Governor Stitt selects Jason Reese as new general counsel

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT ANNOUNCES NEW GENERAL COUNSEL 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 31, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the selection of Jason Reese as his new general counsel following current general counsel Mark Burget's decision to return to Search Ministries after fulfilling a two-year commitment to the governor.  

“Over the past two years, Mark Burget's wise counsel and legal expertise has helped guide our office through historic challenges facing the State, and I am thankful for his dedicated service to our team," said Gov. Stitt. "As Mark transitions out of the office, I look forward to welcoming Jason Reese as my new general counsel. Jason is a longtime litigator and former Oklahoma House of Representatives attorney with more than 15 years of experience, so he’ll bring a robust understanding of law and policy to the office. He will serve my administration well as we continue to work toward becoming a Top Ten state.”   

Jason Reese has served as a Partner at Edinger, Leonard & Blakley, PLLC since 2014. From discrimination litigation and workers’ compensation proceedings to employment dishonesty provisions of financial institution bonds, Reese primarily defends the interests of employers. Jason has not only successfully litigated cases to a conclusion in numerous courts and administrative agencies, but also has assisted his clients in solving problems outside of the courthouse, whether by carefully crafting policies and procedures or through prompt action before litigation is filed. 

Reese previously served as an attorney at various law firms, including Resolution Legal Group, Reese Law Firm and Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable, Golden & Nelson.  

Reese's diligence and commitment to excellence has been recognized by SuperLawyers, which named him a Rising Star in Labor and Employment Law each year from 2011 through 2018. The Journal Record named Reese one of its “40 Under 40” honorees in 2018.  In January 2020, he was appointed by Governor Stitt to serve as Special Commissioner of the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission.  

Reese graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma in 2001 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2004. He currently resides in Oklahoma City with his wife Jessica and their four children.  

Quotes of endorsement:  

“Jason Reese is a first-rate lawyer and a first-rate human being. I know him to be a law and facts professional who is humble and true to the law. He will serve the State and Governor Stitt with distinction.” - Frank Keating, former Governor of Oklahoma  

“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Jason in our firm on a variety of legal matters. He is a highly competent and ethical lawyer, with a deep understanding of the law and its underlying policies. The Governor will no doubt benefit from Jason’s thoughtful analysis and legal counsel.” - Kenneth Blakley, Managing Partner of Edinger Leonard & Blakley, PLLC