MARK K. BAILEY
Founding Director and Senior Counsel
Mark Kendall Bailey was born in Alexandria, Louisiana. After graduation with distinction from Louisiana College with a B.S. in Criminal Justice, Mark worked as a licensed Firearm Instructor and Tactical Baton Trainer for law enforcement personnel.
In 2001, Mark received his Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law. After graduation, he accepted a position with Oklahoma City law firm Hiltgen & Brewer, and began his legal career in the area of Corporate Litigation. Mark successfully defended major corporate clients, such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot, in numerous trials across Oklahoma.
However, in 2003, he shifted his legal focus to Criminal Defense Litigation and began working for the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office, where Mark was responsible for managing, negotiating, and litigating thousands of felony cases, ranging from DUI to Murder in the First Degree. Based on his extremely high success rate, Mark was promoted to Supervising Attorney, where he was responsible for training others in the professional and appropriate representation of clients. After leaving the Public Defender’s Office, Mark continued with criminal defense representation for the Oklahoma firm Atkins and Markoff. In 2010, Mark incorporated his own firm for the continuation of legal work within the private sector.
Mark practices law in state courtrooms across Oklahoma and Texas, as well as in the United States Federal District Courts for the Western and Northern Districts of Oklahoma. Mark appreciates the value of a reputable legal education, and has taught college classes on Jury Selection Techniques and Forensic Firearms Evidence. He also teaches Continuing Legal Education courses with the Oklahoma Bar Association, and is one of the legal educators for Self-Defense Act licenses for H & H Shooting Sports. He is also an active member in the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, Armed Citizens Alliance, Inc., and listed in the National Rifle Association Business Alliance.
Mark is currently affiliated with numerous legal associations that further the respect of the legal profession, such as the National and Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Associations, Oklahoma Bar Association, and Texas Bar Association. Mark is also a licensed Certified Mediator, and was honored with the prestigious Burbridge Foundation Award for Excellence in Mediation in 2001.
Mark practices law in state courtrooms across Oklahoma and Texas, as well as in the United States Federal District Courts for the Western and Northern Districts of Oklahoma. Mark appreciates the value of a reputable legal education, and has taught college classes on Jury Selection Techniques and Forensic Firearms Evidence. He is currently affiliated with numerous legal associations that further the respect of the legal profession, such as the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Oklahoma Bar Association, and Texas Bar Association. Mark is also a licensed Certified Mediator, and was honored with the prestigious Burbridge Foundation Award for Excellence in Mediation in 2001.
Apart from his busy law career, Mark is an avid freshwater and saltwater fisherman, and is the proud father of an energetic kindergartener, Bryce.
EMILIE KIRKPATRICK
Legal Counsel
Emilie Kirkpatrick was born and raised in New York City. She attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, where she triple-majored in psychology, religion, and Spanish. While at Wesleyan, Ms. Kirkpatrick worked at the Connecticut Valley Hospital, one of the last state-run mental hospitals. She assisted and advocated for mentally-impaired patients whose afflictions ranged from Bipolar Disorder to Schizophrenia to severe drug and alcohol addiction.
Ms. Kirkpatrick came to Oklahoma in 2003 to be closer to her family. Upon arrival, she enrolled at The University of Oklahoma School of Law. In addition to her legal studies, Ms. Kirkpatrick served as an editor of the American Indian Bar Review.
After graduation, Ms. Kirkpatrick began her legal career at the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office. During her tenure at the Public Defender’s Office, she personally handled thousands of criminal cases ranging from DUI, property crimes, drug possession, trafficking narcotics, sex crimes, to murder. Ms. Kirkpatrick rose through the ranks of the Public Defender’s Office to become a supervising attorney, responsible for advising less experienced attorneys and interns, primarily in the areas of case management and trial preparation.
Ms. Kirkpatrick further distinguished herself while at the Public Defender’s Office by obtaining coveted dismissals prior to trial in a wide range of cases, including murder. In addition, she has secured numerous acquittals in a wide variety of cases that include drug possession and trafficking, larceny, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, possession of contraband in a penal institution, domestic abuse, armed robbery, rape, kidnapping, and shooting with intent to kill.
