Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt recently named several OBA members to various positions.

Courtney Warmington, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

April 13, 2021 – Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Courtney Warmington to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

“Courtney is a driven Oklahoman who is dedicated to succeeding in everything she does,” said Governor Stitt. “Her passion for higher education and serving others makes her perfect for this role.”

“I am humbled by Governor Stitt’s appointment to the Oklahoma State Regents position,” said Warmington. “As a beneficiary of degrees from two of Oklahoma’s institutions of higher learning – and as a parent to three who I hope will soon do the same – it will be an honor to be a part of helping to ensure that Oklahoma’s public institutions are educating tomorrow’s workforce with the degrees needed to thrive in today’s economy.”

Warmington earned her bachelor’s degree at Oklahoma State University before attending Oklahoma City University School of Law. After graduating magna cum laude, she started working in the Labor and Employment Practice Group at the law firm of Crowe & Dunlevy.

In 2016, Warmington joined what is now the Fuller Tubb Bickford Warmington & Panach law firm. She also served a four-year term as an Administrative Law Judge for the Oklahoma Department of Labor.

Burl Estes as Associate District Judge for Osage County

April 9, 2021 – “I am pleased to appoint Bo Estes to the Osage County District Court,” Governor Stitt said. “Bo has dedicated his life to serving the residents of his community and will continue to serve with integrity and a strong commitment to uphold the rule of law in this new role.”

“I am honored to be appointed by Governor Stitt to the District Judgeship,” Estes said.  “I look forward to serving the citizens of Osage County and to supporting and defending our constitution and the integrity of our judicial system.” 

Burl O. “Bo” Estes has been in private practice in Bartlesville, Oklahoma since 2008. Estes graduated from the University of Oklahoma and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Estes also served as a criminal defense attorney for the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. He’s been a contracting attorney for the Washington County Courts since 2008 representing parents, children, and others in deprived child cases. He’s focused his law practice to serve primarily the citizens of Osage, Washington, Pawnee and Nowata Counties, as well as being the City Attorney for Dewey, Oklahoma.

A life-long resident of Washington County, Estes is a member of the Osage County Bar Association, Pawnee County Bar Association, Washington County Bar Association and Oklahoma Bar Association.

“Governor Stitt’s selection of Mr. Estes, from a slate of three superb candidates submitted by the Judicial Nominating Commission, will serve the citizens of Osage County well. Mr. Estes is a man of integrity and comes to the position with a substantial breadth of legal knowledge. He is a welcome addition to the bench and I look forward to working with him as a valued colleague.” — Stuart Tate, District Judge, Osage County

“Mr. Estes has a long history of well-serving the citizens of Osage County as an attorney, and now will bring his expertise and experience to the bench. The OK judiciary and the citizens of Osage County are fortunate to have Mr. Estes serving as their Associate District Judge.” — Linda Thomas, District Judge, Washington County

Nikki Kirkpatrick, Anthony L. Bonner, Jr. as District Judges for Oklahoma County

April 5, 2021 – Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Nikki Kirkpatrick and Anthony L. Bonner, Jr. to serve as District Judges for Oklahoma County today.

“I am thrilled to appoint Nikki Kirkpatrick and Anthony L. Bonner, Jr. to the Oklahoma County District Court,” said Governor Stitt. “Nikki and Anthony boast years of experience, a commitment to justice, and a dedication to public service. They will prove to be strong assets to the bench in Oklahoma County.”

“I am honored to be appointed by Governor Stitt as a District Judge in Oklahoma County,” said Kirkpatrick. “I am committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in the judiciary by treating every person with respect and every case with an even-hand as I uphold the rule of law. Oklahoma County has always been home to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve its citizens with hard-work, fairness, and humility.”

“I am truly honored and humbled to have received the appointment to be a District Judge for Oklahoma County by Governor Stitt, and for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Oklahoma County,” said Bonner. “I look forward to serving with integrity, impartiality, and professionalism while upholding the rule of law.

Kristina “Nikki” Kirkpatrick is an experienced trial lawyer who has dedicated her life to public service and seeking justice for all people in the community. As an Assistant Attorney General, Kirkpatrick has fought to protect citizens from fraud and obtain judgments to return hundreds of thousands of dollars to Oklahoma consumers. Prior to working for the Attorney General of Oklahoma, Kirkpatrick served as a prosecutor for the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, handling all types of crime from homicide to property crimes, while specializing in domestic violence prosecution. During that time, she became Chief Domestic Violence Prosecutor, where she mentored and trained young lawyers, advocates, and law enforcement on the most effective and ethical methods of seeking justice to enhance fairness, accountability, and safety. In 2017, Kirkpatrick received the Governor’s Commendation for Distinguished Service in Domestic Violence. Kirkpatrick is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma County Bar Association, and William J. Holloway Inn of Court. 

“Nikki Kirkpatrick is a solid choice who will bring integrity, temperament, and respect for all to the bench.” — Tony Coleman, Attorney, The Coleman Law Firm, PLLC

“Nikki Kirkpatrick will be a terrific District Judge. She is a fair minded and honorable person, and will be an asset to the Oklahoma County Courthouse.” — J. W. Coyle, Lawyer, Coyle Law Firm

“I applaud Gov. Stitt’s appointment of Nikki Kirkpatrick to be the next District Court Judge of Oklahoma County. For over ten years, Judge-select Kirkpatrick has served the citizens of Oklahoma with honesty, ability, and integrity. She will bring these same skills to the bench each day as she works diligently and respectfully with every person that appears before her. Oklahoma County deserves the highest standards from its public servants. Those expectations have been met today with this appointment.” —Judge Susan Stallings

Kirkpatrick earned her Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City University in 2009 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2005. She resides in Edmond with her husband and two children.

Anthony L. Bonner, Jr., appointed as a District Judge for Oklahoma County, is an experienced civil litigator and trial lawyer that has litigated hundreds of cases and has more than 30 trials, including both bench and jury trials, across the State of Oklahoma. He previously served as staff counsel with Angela D. Ailles & Associates; staff counsel with the Law office of Steve Crittenden, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, and as an associate attorney with Cathcart & Dooley. Bonner also previously served as a law clerk for Judge David B. Lewis at the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Bonner is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma County Bar Association, Association of Black Lawyers, Douglass High School Academy of Law & Public Safety Board Member, Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc. Community Housing Development Organization Board Member.

“I’ve known Anthony Bonner since he was in law school.  He worked for me as an intern, and I have followed him throughout his legal career. I commend Governor Stitt on this appointment. Anthony Bonner will be an outstanding district judge. I am very pleased he has been given this opportunity.” –Judge David B. Lewis

“Anthony and I have been working together for almost 7 years. I am personally and professionally extremely excited for Anthony, for the county, and for the State of Oklahoma. We are getting someone who will be an excellent jurist. I have had the pleasure to see Anthony in trials and he treats everyone, the judge, the jury, the client, and opposing council, with the utmost respect and professionalism. This appointment is a culmination of his life and professional experiences. I believe he will be a judge who fairly applies the law to both the plaintiff and the defendant.” – Angela Ailles Bahm, Managing Attorney, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

A native of Oklahoma City, Bonner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma (2003) and a Juris Doctor from University of Oklahoma College of Law (2006). He resides in Midwest City, OK with his wife, Avis Bonner, and four children.