Workers' Comp Judge Appointed to Tulsa County Bench

Monday, May 9, 2016 | 0

Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Judge Owen T. Evans has been appointed as special judge to fill a vacant seat at the Tulsa County District Court, the Tulsa World reported Friday.

Evans has served for six years on the Workers' Compensation Court, which now hears cases filed before the Administrative Workers' Compensation Act took effect on Feb. 1, 2014. He will preside over the Tulsa County court's family docket, according to the Tulsa World report.

Though district judges are elected, special judges are appointed through a majority vote by district and associate judges. Judges with Oklahoma Judicial District 14 elected Evans on Wednesday evening after interviewing him and three other finalists, the newspaper said.

Evans is filling a seat that became vacant six months ago. Special Judge Tammy Bruce held the position previously.

Evans practiced workers' compensation defense law at the McGivern Law Firm for 15 years before former Gov. Brad Henry appointed Evans to the Workers' Compensation Court in 2010, according to the World's report.