How do I help financial institutions manage the legal issues that arise throughout the lending process?

For nearly four decades, I’ve helped banks and financial institutions address even the thorniest issues that can arise when loans are made, modified, challenged or placed under stress. I’ve seen just about every problem a bank or loan could have. I think that, combined with good service and a practical understanding of how legal decisions affect my clients’ businesses, is why my clients keep asking me back.

Representing banks and financial institutions in lending, workouts and litigation

Joel represents national banking associations, state-chartered banks, trust departments and other financial institutions in lending transactions, workouts, restructurings, creditor rights matters and litigation. His practice involves the full range of issues that arise during the lending relationship, including loan documentation, modifications, distressed or problem loans, collection matters and disputes involving financial institutions. He also represents banks and lenders, including trust departments, when they face litigation, helping them address claims and protect their interests when loan relationships become contentious.

Helping lenders address changing risks in commercial lending

Joel regularly advises clients on regulatory developments and issues affecting commercial lending. He monitors changes affecting financial institutions and helps clients evaluate how broader economic and regulatory trends—for example, in commercial real estate—may affect their lending practices and loan portfolios. His work involving oil and gas lending also gives him insight into how changes in commodity prices and asset values can affect collateral and lending decisions.

Applying decades of insight and experience to modern lending problems

Since beginning his practice in 1985, Joel has handled a wide range of complex issues involving banks and financial institutions. That experience allows him to anticipate issues before they become larger problems. Many of his client relationships are longstanding, reflecting the value clients place on having counsel who sees the practical challenges and can help find workable solutions.

Experience

Recent Matters and Engagements*:
  • Lender's counsel in leading Oklahoma Supreme Court case on guarantor liability related to real estate loans.
  • Lender's counsel in documenting $35 million oil & gas loan transaction secured by oil & gas properties in several states.
  • Lender's counsel in foreclosure and sale of multiple low income tax credit properties and in dealing with state regulatory authorities and transfer of credits.
  • Represented secured lender in Section 363 sale of telecommunications assets including spectrum licenses.
  • Lead counsel in successfully defending Lender at trial against allegations of misleading Borrower and breach of duty of good faith; zeroed out counterclaim and obtained judgment in full for all outstanding note balances, default interest and fees.
  • Counsel for national financial institution in pursuing $185 million financial fraud claim in securitization industry; successfully settled.
  • Lenders counsel in documenting $60 million of construction loans secured by numerous parcels of real estate in retail industry.
  • Lead counsel in defending Lender against general lender liability claims and successfully upholding jury trial waiver provisions in loan documents; zeroed out counterclaim and obtained judgment in full for all outstanding note balances, default interest and fees.
  • Defense of numerous preference claims and other bankruptcy litigation in bankruptcy courts throughout the United States.
  • Litigation with Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee over ownership of beach front real estate located in Mexico.
  • Litigation with Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee over valuation of oil & gas reserves located along offshore Louisiana; obtained order determining client's claim to be fully secured.
  • Lead counsel in numerous automatic stay, cash collateral, valuation and Section 363 disputes in various bankruptcy courts.
*Past results afford no guarantee of future results. Every case is different and must be judged on its merits.

Credentials

  • University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 1985
  • Oklahoma Christian University, B.S., 1982

  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court Northern District Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court Western District Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court Northern District Texas
  • U.S. District Court Southern District Texas
  • U.S. Supreme Court

  • Oklahoma County Bar Association
  • Oklahoma Bar Association
    • Bankruptcy and Reorganization Section
  • American Bar Association
    • Banking Law Committee

Honors & Awards

  • Best Lawyers, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Transactions/UCC Law, Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, Banking and Finance Law (2013 - Present)
  • Best Lawyers 2022 Lawyer of the Year (OKC) in Commercial Transactions/UCC Law
  • Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year (OKC) in Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law (2019, 2024, 2026)

 

Publications & Media

  • Speaker, BKD and Oklahoma Bankers Association Financial Services Symposium, September 28, 2017, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Speaker, BKD and Oklahoma Bankers Association Financial Services Symposium, September 27, 2016, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Speaker, “Spousal Guarantor Challenges under Equal Credit Opportunity Act”, Oklahoma Bankers Association, June 2016, Tulsa, OK