THE ALPHA TEAM

Donald E. Smolen, II, is the founder and principal of Smolen Law, The Alpha Firm. For more than two decades, he has represented people and families facing life changing injuries, loss, civil rights violations, and disputes with some of the country’s largest corporations and insurance Companies.

What began as Don’s individual trial practice has grown under his leadership into one of Oklahoma’s largest plaintiff firms. Today, Smolen Law has the attorneys, litigation professionals, experts, technology, and financial resources to investigate, develop, finance, and try complex cases at the highest level. The firm has secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for its clients.

Don has obtained numerous significant verdicts in the recent past. He was part of the trial team that previously obtained a $10.25 million federal civil rights jury verdict on behalf of the Estate of Elliott Williams in litigation arising from Williams’s death while in the Tulsa County Jail. His trial work has also received national recognition, including a medical malpractice verdict recognized among the Top 100 Medical Malpractice Verdicts in the United States.

Don’s record includes significant results in both state and federal court over the past decade. Shylah D. Beall v. Deere & Company: $5,000,000.00 (2020); Dustin Hellard v. Mid Century Insurance Company, d/b/a Farmers Insurance: $800,000 (2021); Mary Brown v. Mark Willits, MD., et al.: $2,750,000 (2023); Richard Huff v. Mark Willits, MD: $1,500,000 (2023); Ethan Bates v. Yocham Trucking, Inc., et al.: $7,500,000.00 (2024); Scott Phillips, individually and as the Special Administrator of the Estate of Malinda J. Phillips, deceased v. United States of America: $7,369,373.00 (2024); Brenda K. Meeks v. Oklahoma Blood Institute: $4,000,000 (2026), and most recently in August 2026, as lead trial counsel in an insurance bad faith case against Progressive Direct Insurance Company that resulted in a $40 million federal jury verdict, including $20 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages.

Don’s practice spans catastrophic injury, insurance bad faith, civil rights, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and neglect, products liability, and other complex plaintiff-centric litigation. His cases have involved major insurers, corporations, health care institutions, governmental entities, correctional facilities, and other well-funded defendants.

The size of the opponent has never defined Don’s approach to a case. Preparation has. That approach has also made The Alpha Firm a trusted referral and co-counsel partner for attorneys throughout Oklahoma and United States. Lawyers turn to Don and his team when a significant case may require additional resources, substantial financial investment, complex litigation experience, or trial capacity. The firm regularly collaborates with referring attorneys in serious plaintiff cases.

Don earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Tulsa and his J.D. with highest honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law. During law school, he served as an editor of the Tulsa Law Review and received numerous academic and advocacy honors, including the Order of the Curule Chair, Order of Barristers, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award. He is admitted to practice in Oklahoma, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Long before the verdicts, recognition, and growth of The Alpha Firm, Don grew up on a ranch south of Tulsa. That background continues to shape the way he approaches his work: be prepared, work hard, treat people with respect, and do what you said you were going to do.

Today, he leads The Alpha Firm with that same mindset. Build the strongest case possible. Take care of the client. And be ready when it is time to stand in front of a jury.

Don’s favorite things in the world are fly fishing with his beautiful wife, Katie, their four sons, and spending time with his granddaughter.