Governor Fallin Thursday announced former Senator James Williamson will serve as her general counsel. Williamson has been in private practice since 1975 and is a former legislator, having served 18 years in Oklahoma’s Legislature.
From 2010 to 2012, Williamson served as senior policy analyst and chief legal counsel to then-Senate President Pro Tempores Glenn Coffee and Brian Bingman.
Before that, he represented Tulsa in both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the state Senate.
From 1980 through 1986, he represented the southeast part of Tulsa and Broken Arrow in the state House. He was elected in 1996 to the Senate, where he represented the south central part of Tulsa and Jenks until 2008. He served as assistant Republican floor leader from 1998 to 2002 and as floor leader from 2003 to 2004.
“James brings a broad range of legal knowledge and legislative experience to my office,” said Fallin. “Having been in practice for 41 years and having served 18 years in the Legislature, he understands the complexities of the variety of legal issues my office faces.”
Williamson begins his new duties Tuesday.
Williamson earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Tulsa. He lives in Tulsa with his wife, Sandra. They have four children and five grandchildren.
“I enjoy practicing law, and look forward to returning to public service and being a part of Governor Fallin’s team,” Williamson said.
Eariler this month, current general counsel Jennifer Chance announced she was leaving the position she had held for five months to pursue other opportunities.
