Campaign Phone
9182732020
Age
61
Born and raised in Bartlesville. My mother was a teacher, and father worked for Phillips. Both were deeply involved in the community and taught me by example the importance of serving others. My wife, Liz, also grew up in Bartlesville. We have been married for 32 years and raised our 5 children here.
BBA Finance, OU, 1989, and Juris Doctorate OU College of Law, 1992. Admitted to practice: State of Oklahoma, U.S. District Court for the Western District, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District, U.S. District Court for the Northern District, and U.S. Supreme Court.
Proudly served on many organizations including, Heart Matters, Inc., Bartlesville Public School Foundation, The Journey Home, Inc., Bartlesville K-Life, Inc., A. E. and Jaunita Richardson Charitable Foundation, Vision Advancement Foundation, Washington County Elder Care, Inc., American Red Cross, Arts and Humanities Council, Bartlesville Civic Ballet, United Way, and OK Mozart, Guest Lecturer – “Meanwhile, back in the colonies – road to the Declaration of Independence.”
Contractor with OIDS for 5 years; handled hundreds of criminal and juvenile cases. Served as municipal judge in Nowata for 20 years and Oologah for 8.
In 1992, I began practicing law in downtown Bartlesville. During more than 3 decades in private practice, I have handled a broad range of matters, including civil litigation, probate, trusts, guardianships, adoptions, criminal cases, real estate, oil and gas, business matters, foreclosures, class actions and juvenile cases. I have also served as a municipal judge in Nowata for 20 years and Oologah for 8 years.
I have represented clients and handled cases in almost every area of the law, for which I may be responsible as Associate District Judge. The majority of my practice has been in my judicial district consisting of Washington and Nowata counties.
That combination of private practice and judicial service has allowed me to see the legal system from different perspectives and work with people from virtually every walk of life.
After more than three decades practicing law and 20 years serving as a municipal judge, I believe my experience has prepared me to serve Washington County as Associate District Judge.
For me, this race is primarily about broad experience and judicial temperament. I have practiced law for more than 3 decades across a broad range of legal matters and have 20 years of experience on the bench.
I have enjoyed being an advocate for my clients, but serving as a judge has been especially meaningful. A judge has a different responsibility: to listen, follow the law, remain impartial and make decisions fairly.
My judicial philosophy begins with the rule of law. Laws are made by the people through their elected representatives, not by judges. A judge's responsibility is to understand the facts, interpret and apply the law faithfully, and treat the people before the court fairly and impartially.
Just as important, I believe a judge should be prepared, listen carefully and remember that every person who enters a courtroom deserves dignity, respect and an opportunity to be heard.
A judge should always remember that what may seem like one more case on a crowded docket may be one of the most important days in the life of the person standing before the court. The case may affect someone's family, livelihood, property or freedom.
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