Oklahoma – Governor Kevin Stitt reaffirmed his commitment to making Oklahoma the most business-friendly state in the nation as his legal team presented oral arguments before the Oklahoma Supreme Court in support of the state’s new business court law.
The law, passed during the 2025 legislative session, establishes an opt-in business court system designed to streamline legal proceedings for complex commercial disputes. Stitt’s attorneys urged the Court to reject a lawsuit filed by trial lawyers attempting to block the implementation of the business courts, calling the challenge “meritless.”
“Business courts are a game-changer for Oklahoma, so of course the old guard is panicking,” Governor Stitt said. “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 legislation, Senate Bill 632, calls for the launch of business courts in 2026, with divisions in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. These courts are modeled after best practices nationwide and aim to reduce litigation costs, expedite dispute resolution, and attract new investment by offering a predictable legal environment.
The governor’s legal team argued the plaintiffs, private attorneys with no active cases before the new courts, lack standing to bring the lawsuit.
“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,” Stitt said. “They’re asking the Supreme Court to stop a law they simply don’t like—that’s not how the Constitution works. We have full faith that the Oklahoma Supreme Court will fall on the right side of this issue.”
Jon Echols, chair of the Business Courts Task Force and former state representative, emphasized the importance of the courts for economic competitiveness.
“To compete with other states, we need to have a legal system that resolves business disputes quickly,” Echols said. “I look forward to an expeditious resolution to this case and a great launch of these courts.”
Jeff Starling, Secretary of Energy and Environment and a task force member, echoed the optimism.
“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,” Starling said. “I’m confident the result of our work will help achieve that goal and be a benefit for the legal system in Oklahoma.”
