Robert O. Rafuse
Partner
Undergraduate Education
Robert O. Rafuse graduated Cum Laude from Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls, Texas) in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Mr. Rafuse had a minor in History. While attending Midwestern, Mr. Rafuse served as Co-President of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society between September, 1983 and May 1984. Mr. Rafuse was also a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society.
Legal Education
Mr. Rafuse graduated from the Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1987. While attending law school, Mr. Rafuse received the American Jurisprudence Award for Criminal Law in 1984, an award given to the student with the highest grade in the class.
Legal Experience
Mr. Rafuse has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 1988 and Oklahoma since 1995. Mr. Rafuse was admitted to practice before the United States District Court in two districts: the Northern District of Texas in 1989 and the Western District of Oklahoma in 1995.
Before becoming the President of Rafuse Law Firm, P.C. in September 2005, Mr. Rafuse was a Managing Partner in Rafuse & Bianchi, L.L.P. Prior to July, 2000, Mr. Rafuse worked as an Associate Attorney with the Law Offices of Steven M. Williams in Wichita Falls, Texas. Mr. Rafuse has more than fifteen years jury trial experience, both civil (representing plaintiffs in cases involving auto accidents, on-the-job injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress and the defense of a case alleging fraud), and criminal (Aggravated Assault, Indecency with a Child, Possession of Controlled Substance, Theft and Possession of Weapon by Felon).
Mr. Rafuse has experience in preparing appellate briefs filed with the Court of Appeals in Fort Worth, the Court of Appeals in Texarkana and the Supreme Court of Texas. While there, Mr. Rafuse’s primary responsibilities included being in charge of all litigation, handling all bankruptcy cases (Chapter 7 and 13) and supervising employees. Mr. Rafuse’s more than fifteen years of litigation experience includes preparing pleadings, responding to and preparing discovery, researching issues using books and Westlaw©, preparing witnesses for and taking depositions, authenticating business records, preparing and responding to motions including motions for summary judgment, investigating facts of cases, locating witnesses, interviewing and preparing witnesses for trial, and serving as first chair for jury trials.
Prior to graduating from law school, Mr. Rafuse worked as a Law Clerk for John F. Bates, Esq. in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he researched issues, prepared memos and wrote a brief which was filed with the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. Mr. Rafuse also worked as a Law Clerk for William K. Altman, P.C. in Wichita Falls, Texas.
License
35 years since Robert O. Rafuse was first licensed to practice law.
| State | License Status | Year Acquired |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Active | 1988 |
