John F. Reif

John F. Reif (born June 19, 1951) is a former justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, serving from 2007 until he retired in 2019. Previously, he had served for 20 years on the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals.

Early life and career Reif was born in Skiatook, Oklahoma, in 1951. He attended Cascia Hall Preparatory School, a Roman Catholic school in Tulsa, and graduated as valedictorian of his class in 1969. Reif earned both his bachelor's degree (in Criminal Justice) and his J.D. degree from the University of Tulsa, in 1973 and 1977, respectively.

Reif served as a Special District Judge from 1981 to 1984, when he was appointed to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals. He spent more than 20 years on that court until his appointment to the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2007, twice serving as both Vice Chief Judge (1993 and 2001) and Chief Judge (1994 and 2002). filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Robert E. Lavender.

Reif served a two-year term as Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2015 and 2016 and was replaced in that position by Justice Douglas Combs, who had served as his Vice Chief Justice. In March 2019 Reif announced his voluntary retirement from the court, effective April 30, 2019.

Personal life Reif was married to the former Aylo Brewer for 35 years from 1973 until her death in 2008.

Awards Oral Roberts University, President's Distinguished Service Award, 1995 Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA), Earl Sneed Award, in recognition of annual presentations at OBA-sponsored continuing legal education and community education programs over the previous 30 years, 2010

Professional organizations Oklahoma Bar Association, 1978 to present