Background
Heaton, Joe L. was born on December 12, 1951 in Alva, Oklahoma, United States. Son of Joe D. and Doris E. (Bickel) Heaton.
Heaton, Joe L. was born on December 12, 1951 in Alva, Oklahoma, United States. Son of Joe D. and Doris E. (Bickel) Heaton.
Northwestern State College (Bachelor of Arts. University of Oklahoma (Juris Doctor, 1976). Member, Order of the Coif.
Member, Board of Editors, Oklahoma Law Review, 1975-1976.
Legislative Assistant to United States. Senator Dewey Bartlett, 1976-1977.
Born in Alva, Oklahoma, Heaton received a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 1973 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1976. He was a Legislative assistant to United States. Senator Dewey F. Bartlett from 1976 to 1977. He was in private practice in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, from 1977 to -1992 and from 1993 to 1996, also serving as an adjunct instructor at the University of Central Oklahoma from 1980 to 1981 and from 1992 to 1993.
Then he became a state representative in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1984 to 1992.
Next, Heaton was a special assistant United States. attorney in the United States. Attorney" General’ s Office, Western District of Oklahoma from 1992 to 1993. Following that, he was a First assistant United States. attorney of United States. Attorney" General’ s Office, Western District of Oklahoma from 1996 to 2001.
On September 4, 2001, Heaton was nominated by President George West. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma vacated by Ralph G. Thompson. Heaton was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 6, 2001, and received his commission on December 10, 2001.
He became Chief Judge on November 25, 2015.
In November 2012, Heaton ruled against Hobby Lobby in its bid not to be forced to provide emergency contraception to its employees. On July 19, 2013, he granted the company a preliminary injunction, barring Department of Health and Human Services from enforcing the contraception mandate against Hobby Lobby and its affiliate Mardel Christian Bookstores.
City councilman City of Alva, 1972-1973. Member Rotary.
Married Dee Anne Barbour, September 6, 1980. Children: Andrew, Adam.