stephen-l-geriesSTEPHEN L. GERIES

Shareholder and Director

slg@czwlaw.com

405.524.2070

Stephen L. Geries is a shareholder and director at Collins, Zorn & Wagner.  Steve has an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell. He joined the firm in 2003 and has a broad practice in a variety of areas, including general litigation, business transactions, probate, civil rights, government, insurance defense, personal injury, and property. Steve has a long standing commitment to serving the public, including his prior employment as a: Canyon, Texas Firefighter; Emergency Medical Technician; Randall County, Texas Deputy Sheriff; Assistant District Attorney of Lincoln County, Oklahoma; and Intern for the City of Oklahoma City.

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Oklahoma
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • Supreme Court of the United States

EDUCATION

  • Oklahoma City University School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2001
  • Oklahoma City University, Master of Business Administration, 2001
  • Amarillo College, Peace Office Academy, 1995
  • West Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Science, 1993

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

  • Oklahoma Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Oklahoma County Bar Association
  • Canadian County Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute, Inc.
  • Phi Delta Phi, Oklahoma City University School of Law
  • Barrister, Luther Bohanon Inn of Court, Oklahoma City, 2016-present
  • The Federalist Society
  • Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel
  • Oklahoma Association of Municipal Attorneys
  • Sheriff and Peace Officers Association of Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association, Associate Member

OTHER MEMBERSHIPS

  • Gun Owners of America
  • National Rifle Association, Patron Member

HONORS & AWARDS

  • AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell
  • CALI Award for Excellence, Legal Research and Writing, Oklahoma City University School of Law
  • Merit Scholar, Oklahoma City University School of Law
  • Moot Court Honor Board, Oklahoma City University School of Law
  • Delta Mu Delta, Oklahoma City University School of Business
  • Honors, Oklahoma City University
  • Graduate, Oklahoma Bar Association 5th Leadership Academy, May 2016

PUBLISHED OPINIONS

  • Rife v. Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, 846 F.3d 1119 (10th Cir. 2017)
  • Rife v. Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, 854 F.3d 637 (10th Cir. 2017)
  • Howard v. Grady County Criminal Justice Authority, — P.3d —-, 2017 OK CIV APP 7
  • Smith v. City of Stillwater, 328 P.3d 1192 (Okla. 2014)
  • Bosh v. Cherokee County Bldg. Authority, 305 P.3d 994 (Okla. 2013)
  • Eidson v. Owens, 515 F.3d 1139 (10th Cir. 2008)
  • Gilmore v. Board of County Commissioners of Logan County, 147 P.3d 296 (Okla. Civ. App. 2006)
  • Norton v. City of Marietta, OK, 432 F.3d 1145 (10th Cir. 2005)
  • Price v. Philpot, 420 F.3d 1158 (10th Cir. 2005)

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • Speaker and roundtable discussion, “Impact of the Bosh Decision in the State of Oklahoma,” Oklahoma Municipal League, September 2013, Tulsa, OK
  • Speaker, “The Bosh Decision: Why Should I Care and Where Do We Go from Here?”, Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma/Oklahoma District Attorney Council Workshop, January 2014, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Speaker, “Liability Pursuant to the Oklahoma Constitution following Bosh,” Oklahoma District Attorney Council, July 2014, Norman, OK
  • Speaker, “History of Tort Liability in Oklahoma and recent changes to the Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act,” Civil Rights Training and Consultants, December 2014, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Speaker, “My experience as a Civil Rights Attorney in Oklahoma,” Phi Alpha Delta, Oklahoma State University, January 2015, Stillwater, OK
  • Speaker, “Law Enforcement Civil Liability,” New Sheriff’s Academy, May 2015,  Edmond, OK
  • Speaker, “Video Retention in Law Enforcement and Jails,” County Officers & Deputies Association of Oklahoma, Sheriffs Breakout Session,  February 2016, Norman, OK
  • Speaker, “Shootings and the Fourth Amendment,” Oklahoma Bar Association, May 2016, Oklahoma City, OK

COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • School Board, Yukon Public Schools, 2005-2011
  • Oklahoma State Schools Boards Association, Board of Directors 2010-2011
  • Travelers Aid and Homeless Assistance Center, Board of Directors 2008-2010