McAfee & Taft Firm History

History Book

McAfee & Taft: The First 70 Years

As a part of its 70th anniversary, McAfee & Taft published a commemorative book about its rich history. Dozens of people shared their time and their stories. Hundreds of documents, artifacts and memorabilia were collected and archived. Contributors included current, retired, and former attorneys and staff, as well as family and friends of the firm’s founders and early partners.

Authored by award-winning reporter and writer M. Scott Carter, a sixth-generation Oklahoman, the book recounts fascinating anecdotes and illuminating backstories about the firm, its founders, its precedential cases won and landmark deals done, and the pivotal roles the firm has played in the history of Oklahoma City, the state of Oklahoma, and beyond.

This is our story »

History Documentary

The McAfee & Taft Story

An Enduring Legacy of Distinction, Innovation and Collaboration

In this short documentary looking at McAfee & Taft’s history and its people, we take a journey through the histories of the founders and earliest attorneys, the origins and early years of the firm, and the extraordinary growth and impact in the city, state and beyond over the last 70 years.

Firm Flashbacks

2022 officially marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of McAfee & Taft. Throughout the milestone year, weekly “Flashback Friday” featurettes highlighted stories about our firm’s illustrious and interesting history.

A Legacy 70 Years in the Making

A Legacy 70 Years in the Making

January 1, 2022

Where it all started: 1316 Liberty Bank Building

Where it all started: 1316 Liberty Bank Building

January 7, 2022

It started with a simple handshake

It started with a simple handshake

January 14, 2022

Making history: Mr. Mac’s registration of the first drilling fund with the SEC

Making history: Mr. Mac’s registration of the first drilling fund with the SEC

January 21, 2022

Barn burners and brushes with celebrity

Barn burners and brushes with celebrity

January 28, 2022

A Long and Winding Road: The Early Adventures of Mr. Mac

A Long and Winding Road: The Early Adventures of Mr. Mac

February 4, 2022

VIEW-ALL-BRIEFS_graphic2

Timeline

1950

1950

Attorney Kenneth McAfee registers the nation’s first drilling fund for Blackwood & Nichols Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

1951

1951

Richard G. Taft (right) joins Kenneth McAfee in practice.

1952

1952

The law firm of McAfee & Taft is officially founded. The firm’s offices are located at 1316 Liberty Bank Building.

[Photograph taken in October 1951 of the Ramsey Tower in Downtown Oklahoma City, also known as the Liberty National Bank Building, the first home of the McAfee & Taft law offices. Credit: Meyers Photo Shop; Courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society]

1957

1957

Firm renamed McAfee, Taft & Cates.

Offices relocated to 2020 First National Building.

1958

1958

Eugene Oscar Kuntz joins firm.

Firm renamed McAfee, Taft, Cates & Kuntz.

1960

1960

Firm renamed McAfee, Taft, Cates, Kuntz & Mark.

1962

1962

Kuntz, A Treatise on the Law of Oil and Gas is published. The multi-volume treatise, authored by Eugene O. Kuntz, provides an exhaustive survey of oil & gas conveyancing and operations and continues to this day to be widely cited by courts and lawyers alike.

1963

1963

Firm renamed McAfee, Dudley, Taft, Cates, Kuntz & Mark.

1966

1966

After Eugene Kuntz leaves to become dean of OU Law, firm is renamed McAfee, Dudley, Taft, Cates & Mark.

1968

1968

Jerry A. Warren hired as first associate out of law school.

1971

1971

Firm renamed McAfee, Taft, Cates, Mark, Bond & Rucks after merger with Fowler, Rucks, Baker, Jopling, Gramlich & Mee, a successor to the Richardson, Shartel & Cochran firm.

Also that year, Eugene Kuntz re-joins the firm as of counsel.

1972

1972

McAfee, Taft, Cates, Mark, Bond & Rucks relocates offices to fifth floor of 100 Park Avenue Building.

Terry R. Barrett and Dewey D. Dobson hired as first clerks.

1973

1973

Firm announces change of its name to McAfee, Taft, Mark, Bond, Rucks & Woodruff.

1975

1975

Becky Marshall and Connie Gore are first female attorneys to be hired at the firm.

1980

1980

Articles of incorporation amended February 29, 1980; Firm renamed McAfee & Taft A Professional Corporation.

1985

1985

Firm moves into newly opened Leadership Square in downtown Oklahoma City, initially occupying the 8th, 9th and 10th Floors.

1993

1993

McAfee & Taft establishes global Aviation practice to assist clients with aircraft title, registration, finance, and regulatory matters.

1998

1998

In January, McAfee & Taft significantly expands its labor and employment practice with the addition of nine lawyers from Lytle, Soule & Curlee. The next month, McAfee & Taft establishes an intellectual property law practice by merging with Dougherty & Hessin, a boutique IP firm.

2006

2006

Firm surpasses 115 lawyers, becoming the state’s largest law firm.

2008

2008

McAfee & Taft opens Tulsa office located in ONEOK Building in downtown Tulsa.

2009

2009

McAfee & Taft merges with Joyce & Paul, PLLC, continuing to add to the depth and expertise in the firm’s Tulsa office.

Renovation of Oklahoma City offices completed, occupying five floors of the Two Leadership Square. The $4 million construction project was performed in 18 phases over 20 months.

2010

2010

Tulsa office moves to MAPCO Building (8th, 9th and 10th Floors) at 1717 S. Boulder on the southside of Downtown Tulsa.

2011

2011

McAfee & Taft merges with Eldridge Cooper Steichen & Leach, PLLC, a boutique litigation firm specializing in high-profile product liability defense.

2016

2016

Firm moves its Tulsa office to Williams Center Tower II (11th and 12th Floors).

2017

2017

Firm opens office in Springfield, Missouri, its first office outside of Oklahoma.

2021

2021

Firm completes renovation of its Oklahoma City offices.

Firm further expands Tulsa office to include all of the 12^th floor of the Williams Tower II building.

2022

2022

In August, more than 500 colleagues, family and friends gathered at the new Omni Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City to formally celebrate McAfee & Taft’s 70th anniversary. Attendees included current, retired and former attorneys and staff, their “plus-ones,” and relatives of the firm’s founders and early partners. Stories were retold, the departed commemorated, legacies honored, achievements lauded, a rich history celebrated, and new memories created.