This month is a celebration of our beloved Mothers and the strength and intelligence of the women in our lives. This is no different in our firm! We are so proud of the women we are lucky enough to call not only co-workers but friends.
At Fulmer Sill, we are lucky to have a diverse team and with that diversity comes innovation and perspectives not found in other law firms. We have the honor of Simone Fulmer as a leader of our firm and the distinction of being one of the few plaintiff law firms in Oklahoma founded by a woman. Simone is a fearless businesswoman and loving mother. Read on and get to know more about her and the many other women who work alongside us at Fulmer Sill!
Meet Simone Fulmer!
Tell us about your family:
I am the mother of two children, my daughter, Delaney, and son, Alex (five if you include my Goldendoodle Oliver and Ragdoll cats Cleo and Frankie)!
What are the responsibilities of your job?
To lead, teach, mentor and advocate.
Why did you choose the legal profession?
I taught school for four years and then went to law school. I didn’t intend to necessarily practice law, but it ended up being the perfect fit.
Why is what you do important?
Because I get to help people who might not otherwise have the means or ability to challenge the wrongful actions of others, particularly mega-million and billion-dollar companies that take advantage of regular folks when they are at their most vulnerable.
Who is your hero?
I believe a hero is someone you admire and who inspires you. I have a new hero every day.
What is your favorite song?
Make You Feel My Love, by Bob Dylan. So many artists have covered this song and I love each one of them. Its message of unconditional love deeply resonates with me.
What is your best attribute?
My brain.
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be?
The eradication of fear.
Meet Pam Gosnell!
Tell us about your family:
My husband Dennis and I are the proud owners of a gift from a friend, Mindy, a Morky. We have 3 daughters- all successful women. We have 9 grandchildren. Plus 6 great grands.
What are the responsibilities of your job?
Medical/ Litigation Support.
Why did you choose the legal profession?
I just stumbled on to it.
Why is what you do important?
I love what I do. It is important to the “big picture”.
Who is your hero?
I’m not much for hero-worship. However, I had the best parents. I learned integrity from my Dad and common sense from my Mom.
What is your favorite song and why?
I have so many. Currently, I love Bruno Mars songs.
What is your best attribute?
Discernment.
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be?
I’ve had a wonderful life, with some exceptions, of course. I’ve been all over Europe, UK, South and Central America, Mexico and Canada, and 37 states. My one wish would be that all mankind would find the secret to happiness
Meet Shelley Hicks!
Tell us about your family:
I’ve been married to my best friend, Michael Hicks, for almost 23 years. We have 1 sweet fur baby, Bailey.
Why did you choose the legal profession?
I’ve always found the legal field extremely interesting. In middle school, I wanted to be an attorney. The middle school I attended gave the students a career aptitude test that would give them an idea about what their potential future career could be. I found mine several years ago and had completely forgotten that my results suggested I would be a legal assistant. Though my educational interest changed somewhat during college. I ended up working in a law office as a receptionist and have been working in the legal profession for almost 23 years as a legal assistant/paralegal. Apparently, it was fate.
What is your favorite song and why?
Love Will Keep Us Alive by the Eagles. Through good times and bad, the love of another is constant and will help you get through anything.
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be?
My wish would be no more hate, disrespect, negativity, or ugliness in the world. If everyone would be more positive and had faith, there would potentially be less hate, disrespect, negativity, or ugliness.
Meet Mary Evans!
I am a Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, and proud Grandmother. I am also an Airforce Veteran and a Breast Cancer Survivor. I am a proud Puerto Rican and I speak fluent Spanish.
Tell us about your family:
I have been married for 20 years and we are a blended family. I have two daughters, Maria and Michelle, and two stepdaughters, Ashley and Brittney. Together, we also have a son, Xavier, who sings like an Angel. I have 4 grandchildren, Gaby, Frankie, Mahlayha, and Noah. They call me “Gammy”. My kids, well they call me their friend. My husband… I won’t share that part, but he sends me numerous messages daily reminding me how special our relationship is.
What are the responsibilities of your job?
I speak with clients and obtain their history to determine what the file needs for the trial teams’ directives. I also send out questionnaires and authorizations for our multi-district cases, which is on a national level. Right now, I am very consumed with the litigation involving Monsanto/Roundup cases and making sure all documentation is returned and completed timely due to the court deadlines.
Why did you choose the legal profession?
It chose me, I have always wanted to help people and was interested in the law. As a young girl growing up in New Jersey, I would get upset at some of the injustices I saw or heard about and that made me want to do something about it. So, I aspired to be a police officer but quickly changed directions; I do not have the right temperament for that job. When opportunity knocked, I took some legal courses through the military and pursued a legal assistant career beginning in 1984. I started out with a criminal defense attorney and that was a lot of fun, very exciting.
Why is what you do important?
I have always wanted to help people with their problems; this is something I was put here to do.
Who is your hero?
My dad is my hero. He taught me never to settle and that I could do anything I set out to do. He taught me how to shoot a gun and how to defend myself. Being the youngest of 4 children I was the spoiled one.
What is your favorite song and why?
Vivir La Vida is a Spanish song from Marc Anthony. It means Live your Life. That’s what I try to do every day.
What is your best attribute?
