Firm Resume

GroupLegal_Gavel

OVERVIEW

The following are highlights of the Riffel, Riffel & Benham, firm’s accomplishments and milestones through recent years which illustrate the true character of the Firm:

banner3
Leaders in our communities.
  • Only regional law firm in Northwest Oklahoma.
  • Largest law firm in Northwest Oklahoma.
  • First and only law firm in Northwest Oklahoma to fully integrate IP technology and video conferencing to better serve clients and their needs.
  • Only firm in Northwest Oklahoma which is accredited to represent clients before the Department of Veteran Affair’s (VA).
  • Only firm in Northwest Oklahoma and only one of two firms in Oklahoma with a concentration in elder law (i.e. Medicaid, Medicare and VA benefits).
  • Only one of two firm in Oklahoma nationally recognized by MEDS-PRN, Lorman Educational Services, National Business Institute and HalfMoon as a leader in elder law.
Leading the way in technology.
  • Client Portal. Firm’s attorneys designed, developed and created the only on-line, real-time law firm billing and communication software in the nation which the Firm uses. The program allows the attorneys to better manage client files, allows clients and anyone they designate to receive instant, real-time updates on the clients’ cases and enhances the communication between clients and the attorneys at the Firm.
  • Oklahoma Estate Tax Program. Firm’s attorneys designed, developed, created and sold the only computer automated software to do estate taxes in Oklahoma.
Noteworthy Cases
Medicaid
  • Morris v. Okla. Dep’t of Human Servs. ex rel. Hendrick, 685 F.3d 925 (10th Cir. 2012); reversing 785 F. Supp. 2d 1212 (W.D. Okla. 2010). Contrary to the State of Oklahoma’s assertions, the Firm successfully established a Medicaid qualified annuity was not a countable asset and did not result in transfer penalties in establishing Medicaid eligibility.
  • Gragert v. Lake, 541 Fed. Appx. 853 (10th Cir. 2013); reversing 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 72384 (W.D. Okla. May 24, 2012).  Contrary to the State of Oklahoma’s claims, the Firm successfully established a Deficit Reduction Act promissory note was not a countable asset and did not result in transfer penalties in establishing Medicaid eligibility.
  • Frantz v. Lake, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 116916 (W.D. Okla. Aug. 22, 2014).  Contrary to the State of Oklahoma’s assertions, the Firm established a Deficit Reduction Act promissory note was not a countable asset, did not result in transfer penalties and was not a trust-like device in establishing Medicaid eligibility.
  • Peterson v.Lake, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 89674 (W.D. Okla. June 30, 2014).  Contrary to the State of Oklahoma’s claims, the Firm established a Deficit Reduction Act promissory note was not a countable asset, did not result in transfer penalties and was not a trust-like device in establishing Medicaid eligibility.
  • The Riffel Law Firm was asked to provide and did provide written testimony to the Energy and Commerce Committee of the United States House of Representatives regarding the use of annuities in Medicaid.
  • Shanks-Marrs v. Lake, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 188627 (W.D. Okla. June 13, 2013).  Contrary to the State of Oklahoma assertions, the Firm established the State of Oklahoma must timely process Medicaid applications within the 45-day federal guidelines.
  • Lemmons v. Lake, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 39030 (W.D. Okla. Mar. 21, 2013).  Contrary to the State of Oklahoma’s claims, the Firm established a Deficit Reduction Act promissory note was not a countable asset, did not result in transfer penalties and was not a trust-like device in establishing Medicaid eligibility.
  • Harper v. Okla. ex rel. Okla. Dep’t of Human Servs., 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157628 (W.D. Okla. Mar. 22, 2011).  Contrary to the State of Oklahoma’s assertions, the Firm successfully established a Deficit Reduction Act promissory note was not a countable asset and did not result in transfer penalties in establishing Medicaid eligibility.
  • Haunstein v. Okla. ex rel. Okla. Dep’t of Human Servs., 2011 U.S. Dist LEXIS 54357 (W.D. Okla. May 19, 2011).  Contrary to the State of Oklahoma’s claims, the Firm successfully established a properly drafted trust was not a countable asset in establishing Medicaid eligibility.
Tax Law
  • Wilder v. Oklahoma Tax Commission, 2012 Okla. Civ. App. 91 (Okla. 2012). Contrary to the State of Oklahoma’s assertions, the Firm stopped the State from arbitrary applying the Oklahoma Tax Code and successfully qualified over 1,000 taxpayers for tax credits when they purchased low-speed electric vehicles.
Bankruptcy
  • Red Rock Rig 101, Ltd. v. Unibridge Sys., 2008 Bankr. LEXIS 1423 (B.A.P. 10th Cir. 2008), affirming 397 B.R. 545 (W.D. Okla. 2008). The Firm successfully prosecuted an involuntary bankruptcy, resulting in it being one of very few, if not the only, involuntary bankruptcies successfully prosecuted in Oklahoma.
Other areas
  • Woodlake Estates, Inc. v. Sternberger, 2007 OK Civ. App 115 (Okla. 2006).  The Firm successfully protected residents, theirs home and their neighborhood from a nuisance.
  • Received a $6 million judgement against The Bridgeway, LLC and Anthony Monk
Back To Top