Payne County set to add second civil attorney starting July 1
Incoming DA Jeremiah Gregory says two part-time attorneys give the county better coverage than one full-time hire
Payne County is expected to add a second civil assistant district attorney starting July 1, under a proposal from District 9 District Attorney-elect Jeremiah Gregory that received broad support from the Payne County Budget Board at its May 11 meeting. Gregory takes office in January 2027.
Gregory presented a plan to hire Cushing attorney Wade Shaw as a half-time civil assistant district attorney funded entirely by Payne County. Shaw would handle contract reviews and other transactional legal work three days a week from offices on the second floor of the Payne County Administration Building in Stillwater.
Shaw would begin July 1 under First Assistant District Attorney Jose Villarreal, who is serving as acting head of the District 9 office until the governor appoints a replacement for Thomas. Shaw would then transition to Gregory's administration when Gregory takes office in January 2027. Three-term District Attorney Laura Austin Thomas announced her retirement in April and stepped down April 30.
Gregory previously served as a criminal prosecutor in the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office and in the Logan and Payne County DA's Office, including as the appointed county civil attorney under Thomas. He currently operates a private law practice in Stillwater.
Current civil ADA Max Myers would continue in his role, handling litigation for both Payne and Logan counties — the two counties that make up District 9. Together, Gregory said, the two attorneys would give Payne County the equivalent of one full-time civil legal position.
"I really feel like this for purposes of Payne County is a dream team," Gregory said, citing his knowledge of both attorneys' ability to handle legal matters.
Gregory said the structure offers a practical advantage over a single full-time hire: if one attorney is unavailable, the other can be reached.
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County Clerk Glenna Craig confirmed Shaw's salary has been included in the county's proposed FY 2026-27 budget. The proposed budget shows the District Attorney salaries line doubling — from $78,938.30 to $157,876.60 — with the $78,938.30 increase attributed to the second part-time ADA position. Including increases to the DA's maintenance and operations and legal publications accounts, the total proposed increase to the District Attorney budget is $119,938.30. Formal approval will come at budget hearings scheduled for next month. Logan County will continue to fund Myers' benefits and salary; Payne County would bear the full cost of Shaw's compensation.
Shaw, who has practiced law in Cushing for 35 years, said he plans to be accessible by phone even when he is not in the building.
"You want to call me, I'll take your call," Shaw said.
Gregory said Payne County's population and economic activity justify dedicated legal representation separate from Logan County. He also said bringing routine legal work in-house could reduce fees currently paid to outside firms — specifically Tisdale, a law firm that has handled some property assessment dispute cases for the county. Gregory said complex oil and gas assessment matters may still warrant outside counsel.
Assessor Jason Gomez said accessible, unmetered legal advice has been valuable and that he looks forward to the expanded arrangement.
"I appreciate the fact that it's going to be up to you guys to initiate opinions to the AG's office," Gomez said, referring to requests for guidance from the state attorney general on valuation methods where legal interpretation is unclear.
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Myers said he and Shaw have known each other for more than 30 years and have worked cases together.
"Wade and I went to college together — known each other 30 some years — we actually tried cases together," Myers said.
Myers said he plans to be present Mondays, Shaw on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with both accessible for emergencies. Myers would take primary responsibility for litigation across both counties. Gregory said he plans to take a largely hands-off role, stepping in only for significant litigation needs.
Both attorneys are expected to be working through the District Attorney's office email system by July 1. Gregory asked the board to provide a conference table, chairs, a copier, and phone access for the upstairs office space. The board took no formal vote on the civil ADA item Monday; the funding will be acted on through the budget hearing process.
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