Professionals

Noah has adept knowledge of Federal Aviation Enforcement regulations and has tried countless cases involving aviation title issues. Noah serves as a panel attorney for the aviation owners pilots association (AOPA) where he is responsible for FAA enforcement actions and litigation.  Prior to becoming an attorney, Noah served for over five years as a United States Marine Corps Air Defense Control Officer. As an Air Defense Control Officer, Noah provided close ground based radar control of Navy and Marine Corps aircraft; included fighters and transport aircraft. As he progressed he continued to control aircraft and provide airspace management functions for the military. Noah’s aviation experiences have made him a knowledgeable aviation attorney.

After law school at the University of Tulsa College of Law, Noah transitioned from Air Defense to become a lawyer in the Army’s Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG). He continues to serve our country as a lawyer in the United States Army Reserves and has a combined military career of over twenty years. Noah recently returned from a year-long military deployment to the Middle East where he served as Chief of Contract and Fiscal Law. He currently serves at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Noah’s extensive career includes serving as in-house counsel to one of the largest independent oil and gas exploration companies in the United States.

Experienced litigator.  Noah has enjoyed over a 15 year career trying cases before United States Army Courts, US District Federal Courts and Oklahoma State Courts. Noah is licensed to practice within the United States District Court for the DC District, United States District Court for the Northern, Western and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma and Oklahoma state courts.

Noah has prosecuted hundreds of trademark applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  As a highly experienced litigator, Noah has defended his clients’ rights before United States Federal District Courts.

Throughout his experiences in both the Army and as in-house counsel, Noah has handled a wide variety of complex legal matters. While serving in the Army, such matters included intelligence law, fiscal law, military air support missions, contracts, estate planning, military justice, administrative law, consumer law, labor, and federal ethics law. As an in-house oil and gas attorney, in addition to routine employment matters, Noah’s primary role involved negotiating, drafting, revising, and reviewing oil and gas leases, joint operating agreements, seismic agreements, farmout agreements, software licenses, and various other unique contracts related to oil and gas exploration and production.

• Masters Candidate, expected 2020 – United States Army War College
• Juris Doctor, 2002 – University of Tulsa College of Law – while at Tulsa, Noah served as Student Bar President, received an academic scholarship and was awarded for exemplary service as a student.
• Bachelor of Science, 1996 –  University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – Noah was a two sport athlete in college. He ran cross country at the University of Tennessee at Martin before finishing up his athletic career on UTC’s wrestling team. While at Chattanooga, Noah was on the Athletic Dean’s List.

Oklahoma – State and Federal

Oklahoma Bar Association

• Oklahoma United States District Court – Northern District of Oklahoma Oklahoma
• United States District Court – Western District of Oklahoma Oklahoma
• United States District Court – Eastern District of Oklahoma

District of Columbia

• United States District Court – District of Columbia

• Oklahoma Bar Association
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Panel Attorney
• Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association
• The Federalist Society

Noah is an active member of LifeChurch in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  He is married to Stephanie Fontanez and they have four children; Jacob, Hanna, Gabriel and Lauren. Noah is an avid sports fan and was a Division I wrestler and cross-country runner in college. His son Jacob also wrestled for Oklahoma State University and his daughter Hanna was a USAG power tumbling & trampoline national champion.

As a former federal prosecutor with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Nevada and Oklahoma, Mr. Gifford is highly adept in federal investigations and white collar defense.  While serving with the DOJ, Mr. Gifford’s experiences included serving as Anti-terrorism Advisory Coordinator, Human Trafficking Coordinator, and a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  

Prior to becoming an Assistant United States Attorney, he jump started his legal career working for the Cherokee Nation, as Assistant District Attorney in Tulsa, and as an Active Duty Army Judge Advocate with tours at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

Mr. Gifford is a tribal member of the Cherokee Nation and currently serves as a Chief Judge for both the Kaw Nation and Iowa Tribes.  He is also an Associate Judge for the Miami and Seminole Tribes and a Justice for the Comanche Nation Supreme Court.   

