DREW EDMONDSON
- Robert Service
William A. (Drew) Edmondson is an of counsel in the firm’s Oklahoma City office. Mr. Edmondson serves in the firm’s litigation practice, providing strategic counsel on matters ranging from litigation to administrative law. His expertise also includes areas of appellate law, civil litigation, environmental law, government and politics and Native American law.
A public service advocate, Mr. Edmondson began private practice law after serving as Attorney General for 16 years. During his tenure, he served on the negotiating team for a record-breaking settlement agreement against Big Tobacco and led the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust. Additionally, while Attorney General, he negotiated a settlement to establish the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust, which has funded more than $31 million in technology and training in Oklahoma public schools.
Mr. Edmondson has a true commitment to the law. He received the Kelly-Wyman Award as the outstanding attorney general in the country and was recognized in 1984 as the Outstanding District Attorney for the State of Oklahoma after serving in Muskogee. Northeastern State University presented Mr. Edmondson with the 100 Centurion Award, honoring individuals who have positively impacted the community over the last 100 years.
Mr. Edmondson was elected to the Oklahoma state legislature in 1974, and earned his Juris Doctor from The University of Tulsa College of Law in 1978. He received his bachelor’s degree in speech with a minor in education and history from Northeastern State College (now University) in 1968.
Mr. Edmondson is a member of the Oklahoma County Bar Association and the Oklahoma Bar Association. He is admitted to practice law in the state of Oklahoma, in the Eastern, Northern and Western Districts, and the 1st Circuit of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Notable Cases
Mr. Edmondson was one of eight attorneys general to negotiate a record-breaking settlement agreement with the country’s largest tobacco companies. He led the charge to establish the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, which protected the settlement money and ensured that it can only be spent on public health. The Tobacco Trust balance currently stands at more than $1 billion.
Mr. Edmondson negotiated a settlement with then Southwestern Bell to establish the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust. Since then, OETT has put more than $37 million in technology and training into Oklahoma public schools.
Mr. Edmondson streamlined the death penalty appeals process and establishing the Victim’s Services Unit in the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office.
Board Service
National Association of Attorneys General – Past President, Chairman of the Consumer Protection Committee, Chairman of the Tobacco Enforcement Committee, Chair of the Southern Region of Attorneys General
Oklahoma District Attorneys Association – Past President
Oklahoma City University School of Law – Executive Board Member
Palomar Family Justice Center – Board Member
Oklahoma Mental Health Association – Advisory Board Member
Bacone College – Past Board Member
Rainbow Fleet – Advisory Board Member
Community Involvement
Leadership Oklahoma Class IV – Member
Presbyterian Church – Elder
Rotary Club of Oklahoma City
Freedom of Information, Inc. – Advisory Board Member
528 NW 12th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
