By day, Rachel E. Gusman is in the courtroom, standing firm for clients in cases that often determine the course of their lives. By evening, she is serving Tulsa’s most vulnerable, feeding the hungry, advocating for children in need, and ensuring that justice extends beyond the walls of a courthouse.
For Gusman, law is not just a career; it is a calling. And her story is one that Tulsa Community College students can learn from, not just as future professionals, but as future leaders.
From Kansas Roots to Tulsa Courtrooms
Born on April 25, 1983, in Kansas, Gusman’s path to becoming a respected attorney was not a straight shot to success. After attending Dodge City Community College and Washburn University, she entered the legal world with an interest in criminal law. But it was not long before she discovered a deeper purpose in personal injury law, a field where real people and real stories shape every case.
“I thought for a second I was going to do criminal law, either be a prosecutor or a public defender, but I took criminal law classes and learned that probably wasn’t the career path for me.”
Instead, she discovered personal injury law, a field where justice often means giving everyday people a voice against powerful corporations and negligent parties.
Today, Gusman is a partner at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers, handling cases that range from car accidents and medical malpractice to defective drugs, civil rights violations, and wrongful death. Her early career included a landmark achievement: securing a $11 million settlement in a vaccine injury case, a win that not only changed her client’s life but reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for those who feel powerless.
Breaking Barriers and Redefining Success
Gusman understands the misconceptions that surround personal injury attorneys.
“People think we’re just ambulance chasers or chasing jackpot justice. And then there’s the McDonald’s coffee case, which is so misunderstood. That was a very serious case, a woman suffered life-altering burns.”
(The case Gusman referenced, Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants (1994), involved a 79-year-old woman, Stella Liebeck, spilled McDonald’s coffee on her lap, causing third-degree burns. She sued, arguing the coffee was dangerously hot, and a jury awarded her nearly $3 million in damages (later reduced), sparking debate over tort reform and consumer safety.)
But for Gusman, the work is far from the stereotype.
“What I think is important in changing public perception is showing who we really are,” she said. “We’re multifaceted. We care, and we put our hearts back into the community, too.”
The work, however, is not without challenges. Civil rights cases, wrongful death suits, and personal injury claims come with an emotional weight that few outside the profession truly understand.
“It’s hard to sit across from a family that’s lost someone and not feel that deeply,” she admitted. “But you have to balance the strategy with humanity.”
And she has done so with resilience, rising through the ranks to become a partner after 20 years and currently serving as president of the Oklahoma Association for Justice for the 2025–2026 term.
Service Beyond the Courtroom
Gusman’s fight for justice does not stop when she leaves the office. She volunteers with Tulsa Lawyers for Children, representing kids in abuse and neglect cases when no one else can.
“Kids are some of the most vulnerable, and they’re our future,” she says. “Very early on in my career, I found real meaning in helping children.”
Her passion for service expanded to tackling food insecurity in Oklahoma through Lawyers Fighting Hunger and Iron Gate, where she now serves on the board.
“Oklahoma is fifth in the nation for food insecurity,” Gusman explains. “Even one meal a day makes a difference.”
Through community programs like backpack drives and holiday food distributions, she and her firm have helped feed thousands of families.
“We’ve had this ongoing banter with Oklahoma City lawyers over who can raise the most money, but really, we’re all working toward the same goal: making sure families don’t go hungry,” she adds.
And this isn’t just professional for her, it is personal.
“I love Iron Gate because I do believe food insecurity is a huge problem in Oklahoma,” Gusman says. She even involves her son.
“He volunteers with me at Iron Gate. Teaching the next generation to give back is just as important as the work itself.”
Gusman explains that the backpack program began as a collaborative effort among lawyers in the Oklahoma Association for Justice, who raised money to provide backpacks and school supplies to children in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Over time, her law firm, Graves McLain, developed its own local program to address the significant need in Tulsa.
The program has grown each year, now distributing thousands of backpacks filled with school supplies to children and teachers. The event is open to any child or parent in need, regardless of their school affiliation, and includes additional resources and activities provided by community partners.
Gusman emphasizes the importance of supporting both students and teachers and highlights the program’s evolution into a multifaceted community event.
She makes the case for defending her clients in the courtroom and representing others outside the courtroom with a commitment of service.
Lessons for TCC Students: Leadership is Service
Rachel knows many students are curious about careers in law, and her biggest advice is simple: explore. “Volunteer, shadow attorneys, and figure out what justice means to you,” she says. “For me, justice looks like fighting for people who’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. For someone else, it might be family law or juvenile law.”
She encourages students to join local and national legal organizations early, like the Tulsa County Bar Association and the Oklahoma Association for Justice. “Those connections can help you figure out what area of law excites you,” she says.
Rachel’s journey offers more than admiration; it offers a challenge. In a world where success is often measured by titles or salaries, her story reminds us that true leadership is rooted in service.
Rachel also urges students to explore different areas of law and embrace mentorship. “Don’t box yourself in. The law is broad; find what justice means to you. And surround yourself with people who will teach you and push you forward.”
