OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – Gov. Kevin Stitt selected an Oklahoma attorney who has expertise in business law to fill an Oklahoma Supreme Court vacancy.
Stitt held a news conference on Monday, announcing that he is appointing Travis Jett to the state’s highest court.
Jett and his wife Emily joined Stitt for the announcement.
“They do a great job. And, this team, I considered the nominees very carefully. “My first priority is to appoint individuals who will stay true to the Oklahoma and United States Constitution and will uphold the rule of law,” Stitt said. “Today, I’m proud to announce I’m going to be appointing Travis Jett of Woodward, Okla., to the Supreme Court.”
Stitt said Jett is a man of integrity and is well-respected in legal and agricultural communities.
“You’ll be applying the law as written, and you will be a good steward of this honor,” Stitt said to Jett during the news conference. “I’m so grateful that he’s willing to leave his private practice to serve his state where he grew up. It is a sacrifice to come serve and leave these lucrative careers. I’m so thankful that we have great Oklahomans who have a heart for service. That’s exactly who he is.”
Jett spoke about his roots growing up on a ranch in the Oklahoma Panhandle.
“I don’t think I would have believed that I would be honored with this high responsibility. But here’s what I do know. I know that the lessons that I learned 190 miles northwest of here, things like honesty, integrity, humility, fairness, that will guide my tenure in our state Supreme Court,” Jett said. “Gov. Stitt, thank you so much for your confidence in appointing me to this position. It’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. I’m committed to using all of my abilities to make sure that the law is applied in a fair, predictable and just [manner].”
Jett is filling the seat previously occupied by Yvonne Kauger, whom voters removed from the bench in November.
Fourteen individuals applied to fill the vacancy. Oklahoma’s Judicial Nominating Commission reduced the applicants to three finalists whom they presented to Stitt in March. Donna Dirickson and Jon Parsley were the other two nominated finalists.
Chad Warmington, president and CEO of The State Chamber, praised Stitt’s choice.
“We applaud Governor Stitt’s appointment of Travis Jett to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. His deep legal expertise, commitment to fairness, and respect for judicial restraint make him an outstanding choice for our state’s highest court. Jett understands the importance of a stable and predictable legal environment, which is essential for businesses to grow, invest, and create jobs across Oklahoma. His reputation for integrity, sound judgment, and adherence to the rule of law will help strengthen confidence in our judiciary and reinforce Oklahoma’s position as a state that welcomes economic opportunity and innovation,” Warmington said. “Governor Stitt’s selection of Travis Jett proves the Governor values the rule of law and balance in Oklahoma’s judicial branch.”
Jett received his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University, and is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. His legal practice focused on litigation, agricultural and business law. He most recently worked at Hodgden Law Firm in Woodward.
Prior to working at Hodgden, Jett practiced for 10 years in Oklahoma City and was a shareholder at the Gable Gotwals law firm. He has presented oral arguments to the Oklahoma Supreme Court, handled both civil and criminal cases in state and federal court, represented a former governor and the State Board of Education, and represented clients before various state agencies including the Oklahoma Tax Commission, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the Oklahoma Department of Health and the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. His experience includes litigating class action lawsuits and negotiating agricultural leases. He was recently involved in oil and gas lien disputes, bankruptcy litigation and foreclosure suits, according to his Hodgden Law profile.
Jett was elected to serve as the National FFA President for the 490,000-member organization in 2005. He has earned numerous awards, including being named an Oklahoma Super Lawyer in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He became Woodward County Bar Association president in 2023. Jett has also been involved with the Oklahoma County Bar Association, the Oklahoma City Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, the Federalist Society and the Oklahoma FFA Alumni Council.
Jett is Stitt’s fourth appointment to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
