Our Background

Holden Carr & Skeens is a law firm formed in 1998 by attorneys from two established Tulsa insurance defense firms. That merger spawned a progressive law firm comprised of experienced members with diverse backgrounds. With the opening of an Oklahoma City office, the firm now provides statewide representation for its clients.  Holden Carr & Skeens specializes in insurance defense litigation of all types. We have extensive trial experience in medical malpractice, products and premises liability, personal injury, employment, general casualty and commercial claims, as well as banking, condemnation and transactional work. Over the years, firm attorneys have tried approximately 300 jury trials and handled extensive appellate practice in state and federal courts across the country, as well as in the United States Supreme Court.

Holden Carr & Skeens recognizes that the legal profession is a service-oriented business and succeeds at providing prompt, responsive, professional and competent representation. Too often clients feel separated from the cases, which directly affects their professional reputations, financial resources and even the well being of their families. As such, the firm consistently achieves two goals: (1) the best and most cost-effective result for the client, and (2) fully informing the client at every stage in the defense of the case. We understand that regular case updates are critical to an insurer's evaluation of the case and whether settlement is in order.

Holden Carr & Skeens represents clients in the following areas: bad faith and first party claims, general casualty, business and commercial litigation, medical and professional malpractice, trucking accidents and liability, healthcare law, errors and omissions, nursing home litigation, employment and labor law, mass tort litigation, insurance and coverage litigation, products liability, negligence, environmental law, insurance coverage opinions, automobile negligence, condemnation cases, and transactional disputes. Our practice emphasizes early evaluation, cost effective risk management and evaluation, and prompt and consistent reporting. The members of the firm have handled national insurance litigation issues in federal and state courts ranging from the simplest claims to the most complex multiple party cases.

Communication

Holden Carr & Skeens strongly encourages open lines of communication, not only between attorney and client but among attorneys in the firm as well. Joint effort, without duplication of time, fosters a comprehensive analysis of all issues and allows the attorneys to plan and implement long-term litigation strategies. Likewise, open communication permits flexibility that is critical to the client's involvement in the legal process and the favorable resolution of a dispute.

Staffing and Procedures

All attorneys, legal assistants, and secretaries at Holden Carr & Skeens are critical components of our overall commitment to results and client service. By carefully focusing on certain practice areas under the general heading of insurance defense, we constantly meet our clients' needs efficiently, cost-effectively, and professionally. Our firm stresses continuity in its client relationships and attempts to have our clients consistently deal with the same attorney. There may be others involved from time to time, but the attorney who opens your case will normally be the primary contact. Our firm has found that our clients appreciate knowing who is on their case and that the job is in good hands. It is the combination of those factors that leads to lasting relationships and successful results. It is in the area of service that this firm excels and provides the most cost-effective defense available in the state. The following is an illustration of the commitment we offer to every client:

1. Within 90 days of receipt of an assignment, we will provide a preliminary evaluation that thoroughly addresses the factual and legal issues, anticipated discovery, venue, parties, liability, and damages. Our evaluation will thoroughly address your potential exposure.

2. Our 90-day evaluation is not a moving target. Over 90% of our evaluations do not change throughout the case. You should expect nothing less from a specialized defense firm.

3. Our 90-day evaluation promotes early settlement of claims which greatly reduces litigation costs. A claim settling for $100,000.00 within six months of assignment is far less expensive than one settling for $100,000.00 after three years of litigation. If early settlement is not indicated, then our energies are focused on winning at trial.

4. We are trial attorneys and look forward to the trial of tough cases. Except in the truly extraordinary case, we will not amend our evaluations as trial draws near. We realize that if we are as good as we claim, our evaluations should be accurate and dependable.

5. Only under unusual circumstances will a case be settled at or near "the courthouse steps." We have worked hard to earn a reputation as aggressive trial lawyers. Plaintiff attorneys in Oklahoma know that if they want to settle with us, they should settle early. It is to our advantage to foster that reputation.