Taylor McLawhorn

Qualifications

Taylor McLawhorn

Since 2008, Taylor McLawhorn has dedicated much of his career to defending those accused of criminal offenses in state and federal courts across Oklahoma. Taylor started his career in the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office where he honed his courtroom and negotiation skills before hanging a shingle as a solo lawyer in Oklahoma City.

He has extensive experience defending major felony crimes in state and federal courts across Oklahoma, as well as defending juveniles and youthful offenders.  Taylor has defended crimes of violence and homicide, drug crimes, sex crimes, theft crimes, white collar crimes, and conspiracies.  Later in his career he served the public as an Assistant Federal Public Defender and as an Assistant District Attorney.  Unlike many lawyers who merely claim to be trial lawyers, Taylor has completed more than 20 jury trials to verdict.  He has negotiated hundreds of cases and conducted numerous preliminary hearings, pretrial motion hearings, and sentencing hearings. Because of his wealth of experience in criminal law from the defense and prosecution perspectives, he can provide clients with insight that few other attorneys possess.

Taylor understands each case presents its own unique set of facts and each client’s goals vary. He prides himself on working with clients to develop individualized plans to help achieve a resolution that is fair and reasonable—whether that means going to trial or working out a plea bargain or dismissal.

He is well-versed in issues relating to competency, mental health, and addiction. Many times, these issues contribute to one’s decision making, and Taylor has a unique understanding of the various diversion courts which can provide alternatives to prison and provide the much needed help he or she deserves.

One of Taylor’s passions is helping our youth. His practice has always involved representing juveniles and youthful offenders. This area of law, especially those charged under Oklahoma’s Youthful Offender Act, requires specialized knowledge to help navigate through a complex process to avoid a child serving time in an adult penitentiary. Taylor possesses the skill and knowledge necessary to provide families with the type of representation necessary to protect the rights of our most vulnerable class of clients—our children.

Education

• Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina, B.S. in Sports Management, 2004
• Campbell University NCAA-Div. I  Baseball Team from 2000-2002
• Oklahoma City University School of Law, J.D. – 2008

Bar Admissions

• Oklahoma, 2008
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma, 2011
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Oklahoma, 2018
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Oklahoma, 2024
• U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2019

Honors

• CALI Award (chosen by professor as the top student in each course) for Legal Research and Writing I and II
• CALI Award for Trial Practice
• Faculty Honor Roll

Other Affiliations

• Oklahoma Bar Association
• Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Representative Cases

State of Oklahoma v. Clement – Mr. McLawhorn’s client was charged along with her co-defendant with human trafficking, conspiracy to commit a felony, to wit: human trafficking, possession of proceeds, use a computer for the purpose of violating Oklahoma statutes and offering to engage in an act of prostitution. After conducting the preliminary hearing and filing a host of pre-trial motions, the State of Oklahoma dismissed all four felony counts. The client was able to plead to one count of offering to engage in an act of prostitution, a misdemeanor, and received credit for time served. She was immediately released where she was able to return home, recover

State of Oklahoma v. I.I.S. – The client was charged with homicide as a juvenile. However, due to the client’s age, the client was prosecuted as an adult.  After a lengthy preliminary hearing and certification hearing, the client’s charge was reduced to a lesser degree of homicide, thus making the client eligible to be a Youthful Offender. The client was sentenced as Youthful Offender, where the client incurred no jail or prison time. The client successfully completed the Youthful Offender program.  Pursuant to statute, the case will be dismissed and expunged.

State of Oklahoma v. John Doe – Charged with multiple counts of inappropriate contact with underage females, Mr. McLawhorn was hired to represent the client through jury trial. After extensive negotiations and pre-trial prep, the case was dismissed at the request of the State of Oklahoma on the eve of trial.

State of Oklahoma v. Miller – The client was charged with Murder in the First Degree. After employing an expert, reviewing voluminous amounts of medical records, and meeting extensively with the Client’s family, it was determined the client’s mental health played a leading role in the ultimate act charged.  Mr. McLawhorn was able to negotiate an agreed plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. This allowed the client an opportunity to receive treatment in lieu of spending the rest of his life in prison.

United States of America v. Loftis – This case was one of Mr. McLawhorn’s most challenging cases.  His client was charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child.  Such a charge carries NOT LESS than 30 years in the federal bureau of prisons.  After extensive motion hearings, and a week-long trial, the jury deliberated for nearly two days.  The client was ultimately found not guilty of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child.

United States of America v. Thomas – Case dismissed by the Court based upon a violation of the client’s 4th Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

United States of America v. Chill – Case dismissed at the request of the Government after a motion to suppress was filed based upon a violation of the client’s 4th Amendment rights.

Contact Information for Taylor McLawhorn

Wyatt Law Office, 501 N. Walker Ave., Suite 110, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: 405-234-5500
Direct: 405-225-2858
Text: 405-225-2858
International: 00+1-405-234-5500 (from outside the U.S.)