Title: President and Attorney
Company: Deborah E. Fortune, Attorney at Law, P.C.
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Deborah E. Fortune, President and Attorney at Deborah E. Fortune, Attorney at Law, P.C., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Law.
For five decades, Ms. Fortune has demonstrated exceptional expertise in oil and gas law, family law and commercial law. Her professional journey is marked by a steadfast commitment to advancing her field and breaking barriers for women in the legal profession. Since 1982, Ms. Fortune has served as the president and attorney at Deborah E. Fortune, Attorney at Law, P.C. In recent years, she transitioned to a semi-retired status but continues to contribute actively by taking select cases and consolidating her law office into her home.
Before this role, Ms. Fortune held the position of senior attorney at the Fortune Law Center beginning in 1979. Throughout her tenure in these roles, she distinguished herself through her willingness to take decisive action and pursue opportunities that others might have hesitated to embrace. Notably, she led negotiations for new business ventures with the People’s Republic of China during the mid-1980s. When a client encountered an opportunity involving oil field equipment considered obsolete in Oklahoma, Ms. Fortune identified an overseas market interested in purchasing entire rigs and seeking training on their setup. Over three years, she successfully secured contracts for shipping these rigs abroad, a milestone achievement that remains a highlight of her career.
Ms. Fortune’s ability to navigate complex legal environments was honed during an era when it was rare for women to practice law, especially within her chosen specialties. For a decade, she was often the only woman present in professional settings dominated by men. This experience required Ms. Fortune to develop confidence and adaptability while remaining true to her identity. Rather than conforming to traditional expectations or dressing like her male counterparts, she embraced her femininity with pride.
Ms. Fortune’s expertise has become widely respected across oil and gas law, family law and commercial law. She credits much of her success to lessons learned early on. Always doing what was right regardless of external pressures or even established rules was paramount to her. Ms. Fortune’s approach set her apart from peers as someone who faced challenges head-on without fear of failure or hesitation.
Education played a pivotal role in shaping Ms. Fortune’s achievements, culminating in a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the College of Law at The University of Oklahoma in Norman in 1979. The rigorous academic environment provided a foundation for her legal acumen and equipped her with the skills necessary to excel in trial law and complex negotiations. Ms. Fortune has been admitted to practice by the Oklahoma and Texas Bar Associations, as well as the federal courts of Arkansas.
Ms. Fortune’s entry into the legal profession was inspired by personal experience during contentious court proceedings involving probate matters and inheritance disputes. Frustrated by being addressed informally by the presiding judge and motivated by encouragement from her family, she resolved to pursue a career in law. This decision would shape the trajectory of Ms. Fortune’s life and legacy.
Mentorship has also been integral to Ms. Fortune’s development as a legal professional. She acknowledges O.A. Cargill Junior as an influential mentor who imparted critical knowledge about trial law. Additionally, after navigating a challenging divorce involving multiple closely held corporations, Ms. Fortune found invaluable guidance from Arnold David Fagan. This experience reinforced her resolve to pursue justice both personally and professionally.
Looking ahead, Ms. Fortune is eager to engage in consulting and mentoring aspiring lawyers, particularly those who lack proper guidance or training within the profession today. She recognizes concerning trends among young attorneys who focus more on adversarial tactics than on serving their clients’ best interests and hopes to foster positive change through mentorship.
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