Mr. Gifford’s prosecution and diverse legal experiences bolster Sullivent & Fontanez’s bench to offer competent and capable white collar defense and assistance in federal investigations nationwide. 

Mr. Gifford enjoyed an active duty and reserve career in the Army for over 20 years and advanced to the rank of Colonel.  In addition to his time at Fort Sill, Knox, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, he mobilized on active duty to the “War Courts” at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  In that capacity, Mr. Gifford served as the Legal Spokesman to the world-wide media and Deputy Director of Legal Operations. 

In addition, Mr. Gifford was competitively selected and graduated from the prestigious United States Army War College where he earned a Masters of Strategic Studies.  Mr. Gifford’s military experiences are a tremendous value to Sullivent & Fontanez and continue the tradition of this veteran-owned law firm. 

Mr. Gifford espouses life-long learning and continues to publish scholarly works in Criminal and other areas of the law. 

Native American Law: Will It Ever Be Taken Seriously?
Lawyers Monthly
January, 2018

In the military, trusted officers have become alleged assailants in sex crimes
Washington Post
October 19, 2017

Federal prosecutor Gifford shifting to private practice
The Journal Record
December, 2016

“Your Witness Counsel” – Cross Examination
Oklahoma Bar Journal
November 19, 2016

A Primer for Ye Ol’Woodshed: Witness Preparation
Oklahoma Bar Journal
November 19, 2016

The Time is Twenty Years past 9:02 a.m.
Oklahoma Bar Journal
April 18, 2015

Human Trafficking: Beyond Pretty Woman and Huggy Bear
Oklahoma Bar Journal
August 15, 2013

The Fourth Amendment – the Airport and Borders
Oklahoma Bar Journal
November, 2012

Employment Protection for the Citizen-Soldier
Oklahoma Bar Journal
November 19, 2011

Groucho was Wrong about Military Justice
Oklahoma Bar Journal
November 19, 2011

The OBA’s ‘Draft’ – Will you Answer the Call?
Oklahoma Bar Journal
November 19, 2011

War Courts Make Sense
The Daily Oklahoman
September 7, 2009

Sex Offender Registration in Indian Country
United States Attorney Bulletin
July, 2009

Foregoing the Scorched Earth Policy: Ethical Cross-Exam
Oklahoma Bar Journal
December 15, 2008

Cross-Examination – ABA’s 101 Practice Series – Breaking Down the Rules
American Bar Association (Young Lawyer’s Division)
2007

Planning for Trial – The 101 Practice Series – Breaking Down the Rules
American Bar Association (Young Lawyer’s Division)
2007

Preparing a Witness – ABA’s 101 Practice Series – Breaking Down the Rules
American Bar Association (Young Lawyer’s Division)
2007

Protect Yourself from Credit Card Billing Errors
Military Money
October, 2007

Planes, Trains & Automobiles – the Fourth Amendment & your Vehicle
Oklahoma Bar Journal
March 15, 2007

Very Appealing Ethics
Oklahoma Bar Journal
December, 2006

Co-Signing a Loan is a Risky Business
Military Money
October, 2006

Guideline “Departures” at Sentencing after Booker
United States Attorney Bulletin
September 7, 2006

Become an Authority: Get Published
American Bar Association (General Practice/Solo Magazine)
August, 2006

Bankruptcy Just Got A Lot Tougher
Military Money
December, 2005

Ethics & the Criminal Prosecutor – Guilt shall not escape, nor innocents shall suffer
Oklahoma Bar Journal
December 15, 2005

The Law Language and Humpty Dumpty
Oklahoma Bar Journal
September 3, 2005

A Federal Grand Jury Primer
The Young Lawyer (American Bar Association)
August, 2005

The Fifth Amendment & the Federal Grand Jury
Oklahoma Bar Journal
August, 2005

Appellate Advocacy
The Young Lawyer (American Bar Association)
March, 2005

Crime & Punishment: Article 15
The Reserve & National Guard magazine
July, 2004

Let’s Kill all the Lawyers
Oklahoma Bar Journal
May 15, 2004

Understanding the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
The Young Lawyer (American Bar Association)
February, 2004

Stepping on the Battlefield: Military Justice Primer
Oklahoma Bar Journal
October, 2000

The Legalities of the Properly Shined Boot
The Tulsa Lawyer (Tulsa County Bar Association)
March, 2000

Who Really Plays for the Love Game
The Sporting News
December, 1992

Mr. Gifford’s extraordinary accomplishments as a prosecutor have earned him awards for outstanding performance by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Director of the United States Marshal’s Service, and the United States Department of Agriculture. 

