Governor Stitt Promotes Business Courts, Urges Favorable Ruling from Oklahoma Supreme Court

On July 15, 2025, Governor Kevin Stitt is reaffirming his commitment to making Oklahoma the most business-friendly state in the nation. Attorneys for the Governor delivered oral arguments before the Oklahoma Supreme Court in support of the new business court law passed in the 2025 legislative session. Their arguments urged the Court to reject a meritless lawsuit brought by trial lawyers seeking to block the implementation of Oklahoma’s new opt-in business court system that would streamline legal proceedings for complicated business matters.

“Business courts are a game-changer for Oklahoma, so of course the old guard is panicking,” said Gov Stitt “Our business court system will make it easier for businesses to grow, invest, and hire more Oklahomans- because they’ll finally have certainty in how disputes are handled. We’re ready to move forward. This lawsuit is exactly what you'd expect from trial lawyers who treat the courtroom like a business model. They’re worried about losing billable hours and that’s why they’re scrambling to stop our progress before it starts- we’re moving their cheese.”

The Oklahoma Legislature passed Senate Bill 632 establishing business courts. The courts will launch in 2026 with divisions in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, streamlining commercial disputes and signaling to national and international companies that Oklahoma offers a predictable, modern legal environment. The courts are modeled on best practices from across the country and are designed to reduce litigation costs, expedite resolutions, and attract new investment.

The governor’s legal team argued that the plaintiffs-a pair of private attorneys with no actual case before the business courts-lack standing to challenge the law.

"This lawsuit is a textbook example of attorneys trying to use the courts to block progress. They have no actual injury, no client affected by the law, and no standing to be here,” continued Gov. Stitt. "They’re asking the Supreme Court to stop a law they simply don’t like- that’s not how the Constitution work. We have full faith that the Oklahoma Supreme Court will fall on the right side of this issue."

“To compete with other states, we need to have a legal system that resolves business disputes quickly,” said business courts task force chair and former state representative Jon Echols. “I look forward to an expeditious resolution to this case and a great launch of these courts.”

“The Business Courts Task Force set up by the Governor and Legislature last year shared the goal of making Oklahoma the most business friendly state in the nation,” said Secretary of Energy and Environment and task force member Jeff Starling. “I’m confident the result of our work will help achieve that goal and be a benefit for the legal system in Oklahoma.”