Wilson Pipestem
Pipestem Law, P.C.
Tulsa, OK USA
"Don’t look at your life story as a disadvantage. Look at it as part of your story and the advantage that you can create from that."
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Wilson's work combines: Law, Government, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
A college education does matter and is very valuable. While I highly encourage a degree—a necessity if you want to become a lawyer—keep in mind that you're going to learn the most by getting out there and trying things. Once you start working in the private or nonprofit sector, you'll start learning so much more than what you were taught in school.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
English Language and Literature, General
Oklahoma State University
Doctorate
Law
Stanford Law School
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up accompanying my father to Tribal Court and Tribal Council meetings.
2.
Watching my father work was very impactful, and inspired me to want to become a lawyer.
3.
After high school, I went to Oklahoma State University on a cross country scholarship and majored in English.
4.
I went on to earn my law degree from Stanford Law School in California.
5.
After law school, I started my career at a big law firm in Washington, D.C.
6.
I spent five years at that law firm before creating my own firm, Pipestem Law Firm.
7.
I’ve been with Pipestem Law Firm for over 20 years now, and recently added another named partner to the firm, creating Pipestem & Nagel, P.C.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I need to go straight to law school and then straight to work to crush my debt.
How I responded:
Everyone told me to go straight to law school so that I don't get distracted. I wish I had taken a break to work and grow myself. After law school, I felt the heavy burden of student debt. I joined a big law firm right away to alleviate my debt. I wish I had done a clerkship first instead to grow a bit more. Once you start working and competing with other lawyers, you need to be able to distinguish yourself. I suggest taking time to develop yourself rather than taking each next step so quickly.