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title: "P. Thomas Thornbrugh | KnowJudges"
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# P. Thomas Thornbrugh

Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals
- State: Oklahoma
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Civil Appeals of Oklahoma, 2011-present
- P. Thomas (Tom) Thornbrugh was an American judge on the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, serving from 2011 until his retirement in 2021
- He then practiced law in Oklahoma for 20 years before being appointed District Judge for the 14th Judicial District in 1997 by Governor Frank Keating.

### Education

- University of Tulsa College of Law, where he was on the Dean’s Honor Roll and Res Nova Law Review — J.D. (1974)

### Additional information

- He was retained by voters in 2012 and 2016, winning with over 60% approval in contested elections
- In 2011, his peers voted him Trial Judge of the Year
- In 1997, he joined the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals and later appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2011.
- He then served in the U.S. Army, training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and later in Vietnam during the 1971 Laotian invasion, including service with the 1st ARVN Division and the 1st Signal Brigade at Khe Sanh.
- Born in Garnett, Kansas, Thornbrugh graduated in 1968 from Emporia State University with a B.A. in speech.
- He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for his actions there
- After law school, Thornbrugh worked for three years on the Washington, D.C., staff of U.S. Senator Dewey F. Bartlett.
- He later held the role of Presiding Judge, President of the Assembly of Presiding Judges, and on the Oklahoma Judicial Conference Executive Committee

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote proceedings

Scope: statewide

Oklahoma Rule 34 authorizes videoconferencing in District Courts, subject to the presiding judge's discretion and case-specific limitations.

Evidence excerpt: The Supreme Court hereby authorizes and approves the use of videoconferencing in the District Courts of Oklahoma, as set forth in the following general provisions.

[Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=483384)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote exhibits

Scope: statewide

Oklahoma Rule 34 permits documents and exhibits used in videoconference proceedings to be transmitted electronically, with original exhibits transferred after the proceeding unless the judge orders otherwise.

Evidence excerpt: Any pleading, other document, or exhibit used in a proceeding conducted by videoconferencing may be transmitted between the court's location and any remote site by electronic means, including, but not limited to, facsimile, scan, or email.

[Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=483384)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote witness notice

Scope: statewide

For Oklahoma district-court videoconference witness testimony, Rule 34 generally requires a notice of intent 30 days before the proceeding and allows objections within 10 days, subject to judicial discretion.

Evidence excerpt: A proponent of a witness via videoconferencing technology at any hearing or trial shall file and serve on the opposing party a notice of intent to present testimony by videoconferencing technology at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled start of such proceeding.

[Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=483384)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### courtroom electronic devices

Scope: statewide

Oklahoma's uniform civil jury instruction directs jurors not to use electronic devices while court is in session and prohibits texting, posting, blogging, or broadcasting about the trial.

Evidence excerpt: At this time, turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices. Do not use any electronic devices while court is in session in this case.

[Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instruction 1.0: Use of Electronic Devices and Research Prohibited](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=479101)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8191/p-thomas-thornburgh/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8191/p-thomas-thornburgh/)
- [Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8191/p-thomas-thornburgh/)
- [Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=483384)
- [Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instruction 1.0: Use of Electronic Devices and Research Prohibited](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=479101)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8191/p-thomas-thornburgh/)
- [www.courtlistener.com](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8191/p-thomas-thornburgh/)
- [www.oscn.net](https://www.oscn.net/static/JudicialDirectory.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8191/p-thomas-thornburgh/)

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