Ryan H. Pitts has been officially sworn as Special Judge of Seminole and Hughes Counties.

District Judge Brett W. Butner originally announced Pitts’ appointment on April 21, which was subsequently approved by all nine district judges in the South Central Administrative District.

“I am pleased to welcome Ryan Pitts to serve as Special Judge for Seminole and Hughes Counties,” said Butner. “His leadership, experience, and expertise will be an invaluable addition to our judiciary.”

Pitts was born in Duncan to David and Dorothy Pitts-Martin. He graduated from Comanche High School in 2003 and obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma, and his law degree from Oklahoma City University. Pitts and his wife, Hillary, married in 2010 and have had three daughters, Harley Jane (still born), Rylee Josephine, and Reagan Hadlee Pitts.

In 2013, Pitts accepted a position with Harold Heath Law Offices in Holdenville. Shortly after beginning his legal career, Ryan and Hillary moved to Wewoka, where they have lived ever since. After Mr. Heath’s passing, Pitts went on to open his own law practice in Holdenville until April of this year.

“I have enjoyed serving Hughes and Seminole County communities for over a decade, and I am excited to serve in this new role,” Pitts said. “I am proud to serve with these distinguished judges that make up our judiciary.”

Pitts has been very active serving the community in Seminole and Hughes Counties. He became the municipal judge for Holdenville in 2015 and Wewoka in 2023. He has served on the Seminole State College Board of Regents, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Board for Hughes County, and the Board of Directors for the Holdenville General Hospital, Wewoka Chamber of Business and Industry’s advisory board, and the New Wewoka Industries Board of Directors.