Based on her success as a trial attorney, Ms. Kirkpatrick became deeply involved in death penalty litigation. In that capacity, she has worked as defense counsel on numerous Capital cases.
When not in the courtroom, Ms. Kirkpatrick enjoys being outdoors with her beloved dog Maya by her side and spending time with her family.
LACERRO M. DANIELS
Paralegal and Office Manager
Born and raised in Oklahoma City, LaCerro is a devout Christian who enjoys food, fun, and fellowship with friends and her beautiful daughter, who attends Oklahoma State University. She received her Bachelor and Master’s Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, after earning her Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from Rose State College.
LaCerro was a Human Resource professional, with 15 years of management experience, before she expanded her administrative talents to include paralegal work in 2004. LaCerro is responsible for all operational and administrative aspects of the firm, and additionally coordinates the firm’s Paralegal Internship Program.
LaCerro also volunteers her time with various non-profit groups in the Oklahoma City area, and is passionate about prison ministry. She is currently preparing to start a non-profit prison ministry group that not only supports those who are currently incarcerated, but supports their families as well.
Hayley Potts
Legal Assistant and Intern
Hayley Potts was born in Yeovil, a small town in southwest England. Before moving to the United States, Hayley graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University Law School with honors in 2010, and became a licensed barrister in the U.K. While in England, Hayley worked with both barristers who worked in the criminal sector and with solicitors in drafting commercial leases, wills and land registration. In September, 2010, Hayley moved to Oklahoma City as part of a pro bono exchange program called Amicus, where English law graduates assist in American capital defense teams. Hayley was placed in the Oklahoma County Public Defenders Office where she worked as an investigator, assisting attorneys on numerous death penalty cases.
In August 2011, Hayley began attending Oklahoma City University School of Law to cross-qualify her as an attorney in Oklahoma and has received the Cali Excellence for the Future Award for Legal Profession. She is currently on an expedited course schedule which will essentially convert her U.K. legal license to an American bar license, enabling her to practice in both countries. Her fast-track legal education will enable her to take the full courses required for her Juris Doctor in only two years, rather than the required three years of study, which she will receive in May 2013. As a Licensed Legal Intern at M.K. Bailey Law Offices, Hayley assists with both criminal and civil litigations, and following graduation and bar admission, will begin her career as an American attorney at M.K. Bailey Law.
Hayley is also an accomplished Netball athlete, and when she has spare time, she likes to spend it working out, playing sports, and keeping active. She visits her mother, father and brother in England as often as possible.
SARA POTTS
Legal Assistant & Marketing Director
Sara Potts was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and spent several years in Tokyo, Japan during childhood, as well as in Utah and in Nevada. She spent over ten years working in hospitality services, and was the general manager of a prominent high-concept restaurant here in Oklahoma City, where she built strong relationships with other businesses, developed marketing strategies, and managed a large employee base.
In 2010, Sara graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a B.A. in Psychology. She is currently in her second year of law at the Oklahoma City University School of Law. Since starting her legal education, Sara has received the full scholarship available to Merit Scholars, as well as membership in Phi Delta Phi, the legal Honors Society. In 2012, Sara was named a member of the 2012-2014 Oklahoma City Law Review and elected vice-president of the student-run Public Interest Law Group. Additionally, she was a semi-finalist for OCU’s 1L Appellate Oral Arguments Competition, and has appeared on school representation panels with federal district judges and in welcoming potential new students to the law school.
Sara has also been awarded two CALI Excellence for the Future Awards, for Contracts I and for Children and the Law, as well as the Award of Accomplishment in Legal Research Skills. She is currently a legal intern and assistant at M.K. Bailey Law, where she hopes to practice following her graduation. In addition to her legal duties at M.K. Bailey Law, Sara also organizes and manages the firm’s marketing, branding, social media and internet development.
When she’s not working or studying, Sara enjoys cooking, reading, volunteering at the American Civil Liberties Union in Oklahoma City, and spending time with her husband and five-year-old daughter.
