Business Spotlight
Sulphur Law
By Alisha Thompson
Brooks Ray and Sulphur native, Keith White, attorneys and partners in and out of the office, are the legal duo making up Sulphur Law. Ray and White, both practicing attorneys in the Oklahoma City area, have moved their practice to Sulphur and Murray County. Phyllis Meyers has joined their team as the office manager and legal assistant bringing a familiar face to the office.
The duo decided it was time to “semi-retire” so, a move to Sulphur, White’s hometown, was in order. The two have chickens, goats, Highland cattle, goats, chickens and dogs. “We enjoy it,” White said. “We have both had offices in Oklahoma City, it’s such a great change of pace.
Ray said we saw a need for representation here. Knowing they could make a difference, the two set off to give sound advice to the people of Murray County. Leading friends and clients to pursue legal issues as simply as possible.
Brooks Ray
“I have been doing this a long time and I enjoy it,” Ray said. “My goal is to put clients in a better position, whatever has happened. If you don’t have your child’s best interest at heart, I’m not your girl.” Ray’s main area of practice is family law and she said “there is a great need to help the families and children in Murray County.”
Ray is originally from Tulsa and has been in legal profession since 1987. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Law.
Ray has a brother and sister-in-law that are attorneys. She is familiar with Southern Oklahoma receiving a letter of recommendation for law school from former Ada and Oklahoma Supreme Court Western District Judge, Lee West. I enjoy Sulphur and Davis tremendously. Nicer, slower. Local residents people care a lot about their community and people. You can see that a lot here,” she said smiling.
Ray has been asked a question many times that has stayed with her, which side do you of the law do you practice? “In law you have to be able to understand and argue both sides of the law,” she explained. And she and White are prepared to help clients needing help on either side of the courtroom.
She’s the lady you see for a divorce, custody issues, paternity cases and adoptions – adoptions are Ray’s favorite. “Those give you the warm, fuzzies. They are the good moments for sure,” Ray said.
Divorces are tough. Ray said “It’s easier being divorced than getting divorced. It’s hard being divorced but hopefully you come out with a rule book. A plan.”
Sulphur Law knows wills, probates and Power of Attorney also. She practices in ’s dealt with civil litigation and contracts. Ray also practices in municipal courts and aided clients in issues with municipal law challenging local and state law regarding citations and dispensaries.
She worked in Juvenile Justice for two and half years in Oklahoma City for the public defender’s office for deprived actions. Representing parents in Department of Human Services cases. She is a Guardian ad litem and licensed to practice in Chickasaw Nation District Court.
After representing a hearing-impaired client in Oklahoma City, she knew the need for representation for the hearing-impaired clients to have legal representation in Murray County. Ray enjoys providing legal representation to hearing impaired community. In an effort to explain court proceedings, she accesses TDY to ensure her clients understand preparations to go before the court and ensure her client’s needs are heard by the Courts. Ray is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association Municipal Law and Local Government n Planning Committee, Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law and Environmental Law group.
Keith White
Born and raised in Sulphur. White attended college at ECU while playing for the ECU football team during college. He has a degree in environmental science. White worked in the oil and gas and environmental industry for about 20 years. During that time, he obtained a master’s in environmental science. Since that wasn’t enough school for White, he went back to law school to become an attorney at 40 years old. “I have 20 years’ experience in the field I love to practice in. That is tremendously helpful for me to relate with people, dealing with the legal aspects,” White explained.
With his background in environmental industry, regulatory and special administrative functions. For 25 years he worked as an advisor for government and legislative review with the Oklahoma Bar Association.
“Attorneys can go in and talk to legislators and congressmen, my group that does that,” White explained. “We don’t advocate for a position, but we advocate for common sense processes. Legislators sometimes will have a knee jerk reaction to something, and we inform them of what some of the downsides are of their actions.”
With extensive background in municipal law, White is also registered in Oklahoma as an attorney in the Western District at the federal level and licensed to practice in the Chickasaw Nation Courts. White is a commercial mediator and a certified hazardous materials manager. He does a lot in administrative courts with both municipalities as well as regulatory. “I do environmental wildlife, Corporation Commission and Department of Labor,” he said.
“I do a lot in the environmental side. Lot of larger actions involving Super Fund sites,” he said. Several past projects include the Illinois River Project. “With my extensive background in science, it was natural that I expand my career with a degree in law from the University of Oklahoma. I am more involved with regulatory and administrative side providing companies with compliance and procedures.”
Who handles the criminal cases at Sulphur Law? White does.
“That’s my preference. It’s very rural oriented. It’s a simple process. I try to give them their best options and let them make a determination on what is their best outcome,” he said.
A commonsense approach is what White credits in helping the clients over the years. “I do feel I’ve always been very successful at advising people what your options are. In a corporate environment I am the one that helps you try to keep your money,” White said.
Services provided by Sulphur Law include divorce, custody, paternity and guardianship, criminal law, DUI. Wills and probate, and Tribal law. Sulphur Law is located at 116 West Muskogee in Sulphur. The office can be reached by calling Phyllis Myers at (405) 406-7006 or email sulphurlaw@gmail.com.