Warr Acres, OK

TRAVIS VERNIER

Travis Vernier is an attorney and partner with extensive litigation experience in state and federal courts, private arbitrations, and governmental administrative hearings. He graduated magna cum laude from Oklahoma City University School of Law as a Merit Scholar, earning CALI Excellence Awards in Civil Procedure I, Legal Research and Writing II, Trial Practice, and Corporations Law. He served as a Staff Editor for the Oklahoma City Law Review and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Delta Phi. Before law, he served over a decade in public service as a volunteer firefighter and full-time police officer, including as a Detective in the Crimes Against Children Unit. His distinguished service earned him a Lifesaving Award, the Medal of Honor, and the H.K. 'Tony' A. Calvert Award for bravery. He is a Certified Force Science® Analyst and is licensed to practice law in Oklahoma and Kansas.

AUSTIN R. VERNIER

Austin R. Vernier is an Oklahoma City native and a graduate of Oklahoma City University School of Law, where he served as Resource Editor for the Oklahoma City University Law Review. He published a Comment on Oklahoma’s worker’s compensation system and a Note on Separation of Powers. He earned CALI Excellence Awards in Criminal Pre-trial litigation and Public Health Law. Austin gained experience as a judicial extern for Judge Perry Hudson and is a Fellow in the Judge Alfred P. Murrah Center for Homeland Security Law and Policy. He is a Plan Attorney for the FOP Legal Defense Plan and the Oklahoma FOP Legal Defense Plan, and a Certified Force Science® Analyst. He is also an adjunct professor at Southern Nazarene University, teaching business law.

ANNIE RUTTKAY

Born and raised in California, Annie Ruttkay is a 2018 graduate of the University of California, Davis, where she earned degrees in International Relations and Spanish. She earned her Juris Doctor in 2021 from Oklahoma City University School of Law, where she received CALI Excellence Awards in Civil Practice & Procedure II and Evidence in Practice. She served on the Oklahoma City University Law Review and was Vice President of Phi Delta Phi. Annie began her legal career as an Assistant Public Defender in Oklahoma County, gaining extensive courtroom experience. She now serves as Special Counsel for Bennett | Vernier, handling criminal matters and FOP Legal Defense cases. She is also a Certified Force Science® Analyst.

LES BENNETT, JR.

Les Bennett, Jr. grew up in Sherman, North Texas. He attended Southern Nazarene University, earning a degree in Philosophy and Business, and then pursued his Juris Doctor at Oklahoma City University School of Law. He began his legal career practicing tax law, advocating for small businesses and individuals. Les founded LBJ Law, providing high-quality legal services, and also served as chief prosecutor for a large city in the Oklahoma City metro area. He is a partner at Bennett | Vernier.

AUSTIN PROCTOR

Austin Proctor is an Oklahoma native who earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Nazarene University. He pursued a legal education at Oklahoma City University School of Law, earning his J.D. in 2012. He began his career as a social worker with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. His legal practice includes estate planning, family law, and civil litigation. He previously worked at a firm focused on rendering title opinions for properties in Oklahoma and Ohio.