David James Batton
Attorney and Counsellor at Law

 

Summary of Qualifications 
Admitted and in good standing to practice law before:
United States Supreme Court 
Circuit Courts of Appeals: Tenth and Fifth Circuits 
United States District Courts: Colorado; Western, Northern, and Eastern Districts of 
Oklahoma; Southern District of Texas, Houston Division 
Oklahoma Supreme Court 
United States Tax Court 
Absentee Shawnee Tribal Supreme Court (serving as an Associate Justice since 2001) 
Member in good standing: Oklahoma Bar Association 

Education 
  •  Juris Doctor, University of Oklahoma, College of Law, Norman, Oklahoma
  • Bachelor of Science in Political Science/Public Administration, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
  •  Continuing Legal Education in Government Civil Practice, Labor and Employment Law, Civil Rights Law, White Collar Crime, Municipal Bond Law and Tax Compliance, Asset Seizure and Forfeiture, Evidence, Homicides, and various other topics.

Experience
Law Practice, December 1986 to December 2003 and July 2012 to present

Trial litigation experience in state and federal courts involving civil rights, employment, construction, juvenile process, personal injury, family and criminal law issues. Administrative experience with Merit Protection, EEOC and Immigration proceedings. Appellate work with Oklahoma Supreme Court, Court of Appeals for Tenth and Fifth Circuit Courts of Appeals, EEOC, Dept. of Labor, Immigration(deportation/waiver), Customs, Tax Court, and various other administrative agencies.

• Assistant District Attorney- December 2003 to June 2012 Twenty-first Prosecutorial
District, Cleveland, McClain, and Garvin Counties
January 2007-June 2012
Assistant District Attorney placed in charge of civil division to represent elected county officials and the district attorney’s office in all civil matters including contract
review, disputes and negotiations, juvenile detention and juvenile program funding issues, employment matters, EEOC, civil rights, litigation, tax matters, construction projects, trial preparation, discovery issues, and other general business of government. Provided legal oversight and management for new jail construction, jail transition; sales tax initiative and bond financing and tax compliance issues.
 December 2003 –March 2007
General felony trial assignment with focus on prosecution and trial of major felony crimes in Cleveland County. Provided oversight for community sentencing program,
established pretrial release supervision program, and specially assigned to Cleveland County District Court to assist in establishing mental health court program.
Presenter for Continuing Legal Education topics for Cleveland County Bar Association
Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training Instructor for Oklahoma City, City of Norman, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department, and various reserve classes in district – Instructor for Criminal Law, Search and Seizure, Weapons Law, Civil Process and Litigation, Civil Rights, and Immigration. 2007 to June 2012.
• University of Oklahoma as Visiting Associate Professor, 1991
Instructor for Political Science Criminal Law.
• Interim City Manager for the City of Moore, March 1989 to May 1989
Reorganization of management staff, established early retirement program for budget and ERISA compliance. Revised municipal bond debt structure providing financing for water treatment facility. Restructured police department personnel to avoid EEOC compliance issues and mediated labor disputes with FOP and Fire unions.

 

Law Enforcement Service:
 Oklahoma State Certified Officer (300 hours training-1981)
 Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
 Colorado State Certified Officer (474 hours training-1979)
 Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Golden, Colorado

 

Other Employment
• Surgical Scrub Technician 2002-2003
 Dr. Ross Grimes, Southwest Medical Center, Liberal Kansas

 

Military Service:
• United States Air Force (1971-1977) Honorable Discharge (E-4 Sgt)
Electronics Technician -Parachutist (Paratrooper/Jumpmaster)
Supervisor, computer analysis reports, electronic radio maintenance, forward air control
team specialist, special assignment to 101st Airborne Division.

 

Community Service:
Kiwanis International – Board Member for Norman Club

Skills/Hobbies
Licensed multi-engine pilot; underwater photography