John F. Reif
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma's Democratic Governor Brad Henry has appointed veteran Tulsa-area judge John F. Reif to the nine-justice Supreme Court. Henry announced Friday that 56-year-old Reif would replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Robert E. Lavender. Reif is Henry's fourth appointment to the Oklahoma Supreme Court since his election in 2002, joining Justices Steven W. Taylor, Tom Colbert and James E. Edmondson. Henry stated in the announcement that Reif "has compiled an exemplary record of public service in the state judiciary and will do an excellent job on Oklahoma's highest court." Reif spent 23 years on the bench of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals after a three-year as assistant DA and special judge in Tulsa County. He also serves as an adjunct professor of Business at Oral Roberts University. The new Justice's name was one of three submitted to the governor for consideration by the state's Judicial Nominating Commission. Reif does not require state Senate confirmation and will take his seat in December, the Tulsa World reported. Reif told the World that Lavender had served on the Supreme Court "with grace and distinction" and that he considered Lavender "one of our greatest justices."