Litigation, Trials & Appeals
Civil and criminal controversies and litigation, trials, and appeals — including tax, constitutional, commercial, and estate matters — from Clifford N. Ribner in Tulsa.
Tax controversy work remains the core of the practice. This page covers the trial-attorney lane: selected civil and white-collar criminal litigation, trials, and appeals for clients in Tulsa, across Oklahoma, and nationwide where the facts fit.
Mr. Ribner is the most qualified and experienced tax lawyer in the region. Most tax lawyers never go to court. Mr. Ribner has tried cases to juries. This makes a huge difference.
Practice focus
Practice is limited to civil and criminal controversies and litigation, trials, and appeals of all kinds, including tax, constitutional, commercial, and estate litigation and controversies.
- Trial Lawyer — civil & criminal trials — Jury trials and bench trials in civil and criminal matters that fit this practice, including white-collar criminal defense.
- Appellate Litigation — Appeals in state and federal courts, including the Tenth and Fourth Circuits and the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Shareholder & Partnership Disputes — Ownership, management, and compensation disputes among shareholders or partners.
- Estate, Beneficiary & Trust Litigation — Disputes for estate beneficiaries and trust controversies; not routine probate administration.
- Securities Fraud & Market Manipulation Defense — Defense of securities fraud, insider trading, and market manipulation allegations.
- Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith — Coverage disputes and insurer bad-faith claims.
- Real Estate Disputes & Litigation — Serious real estate controversies and litigation — not routine closings.
- Construction Litigation (major cases only) — Only construction cases large enough to go to trial. Not employee/employer disputes, work-injury claims, personal injury, or minor disagreements. Most retainers begin at $10,000 or more. For major civil or criminal representation on matters that can involve hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.
Tax work vs. this page
IRS appeals, offers in compromise, employment tax, criminal tax, and related tax controversy services stay on the Tax Attorney pages. Use this page when you need a trial lawyer for major civil or criminal litigation, including appellate work.
Litigation FAQ
When should I hire this office for litigation instead of tax-only work?
Hire for litigation when the matter is a civil or criminal controversy headed for trial or appeal — tax, constitutional, commercial, or estate — and you need a trial lawyer, not only IRS collection or return help. Tax controversy work still sits on the Tax Attorney pages; this page covers the trial and appellate lane.
What non-tax litigation does this trial lawyer accept?
Selected civil and white-collar criminal litigation, trials, and appeals — including constitutional, commercial, and estate controversies — alongside the tax-attorney focus. Construction matters are limited to cases large enough for trial.
What is the typical litigation retainer for Mr. Ribner?
As with most established litigators, cases that require litigation typically begin with an initial retainer of $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the complexity of the case. The office does not take pro bono matters.
Does the office handle personal injury or work-injury claims?
No. Personal injury, work-injury, employee/employer disputes, and minor disagreements are outside the practice. Construction litigation is only for major matters large enough to go to trial — six- or seven-figure impact, not minor disputes.
How many years has Mr. Ribner argued cases in court?
Mr. Ribner has successfully argued cases over the last 47 years, including multiple jury trials and appeals in state and federal forums.
Also see Tulsa Tax Attorney, Oklahoma Tax Attorney, and Resume.