Chris Brecht

Chris Brecht is a trial and appellate attorney at Smolen Law, with experience in adoption, family law, criminal defense, workers’ compensation, and complex civil lawsuits and disputes. He represents clients throughout Oklahoma, including in the state’s federal courts, and has handled litigation in Arkansas. He began his legal career in criminal defense with the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office before moving into private practice. His work spans contested matters requiring trial preparation, appellate advocacy, and strategic case development.

Chris earned his B.A. in Journalism-Broadcasting from Oklahoma State University. He later earned his J.D. from the University of Tulsa College of Law. During law school, he served on the Energy Law Journal and received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Constitutional Law. His academic background helped establish a foundation for a practice involving courtroom advocacy, appeals, family disputes, adoption matters, and complex litigation.

Chris has secured favorable Oklahoma Supreme Court opinions in Jensen v. Poindexter and Schnedler v. Lee. His official profile states that these decisions were automatically designated landmark cases. The Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section later recognized Schnedler as its Groundbreaking Family Law Case of the Year. His appellate work extends alongside trial matters involving families, adoptions, criminal allegations, workers’ compensation claims, and civil disputes.

Chris Brecht remains active in the Oklahoma and Tulsa County legal communities. He serves as Secretary of the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section and previously chaired its Adoption Committee. His memberships include the Oklahoma Bar Association, Tulsa County Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association, American Bar Association, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Bar, and American Inns of Court. His practice combines trial advocacy, appellate work, and experience across several areas of litigation.

Law Office Affiliations

• Trial & Appellate Attorney, Smolen Law, PLLC
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Oklahoma Bar Association
• Member, Tulsa County Bar Association
• Member, Arkansas Bar Association
• Member, Muscogee (Creek) National Bar
• Member, American Inns of Court, Council Oak-/Johnson Sontag

Licensed State

• Oklahoma

Education

• University of Tulsa College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Oklahoma State University
  BA in Journalism Broadcasting

Awards & Badges