Tulsa attorney John O’Connor, named Oklahoma’s new Attorney General, has 40 years of experience in the field of law.

He’s an attorney based in Tulsa and a TU Law graduate.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is a big fan of new Attorney General John O'Connor.

"I personally have known John for over 20 years,” said Stitt. “He was a mentor to me when I was a young CEO here in Tulsa running my company."

Tulsa native O’Connor was most recently a partner at the law firm Hall Estill.

In addition to his law work, O'Connor has served as a state liaison for the national prayer breakfast, served as President of Tulsa's Ronald McDonald House, the President of Tulsa Rotary Club and was on the board of Trustees for OSU-Tulsa.

Related Story: Governor Kevin Stitt Appoints Tulsa Attorney John O’Connor As State Attorney General

In 2018, his name made national news when President Trump nominated him as a District Judge for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma. But he failed to pass a Senate panel after the American Bar Association gave him a rare "not qualified" rating.

The Bar Association said in their report, O'Connor lacked litigation experience and the ABA questioned his fitness to perform as a judge.

They also raised ethical concerns claiming O'Connor overbilled some of his clients.

That criticism though, is seen as a positive by Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, who said he's a long-time friend of O'Connor.

"A lot of people don't like him and say, ‘well wait a minute he didn't get a good rating from the bar association’ and I say bravo,” said Inhofe. “That's the best thing that could happen to you, because they are so inclined on the left.”

Governor Stitt also released a statement about the ABA’s rating.

"I have zero concerns about the opinion of an out-of-state, liberal special interest group, and I have the utmost confidence that John O'Connor's high moral character, 40 years of legal experience and willingness to fight for all 4 million Oklahomans make him the right choice." -- Gov. Kevin Stitt