I try to be a compassionate person. I sometimes don’t make friends easily but when I do, I am truly your friend. I try to share my life experiences with the younger generation, especially with young women. I try to give good advice.
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be?
My wish would be to have mine and my husband’s entire family together for a reunion. I love and miss my “people”. I would be over the top to have them all, at one time, within arm’s reach.
Meet Elizabeth Yousey!
Tell us about your family?
I have my amazing significant other, DeAundre Wilson, DeAundre Wilson, and 5 great kids, Tommy (14), Quentin (11), Aaliyah (8), Lorenzo (4), and Cameron (7 months). When I think about my happiest moments in life, they all involve my family. My relationship with my children can be challenging at times but at the end of the day, I will always get an I love you, Mom! There are many important things in life, but the most important thing to me is family. Family is made up of people that bring out the best in you. Family is the people you can relate to the most. They are the people who are always cheering you on and truly want the best for you.
What are the responsibilities of your job?
I am the Director of Operations and perform various tasks, such as assisting attorneys with mass torts and product liability cases. I also serve as an interpreter for Spanish-only speaking clients; assist in drafting client correspondence; legal documents; and performed Internet research; ordering medical records for cases.
Why did you choose the legal profession?
Honestly, I chose it at first because I was not good at math, and going into college, I knew I had to do college algebra. So, I started looking into what profession does not require it. I came across Paralegal Studies read about it and went for it. After working in the legal field, I learned a lot and enjoyed what I do and here I am today. Especially, a person in need with a language barrier as I speak Spanish and am glad I’m able to help that person, it makes me feel very good.
Why is what you do important?
It is important to me because I like to help people in need and if I can assist them in any way, I will.
Who is your hero?
My dad is my personal hero. Whenever I went to him for help, he was very patient and understanding. I believe I picked up my passion for problem-solving and attention to detail with a level head from him.
What is your favorite song?
I really don’t have a favorite song as I do like all types of music, except heavy metal. Also, I am a huge fan of Chris Brown.
What is your best attribute?
My bubbly personality
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be?
All-day spa. No kids! (sorry kiddos Mommy love you, but sometimes Mommy just needs a break)
Meet Kera McBride Webb!
Tell us about your family:
I have a big beautiful blended family. I have a wonderful husband and eight kids. We have two dogs and foster dogs with the Bella Foundation. We have had over 250 dogs come through our home. Both of our current pups, Daisy and Buick are foster fails. Buick got his name through a fundraiser that Fulmer Sill to raise money for his medical costs because we work in the Buick building! Buick was brought to us with a broken pelvis. After multiple surgeries and months of rehab, we realized no one could ever love him like our family.
Why is what you do important?
I was taught work ethic by watching the incredible adults that surrounded me as a kid. I want my children to see that in me and be proud.
Who is your hero?
My Grandfather. He had to leave school in the 8th grade when his father passed away to help support his family. He raised a family of seven kids with little education but lots of heart. Education was always paramount to him because it had been taken away from him.
What is your best attribute?
It’s difficult to say but perhaps my kindness.
Meet Andrea Rust!
Tell us about your family:
My husband, Ryan, and I have been together for nearly 13 years. We will celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary in August. Our daughter, Rylee Addison, is 2.5 years old (going on 13!). We also have 2 cats – Javy (1-year-old) and Lady (14 years old).
What are the responsibilities of your job?
Depends on the day! But at the core, I would say it is to advocate, analyze, educate, challenge, and motivate.
Why did you choose the legal profession?
I spent the first 2.5 years of college pursuing a Biology major and Chemistry minor with the intention of going to dental school. But, halfway through my junior year, I finally admitted to myself that I had no desire to spend my life with my hands in other people’s mouths. (No offense to those in the dental field!). I called my best friend, and, without hesitation, she said “I have always thought you would be a great lawyer – you love to read, write, and compete. Think about it.” A few months later, I started an internship at a local law firm and the rest is history!
Why is what you do important?
Because I help people fight the battles they couldn’t (or wouldn’t) fight on their own.
Who is your hero?
That’s a tough one to answer because I admire many people, but for different reasons. However, at the top of that list are my parents (Wayne and Judy) and my grandmas (Junas and Barbara). They have each played an enormous role in my life, and each did so in their own beautiful and unique way.
What is your favorite song?
Too many to say! Most of my all-time “favorites” are tied to special people, moments, and memories: Canon in D by Pachelbel – because I think of my dad every time I hear it, particularly of he and I listen to it on cassette tape while harvesting corn in the combine when I was a little girl; This Year’s Love by David Gray – because I think of my husband and the life we have built together, from our first date to our wedding, to now, and everything in between; Three Little Birds by Bob Marley – because it brings up memories of the loved ones I have lost, but who is watching over me; and, a song that will remain unnamed – because 17 years later I can still sing this song by heart, all thanks to a summer night listening to this song on repeat with my best friends as we sat on the hood of my car while parked on a dirt road in the farmland of southeastern Nebraska.
What is your best attribute?
Hmmm, I would say perseverance and kindness.
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be?
The ability to travel anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds!
Our diverse team of women is ready to take on your case, should the need arise. We hope everyone has a beautiful Mother’s Day and we look forward to hearing about the special women in your lives!
