Gov. Stitt Appoints Nikki Kirkpatrick, Anthony L. Bonner, Jr. as District Judges for Oklahoma County

Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Nikki Kirkpatrick and Anthony L. Bonner, Jr. to serve as District Judges for Oklahoma County today.

“I am thrilled to appoint Nikki Kirkpatrick and Anthony L. Bonner, Jr. to the Oklahoma County District Court,” said Governor Stitt. “Nikki and Anthony boast years of experience, a commitment to justice, and a dedication to public service. They will prove to be strong assets to the bench in Oklahoma County.”

“I am honored to be appointed by Governor Stitt as a District Judge in Oklahoma County,” said Kirkpatrick. “I am committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in the judiciary by treating every person with respect and every case with an even-hand as I uphold the rule of law. Oklahoma County has always been home to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve its citizens with hard-work, fairness, and humility.”

“I am truly honored and humbled to have received the appointment to be a District Judge for Oklahoma County by Governor Stitt, and for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Oklahoma County,” said Bonner. “I look forward to serving with integrity, impartiality, and professionalism while upholding the rule of law.

Kristina “Nikki” Kirkpatrick is an experienced trial lawyer who has dedicated her life to public service and seeking justice for all people in the community. As an Assistant Attorney General, Kirkpatrick has fought to protect citizens from fraud and obtain judgments to return hundreds of thousands of dollars to Oklahoma consumers. Prior to working for the Attorney General of Oklahoma, Kirkpatrick served as a prosecutor for the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, handling all types of crime from homicide to property crimes, while specializing in domestic violence prosecution. During that time, she became Chief Domestic Violence Prosecutor, where she mentored and trained young lawyers, advocates, and law enforcement on the most effective and ethical methods of seeking justice to enhance fairness, accountability, and safety. In 2017, Kirkpatrick received the Governor’s Commendation for Distinguished Service in Domestic Violence. Kirkpatrick is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma County Bar Association, and William J. Holloway Inn of Court. 

“Nikki Kirkpatrick is a solid choice who will bring integrity, temperament, and respect for all to the bench.” — Tony Coleman, Attorney, The Coleman Law Firm, PLLC

“Nikki Kirkpatrick will be a terrific District Judge. She is a fair minded and honorable person, and will be an asset to the Oklahoma County Courthouse.” — J. W. Coyle, Lawyer, Coyle Law Firm

“I applaud Gov. Stitt’s appointment of Nikki Kirkpatrick to be the next District Court Judge of Oklahoma County. For over ten years, Judge-select Kirkpatrick has served the citizens of Oklahoma with honesty, ability, and integrity. She will bring these same skills to the bench each day as she works diligently and respectfully with every person that appears before her. Oklahoma County deserves the highest standards from its public servants. Those expectations have been met today with this appointment.” —Judge Susan Stallings

Kirkpatrick earned her Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City University in 2009 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2005. Born in Oklahoma City, Kirkpatrick moved to Edmond at a young age, where she still resides with her husband of fifteen years, Ryan Kirkpatrick, and their two children.

Anthony L. Bonner, Jr. is an experienced civil litigator and trial lawyer that has litigated hundreds of cases and has more than 30 trials, including both bench and jury trials, across the State of Oklahoma. He previously served as staff counsel with Angela D. Ailles & Associates; staff counsel with the Law office of Steve Crittenden, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, and as an associate attorney with Cathcart & Dooley. Bonner also previously served as a law clerk for Judge David B. Lewis at the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Bonner is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma County Bar Association, Association of Black Lawyers, Douglass High School Academy of Law & Public Safety Board Member, Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc. Community Housing Development Organization Board Member.

“I’ve known Anthony Bonner since he was in law school.  He worked for me as an intern, and I have followed him throughout his legal career. I commend Governor Stitt on this appointment. Anthony Bonner will be an outstanding district judge. I am very pleased he has been given this opportunity.” – Judge David B. Lewis

“Anthony and I have been working together for almost 7 years. I am personally and professionally extremely excited for Anthony, for the county, and for the State of Oklahoma. We are getting someone who will be an excellent jurist. I have had the pleasure to see Anthony in trials and he treats everyone, the judge, the jury, the client, and opposing council, with the utmost respect and professionalism. This appointment is a culmination of his life and professional experiences. I believe he will be a judge who fairly applies the law to both the plaintiff and the defendant.” – Angela Ailles Bahm, Managing Attorney, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

A native of Oklahoma City, Bonner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma (2003) and a Juris Doctor from University of Oklahoma College of Law (2006). He resides in Midwest City, OK with his wife, Avis Bonner, and four children.