John O’Connor, a Tulsa based attorney, is Trump’s latest nominee to fill an Oklahoma-based vacancy.  O’Connor, a civil litigator in his 60s, is unlikely to draw the sustained opposition that two other Oklahoma judicial nominees have received.

Background

A Tulsa native, John Michael O’Connor was born in 1954.  O’Connor received a B.A. from Oklahoma State University in 1977 and a J.D. from the University of Tulsa in 1980.[1]  After graduating, O’Connor joined the Tulsa law firm Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold as an Associate.

In 1983, O’Connor moved to help found the firm Newton, O’Connor, Turner & Ketchum P.C.[2]  He served as President and Board Chair at the firm from 1985 to 1996 and then from 1999 to 2005.

In 2018, O’Connor joined the Tulsa office of Hall Estill as a Shareholder.  It is a position he currently holds.

History of the Seat

O’Connor has been nominated for the only judgeship in the country that traverses three districts: the Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of Oklahoma.  Judge James Payne, who previously held this seat, moved to senior status on August 1, 2017.  In September, O’Connor reached out to Oklahoma’s U.S. Senators to express his interest in filling Payne’s seat.[3]  After interviews with Senators James Inhofe and James Lankford, O’Connor was recommended to the White House.  O’Connor was ultimately nominated on April 12, 2018.

Political Activity

O’Connor has been fairly active in Oklahoma Republican politics, having served as a State Delegate to the Oklahoma Republican Convention in 2015 and 2016, and having hosted fundraisers for many state and local Republican candidates, including Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak.[4]  O’Connor has also donated to both Oklahoma Senators, giving $500 to Inhofe and $2000 to Lankford[5].  Other politicians O’Connor has supported include former Rep. Jim Bridenstine and Republican Congressional candidate Kevin Hern.[6]

Legal Experience

Whether at Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold, at Newton, O’Connor, Turner & Ketchum P.C., or in his most recent post at Hall Estill, O’Connor has based his career primarily around commercial litigation.  In his thirty seven years in practice, O’Connor has handled 25-35 trials.[7]  Notably, O’Connor was tapped as outside counsel by Insurance Commissioner Doak in a number of cases involving the fraud and mismanagement of insurance companies.[8]

In a notable case, O’Connor represented Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church, as it severed ties with the Presbyterian Church USA and filed suit to hold onto its church properties.[9]  The dispute eventually settled with Kirk of the Hills retaining its property but paying a $1.75 million settlement.[10]  The case prompted reconsideration of Oklahoma’s church property statutes, with some advocates criticizing the suit and corresponding legislation as infringing on the autonomy of churches.[11]

Writings and Advocacy

In 2009, O’Connor testified before the Oklahoma State Legislature’s Adoption Review Task Force in favor of reforms to the adoption of foster children.  Specifically, O’Connor urged the passage of a law allowing parents who adopt a child from the state to return the child to the state’s custody if the child develops violent tendencies or severe mental health problems.[12]  O’Connor noted that, under current law, the state would only take back custody in cases of abuse or neglect, and that the current situation “threatens the health and welfare of siblings [and parents].”[13]

Overall Assessment

Out of the three Trump Oklahoma nominees processed thus far, two have faced significant opposition, while one has faced moderate objections.  Given O’Connor’s age, experience, and relatively uncontroversial record, it is unlikely that he will face the same degree of opposition as his fellow nominees.

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