OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (APRIL 15, 2025) — Judge Gail Blaylock has been appointed to the Office of Juvenile Affairs(OJA) Board by Senate Pro Tempore Paxton, succeeding Tim Tardibono, who was appointed in October by Governor Stitt to serve as Director of OJA. This appointment reflects Blaylock's extensive experience and commitment to juvenile justice and community service.
Blaylock earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1995 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with Distinction from the same institution, which she completed in 1992. Since 2006, she has served as a judge for the City of Norman, presiding over all criminal juvenile court sessions, as well as many criminal adult and community court dockets. Her judicial experience is complemented by her role as a former adjunct instructor for the OU Health and Sports Science Department and her previous position as a Compliance and Administration Officer for the OU Athletic Department. Additionally, Judge Blaylock was of counsel for the mediation division of the Trinity Law Center.
Her community involvement is also notable. Judge Blaylock serves on the board for Bridges, the Cleveland County Mental Health Task Force, and Transition House in Norman. Her dedication to youth and education was recognized in 2010 when she was named the United Way of Norman Youth/Education Volunteer of the Year. Blaylock is also a graduate of Leadership Norman, Salt and Light Leadership Training in Oklahoma City, and The Citizens Police Academy. Since 2017, she has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Municipal Judges Association and is currently participating in Leadership Oklahoma.
In her role as an Acting Judge for the Municipal Criminal Court of Norman from 2006 to 2007, and as an Associate Judge from 2007 to the present, Judge Blaylock has been responsible for hearing and adjudicating cases in various court sessions. Her responsibilities include presiding over arraignments, non-jury and jury trials, time-to-pay matters, signing warrants, ruling on motions, and conducting pre-trial conferences.
In her personal life, Judge Blaylock enjoys working out, practicing yoga, traveling, hiking, and spending quality time with her husband, two grown children, dog, and two hairless Sphynx cats. Her diverse background and commitment to public service make her a valuable addition to the Office of Juvenile Affairs Board, where she will continue to advocate for the welfare of youth in Oklahoma.
