Mary McMillen

Age and/or Generation

36 y/0--GenXer

Current Job(s)

I'm a solo-practicing attorney in Tulsa.  I have an office in the Mid-Continent Tower on 4th and Boston, and I primarily practice criminal defense.  I also do estate planning and family law.

Former Job(s)

I taught freshman level English courses at Northeastern State University (Tahlequah campus) for seven years.  It was a great job, and I truly loved every single minute of teaching.  My favorite part of teaching at the college level was the ability to interact with so many students.  

While in college, I had many jobs on campus.  I worked for the NSU parking and traffic office (processing tickets; not writing them), NSU Veteran Education Services, North Leoser computer labs, and the College of Arts and Letters (before it became the College of Liberal Arts/COLA) as assistant to the English Department Chair.  Off campus, I had jobs all over Tahlequah.  My favorite off-campus job was working for David and Jack Spears at Arrowhead Camp on the Illinois River.

Education and/or Training

I hold a Bachelor's in English, a Master's in English, and Juris Doctor degree.  Both English degrees are from NSU, and I earned my Juris Doctor degree at the University of Tulsa College of Law.

Greatest Professional Accomplishment

I'm still working toward my greatest professional accomplishment.  Thus far, my greatest professional accomplishment is probably getting the education I needed to enter my chosen career field.  My education is what allows me to be part of the discourse going on within my professional community.

Areas of Expertise

Criminal law and legal research.

Hometown

Stigler, Oklahoma

Other Towns of Residence

Bakersfield, California; Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Family

Married, three kids, one brother, two sisters, two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, two nieces, five nephews, one great-nephew--the usual accumulation of people who keep me headed in the right direction.

Hobbies

I enjoy gardening, cooking, reading, and knitting.

The Role of Mentors in Your Life

Mentors have played a great role in my life.  Jackie Wilcox (professor emeritus at NSU and my former boss at NSU) has been my most influential mentor.  Over these past fourteen years, Jackie never wavered in her support and encouragement.  She truly helped shape me into the person I am today, and I am grateful that she is part of my life.

As a student, my mentors helped me find the confidence to carry on, gave me insights to help me understand where I was going, and proudly stood beside me when I finally found my way.  I am grateful for all the mentors who've been part of my journey.

Favorite Quotation

"Dreams are the touchstones of our character."  H.D. Thoreau