Workers’ comp attorney adheres to truest ideals of honesty, ethics

April 21-- Apr. 21--Not long after attorney Don Bullard went out on his own 27 years ago, Bullard -- who focuses on the defense of workers' compensation -- missed a deadline to file an appeal on a case. Absentmindedly, he thought the month had 31 days versus 30 and then had no computer-generated appointment calendars to remind him.

Bullard refused to simply tell his client they needed to settle -- as he'd seen other lawyers do when they made similar mistakes. Instead, he called the his client -- then his biggest -- and explained his oversight.

Remarkably, his client sent him more business because of his honesty.

"I absolutely refuse to do anything illegal or unethical, such as withholding evidence that would support a worker's case," Bullard said. "I tell my clients as much, but the great majority, which include several large employers such as American Airlines, make it clear that they very much want to take care of their employees," he said.

"My job," Bullard said, "is to make sure those employers aren't taken advantage of."

From his 8,000-square-foot Midtown offices at 304 NW 13, Bullard, who turned 60 on Wednesday, sat down with The Oklahoman on Monday to talk about his life and career. This is an edited transcript:

Tell us about your roots.

My dad's parents lived on a cattle farm in Paden; I'd spend two weeks there every summer growing up. My mom's parents lived in Connecticut; they emigrated from Italy when they were children. My parents met in Oklahoma City. At the end of World War II, my dad enlisted and served four years in the Army. My mom was a nurse and stationed here. They settled in Chickasha, where my dad ultimately bought an insurance agency. I'm the seventh of their eight children; at one time, five of us boys shared a bedroom. Sadly, my older brother David died in a car accident when he was 2. I never met him, but I named my son after him.

You were awarded basically a full-ride scholarship to play collegiate baseball for Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. Were you any good?

We made the finals of the District 9 tournament, and I was All-Conference, All-District and an honorable mention All-American. I played catcher, and had a high fielding percentage. My senior year, my hitting average was .395; it was .437 until my legs went out halfway through the season. After graduation, I played in an adult softball league until 1988. That year, we won Class A State. I've since had surgeries on both of my knees and on my right shoulder -- twice. But I wouldn't have missed it.

When did you decide to become a lawyer?

In fifth grade, at the former St. Joseph's Catholic School in Chickasha. I was enamored with The Gettysburg Address and realized that Abe Lincoln was a lawyer. My older brother Bill also went to law school. He recently retired from OG&E as its longtime general counsel and now is of counsel at his old firm.

How did you come to specialize in workers' compensation law?

I was pulled into it. I didn't take workers' comp in college. But I was pretty good at it. After graduation, I joined a large firm -- Pierce, Couch, Hendrickson -- and worked there less than a year before attorney Chris Sturm wooed me away with too much money to turn down. I worked with Sturm for five years. When he started focusing more on oil and gas, I left and went out on my own; initially with two other partners: Daniel J. Hoehner and the late Gary M. Chubbuck. Early on, the firm took product liability and medical malpractice cases. But it wasn't long before we focused solely on workers' comp law. Today, the firm employs 21, including seven attorneys.

Does your work require travel outside the state?

If the case requires it. I once commuted to Milwaukee for months on end to represent an insurance company being sued by Kerr-McGee over asbestos exposure. Last year, I was in Edmonton, Canada, defending Oklahoma energy companies whose workers were injured on the job there.

What are some of your firm's proudest achievements?

We've been published 18 times about workers' compensation changes due to the way the court interprets the law. For example, one published case prohibited prejudgment interest in workers' compensation. Because of a series of delays, the case -- which involved a death due to asbestos exposure -- didn't go to trial for two years. The claimants asked for interest on the settlement for those two years, but weren't awarded it. We soon may be published 19 times. I have a case pending in the state Supreme Court, which deals with marijuana in the workplace.

PERSONALLY SPEAKING

Company: Bullard & Associates

Age: 60

Grew up in: Chickasha

Education: University of Oklahoma, law degree; Southwestern Oklahoma State University, bachelor's in business administration/political science. He played collegiate baseball, catcher, for SWOSU.

Spouse: Candi, Sanctuary decor shop owner, former court reporter. He and his wife of 31 years met at the courthouse and married six months later.

Children: Brandi Brown, 41; Charli Bullard, 33; McKenci Hudiburg, 28; and David Bullard, 26; all of the metro area; and five grandchildren, aged 11 days to 11 years

Neighborhood: Nichols Hills

Honors: He's one of only nine attorneys inducted into The College of Workers Compensation Lawyers, which was established to honor those who've distinguished themselves in the field.

Favorite nonprofit: HopeHouse OKC, which helps families break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. He's a former longtime board member.

Worship: Our Lady's Cathedral/Christ the King Catholic Church

Pastimes: Hanging with family (he has a place at Grand Lake.), golf (he had the unexpected pleasure of playing nine holes at Oak Tree with Mickey Mantle, about a year before Mantle's death.), and travel, including visiting the Italian town where his grandparents grew up and floating through France on a barge with friends.

Recent reads: "Scalia and Garner's Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges" and "The Killer Angels," a historical novel of the Civil War.

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