He has also been an active member of the Oklahoma Bar Association.  He has served as the Chair of the bar’s Criminal Law Section, was previously a member of the bar’s Board of Governors, and was the founder and previous Chair of the Oklahoma Bar Military and Veteran’s Law Section.  Mr. Gifford’s service earned him the Oklahoma Bar Association’s “Professional Advocate of the Year”.  He also was awarded the prestigious Justice Cardozo Award for his work in Criminal Law.

Juris Doctorate, 1996 – University of Oklahoma College of Law – Articles Editor, American Indian Law Review; Who’s Who (American Law School Students); Secretary, National Native American Law Students Association; National Moot Court Team (NALSA); Intern, Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office (’95-’96); Judicial Extern (Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals); Intern, Oklahoma Tax Commission (’94-’95); Intern/Legal Clerk (Cherokee Nation)

Master’s Degree, 2015 – United States Army War College- Strategic Studies

Bachelors, 1993 – Southwestern College – Triple-major graduate (Marketing, Mass Communications, & Film) with a Minor in Business Administration; Rhodes Scholar applicant on behalf of College; Honors Graduate; Varsity Football, Varsity Track and Field, Academic All-Conference.

Master Military Justice Practitioner

United States Supreme Court Bar

Oklahoma Bar Association

Mr. Gifford is a devoted husband and father of three daughters.  He loves Oklahoma and military history and has a passion for Native American culture. 

Attorney Kretzer is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law with honors.  During law school Mr. Kretzer distinguished himself as a student and served as the Articles Editor of the Law Review.

He then served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge David Folsom in Texarkana, one of the most active patent-litigation dockets in the United States.  Following that clerkship, he served a year as a law clerk for Judge Thomas M. Reavley on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Mr. Krezter has tremendous expertise in civil litigation, including, serving as an attorney at Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright), one of the largest litigation firms in the world.

Mr. Kretzer has argued more than thirty criminal appeals in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.  His background includes successful appeals in multi-million dollar controversies, serving in numerous cases as a court appointed receiver in monetizing judgements, and extensive high level white collar criminal appeals.  Recently, he obtained a successful outcome in Exergy Dev. Grp. of Idaho, LLC v. Higher Power Energy, LLC, No. 14-14-00788-CV, 2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 105 (App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016), where he obtained a unanimous reversal of $20 million in “death penalty” sanctions.

• University of Texas – Austin – BBA Finance (honors) 2000
• University of Texas – Austin School of Law (with honors) 2003, served as Articles Editor of the Law Review

• Colorado State and Federal

• United States District Court – District of Colorado

• Texas State and Federal

• United States District Court – Eastern District of Texas
• United States District Court – Northern District of Texas
• United States District Court – Western District of Texas
• United States District Court – Southern District of Texas

• New York State and Federal

• United States District Court – Eastern District of New York
• United States District Court – Northern District of New York
• United States District Court – Western District of New York
• United States District Court – Southern District of New York

• United States Court of Appeals for the First, Second, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits

• Supreme Court of the United States

Over the years, Tom has noticed a change in how clients wish to interact with lawyers and law firms.  As a result, he now provides his clients with more choices on pricing, as well as when and how the attorney and clients meet – whether in person, via video conference, telephone, email or a combination of all. 

Tom frequently speaks to accountants, financial advisors, insurance agents, lawyers, churches, charities, and civic groups on topics such as How to Avoid Probate, How to Determine If You Need a Trust, Asset Protection, Medicaid Planning, and Special Needs Trusts and does Continuing Education classes.

Tom has written two books: Trusts: Explained and Illustrated which is primarily used with clients to help them understand trusts and estate planning in general; and How to Give Through Estate Planning to help people who want to get more creative in their giving.

