Trevor S. Pemberton, from Norman, Oklahoma, was appointed as a State Regent by Governor Kevin Stitt in April 2026, filling an unexpired term ending in May 2031. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is the constitutional coordinating board for Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities and is responsible for determining institutional functions and programs of study, setting academic policies, allocating state funds to institutions, and setting tuition and fees.
Pemberton is an accomplished appellate advocate, mediator, and former public official with a career defined by leadership in complex legal and policy matters. He began his professional career in private practice, where he developed a strong reputation as a litigator handling a wide range of commercial, civil, and domestic cases.
His legal acumen and commitment to public service led to his appointment as a Special District Judge and later as a District Judge for the State of Oklahoma. During his time on the bench, he presided over a significant civil docket, conducted numerous jury trials, and served as Chief Judge of the Juvenile Justice System. He was subsequently appointed to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals.
Pemberton later served as General Counsel to the Governor of Oklahoma, where he advised on legal and policy matters of statewide and national significance. In that role, he contributed to high-level appellate litigation, including matters before the Supreme Court of the United States, and played a key role in negotiations between the State and Tribal Nations.
In addition to his public service, Pemberton is the founder of Pemberton Law Group, where he focuses on appellate advocacy, mediation, and government-related legal matters. He is the recipient of an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell – the highest ethical and professional distinction awarded by peers – and has been recognized for leadership, professionalism, and service throughout his career.
​Raised in rural Oklahoma, Pemberton earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma and his Juris Doctor, with honors, from Oklahoma City University School of Law, where he was a Merit Scholar, Dean’s Scholar, and member of the National Trial Team. He also completed the Mediation Intensive through the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation.