoral Race

OU Freshman (and Republican)
Wins Muskogee Mayoral Race

posted 9:18 pm Tue May 13, 2008 - Muskogee

With all 18 precincts reporting, election officials say John Tyler Hammons won tonight's election with 70 percent of the vote over former Mayor Hershel Ray McBride.

He celebrated his victory with supporters at a watch party at Cowboys Barbecue.

The two candidates squared off in a runoff election for the nonpartisan mayoral post after neither secured 50 percent of the vote in a six-person election on April 1st.

Hammons said he plans to continue his college education, but expects to transfer to a university closer to Muskogee.

Hammons says he's already been contacted by representatives of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" about appearing on the late-night talk show.

McCain's mom recalls youth in Muskogee

Roberta Wright McCain, the mother of Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, said she remembers Muskogee through the eyes of a child.

Now 96 and living in Washington, D.C., she and her identical twin sister, Rowena, were born Feb. 7, 1912, in Muskogee at 1027 Fondulac St., now Martin Luther King St.

McCain has fond memories of Muskogee.

"It is such a lovely town," she said. "It had beautiful surroundings. I remember the Katy Railroad went right through there. It was by the Severs Hotel. I also remember my favorite park. It was on the east side of town, I believe. It had a beautiful bridge over a small lake. I have a lot of good memories of the park."

McCain said she also remembers the school she attended where she learned about the Five Civilized Tribes.

"I was in school through eighth grade, I went to Franklin," she said. "I remember Mrs. Morton was our principal. I can hardly remember what the names of the civilized tribes were, though."

McCain, an oil heiress, defied her family and eloped with a Navy man, John McCain Jr.

"I got married young," she said. "I was 20 years old, and it was the best decision I ever made."

McCain said she was glad she had her children young, too.

"I was too young and irresponsible to know you were supposed to worry about them," she said. "I just let them go. I got a kick out of watching them."

McCain said she traveled back to Muskogee twice.

"I was driving around the continent, and I made it my business to go back to Muskogee," she said.

The first time McCain visited the home of her birth and youth, she said she was too shy to ask the owner's permission to look around inside.

"I didn't know anybody in town, of course," she said.

But on her second visit, she said she changed her mind.

"The second time I came back, I knew I had to get in that house," she said. "The homeowners were the most gracious, warm and hospitable people, and they let me in with no reservations."

Delbert and Priscilla Jackson now own McCain's first home. When McCain returned to the house, they said they were happy to let her in.

"She was such a dainty woman, and so sweet," Priscilla Jackson said of that visit, about 25 years ago.

And according to the Jacksons, the three-story, white house on the corner of 10th and Martin Luther King streets hasn't changed that much.

"We added two more bedrooms on the third story, making it seven bedrooms," Jackson said. "Other than that, it's pretty much the same."

The Jacksons said it was great to visit with McCain then and said she is welcome to come back anytime.

McCain said she enjoys traveling all over the world with her twin sister.

"I love to travel," she said. "I am interested in every place I visit, even after I have gone."