• University of Tulsa 1996, J.D.
• University of Oklahoma 1991, BBA

• Oklahoma Bar Association
• United States District Court – Northern District of Oklahoma
• United States District Court – Eastern District of Oklahoma
• United States District Court – Western District of Oklahoma

• American Bar Association
• Oklahoma Bar Association

Mr. Auricchio’s diverse experience includes business and commercial litigation, general civil litigation, and medical negligence.  He is well known in Chicago for his work as an attorney and truly exudes superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership. 

He also hosts a lively radio talk show on AM560, The Answer.  As a thought leader, he has served as a featured speaker for the National Business Institute on topics regarding litigation and winning deposition strategies.  Mr. Auricchio is also relied on by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons as an annual speaker for the preparation of medical and legal testimony.

Mr. Auricchio obtained his Juris Doctor from the DePaul University College of Law in 1997, holds a Bachelor of Science from Vanderbilt University obtained in 1993, and received his High School Diploma in 1989 from the prestigious Hunter College High School in New York, New York.

Mr. Auricchio is a member of the Illinois Bar.

• American Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• Christian Legal Society
• Alliance Defending Freedom
• Christian Businessmen’s Connection

Mr. Auricchio is a devoted husband, father, and Christian lawyer.  His spiritual life guides his commitment to serve his clients with the utmost integrity and passion. 

Aaron is a great addition to the Sullivent & Fontanez team.  Over the years, he has served thousands of clients as a Tennessee real estate attorney. His career spans 20 years as a dedicated real estate attorney and licensed title insurance agent.

Aaron takes pride in providing efficient and professional legal closing services for our Tennessee clients. Aaron and his Nashville team offer a relaxed atmosphere for clients, lenders, and realtors to buy, sell, move, and borrow.

Aaron has been an owner of Escrow Services of Tennessee, LLC for over 20 years. His company is an attorney-owned title and escrow company that boasts over 20,000 closings since he has been at the helm.

• Juris Doctorate, 1997 – Vanderbilt University Law School
• BA, 1994 – University of Tennessee – Chattanooga (Magna Cum Laude)- History Major with a Minor in English Literature
• While at Chattanooga, Aaron was a member of the Rowing Team and Campus Crusade for Christ

Aaron has been a member of the Tennessee Bar since 1997.

Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife of over 20 years and two children. Their family loves the outdoors, running, and hiking. They are active members of their church in Nashville, Tennessee.

James W. Volberding, CPA, holds a B.B.A. Texas A&M University in accounting and finance. He worked as a CPA for the accounting firm Cooper & Lybrand in Midland, Texas and then as an internal auditor for the management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton in New Jersey as an internal auditor.  He planned and led audits throughout the firm’s worldwide practice offices including London, Paris, São Paulo, Mexico City, Düsseldorf, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Washington.

Mr. Volberding graduated from Baylor Law School where he was Senior Notes & Comments Editor of the Baylor Law Review.  He clerked for the Hon. Judge William M. Steger, U.S. District Court, in Tyler, then served as a state felony prosecutor. Mr. Volberding concentrates on civil litigation in Texas and federal courts. He is frequently appointed as a receiver by courts to seize and liquidate non-exempt assets of commercial judgment debtors.

Mr. Volberding is presently a Lieutenant Colonel with the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He holds a Master’s of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. He is married with five children. He has run more than sixty marathons, including nine Boston Marathons. He is a member of the International Bar Association and the International Criminal Court Bar Association.

Mr. Volberding is a Lieutenant Colonel with the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He is currently assigned as the Staff Judge Advocate, 412^th Theater Engineer Command, Vicksburg, Mississippi.

• Texas A&M, BBA, Accounting & Finance
• Baylor Law School, Juris Doctor
• United States Army War College, Master’s of Strategic Studies

• State Bar of Texas
• United States District Courts – Eastern District of Texas
• United States Court of Appeals – Fifth Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
• Supreme Court of the United States

• Board Certified in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
• International Bar Association and the International Criminal Court Bar Association