Laura L. Holmes
lholmes@cfel.com
ShareholderLaura L. Holmes has represented public school districts since 1992. Her passion for the law drives her to help schools make proactive, informed decisions that avoid costly litigation whenever possible. “Our public schools are tasked with the incredibly challenging job of molding young minds to produce healthy citizens. Helping make that dream a reality by providing quality legal advice is especially rewarding and fulfilling.”
Of the hundreds of cases she has resolved, the one she will never forget is when she represented a large urban school district in the last teacher trial de novo case in Oklahoma. That case forever changed the landscape of teacher terminations, as the legislature realized District Court judges should not be making decisions about teacher terminations and eliminated the provisions for trial de novo.
Her most rewarding work came when she convinced landowners to sell a 40-acre parcel of land—that was not listed for sale—to a school district for a desperately-needed new middle school campus. “Knowing that I played a significant role in providing generations of students a modern, high-quality school building is exactly why I do my job.”
In her spare time, Laura enjoys riding and caring for her horses, gardening, and other outdoor projects. If she has time, she appreciates a good book.
Education
Wesleyan University, B.A. with honors
University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D. with distinction
Admissions
Laura is admitted to practice in all Oklahoma state courts, the United States Courts for the Western, Northern, and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Denver, and the United States Supreme Court. Her peers in the legal industry have rated her AV Preeminent®—the highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell®—for her legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards.
Memberships
Laura is a member of the Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, and American Bar Associations, National School Boards Association’s Council of School Attorneys, and the Oklahoma School Board Attorneys Association.