From the classrooms of Charles Page High School to the distinguished bench of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, Judge Deborah Browers Barnes’ career is marked by excellence, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of justice. Her journey through the legal field showcases her versatility and commitment to serving her community and state.
Judge Deborah Browers Barnes graduated from Charles Page High School in 1972. She then attended the University of Oklahoma and continued on to law school. During her time at Oklahoma City University School of Law, she served as the Articles Editor of the Law Review. Upon graduating in 1983, she began her career in private practice with the law firm Crowe & Dunlevy.
Barnes served as a staff attorney for now-retired Supreme Court Justice Ralph Hodges before joining the OKC firm Stack & Barnes in 1989. In 1991, she and her family moved to Tulsa, where her husband, Ron, opened a Tulsa office for his firm, McKinney & Stringer. Barnes accepted a staff attorney position with Transok, Inc., where she was soon promoted to VP of Human Resources and Administration. In 1997, she transitioned to ONEOK, serving as VP, Secretary, and Associate General Counsel.
In 2002, Barnes returned to private practice with Crutchmer, Browers & Barnes. Her distinguished career culminated in April 2008 when she was appointed to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, where she continues to serve with dedication and integrity.