OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Governor Kevin Stitt introduced in the present day he has appointed John O’Connor to function the Lawyer Common for the State of Oklahoma.
“I’m excited to nominate John O’Connor to function Oklahoma’s legal professional basic,” mentioned Governor Stitt. “John is the proper chief for this second. As an legal professional, John is understood amongst his friends to be of the best competence and integrity, receiving the best attainable moral and authorized scores throughout his 40 years of follow. Extra importantly, John is a person of excessive ethical character who will do the proper issues for the proper causes – not for private acquire. I’ve the utmost confidence in him to uphold the regulation and battle for all 4 million Oklahomans.”
Former Lawyer Common Mike Hunter introduced again in Could that he could be resigning on June 1, citing private causes.
KFOR has discovered these causes contain his divorce and an extra-marital affair.
In an announcement, Hunter mentioned, “It has been a definite and absolute privilege of a lifetime to function the state’s legal professional basic. Regrettably, sure private issues which are changing into public will turn out to be a distraction for this workplace. The workplace of legal professional basic is likely one of the most vital positions in state authorities. I can not permit a private concern to overshadow the very important work the attorneys, brokers and help employees do on behalf of Oklahomans.”
In an announcement, the governor wished Hunter and his household one of the best.
“I respect his resolution to do what he thinks is finest for his workplace and the state of Oklahoma. I do know he’s going by means of a troublesome time, and I want him, his household, and the staff of his workplace effectively.”
Former Gov. Mary Fallin appointed Hunter to the AG place in 2017. He was absolutely elected to the place in 2018.
Now, John O’Connor will fill the unexpired time period ending January 9, 2023.
“I’m humbled and honored to have been chosen by Governor Stitt to serve 4 million Oklahomans as legal professional basic defending their pursuits and the State of Oklahoma,” mentioned O’Connor. “There’s a lot work to be accomplished and I look ahead to bringing my expertise to the workplace in service to the nice folks of Oklahoma.”
O’Connor is an legal professional at Corridor Estill, a Tulsa-based regional full service regulation agency.
In 2018, President Donald Trump nominated O’Connor to function a United States District Choose for the Northern and Japanese Districts of Oklahoma.
Nonetheless, the American Bar Affiliation unanimously voted O’Connor as not certified for the place, saying his judgement was discovered to be poor.
“The confidential peer assessment revealed a number of situations of moral considerations, together with candor with the court docket, proof of overbilling of purchasers and billing practices criticized by courts, an improper ex parte communication with a court docket, and improper contact with opposed events in litigation,” the judgement states.
KFOR reached out to the Bar Affiliation and so they mentioned they’d not have a touch upon his being named AG in Oklahoma.
