Watch: Ceremonial Swearing-in for Logan County District Judge

Logan County’s newest district judge, Jason Reese, was ceremonially sworn into office on Monday afternoon inside the Logan County Courthouse. Reese now presides over District 9, including Logan and Payne counties.

Cleveland County Judge Thad Balkman administered the oath of office, with Reese’s family, friends, attorneys, and members of the Oklahoma Bar Association in attendance. The moment was particularly meaningful for Reese, who took the time to thank his late grandmother and those who supported him throughout his academic and legal career, including his time at the University of Oklahoma.

Reese, who was formally sworn in on January 2, was appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt to fill the vacancy left by Judge Phillip Corley, who retired on September 1, 2024, after serving 13 years on the bench.

Reese’s appointment follows a rigorous selection process in which he was one of seven candidates considered for the role. After an October 2024 interview, Reese was named one of three finalists by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission, alongside long-standing judges (more than a decade), including Logan County Associate Judge Louis Duel Jr. and Payne County Special Judge Katherine Thomas.

Before his appointment, he served as general counsel to Governor Stitt until September 2021 and later represented State Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Department of Education in several high-profile legal cases. Reese most recently listed the Oklahoma City law firm Goodwin Lewis PLLC as his employer.

Related article: Governor appoints his former attorney as new Logan, Payne County district judge

Additionally, Reese has pursued public office on multiple occasions, running for labor commissioner in 2010, an Oklahoma Senate seat in 2012, and an Oklahoma House seat in 2018.

Reese’s appointment was first reported by The Oklahoman on December 21 and later confirmed by Guthrie News Page, despite no official announcement from the governor’s office.