Yvonne Kauger’s interpretation of the law and the paths she has taken outside the courtroom have been the foundation of Oklahoma’s legal system for decades.
When the 87-year-old retires on December 1, she will be jointly the longest-serving judge and staff attorney on the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
She will also be the first Oklahoma Supreme Court justice in the state’s history not to be retained by voters after a dark money campaign that labeled her a liberal judge and too old.
But being first is nothing new for Kauger.
She was the first female staff attorney on the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Yvonne Kauger served as a judge and staff attorney for the Oklahoma Supreme Court for 52 years
Gov. George Nigh appointed her to the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 1984, two years after he appointed the country’s first female justice, the late Alma Wilson.
Kauger worked for the state’s highest court for 52 years as a judge or attorney.
The cases before the court ranged from the constitutionality of laws, taxes, access to abortion, and tribal issues, to name a few.
The same year as her appointment to the court, she was adopted by the Cheyenne Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma on sacred tribal lands in Colony. Her family has deep ties to the tribe.
More: Interest in filling the vacancy on the Oklahoma Supreme Court is expected to be high
“It’s more of an honorary position, but I was the first person since statehood to be adopted by the Cheyenne Arapaho,” Kauger said.
Kauger has no Native American blood, but always wanted to be Native American, she said.
In 1987, she co-founded Red Earth, which features Native American culture, art and dancers.
The following year she founded the Sovereignty Symposium. The National Legal Conference in Oklahoma City educates people about tribal sovereignty and governance.
She is known for asking tough and direct questions to those appearing in court during oral arguments, and not letting lawyers off the hook easily if they cannot answer.
Former Oklahoma Chief Justice Steven Taylor introduced her when she was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
“No living Oklahoman has influenced the course of the law in our state more than Judge Yvonne Kauger,” Taylor said.
He said she oversees the institutional foundation of the state’s highest court.
Chief Justice M. John Kane IV said he would be sad to lose her as a colleague.
More: Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission begins search for next Supreme Court justice
“Her toughness, her kindness and her vision have been an institution on our court throughout my career,” said Kane, who was appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt in 2019.
Kauger has vivid and especially fond memories of her childhood in Colony and young adult years. She played basketball in high school. She still has the faded newspapers showing her modeling the latest fashions when she was younger. She lost her sister in a plane crash as a young adult.
Judge Yvonne Kauger listens to Governor Kevin Stitt’s State of the State address on February 5.
Kauger attended Oklahoma City University School of Law and graduated first in her class in 1969.
She was instrumental in establishing the online case tracking system for the state courts and in transforming the old Wiley Post building, which then housed the Oklahoma Historical Society, into the Judicial Center.
Not being hired has advantages for Kauger, who plans to write at least two books and start a faculty program for the Judicial Center, where she was instrumental in selecting the artwork.
“This is the most beautiful building and has one of the best Indian art collections,” said Kauger, who can see the state courthouse from her nearby home across the street from the Capitol. “We told the history of the state through art.”
Her Taos Pueblo-style home, including the garage, is filled with art, whether paintings or sculptures. She is also an artist.
“I call it a new beginning,” Kauger said. ‘That iron curtain has fallen. I don’t hold grudges. Sometimes I think it’s a coincidence, because I probably never would have stopped.”
Kauger has a tradition.
After every retention vote, she buys something for herself.
After one retention election it was living room furniture. For a year it was a car. This year it was a zero gravity heat massage chair.
Kauger said she has no regrets about anything she has done. She said it is the court’s job to follow the law based on the facts, regardless of what some may believe.
‘Do the right thing. Fear not,” is a motto she lives by.
Despite amassing an impressive list of firsts, honors and awards, Kauger said this is not her legacy.
“My legacy is my family,” she said, referring to daughter Jonna Kirschner, two grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. If you have any questions, please contact editor Janelle Stecklein: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice Facebook And Tweet.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ousted Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Yvonne Kauger has no regrets
