Originally published in The Journal Record’s The Power List on Feb. 10, 2023.
As a child, Candace Williams Lisle pored over newspaper stories and developed a lifelong interest in politics and government – she was fascinated by the civil rights movement in the 1960s and Watergate in the 1970s.
Candace Williams Lisle is a litigation attorney and represents individuals, privately held and public companies, and banks in state, federal, and appellate courts. She is also Chair of Phillips Murrah’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Even though neither of her parents had college degrees, they supported her when she decided to go to law school because of that interest.
Today Lisle is a litigation attorney who represents individuals and companies in court, serving as shareholder and director for Phillips Murrah P.C. She is chairman of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, which has implemented diversity externship programs involving the law schools at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University. Those programs provide the opportunity for diverse law students to gain real-life experiences in the everyday practice of law and be paired with mentor attorneys.
“Firms should strive for workplace diversity, equal opportunity for under-represented constituencies, and inclusivity at all levels because it is the right thing to do. It is a worthy goal that needs no economic justification,” Lisle said. “Nevertheless, the business case for a diverse workplace is clear. Many studies have shown that companies with diverse workforces experience more productivity, better problem-solving and decision-making, greater creativity and higher morale and employee engagement. Firms with diverse workforces are more attractive to clients, customers, and prospective talent.”
During her career, Lisle has represented clients in litigation matters that included securities fraud, products liability, pharmaceutical and medical devices, labor and employment, bankruptcy adversarial proceedings, real property and title issues and breach-of-contract claims.
In recent years, she has specialized in representing insurance companies in labor and employment law.
She is an active community volunteer and has served as a long-term trustee for both Westminster and Heritage Hall schools, including a term as president of Westminster’s board. She also has served on boards for Infant Crisis Services Inc. and Ballet Oklahoma and as president of the Heritage Hills Associate Board.
Lisle graduated from OU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, earning special distinction; and the OU School of Law as a member of the Order of the Coif and the Oklahoma Law Review. She has been named to the Best Lawyers lists for commercial litigation, financial services regulation law and banking and finance law, among other recognitions.
Education: University of Oklahoma (J.D. 1981); University of Oklahoma (B.B.A. with Special Distinction, 1978).
Admitted to practice in: Oklahoma; U.S. District Court, Northern and Western districts of Oklahoma, Northern District of Texas; U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
Professional involvement: Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma County Bar Association, Palomar Legal Network Committee.
Community involvement: Past president, Westminster School Board of Trustees; (previous) Board of Trustees, Heritage Hall School; (previous) Board of Trustees, Infant Crisis Services Inc.; (previous) Board of Trustees, Ballet Oklahoma; (previous) past president, Heritage Hills Associate Board.
Awards/honors: Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent, Best Lawyers: Commercial Litigation (2016-present), Best Lawyers: Financial Services Regulation Law (2020-present), Best Lawyers: Banking and Finance Law (2021).
Hobbies: Spending time with children and grandchildren, entertaining at family gatherings, traveling, visiting great art museums and reading a good novel.