Melvin Hall serves as the employment law attorney for OKC-AFT. Melvin was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Langston University on a football scholarship, and received his B.A. in Education in 1978. Melvin attended the University of Oklahoma College of Law, and graduated in 1981. After an eight year public service career, first as a prosecutor with the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office, and then as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission, Melvin joined the firm of Riggs Abney on January 1, 1988, and has been a shareholder since 1992. He focuses on the civil litigation of employment law and civil rights cases.
Tony DeGiusti has served OKC-AFT in many capacities over the years. A former Oklahoma City teacher, Tony was a worksite leader for most of his 25 years in the classroom. He was also an executive board member for several years. From 1981 to 1987 he served as the first field representative from OKC-AFT. He was president of the Union in 1988, the same year he entered law school at OCU. After graduating from law school in 1992, Tony continued his union advocacy by representing teachers in grievances, at conferences with administration, at school board hearings, and at the State Department of Education, and in court, not only for OKC-AFT but also for AFT locals throughout the state. From 2003 to 2013 he held the position of chief legal counsel for OKC-AFT. Tony is mostly retired now, but still serves OKC-AFT by writing wills for teachers and spouses, a free service to members. He is also counsel at the Homsey Law Center in Oklahoma City.
Kent Eldridge handles Workers Compensation cases and personal injury cases for our OKC-AFT members. Kent has tried numerous jury and non-jury trials in state and federal courts. He attended the University of Oklahoma for undergraduate studies in Political Science and law school where he obtained his Juris Doctorate. Kent previously served as a judge for Workers Compensation Court for six years.
Doug Parr serves as the criminal defense attorney for OKC-AFT. Doug, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Law School, has over 30 years of experience and has earned the respect of his peers for his extensive experience and skill as a trial attorney and for his extensive knowledge of the legal aspects of an individual's constitutional rights. Mr. Parr has also appeared as a legal commentator on "ABC Nightline" and "Good Morning America."