The Oklahoma Bar Journal January 2023

“It was a huge change when I became DA,” he said, “a good change. It transformed my prac tice 180 degrees.” After 32 cumulative years in private practice, as he packed up his files, he felt a little mel ancholy but was largely looking forward to the new adventures that lay ahead. And, he said, he certainly does not miss the bill ing and timekeeping that comes along with solo practice. Mr. Hermanson has now spent 12 years as DA – a position he has embraced wholeheartedly. As district attorney, Mr. Hermanson feels he is doing God’s work. “I love the people I work with, and I love helping victims of crimes – children, seniors, men, women,” he said. “As DA, I work to preserve justice for those who feel lost, left behind. We have to be there for the victims of crimes.”

A WINDING LEGAL CAREER In 1985, following his seven years as partner at Phipps, Johnson, Holmes & Hermanson, Mr. Hermanson served as attor ney in the capital defense in the McBrain v. State case. He then part nered again with Judge Charles Johnson for a year before embark ing on a more than 20-year stint in solo practice, practicing primarily in criminal law as well as the gen eral practice of law. In April 1999, Mr. Hermanson’s time in Ponca City was interrupted as he was appointed by the court to serve as lead counsel for Terry Nichols in the state trial of the Oklahoma City Bombing case. The trial took seven years, required a move to McAlester for six months during the trial and made a major impact on his legal career. “But it didn’t change who I was,” he said. “I have always believed everyone’s rights need to be pro tected, even now as a prosecutor.” According to Mr. Hermanson, the most significant development in his career came when he quit private practice in December 2010 to become district attorney for the 8th District of Oklahoma.

worked as director for various nonprofits over a span of 16 years, including AmeriCorps and CASA of Kay & Noble counties. For many years, the Hermansons had a ranch in Ponca City where they bred and raised horses. “It was great stress relief,” Mr. Hermanson said. “But it took a lot of time. When my wife retired, we got out of the horse business – sold the herd.” Mr. Hermanson now spends the majority of his “free” time volunteering. He has served as president of the YMCA, the Rotary Club and Ponca Playhouse, serves on the board of the Community Christian Church, has been an ex-officio member of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce for 12 years, is the former president of the Kay County Bar Association and the current president of the Noble County Bar Association. He also works with many other organizations. The family attends a reenactment of the Cherokee Strip’s 100th anniversary run, riding their horses from the Kansas state line to Ponca City. From left daughters Brianna and Charlcy, Mr. Hermanson and Mr. Hermanson’s wife, Ruslyn

SERVICE LEADERSHIP Throughout his career,

Mr. Hermanson has made ser vice a priority. Influenced by his childhood Sunday school teacher, Mr. Hermanson brings patience,

“Everyone is different, but being an attorney is so much more than making money. We’re here to serve. You may not get paid as a volunteer, but you gain the chance to have fun with fellow lawyers, you get to see many good things about the practice of law.”

36 | JANUARY 2023

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL