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Read more about the law firm's history and the founder's professional profile to see why Rivas Law is right for you.
Our Firm's History
Ryland L. Rivas founded Rivas Law in 1986 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Mr. Rivas wanted to create a law firm that could compete with large national firms and focus on each individual client.
Before establishing Rivas Law, Mr. Rivas worked at both medium and large sized firms in Oklahoma. During that period, he accumulated twelve years of litigation experience in both civil and criminal cases and won verdicts for hundreds of clients in both jury and non-jury trials.
Rivas Law now assists clients nationwide in both civil and criminal matters. Since the beginning however, Rivas Law has provided the highest quality of legal service to clients on a personal level. You’ll always find a friendly and competent staff member or attorney who will treat you with the respect and privacy you deserve at Rivas Law.
Rivas Law is located at 628 W. Choctaw Ave., Chickasha, OK, thirty minutes south of downtown Oklahoma City on Interstate 44.
Attorney Profile: Ryland L. Rivas
Bio
Ryland L. Rivas was born September 13, 1949 in Tipton, Oklahoma. He married to Brenda K. Rivas on August 17, 1969. He has two children, Ryland K. Rivas II and Meredith K. Brockman, both of whom are attorneys. Ryland II works with his father and is the Prosecutor for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Anadarko Area. Meredith also works with her father, and is currently on maternity leave.
Education
- Juris Doctor
University of Oklahoma, School of Law, 1974
- B.A. Economics and Finance
University of Oklahoma, 1971
Tribal Affiliation
Rivas is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. He is a direct descendant of Tabby-nan-a-ka, Hears of the Sun, Chief of the Yamparika. He is also the first lawyer to come from the Comanchae Tribe.
Admissions
- Cheyenne and Arapaho Bar Association
- Chickasaw Bar Association
- Delaware Nation Bar Association
- Oklahoma Bar Association
- United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
- United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
Memberships
- Grady County Bar Association
- Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Professional Experience
Served as General Counsel for the following:
- Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa Intertribal Land Use Committee
- Comanche Tribe of Oklahoma
- Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma
- Kiowa Casino Operations Authority
- Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission
Provided legal work for the following:
- Apache Tribe of Oklahoma
- Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma
- Ft. Sill Apache Tribe
- Otoe-Missouri Tribe
Appointed as one of the first four judges on the CFR Court, after it was founded in 1978, when tribal sovereignty in Oklahoma was recognized
Argued as first chair in hundreds of jury and non-jury civil and criminal cases. His State and Federal criminal cases include the following major crimes:
Assault
- Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
- Burglary (all types)
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
- First Degree Murder
- First Degree Rape
- Possession of CDS
- Possession with Intent to Distribute
- Manslaughter
- Manufacturing of Controlled Dangerous Substance
Currently serves:
- as General Counsel for the Community Bank of Oklahoma, Apache Tribe of Oklahoma,
and the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma
- on the Board of Directors of the Comanche Nation Enterprises
- of Counsel to the law firm of Gungoll and Jackson
Formerly served:
- as Chief Justice of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Supreme Court, 1996-2010
- on the Oklahoma Board of Governors, 2010-2014
- as the District Judge for the Delaware Indian Tribe, 2011-2012