Gov. Henry appoints Judge Hetherington to state Court of Civil Appeals

By Meghan McCormick

Cleveland County District Judge William C. Hetherington Jr. will soon have a new title.

Gov. Brad Henry announced Friday that he has appointed Hetherington, 62, of Norman, to the state Court of Civil Appeals.

The governor called Hetherington Thursday night with the news.

"I found out at 6:30 when Governor Henry called the house and had a nine-minute enjoyable and comfortable conversation with him," Hetherington said.

Hetherington succeeds Judge Glenn Adams, also a Norman resident, who retired last September.

"I've known Judge Hetherington for several years and I consider him a really good judge and am very pleased the governor has appointed him," Adams said.

Henry, in a press release Friday morning, lauded Hetherington's experience.

"William Hetherington has the intellect, integrity and temperament that will make him ideal for the Court of Civil Appeals," the governor said. "It is my pleasure to make this appointment to the bench."

Henry selected Hetherington among three candidates whose names were submitted by the Judicial Nominating Commission.

Hetherington has been a district judge in Oklahoma's 21st Judicial District since 1992. Before that, he served as a special district judge and was in private law practice. Hetherington graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1970 and earned his law degree from Oklahoma City University in 1979.

Hetherington said when he graduated from law school 30 years ago, he had no intentions of practicing law or advancing in a law career.

"I never intended to be a judge," he said.

Hetherington said as time passed, he realized just how important a role the judicial branch plays in United States government.

"I want to first offer my sincerest thanks to Gov. Henry for the trust he has placed in me for this appointment," Hetherington said. "Being appointed to the Court of Civil Appeals comes at a time in my 20-year judicial career when I can feel comfortable that I am leaving the Cleveland County District Court in the very capable and stable hands of District Judges Lucas and Judge Walkley, Associate District Judge Bonner, the special judges and Rhonda Hall, our court clerk, and our fine staff."

Hetherington was born and reared in Norman.

"I can feel proud that I leave the county I was born and raised in with a remodeled and up-to-date county court complex with a modern detention facility under way, all much needed facilities that will serve the court and county needs for the people of Cleveland County now for many years past me," he said.

A governor's spokesman said once Hetherington submits his official resignation, the state's Judicial Nominating Commission will begin the process of finding a replacement for the district judge post.

Hetherington said he expects the process will take place in the next couple of weeks. The judge's friends and coworkers either phoned or stopped by his office Friday morning to congratulate him on his promotion.

"I owe the highest degree of thanks that I can muster to the superb people that I have worked with in the county and court system, people anyone would be proud to work with, and particularly to the practicing attorneys who I have had the pleasure working with for these 20 years," Hetherington said. "To all of these fine attorneys at law I say, they have made these years the greatest years of my professional career."

Hetherington and his wife, Susie, have three children: Shea, Trep and Kellie. The couple also has three grandchildren: Melanie, Will and Hunter.

Hetherington's court reporter Angie Thagard said she will miss working for Hetherington, but she knows this is a perfect job for the judge.

"I can't think of anyone more qualified or more dedicated to our system of justice in the United States other than him," Thagard said.

Thagard said she didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she learned about Hetherington's appointment.

"I describe him as the heart of Cleveland County," she said. "He holds it all together."

Thagard said her boss possesses a great sense of humor, something that adds to the working environment.

"He is just so much fun to work with," she said.

One of Hetherington's coworkers, District Judge Tom A. Lucas congratulated Hetherington Friday morning.

"I think he will do very well," Lucas said.

Lucas said he presented cases before Judge Hetherington when Lucas was practicing law.

"Bill was a good judge when I was a practicing lawyer," he said.

Lucas' opinion of Hetherington hasn't changed.

"I think he's a good judge now," Lucas said.

Lucas is not the only judge at the Cleveland County Courthouse who will miss Hetherington's presence.

District Judge Lori Walkley has served on the bench with Hetherington for six years.

"He has been my mentor and friend and one of the reasons I love coming to work every day," she said.

Walkley said before she was named a district judge, she practiced law before Hetherington for almost 10 years.

"When I was practicing as an attorney, he was a great trial judge to practice in front of," she said.

Walkley said she aspired to be like Hetherington in the courtroom.

"He is a calm, smart man," she said. "He is prepared for hearings and trials. He has read everything. He's fair and even-handed."

She said she is happy for Hetherington. His promotion is a gain for the Civil Court of Appeals, but a loss for the county.

"It's a sad day for Cleveland County," Walkley said.

Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com