Oklahoma's Governor Kevin Stitt is making strides to position Oklahoma as a top destination for businesses by promoting a new opt-in business court system. According to a statement from the Governor's office, the system, pending approval by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, aims to simplify legal disputes for companies by offering a more streamlined court process. Governor Stitt's representatives made their case before the Supreme Court, challenging a lawsuit that argues against the enactment of such courts.
"Business courts are a game-changer for Oklahoma, so of course the old guard is panicking," Governor Stitt said, as reported by his office. He accuses trial lawyers, who are attempting to block the implementation of the business court law, of prioritizing their financial interests over legal progress. His statement sharply criticizes these lawyers for acting out of concern for their potential loss in billable hours.
The push for a business-friendly judicial system comes on the heels of the passage of Senate Bill 632, which will establish business court divisions in Oklahoma City and Tulsa starting in 2026. The initiative suggests that by mirroring best practices from across the United States, Oklahoma can offer a legal environment attractive to businesses nationally and internationally, boasting of reduced costs and quicker dispute resolutions.
Disputing the lawsuit that seeks to halt the business court law, Governor Stitt's legal team holds that the plaintiffs, two private attorneys, lack standing as they have no current case before the new courts. "They’re asking the Supreme Court to stop a law they simply don’t like— that's not how the Constitution work," stated Governor Stitt, indicating his confidence in the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling favorably in this matter. Jon Echols, chair of the business courts task force, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the speed and efficiency a specialized court could bring to business disputes.
Members of the Business Courts Task Force, established by the Governor and Legislature last year, including Secretary of Energy and Environment Jeff Starling, have expressed confidence that their efforts will enhance Oklahoma's appeal to businesses and improve the state's legal system. As Oklahoma awaits the Supreme Court's decision, the intended 2026 launch of the business courts could serve as an influential steppingstone towards reshaping the state's economic and legal landscapes.
