Finding A Way To Get It Dunn

BY C.L. HARMON
PUBLISHER

One gets it Dunn. Or at least John Dunn gets it done. Just as his law practice slogan reads, “We will either find a way or make one!”
Dunn and his wife Reba have opened up a new law office in Mannford this week. This is an expansion of his practice in Tulsa which he opened up in 2007.
Although not originally from Mannford, he and Reba now live in the Mannford. He was raised near 48/64 junction in Pawnee County, attended Sand Spring schools and then attended OSU.
His life begins to take a very unusual course after receiving a degree in Chemical Engineering. Prepared for a career of absolutes dictated by the laws of physics, Dunn began slowly realizing that laws with very little room for flexibility were a set of laws that left even less room for creative solving problem.
“Everyday people come to me with problems; sometimes I can solve them, sometimes I can’t. But at least I can be creative in my approach to solve them. Engineering is governed by the laws of physics and the options to creatively solve problems are limited by certain things. But when dealing with the application of man’s laws as opposed to the laws of thermal dynamics and the laws of physics, you are substantially unbounded,” Dunn said.
Dunn is a problem solver by nature. He enjoys this aspect immensely and this allows him to challenge the obstacles which stand in his way while serving his clients. While working in the engineering field, Dunn began to foster an interest in law enforcement. He pursued that interest by first becoming a reserve deputy with the Mounds Police Department. He would follow that up with a complete career change by taking full-time employment as a deputy with the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office.
As time moved forward, Dunn began to realize that at some point he would become “too old to chase the tail lights.” But he loved the aspect of dealing with people and helping them solve their problems through a legal avenue. So again, with the precision of an analytical thought process, he made another calculated decision to yet again change careers. He enrolled in TU Law School and found the study of man’s laws to be much more flexible than those of Newton and other scientists.
As time moved forward in his law enforcement career , Dunn began to further realize that at some point he would become “too old to chase the tail lights” and may not be able to continue working on people’s problems in the capacity of a deputy. But he loved the aspect of dealing with people and helping them solve their problems through a legal avenue. So again, with the precision of an analytical thought process, he made another calculated decision to yet again change careers. He enrolled in TU Law School and found the study of man’s laws to be much more flexible than those of Newton and other scientists which governed his career as a chemical engineer.
Initially, he considered working in the district attorney’s office and even did an internship under Larry Stuart. However, there were no positions available in Pawnee or Osage County after graduating and so he chose to go it alone and opened up an office in Tulsa. When asked why he chose to open up another office in Mannford with already a successful practice in Tulsa, he replied “this is home.”
“It appeared that Mannford was in need of additional legal services and this office space was available. My wife and I talked about it and decided to expand our Tulsa office to the Mannford area,” Dunn said. He added, that with this office, he can be closer to home and have the opportunity to work with his neighbors and provide a service to Creek County and the surrounding ones as well.
“I like solving people’s problems and giving them some peace of mind. I want people to know that they are not alone and that they have an advocate.” Although Dunn jokingly made the comment that his next statement would be an oxymoron, he said that he believes in honesty and that by conveying the truth to his clients, good or bad, about their options may not always get him the case, but that is okay.
Dunn has had many highlights in his law career from major crime cases to appellate work and even made (changed) law with a DUI case. Dunn convinced an appellate court that the law needed changed The established law at that time read, if an intoxicated person is in a running vehicle, not behind the wheel but capable of driving, then that person has actual physical control of the vehicle and is subject to being guilty of DUI. Dunn argued that without intent to drive, then its just an intoxicated person in a vehicle. He won and the record so shall reflect for future cases!
Dunn is now available with his expertise in both the law and law enforcement to Mannford and area residents. His specific blend of talents and honesty creatively mixed together should bring an interesting interpretation to man’s laws and even to a few appellate judges as he continues to solve problems in an ever changing world of people and jurisprudence.