Ryan Scott Childress

At the age of 14, Ryan Childress knew he wanted to be a lawyer and advocate. His special relationship with his high school speech and debate coach fueled a fire that continues to burn to this day. A two-time speech and debate national qualifier (who graduated top twenty in the nation in overall points accumulated), Ryan learned to hone his advocacy skills at an early age. He continued this advocacy at Missouri State University on the collegiate speech and debate team.

Ryan also assisted high school students in sharpening their skills as an assistant debate coach for Parkview High School in Springfield, Missouri. His close relationship with his students led him to collaborate with a Technical Writing Instructor at Missouri State. This collaboration led to the creation of a book that is now used in high school across the country as a beginner’s guide to learning Policy Debate for both coaches and students: “The Super-Novice File: A Beginner’s Guide to Policy Debate.” Ryan donated this work to the National Speech & Debate Association.

Ryan moved to Oklahoma in 2009 to attend law school. While in law school, he served as Managing Editor of the Tulsa Law Review, Captain of the National Trial Competition team, Speaker of the House for the Student Bar Association, and as a Student Ambassador for the school. Ryan also won several internal and regional moot court competitions to bring home four first-place trophies for the school. He also earned a CALI award for his Legal Reasoning & Writing Class. He was recognized for his trial advocacy skills by receiving the Order of the Barristers award, a trial advocacy honor awarded to only ten students in the graduating class.

As a practitioner, Ryan quickly made a name for himself among his peers. He earned the Martindale-Hubbell AV Pre-Eminent ranking, the highest possible ranking in legal ability and ethical standards, after only five years of practice. This is the earliest time a practitioner is eligible for this award. He also volunteers through the Tulsa County Early Settlement program as an Adjunct Settlement Judge helping others resolve their cases without the need for a jury trial. Ryan is one of the youngest Adjunct Settlement Judges ever appointed.

For the past seven years, Ryan has handled a variety of injury cases in state and federal court. He has prosecuted and defended six and seven figure personal injury lawsuits. However, his greatest fulfillment came from representing those medically unable to work before the Social Security Administration. After watching a close family member face a lengthy battle, Ryan knew this is where he belongs as a lawyer.

In his free time, Ryan loves pushing himself to be better. He is a competitive tennis player and passionate CrossFit athlete. He also enjoys spending time with his adopted cat, Oreo.

Education:
Missouri State ., Public Relations-Summa Cum Laude in the Honors College with Distinction in Public Relations-2009
University of Tulsa College of . 2012

Admissions:
All State Courts in Oklahoma
All Federal Courts in Oklahoma
The Social Security Office of Disability Adjudication and Review