Serving Clients in the Wichita Falls Area
About
Our firm has a whale for a logo. Originally, we planned to use a dolphin but when we discussed the idea with friends, they seemed to view dolphins as a sign of weakness. The next thought we had was what animal is a sign of strength. There are several slang words used for lawyers and one of those words is “shark.” A tough, no-holds-barred attorney who wins cases by intimidating, scaring, bankrupting, and harassing another party is our definition of a “shark.” Surprisingly, some attorneys take pride in being sharks. While a shark is a sign of strength, it was not representative of the attitude or personality of the attorney in this firm.
The next step in our research was to find out what animal can “beat” a shark. After reading books about whales and dolphins, the answer came to us. We could use a whale. Not just any whale, but a Killer Whale who is given a wide berth by sharks. A Killer Whale can kill sharks. A shark cannot kill a Killer Whale. Even though Killer Whale is the king of the sea, they are highly intelligent and friendly to humans.
The image we are trying to convey is that we are tough when we have to be, but that we will be easy to work with and we will not start a fight when there is no need to fight. Our firm cares about our clients and we will work hard to get our client what he or she wants. If our client’s goals can be met by negotiating a settlement, we can help get that settlement. If our client’s goals cannot be met unless the case goes to trial, then we will prepare for battle.
"If our client’s goals can be met by negotiating a settlement, we can help get that settlement. If our client’s goals cannot be met unless the case goes to trial, then we will prepare for battle."
Attorney Profile
Robert O. Rafuse
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 Experience
Mr. Rafuse has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 1988 and in 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 thirty years of 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.
Mr. Rafuse’s years of litigation experience include:
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.
Legal Education
Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1987.
Recognition
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.
Location
Our offices are located in downtown Wichita Falls, Texas, in the Energy Center. The Energy Center is next door to the Hamilton Building and across the street from the Wichita County Courthouse. The centerpiece of the Energy Center is a large fifty-foot atrium area.
Our offices are part of the Executive Suite on the fourth floor. A reception area, a break area, and a conference room are all part of the Executive Suite. Our offices are up two circular staircases. Each office has a view of the Wichita County Courthouse. Each office is tastefully decorated and designed to make a client feel as comfortable as possible.
