Doug Combs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doug Combs
|
|
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court | |
| In office December 1, 2016 – December 31, 2018 |
|
| Preceded by | John F. Reif |
| Succeeded by | Noma Gurich |
| Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2011 |
|
| Appointed by | Brad Henry |
| Preceded by | Rudolph Hargrave |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 17, 1951 Shawnee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Education | St. Gregory's University University of Oklahoma (BA) Oklahoma City University (JD) |
Douglas L. Combs (born October 17, 1951) is a judge who served on the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He was chosen to be the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court from December 1, 2016, until December 31, 2018. Before that, he was appointed as a Justice by Governor Brad Henry on January 1, 2011.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Doug Combs was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on October 17, 1951. He still considers Shawnee his hometown. He is also a member of the Muscogee Nation.
School Days
Combs finished high school in Shawnee in 1969. He then went to St. Gregory's Junior College, also in Shawnee. Later, he studied at the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1973.
Becoming a Lawyer
In 1976, he earned his law degree (called a Juris Doctor) from the Oklahoma City University School of Law. He became a licensed lawyer the same year. Before becoming a judge, he worked as a private lawyer, helped the state's attorney general, and was a deputy clerk for the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Legal Career and Public Service
Doug Combs has had a long career in law and public service. He has served as a judge in different courts and held important leadership roles.
Serving as a Judge
From 1995 to 2003, Combs worked as a special district judge. Then, from 2003 to 2010, he was a district judge in the twenty-third judicial district. He also served as the chief judge of that district.
Joining the Supreme Court
On January 1, 2011, Governor Brad Henry appointed Doug Combs as a Justice to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. He took the place of Justice Rudolph Hargrave, who had retired.
Leading the Court
Before becoming Chief Justice, Combs served as the Vice Chief Justice. The court then selected him to be the Chief Justice for a two-year term. He started his term on December 1, 2016, a month earlier than usual. This was because the previous Chief Justice, John Reif, retired early due to health reasons. Justice Noma Gurich became the Vice Chief Justice after Combs in 2017.
Other Roles
Combs was also a board member of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference from 2006 to 2010. In 2009, he was the president of this conference, which is a group for judges in Oklahoma.
Personal Life
Doug Combs is married to Janet Lea Combs. They have been married for 42 years. Janet used to own and run a dance studio called the Shawnee Ballet Company until she retired in 2010. The Combs family attends St. Paul's Methodist Church in Shawnee. They have two adult sons, Christopher and Eric, who are both lawyers.
