Keith F. Givens, Associate

For more than fourteen years, Mr. Givens has represented individuals and corporations in diverse litigation matters involving disputes over insurance claims, personal injuries, wrongful deaths, oil and gas wells, medical malpractice, engineering malpractice and employment terminations. A significant portion of Mr. Givens’ practice has focused on defending large insurance companies in complex bad faith lawsuits with national implications (including several class actions) including: Farmers Insurance Company, USAA and Allstate Insurance Company. Mr. Givens has litigated cases in state and federal courts throughout Oklahoma, and he has served as lead counsel in numerous jury and non-jury trials.

In addition to his litigation experience, Mr. Givens has served as a mediator and arbitrator for more than ten years. He also advises diverse corporate and non-profit clients on wide-ranging matters which are not in litigation.

Practices

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Class Actions
• Insurance
• Litigation and Trial Practice
• Non-Profit/Charitable Foundations
• Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
• Product Liability
• Professional Liability

Education

• London School of Economics (LL.M, 1994)
• University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D., with distinction, 1993)
• University of Oklahoma (B.A., 1990)

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of Texas, 1994
• Oklahoma Bar Association, 1995
• Mediator Panel - Western District of Oklahoma, 2000
• U.S. District Courts for the Western, Northern and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma,
• Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Representative Matters & Clients

• Successfully defended various insurance companies in coverage and “bad faith” lawsuits (state and federal courts) concerning claims under automobile, homeowner, boat, disability and health insurance policies.
• Counsel for child who was rendered profoundly deaf as the result of medical malpractice.
• Counsel for national real estate development company that sustained significant losses due to negligence of engineering firm that failed to locate and disclose high pressure gas pipelines.
• Successfully defended energy company accused of withholding non-working interest owner’s proceeds from oil well.
• Counsel for federally designated organ procurement agency for the State of Oklahoma. Matters include negotiation and preparation of web-site license agreement as well as representing and advising client in negotiations with various government agencies concerning new legislation and statewide organ donor registry issues.
• Counsel for surviving spouses in wrongful death actions resulting from motor vehicle negligence and medical malpractice.
• Successfully defended various insurance and temporary staffing companies in multimillion dollar class actions for alleged breach of contract, “bad faith”, wrongful termination and unpaid overtime.
• Counsel for numerous individuals and families who suffered serious injuries from automobile collisions, motorcycle collisions, medical malpractice and other tragic events.

Articles & Publications

• Organ & Tissue Donation Under Oklahoma Law
  Download at: www.okbar.org/public/brochures/organ.pdf
• Numerous articles on insurance coverage and claim handling topics

Professional Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Oklahoma Bar Association
  • ADR Section (Treasurer), Bench and Bar Committee, Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee, Mentor Committee, Disaster Relief Committee, Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors (3 terms)
• Oklahoma County Bar Association
  • Board of Directors, Law Library Trustee, ADR Committee, Bench and Bar Committee, Delegate to OBA Board of Governors, Mediator Panel
• State Bar of Texas
• Luther Bohannon Inn of Court

Community Leadership & Activities

• Board of Directors, Calm Waters
• Oklahoma Lawyers for Children
• Organ Donation Advisory Counsel
• Created and managed “Gift of Life Project” through the Oklahoma Bar Association Young Lawyers Division which educated the legal profession and general public about the tragic shortage of organ and tissue donors (1995-2004)
• Board of Directors - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Oklahoma City

Speaking Engagements

(Include past, ongoing and upcoming engagements)

• Panelist on televised debate regarding tort reform legislation (2008)
• Presented jury selection topic at “Building Your Civil Trial Skills” continuing education seminar (2007)
• Presented various topics related to alternative dispute resolution at multiple continuing education seminars (2000-2007)
• Moderated debate on tort reform legislation between former chairmen of Oklahoma Medical Association and Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association (2007)
• Presented various topics related to insurance coverage and claim handling tactics at numerous continuing education seminars for national insurance company

Pro Bono

• Counsel for abused and neglected children taken into protective custody in Oklahoma County (2002-present)