Judge John D. Russell Sworn In

On January 6, 2023, John D. Russell was sworn in by Chief District Judge John F. Heil to serve as United States District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Prior to becoming a district judge, Judge Russell was a shareholder in the Tulsa office of the GableGotwals law firm. Mr. Russell is a former Assistant United States Attorney and a former Trial Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division. Judge Russell’s practice consisted of complex commercial litigation, white collar criminal defense, government investigations, and tax controversies.

John was recently inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and he has been named five times as one of the top 50 lawyers in Oklahoma by SuperLawyers. He has extensive trial and appellate experience in federal and state courts around the country.

John earned his undergraduate degree at Oklahoma State University in 1985 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1988.

On October 24, 2023, President Biden nominated Judge Russell to fill the U.S. District Court seat previously held by John E. Dowdell, who has taken senior status. District judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate as required by our Constitution. The Senate Judiciary Committee held its confirmation hearing of Judge Russell on November 15, 2023, and the Senate confirmed Judge Russell by voice vote on December 19, 2023. Article III of the Constitution provides that district judges are appointed for a life term.

A formal investiture ceremony for Judge Russell will be held at a later date.

Clerk of Court

PDF version of the Public Notice can be viewed HERE.